NOAA’s STATE OF THE COAST
Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Population Trends from 1970 to 2020
Dear Reader,
This Naonal Coastal Populaon Report connues the commitment
by NOAA’s Naonal Ocean Service to describe the naon’s coastal
populaon, as a complement to the decadal Census conducted by
the U.S. Census Bureau. One of our naon’s ongoing challenges
is to manage ecologically sensive coastal areas such that future
generaons of Americans will connue to reap the immeasurable
economic, cultural, recreaonal, and aesthec benets provided by
our coastal resources. At the core of this management challenge are
both the large numbers and high densies of residents and visitors at
the coast.
This concentraon of people impacts the integrity of coastal
ecosystems, and at the same me, the lives and livelihoods of some
of these residents and visitors can be at risk from natural processes
at the coast – such as hurricanes, erosion, and sea level rise. This
report explores this dynamic relaonship by presenng both the
populaon in Coastal Watershed Counes and in Coastal Shoreline
Counes. Joined by our federal and state coastal management
partners, we hope this reporng framework will both increase
awareness and enhance policy discussions, by promong a deeper
understanding of our naon’s coastal populaon.
Holly Bamford
Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Management
Naonal Ocean Service
NOAA
Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Population Trends from 1970 to 2020
This document is a product of the NOAA State of the
Coast Report Series, a publicaon of the Naonal
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administraon, Department
of Commerce, developed in partnership with the U.S.
Census Bureau. Visit: hp://stateohecoast.noaa.gov.
Table of Contents
Our Naon’s Coastal Populaon
How to Use this Document
The Boom Line
Coastal Shoreline Counes
Populaon
Populaon Density
Age
Race
Hispanic Origin
Educaon Aainment
Household Income
Seasonal Housing
Building Permits
Coastal States Summary
Coastal Watershed Counes
Populaon
Populaon Density
Age
Race
Hispanic Origin
Educaon Aainment
Household Income
Seasonal Housing
Building Permits
Coastal States Summary
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
2
3
4
10
17
18
19
March 2013
Our naon’s bounful coastal resources have inuenced American history
and culture, and have drawn a substanal poron of our country’s populaon
to the coast. The concentraon of people and economic acvity at the coast
places pressures on ecologically sensive coastal ecosystems and also leaves
residents and visitors vulnerable to coastal hazards, such as hurricanes,
erosion, and sea level rise. One focus of this management challenge is to
understand who lives at the coast and how this populaon is changing.
However, this is not a simple maer as federal agencies, researchers, and non-
governmental organizaons dene “the coast” in various ways.
To increase consistency in how we describe our naon’s coastal populaon,
this report presents the naon’s coastal populaon in two dierent lights.
One is the populaon that lives in Coastal Watershed Counes, or those
counes where a substanal poron of their land area intersect coastal
watersheds, and consequently represent where land use changes and
water quality impacts most directly impact coastal ecosystems. NOAA
has historically reported populaon for Coastal Watershed Counes, and
connues this framework in this report. For the rst me, NOAA also presents
the populaon that lives in a subset of Coastal Watershed Counes, the
Coastal Shoreline Counes, or those counes directly adjacent to the open
ocean, major estuaries, and the Great Lakes. The Coastal Shoreline Counes,
due to their proximity to these waters, bear the most direct eects of coastal
hazards and host the majority of economic producon associated with coastal
and ocean resources.
Our Nation’s Coastal Population
Secon 2: People who live in Coastal Watershed Counes
This secon describes basic demographic status and trends of the U.S.
populaon that resides in 769 Coastal Watershed Counes. A substanal
poron of the land area of these counes intersect coastal watersheds, and
consequently represent where land use changes and water quality impacts
can most directly impact coastal ecosystems. This group of coastal residents
could generally be considered “the U.S. populaon that most directly aects
the coast.”
Secon 1: People who live in Coastal Shoreline Counes
This secon describes basic demographic status and trends of the U.S.
populaon that resides in 452 Coastal Shoreline Counes (see map in
Appendix A). These counes are directly adjacent to the open ocean, major
estuaries, and the Great Lakes, and due to their proximity to these waters,
bear the most direct eects of coastal hazards and host the majority of
economic producon associated with coastal and ocean resources. This group
of coastal residents could generally be considered “the U.S. populaon most
directly aected by the coast.”
When are these stascs most applicable?
Providing context for coastal community resilience, coastal hazards, and other
ocean resource-dependent issues.
When are these stascs most applicable?
Providing context for land use changes in coastal watersheds and local
watershed impacts of human acvies to coastal and estuarine water quality.
Channel Islands Naonal Marine Sanctuary and the Channel Islands Naonal Park, CA. Credit: Claire Johnson
2
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
How to Use this Document
This report oers two independent secons that present basic demographic
status and trends informaon for Coastal Shoreline Counes and for Coastal
Watershed Counes, allowing the coastal management community the
opportunity to choose the appropriate stascs for their needs.
