Sorting through 2010 census data

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released more detailed 2010 Census population totals and demographic characteristics to the governor and leadership of the state legislature in Arkansas. These data provide the first look at population counts for small areas and race, Hispanic origin, voting age and housing unit data released from the 2010 Census.
The official 2010 Census redistricting data summary file can be used to redraw federal, state and local legislative districts under Public Law 94-171. The census data are used by state officials to realign congressional and state legislative districts in their states, taking into account population shifts since the 2000 Census.
Data for Arkansas show that the five most populous incorporated places and their 2010 Census counts are Little Rock, 193,524; Fort Smith, 86,209; Fayetteville, 73,580; Springdale, 69,797; and Jonesboro, 67,263. Little Rock grew by 5.7 percent since the 2000 Census. Fort Smith grew by 7.4 percent, Fayetteville grew by 26.8 percent, Springdale grew by 52.4 percent, and Jonesboro by 21.2 percent.
The largest county is Pulaski with a population of 382,748. Its population grew by 5.9 percent since 2000. The other counties in the top five include Benton, with a population of 221,339 (increase of 44.3 percent); Washington, 203,065 (increase of 28.8 percent); Sebastian, 125,744 (increase of 9.3 percent); and Faulkner, 113,237 (increase of 31.6 percent).
The redistricting file consists of five detailed tables: the first shows the population by race, including six single race groups and 57 multiple race groups (63 total race categories); the second shows the Hispanic or Latino population as well as the non-Hispanic or Latino population cross-tabulated by the 63 race categories. These tabulations are repeated in the third and fourth tables for the population 18 years and over and are for the resident population of the United States. The fifth table provides counts of housing units and their occupancy status.
By April 1, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will receive these data for the following areas: state, congressional districts (for 111th Congress), counties, minor civil divisions, state legislative districts, places, school districts, census tracts, block groups and blocks, and if applicable, American Indian and Alaska Native areas and Hawaiian home lands. In addition, data are available for the 46 states that voluntarily provided voting districts to the Census Bureau's Redistricting Data Program. Unique geographies for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are also available.