Appendices A and B provide maps of Coastal Shoreline Counes and Coastal
Watershed Counes, respecvely. The Coastal Shoreline Counes are a subset
of Coastal Watershed Counes, and Appendix C provides a simple comparison
between these two groups of counes.
3
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
The Bottom Line
Regardless of how the coast is dened, it is substanally more crowded than the U.S. as a
whole, and populaon density in coastal areas will connue to increase in the future.
Note: Land area and density values exclude Alaska. Populaon values include Alaska and US Territories. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010
POPULATION DENSITY IS GROWING AT THE COAST
Out of the 3 million mi
2
of land in the US
Out of the 313 million people living in the US
A small amount of land and a large
number of people means high density
<10%
or 275,351 mi
2
comprise
Coastal Shoreline Counes
or 511,971 mi
2
comprise
Coastal Watershed Counes
<20%
39% 52%
or 123.3 million people lived in
Coastal Shoreline Counes
or 163.8 million people lived in
Coastal Watershed Counes
Coastal
Shoreline Counes
319 persons/mi
2
United States
105 persons/mi
2
446 persons/mi
2
Coastal
Watershed Counes
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Persons Per Square Mile
500
400
300
200
100
0
All United States Counes
In Just 40 Years: 1970-2010
Coastal Shoreline Counes added 125 persons/mi
2
Coastal Watershed Counes added 99 persons/mi
2
United States as a whole added 36 persons/mi
2
Within the limited space of the naon’s coast, populaon
density far exceeds the naon as a whole, and this trend
will connue into the future. This situaon presents coastal
managers with the challenge of protecng both coastal
ecosystems from a growing populaon and protecng a
growing populaon from coastal hazards.
In 2010:
In 2010:
In 2010:
= 10 persons
Each box
represents 1
square mile.
Coastal Shoreline Counties
39%
Percent of the U.S. populaon
that resides in Coastal
Shoreline Counes in 2010.
34.8 million
Coastal Shoreline County
populaon change from 1970
to 2010, a 39% increase.
(U.S. average 52%)
123.3 million
Coastal Shoreline County
populaon in 2010.
Humpback Whale Naonal Marine Sanctuary.
Credit: Fiona Langenberger
10 million
Projected populaon change
in Coastal Shoreline Counes
from 2010 to 2020, an 8%
increase.
(U.S. average 10%)
Populaon Change in Coastal Shoreline Counes: 1970-2010
Figure 3
Percent Populaon Change in U.S. Counes, Highlighng Coastal Shoreline Counes: 1970-2010
Figure 4
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Hawaii
Alaska
Percent
-45 - 0
1 - 49
50 - 99
100 - 299
300+
0 250
500
American Samoa
Guam
CNMI
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
U.S. Territories
Coastal Shoreline
County Area
Population
0 250 5000 500
4
Coastal Shoreline Counties
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010Note: Includes U.S. Territories.
200
120
40
160
80
0
Million People
100%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Percent U.S. Populaon
43%
42%
42%
41%
39% 39%
The Bottom Line
In 2010, 123.3 million people,
or 39 percent of the naon’s
populaon lived in Coastal
Shoreline Counes. Populaon
growth in these counes
occurred at a lower rate than
the naon as a whole from
1970 to 2010. The populaon
in Coastal Shoreline Counes
increased by 34.8 million
people, a 39 percent increase,
while the naon’s enre
populaon increased by 52
percent over the same me
period.
N
Coastal Shoreline Counties
89%
Percent increase in the 65 and
older populaon from 1970
to 2010 in Coastal Shoreline
Counes.
(U.S. average 100%)
-4%
Percent change in persons
younger than 18 from 1970
to 2010 in Coastal Shoreline
Counes.
(U.S. average 6%)
Chatham, MA. Credit: Louis Caero
Percent Populaon Change of Coastal Shoreline Counes and Inland Coun-
es by Age from 1970 to 2010
Figure 6
Population Density
Age
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Persons Per Square Mile
400
300
200
100
0
350
250
150
50
Populaon Density Change in Coastal Shoreline Counes and Inland
Counes from 1970 to 2020
Figure 5
Year
500
450
446 pers/mi
2
Populaon density of Coastal
Shoreline Counes in 2010
(excluding Alaska).
(U.S. average 105 pers/mi
2
excluding
Alaska
)
37 pers/mi
2
Projected populaon density
increase in Coastal Shoreline
Counes from 2010 to 2020
(excluding Alaska).
Coastal Shoreline Counes
Inland Counes
5
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010
Note: Density values include U.S. Territories and exclude Alaska.
Note: U.S. Territories not inlcuded.
The Bottom Line
In 2010, 39 percent of the U.S.
populaon lived in Coastal
Shoreline Counes (less than
10 percent of the total land
area excluding Alaska). The
populaon density of Coastal
Shoreline Counes is over
six mes greater than the
corresponding inland counes.
The Bottom Line
In 2010, age distribuon within Coastal
Shoreline Counes and inland counes
diered only slightly and the share of the
U.S. populaon living in Coastal Shoreline
Counes by age category was consistent with
the share of total populaon. However, from
1970 to 2010, the growth rate among the age
categories diered substanally, demonstrang
an aging populaon in both Coastal Shoreline
Counes and inland counes, with inland
counes growing faster within each age
category.
18 to 246 to 175 and Under 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and Older
Age Category
100%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
-20%
120%
Percent Populaon Change
Coastal Shoreline Counes
Inland Counes
Coastal Shoreline Counties
Miami, FL. Credit: B. O’Grady
Hispanic Origin
Race
0
20%
80%
40%
60%
American
Indian and
Alaska Nave
Alone
Black or
African
American
Alone
White
Alone
Asian
Alone
Nave Hawaiian
and Pacic
Islander Alone
Some Other
Race Alone
Two or
More
Races
Percent Populaon of Coastal Shoreline Counes and Inland Counes by
Race in 2010
Figure 7
Share of the U.S. Populaon by Race
in Coastal Shoreline Counes in 2010
Table 1
35%
47%
27%
64%
60%
49%
47%
White Alone
Black or African American Alone
American Indian and Alaska
Nave Alone
Asian Alone
Nave Hawaiian and Pacic
Islander Alone
Some Other Race Alone
Two or More Races
Race Category
Percent U.S.
Populaon
Race Category
Total Populaon 39%
Percent of Populaon in
Coastal Shoreline Counes
Percent of Populaon
in Inland Counes
0 60% 100%80%20% 40%
Hispanic
or Lano
Non
Hispanic
or Lano
49%
37%
Hispanic or Lano
Non Hispanic or Lano
Ethnicity Category Percent U.S. Populaon
Percent Populaon of Coastal Shoreline Counes and Inland Counes by
Hispanic or Lano Origin in 2010
Figure 8
Share of the U.S. Populaon by Hispanic
or Lano Origin in Coastal Shoreline
Counes in 2010
Table 2
Total Populaon 39%
Coastal Shoreline Counes
Inland Counes
64%
Share of the U.S. Asian Alone
populaon living in Coastal
Shoreline Counes.
(Share of total U.S. Populaon 39%)
211%
Percent increase in Hispanic
or Lano populaon from
1980 to 2010 in Coastal
Shoreline Counes.
(U.S. average 220%)
Percent Populaon
6
Percent Populaon
Coastal Shoreline Counties
47%
Share of the U.S. Black or
African American Alone
populaon living in Coastal
Shoreline Counes.
(Share of total U.S. Populaon 39%)
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010
Note: The U.S. Census Bureau uses the word “Alone” following
certain race categories to disquish those populaons that
chose a single race to characterize themselves.
U.S. Territories not included.
Note: U.S. Territories not included.
The Bottom Line
In 2010, minority populaon groups residing in Coastal Shoreline Counes
represented a combined 35 percent of the Coastal Shoreline County populaon.
This is higher than the combined share of the total U.S. populaon at 28 percent.
Coastal Shoreline Counties
Santa Cruz, CA. Credit: K. Crosse
Percent Populaon of Coastal Shoreline Counes and Inland Counes by
Educaon Aainment for Those 25 Years and Over in 2010
Figure 9
48%
43%
39%
37%
38%
40%
44%
46%
49%
46%
No School Completed
Some or All Elementary
Some High School
High School Graduate
Some College
Associate’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s Degree
Professional School Degree
Doctorate Degree
Educaon Aainment
Category
Percent
U.S. Populaon
37%
35%
36%
38%
40%
43%
46%
52%
Less than $10,000
$10,000 to $24,999
$25,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $74,999
$75,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $124,999
$125,000 to $149,999
$150,000 +
Income Category
Percent
U.S. Households
Percent Households of Coastal Shoreline Counes and Inland Counes by
Income in 2010
Figure 10
0
5%
20%
10%
15%
25%
30%
Share of the U.S. Populaon by Educaon
Aainment for Those 25 Years and Over
in Coastal Shoreline Counes in 2010
Table 3
Total Households 39%
Share of the U.S. Households by
Household Income in Coastal Shoreline
Counes in 2010
Table 4
Total Populaon 39%
Coastal Shoreline Counes
Inland Counes
Associate’s
Degree
Bachelor’s
Degree
Professional
Degree
Doctorate
Degree
Master’s
Degree
Some
College
High School
Graduate
Some High
School
Some or All
Elementary
No School
Completed
0
5%
20%
10%
15%
35%
25%
30%
Coastal Shoreline Counes
Inland Counes
Educaon Aainment Category
Income Category
Education Attainment
Household Income
47%
Share of the U.S. households
making over $100,000 that are
in Coastal Shoreline Counes.
(Share of total U.S. Households 39%)
38%
Percent of the populaon in
Coastal Shoreline Counes
that hold a higher educaon
degree in 2010 (for those 25
years and over).
(U.S. average 35%)
13%
Percent of the populaon in
Coastal Shoreline Counes
living below the poverty line in
2010.
(U.S. average 13%)
7
Percent Households Percent Populaon
Less than
$10,000
$10,000-
$24,999
$25,000-
$49,999
$50,000-
$74,999
$75,000-
$99,999
$100,000-
$124,999
$125,000-
$149,999
$150,000 +
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012a; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010
Note: Puerto Rico included. Remaining U.S. Territories excluded.
Note: U.S. Territories not included.
Coastal Shoreline Counties
Delaware
Alaska
Michigan
Alabama
Oregon
Florida
Minnesota
South Carolina
North Carolina
Maine
Massachuses
South Carolina
New Hampshire
Washington
Maine
California
New Jersey
New York
Michigan
Florida
0 5% 10% 15% 20%
Percent
Leading States in Number of Seasonal Housing Units
in Coastal Shoreline Counes in 2010
Figure 11
Leading States in Percent of Housing Units that are
Seasonal in Coastal Shoreline Counes in 2010
Figure 12
0
Building Permits Issued
(Thousand)
250
200
100
50
150
300
350
2000 2002 2004 20082006
Year
2010
0
Building Permits Issued
(Thousand)
1,250
1,000
500
250
750
2000 2002 2004 2006 2010
Year
2008
Building Permits Issued for Single-Family Units in
Coastal Shoreline Counes from 2000 to 2010
Figure 13
Building Permits Issued for Mul-Unit Buildings in
Coastal Shoreline Counes from 2000 to 2010
Figure 14
Coastal Shoreline Counes
Inland Counes
Seasonal Housing
Building Permits
Number of Seasonal Homes (Thousand)
0 100 200 400300 500 600 700 800
42%
Share of all U.S. seasonal
homes located in Coastal
Shoreline Counes in 2010.
1355
Number of building permits
issued per day in Coastal
Shoreline Counes from
2000 to 2010.
49.4 million
Number of housing units in
Coastal Shoreline Counes in
2010, 39% of the U.S. total.
18%
Percent increase in seasonal
housing units in Coastal
Shoreline Counes from 2000
to 2010. Total housing units
in Coastal Shoreline Counes
increased 8%.
Broadkill Beach, DE. Credit: K. Crosse
Coastal Shoreline Counes
Inland Counes
8
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011c; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010Note: U.S. Territories not included.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011a; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010Note: U.S. Territories not included.
2010
Populaon
U.S. State or
Territory
2010
Populaon
Density
(pers/mi
2
)
1970-2010
Percent Increase
in 65 and Older
Populaon
Rank Rank
2010-2020
Percent Projected
Populaon
Change
2010
Percent
Populaon
Living in Poverty
1970-2010
Percent Historic
Populaon
Change
Coastal Shoreline Counties
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012; Crowell et al., 2010
Coastal States Summary
Demographic Summary of Aggregated Coastal Shoreline Counties by State
Table 5
595,257
598,207
25,520,252
2,219,037
897,934
601,723
14,468,197
563,967
1,360,301
5,898,137
771,815
2,247,053
836,502
4,148,642
4,924,916
4,680,503
216,268
370,702
418,366
7,045,573
15,691,096
999,064
2,534,282
653,112
2,365,551
1,052,567
1,241,048
6,121,490
4,730,951
4,615,192
2,049,934
55,502
159,358
53,883
2,525,305
106,405
Alabama
Alaska
California
Conneccut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachuses
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
American Samoa
Guam
CNMI
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
211
2
716
980
461
9,864
454
121
212
4,246
509
165
97
631
1,400
154
22
209
393
1,360
1,280
102
809
42
2,118
1,018
168
410
544
245
195
445
752
305
1,281
580
702
168
111
72
196
-3
208
175
340
28
94
89
43
117
97
53
27
202
264
178
69
30
39
181
-2
46
443
198
248
164
31
27
26
1
15
21
25
3
28
17
6
23
14
22
11
7
9
31
30
29
4
2
20
12
24
13
19
18
5
8
10
16
20
31
10
8
14
1
15
26
19
2
13
24
28
11
4
25
30
21
17
5
6
27
9
29
3
7
23
16
12
18
22
11
13
8
5
10
1
16
19
16
2
4
10
-5
10
5
0
4
5
13
4
5
10
-1
9
0
5
23
16
18
15
3
8
11
9
0
1
17
10
12
9
11
18
13
15
9
14
14
16
11
9
9
16
14
15
7
9
14
15
15
16
20
12
15
18
8
10
14
58
147
62
18
64
-20
165
82
77
0
4
23
49
37
16
-4
-9
54
100
21
6
92
-14
53
-16
11
127
107
94
99
7
104
86
449
27
68
9
Coastal Watershed Counties
52%
Percent of the U.S. populaon
that resides in the Coastal
Watershed Counes in 2010.
50.9 million
Populaon change in Coastal
Watershed Counes from
1970 to 2010, a 45% increase.
(U.S. average 52%)
163.8 million
Coastal Watershed County
populaon in 2010.
Los Angeles County, CA, had the largest single
county populaon growth from 1970 to 2010,
increasing by over 2.7 million people.
Credit: Bruce Perry, CSULB
15 million
Projected populaon change
in Coastal Watershed Counes
from 2010 to 2020, a 9%
increase.
(U.S. average 10%)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011; NOAA, 2012
Numeric Populaon Change in U.S. Counes, Highlighng Coastal Watershed Counes: 1970-2010
Figure 16
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Population Change
Hawaii
Alaska
Persons
-846,000 - 0
1 - 49,999
50,000 - 249,999
250,000 - 499,999
500,000 - 2,850,000
0 250 500
American Samoa
Guam
CNMI
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
U.S. Territories
Coastal Watershed
County Area
Populaon Change in Coastal Watershed Counes: 1970-2010
Figure 15
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
200
120
40
55%
54% 54%
53%
52%
100%
0%
160
80
0
Million People
20%
40%
60%
80%
Percent U.S. Populaon
52%
0 250 5000 500
10
Year
Note: Includes U.S. Territories.
The Bottom Line
In 2010, 163.8 million people,
or 52 percent of the naon’s
populaon lived in Coastal
Watershed Counes. Populaon
growth in these counes
occurred at a lower rate than
the naon as a whole from
1970 to 2010. The populaon
in Coastal Watershed Counes
increased by 50.9 million
people, a 45 percent increase,
while the naon’s enre
populaon increased by 52
percent over the same me
period.
N
Coastal Watershed Counties
97%
Percent increase in the 65 and
older populaon from 1970
to 2010 in Coastal Watershed
Counes.
(U.S. average 100%)
0%
Percent change in persons
younger than 18 from 1970
to 2010 in Coastal Watershed
Counes.
(U.S. average 6%)
Port Townsend, WA Credit: D. Nieters
Population Density
Age
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012
319 pers/mi
2
Populaon density of Coastal
Watershed Counes in 2010
(excluding Alaska).
(U.S. average 105 pers/mi
2
excluding
Alaska)
24 pers/mi
2
Projected populaon density
increase in Coastal Watershed
Counes from 2010 to 2020
(excluding Alaska).
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Persons Per Square Mile
400
300
200
100
0
350
250
150
50
Populaon Density Change in Coastal Watershed Counes and Inland
Counes from 1970 to 2020
Figure 17
Year
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011; NOAA, 2012
11
Note: Density values include U.S. Territories and exclude Alaska.
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Note: U.S. Territories not inlcuded.
The Bottom Line
In 2010, 52 percent of the U.S.
populaon lived in Coastal
Watershed Counes (less than
20 percent of the total land area
excluding Alaska). The populaon
density of Coastal Watershed
Counes is over ve mes greater
than the corresponding inland
counes, a trend that has been
consistent since 1970.
100%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
-20%
120%
18 to 246 to 175 and Under 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and Older
Age Category
Percent Populaon Change of Coastal Watershed Counes and Inland
Counes by Age from 1970 to 2010
Figure 18
Percent Populaon Change
The Bottom Line
In 2010, age distribuon within Coastal
Watershed Counes and inland counes
diered only slightly and the share of the
U.S. populaon living in Coastal Watershed
Counes by age category was consistent with
the share of total populaon. However, from
1970 to 2010, the growth rate among the age
categories diered substanally, demonstrang
an aging populaon in both Coastal Watershed
Counes and inland counes, with inland
counes growing faster within each age
category.
Coastal Watershed Counes
Inland Counes
Coastal Watershed Counes
Inland Counes
Coastal Watershed Counties
Black or
African
American
Alone
Hispanic Origin
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012
Percent of Populaon in
Coastal Watershed Counes
Percent of Populaon
in Inland Counes
0 60% 100%80%20% 40%
Hispanic
or Lano
Non
Hispanic
or Lano
62%
50%
Hispanic or Lano
Non Hispanic or Lano
Ethnicity Category Percent U.S. Populaon
Percent Populaon of Coastal Watershed Counes and Inland Counes by
Hispanic or Lano Origin in 2010
Figure 20
Share of the U.S. Populaon by Hispanic
or Lano Origin in Coastal Watershed
Counes in 2010
Table 7
Total Populaon 52%
Coastal Watershed Counes
Inland Counes
American
Indian and
Alaska Nave
Alone
White
Alone
Asian
Alone
Nave Hawaiian
and Pacic
Islander Alone
Some Other
Race Alone
Two or
More
Races
Percent Populaon of Coastal Watershed Counes and Inland Counes by
Race in 2010
Figure 19
Share of the U.S. Populaon by Race
in Coastal Watershed Counes in 2010
Table 6
48%
59%
35%
75%
70%
61%
59%
White Alone
Black or African American Alone
American Indian and Alaska
Nave Alone
Asian Alone
Nave Hawaiian and Pacic
Islander Alone
Some Other Race Alone
Two or More Races
Race Category
Race Category
Total Populaon 52%
0
20%
80%
40%
60%
75%
Share of the U.S. Asian Alone
populaon living in Coastal
Watershed Counes.
(Share of total U.S. Populaon 52%)
239%
Percent increase in the
Hispanic or Lano populaon
from 1980 to 2010 in Coastal
Watershed Counes.
(U.S. average 220%)
Race
Percent Populaon
Shrimp boats in the Gulf of Mexico.
Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Percent
U.S. Populaon
12
Percent Populaon
59%
Share of the U.S. Black or
African American Alone
populaon living in Coastal
Watershed Counes.
(Share of total U.S. Populaon 52%)
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Note: U.S. Territories not included.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012
Note: The U.S. Census Bureau uses the word “Alone” following
certain race categories to disquish those populaons that
chose a single race to characterize themselves.
U.S. Territories not included.
The Bottom Line
In 2010, minority populaon groups residing in Coastal Watershed Counes
represented a combined 33 percent of the Coastal Watershed County populaon.
This is higher than the combined share of the total U.S. populaon at 28 percent.
Coastal Watershed Counties
Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Credit: K. Crosse
Percent Populaon of Coastal Watershed Counes and Inland Counes by
Educaon Aainment for Those 25 Years and Over in 2010
Figure 21
61%
56%
52%
50%
51%
53%
56%
59%
61%
59%
No School Completed
Some or All Elementary
Some High School
High School Graduate
Some College
Associate’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s Degree
Professional School Degree
Doctorate Degree
Educaon Aainment
Category
Percent
U.S. Populaon
Associate’s
Degree
Bachelor’s
Degree
Professional
Degree
Doctorate
Degree
Master’s
Degree
Some
College
High School
Graduate
Some High
School
Some or All
Elementary
No School
Completed
0
5%
20%
10%
15%
35%
25%
30%
48%
47%
48%
50%
53%
56%
59%
64%
Less than $10,000
$10,000 to $24,999
$25,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $74,999
$75,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $124,999
$125,000 to $149,999
$150,000 +
Income Category
Percent
U.S. Households
Percent Households of Coastal Watershed Counes and Inland Counes by
Income in 2010
Figure 22
Less than
$10,000
$10,000-
$24,999
$25,000-
$49,999
$50,000-
$74,999
$75,000-
$99,999
$100,000-
$124,999
$125,000-
$149,999
$150,000 +
0
5%
20%
10%
15%
25%
30%
60%
Share of the U.S. households
making over $100,000 that are
in Coastal Watershed Counes.
(Share of total U.S. Households 52%)
37%
Percent of the populaon in
Coastal Watershed Counes
that hold a higher educaon
degree in 2010 (for those 25
years and over).
(U.S. average 35%)
13%
Percent of the populaon in
Coastal Watershed Counes
living below the poverty line
in 2010.
(U.S. average 13%)
Share of the U.S. Populaon by Educaon
Aainment for Those 25 Years and Over
in Coastal Watershed Counes in 2010
Table 8
Total Households 52%
Share of the U.S. Households by
Household Income in Coastal
Watershed Counes in 2010
Table 9
Total Populaon 52%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012a; NOAA, 2012
Coastal Watershed Counes
Inland Counes
Coastal Watershed Counes
Inland Counes
Educaon Aainment Category
Income Category
Education Attainment
Household Income
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b; NOAA, 2012
13
Percent Households Percent Populaon
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Note: Puerto Rico included.
Remaining U.S. Territories
excluded.
Note: U.S. Territories not included.
Coastal Watershed Counties
55%
Share of all U.S. seasonal
homes located in Coastal
Watershed Counes in 2010.
1876
Number of building permits
issued per day in Coastal
Watershed Counes from
2000 through 2010.
65.2 million
Number of housing units in
Coastal Watershed Counes in
2010, 51% of the U.S. total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011c; NOAA, 2012
16%
Percent increase in seasonal
housing units in Coastal
Watershed Counes from 2000
to 2010. Total housing units in
Coastal Watershed Counes
increased 9%.
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Michigan
Hawaii
Alaska
Florida
Delaware
South Carolina
Minnesota
Maine
Massachuses
Maine
South Carolina
Texas
North Carolina
New Jersey
New York
California
Michigan
Florida
0 100 200 400300 500 600 700 800
PercentNumber of Seasonal Homes (Thousand)
Leading States in Number of Seasonal Housing
Units in Coastal Watershed Counties in 2010
Figure 23
Leading States in Percent of Housing Units that are
Seasonal in Coastal Watershed Counties in 2010
Figure 24
0
Building Permits Issued
(Thousand)
250
200
100
50
150
300
350
2000 2002 2004 20082006
Year
2010
0
Building Permits Issued
(Thousand)
1,250
1,000
500
250
750
2000 2002 2004 2006 2010
Year
2008
Building Permits Issued for Single-Family Units in
Coastal Watershed Counties from 2000 to 2010
Figure 25
Building Permits Issued for Multi-Unit Buildings in
Coastal Watershed Counties from 2000 to 2010
Figure 26
Coastal Watershed Counes
Inland Counes
Coastal Watershed Counes
Inland Counes
Seasonal Housing
Building Permits
0 5% 10% 15% 20%
14
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Note: U.S. Territories not included.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011a; NOAA, 2012Note: U.S. Territories not included.
Mysc Seaport, CT. Credit: J. O’Grady
764,613
598,207
32,258,738
3,574,097
897,934
601,723
18,427,589
1,043,009
1,360,301
5,898,137
1,432,512
3,573,854
1,238,956
5,287,553
6,318,177
8,797,000
251,654
628,502
1,073,438
8,683,202
17,586,787
2,254,172
4,326,145
1,982,081
6,388,180
1,052,567
1,932,243
8,287,623
5,425,647
5,229,486
2,569,028
55,519
159,358
53,883
3,725,789
106,405
Alabama
Alaska
California
Conneccut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachuses
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
American Samoa
Guam
CNMI
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
88
2
415
738
461
9,864
362
77
212
4,246
352
137
61
703
961
173
24
93
255
1,241
604
114
411
94
834
1,018
127
207
392
212
167
445
752
305
1,088
580
131
702
127
75
196
-3
228
138
340
28
87
95
85
138
41
78
33
154
138
70
31
198
55
101
54
46
290
202
198
170
42
27
30
1
14
26
29
2
25
21
9
20
15
22
11
8
4
31
28
23
5
3
17
13
18
7
24
19
6
10
12
16
27
31
11
7
10
1
14
28
18
2
15
22
29
8
5
20
30
26
16
3
9
24
12
25
6
4
23
19
13
17
21
9
13
11
6
10
1
17
9
16
2
6
8
8
11
5
3
4
8
10
4
4
8
1
8
4
5
17
19
18
17
5
8
11
9
2
1
18
10
13
9
11
18
13
18
9
14
14
17
12
8
10
14
14
17
7
9
14
18
14
14
12
12
17
19
8
10
12
44
147
79
18
64
-20
178
72
77
0
16
27
40
46
15
12
-5
59
90
22
6
59
-4
56
14
11
83
130
83
103
14
103
86
449
37
68
2010
Populaon
U.S. State or
Territory
2010
Populaon
Density
(pers/mi
2
)
1970-2010
Percent Increase
in 65 and Older
Populaon
Rank Rank
2010-2020
Percent Projected
Populaon
Change
2010
Percent
Populaon
Living in Poverty
1970-2010
Percent Historic
Populaon
Change
Coastal Watershed Counties
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011a; NOAA, 2012
Coastal States Summary
Demographic Summary of Aggregated Coastal Watershed Counties by State
Table 10
15
16
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Ache, B., K. Crosse, P. Pacheco, J. Adkins, P. Wiley. 2012. “The Coast”
is Complicated: A Model to Consistently Describe the Naon’s Coastal
Populaon. Estuaries and Coasts. In Press.
Crowell, M., Coulton, K., Johnson, C., Westco, J., Bellomo, D., Edelman, S., and
Hirsch, E., 2010. An Esmate of the U.S. Populaon Living in 100-year Coastal
Flood Hazard Areas. Journal of Coastal Research, Vo. 26, No. 2, pp. 201-211.
Naonal Ocean Service, NOAA. 2012. Spaal Trends in Coastal
Socioeconomics. Demographic Trends Database 1970-2010; Woods and Poole
Economics, Inc. Projecons Database 1970-2040. Available from: hp://
coastalsocioeconomics.noaa.gov (accessed June 8, 2012).
U.S. Census Bureau. 2011a. American Community Survey 5-Year Esmates,
2006-2010. Available from: hp://facinder.census.gov/home/sa/main.
html?_lang=en
U.S. Census Bureau. 2011b. Census 2010. Available from: hp://facinder2.
census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml
___. 2011c. Residenal Construcon Files 1998-2010.
This document was compiled by the following individuals of the Naonal
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administraon:
Kristen Crosse
Brent Ache
Percy Pacheco
Kate Haber
The authors would like to thank the following individuals for their contribuons
to the Naonal Coastal Populaon Report:
Naonal Oceanic and Atmospheric Administraon
Je Adkins
Chris Clement
Theresa Goedeke
Alison Hammer
John Hayes
Susan Holmes
Linwood Pendleton
Peter Wiley
U.S. Census Bureau
Thomas Fische
Marc Perry
Steven Wilson
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Mark Crowell
Acknowledgements References
Photo Credits
Cover:
Ocean City, MD. Credit: Christopher Parypa (Shuerstock)
Inside Cover:
San Francisco, CA. Credit: D. Nieters
Title Page:
Lower Mississippi River. Credit: NOAA’s Naonal Ocean Service
Chicago coastal skyline. Credit: NOAA’s Naonal Ocean Service
Kayaks in Santa Cruz, CA. Credit: K. Crosse
Puerto Rico. Credit: Cary Friday
Page 2:
Channel Islands Naonal Park, CA. Credit: Claire Johnson
Cambria, CA. Credit: J. O’Grady
San Diego, CA. Credit: J. O’Grady
Nubble Light House, Cape Neddick, CA. Credit: J. O’Grady
Rockport, TX. Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Page 9:
Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Credit: K. Crosse
San Juan, PR. Credit: B. O’Grady
Port Aransas, TX. Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Page 15:
San Simeon, CA. Credit: J. O’Grady
Anchorage, AK. Credit: D. Nieters
San Francisco, CA. Credit: D. Nieters
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has derived 452 Coastal
Shoreline Counes. FEMA’s 100-year ood plain, or Special Flood Hazard
Area (SFHA), delineates where the Naonal Flood Insurance Program’s
oodplain management regulaons must be enforced and the area where the
mandatory purchase of ood insurance applies. The Coastal Shoreline Counes
are counes that have a coastline bordering the open ocean, or contain
FEMA idened coastal high hazard areas in the SFHA (Crowell et al., 2010).
American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico are included in this suite (Ache et al.,
2012).
For more detailed informaon about Coastal Shoreline Counes visit: hp://
coastalsocioeconomics.noaa.gov/coast_dened.html.
Hawaii
Alaska
0 250
500
Coastal Shoreline County
U.S. States
0 250 500
0 500
Appendix A: Coastal Shoreline Counes
Note: Coastal Shoreline Counes in the
U.S. Territories are not shown.
N
17
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
18
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
Appendix B: Coastal Watershed Counes
NOAA has derived 769 Coastal Watershed Counes. A county is considered
a Coastal Watershed County if one of the following criteria is met: (1) at a
minimum, 15 percent of the county’s total land area is located within a coastal
watershed; or (2) a poron of a county, or an enre county, accounts for at
least 15 percent of a coastal USGS 8-digit cataloging unit. This “15-percent
rule” intends to idenfy counes that have a substanal watershed-based
impact on coastal and ocean resources. In addion, the ve U.S. Territories –
American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, are included in their enrety (Ache et
al., 2012).
For more detailed informaon about the Coastal Watershed Counes visit:
hp://coastalsocioeconomics.noaa.gov/coast_dened.html.
Hawaii
Alaska
0 250
500
Coastal Watershed
County
Estuarine and Coastal
Drainage Areas
U.S. States
0 250 500
0 500
Note: Coastal Watershed Counes in
the U.S. Territories are not shown.
N
Hawaii
Alaska
0 250
500
Extent of Coastal
Watershed Counes
Extent of Coastal
Shoreline Counes
U.S. States
0 250 500
0 500
Appendix C: Comparing Coastal Shoreline and Coastal Watershed Counes
C
o
a
s
t
a
l
W
a
t
e
r
s
h
e
d
C
o
u
n
e
s
L
a
n
d
A
r
e
a
-
5
1
2
,
0
0
0
m
i
2
Land Area Population
Coastal Shoreline
Counties contain
53%
of the Coastal
Watershed County
land area
C
o
a
s
t
a
l
W
a
t
e
r
s
h
e
d
C
o
u
n
e
s
P
o
p
u
l
a
o
n
-
1
6
3
.
8
m
i
l
Coastal Shoreline
Counties contain
75%
of the Coastal
Watershed County
population
Average Density
Coastal Shoreline Counes are contained enrely within the inland extent of
Coastal Watershed Counes, making up 53 percent of the total land area of
Coastal Watershed Counes. However, Coastal Shoreline Counes exhibit a
much higher populaon density than Coastal Watershed Counes, as they
contain 75 percent of the total populaon in this area.
Coastal Watershed Counties
Coastal Shoreline Counties
319 pers/mi
2
446 pers/mi
2
Note: Land area and density numbers
exclude Alaska. Populaon values
include Alaska.
N
19
NOAA’s Naonal Coastal Populaon Report
stateohecoast.noaa.gov
