Population Research and Policy
Research at CSDE often extends beyond academic settings into collaborations with state and local governments and other organizations. CSDE faculty affiliates and research scientists frequently support applied population research with direct impacts to constituents and policy. These projects often include undergraduates and graduates as part of the research team, providing invaluable and proven training experience for the next generation of demographers and data scientists. We are excited to showcase the final research products of these endeavors, including technical reports and project websites. Additionally, as part of our commitment to growing demographic applications, CSDE hosts annual events focused on integrating demography, data science, disparities and decisions (D4). These events emphasize innovative research approaches in collaboration with real world challenges. To learn more visit our D4 event page.
If you are interested in scientific and demographic support for your organization, please fill out our CSDE Science Core Consultation Request form.
Research Products:
University of Washington Elections Database (UWED)
The University of Washington Elections Database (UWED) housed at the Center for the Study of Demography and Ecology at the University of Washington offers a publicly available data set on estimated racial demographics in electoral precincts in Washington State. We also provide an additional data set on language minority groups by each county in Washington State. The project was funded by WA State Senate Bill 5597.
Learn More: Project Website
Point of Contact : Scott Allard
Discrepancies in Local and Census Housing Data
Seattle’s 2020 Census population count was 3.8% or nearly 30,000 lower than the Census Bureau’s Population Estimate published in the same year. The City of Seattle solicited CSDE Research Scientist Jessica Godwin and Demographic Analytics consultant Ron Prevost to explore possible causes of this discrepancy and avenues toward improving the Census Bureau’s housing data for Seattle ahead of the 2030 Census.
Learn More : Project Report
Point of Contact: Jessica Godwin
Accessibility in King County Parks
The 2025 Applied Research Fellowship program worked with King County Parks to provide both quantitative and qualitative assessments of the accessibility of King County’s parks. Isochrone algorithms were used to quantify the walking distance to parks while accounting for topography and physical infrastructure. An on-the-ground assessment coupled with interviews of park users was carried out at Dick Thurnau Memorial Park to examine the presence and quality of park amenities and signage. The research team of 3 UW graduate students and 2 UW undergraduates was led by CSDE Research Scientist, Jessica Godwin.
Learn More : Project Report
Point of Contact: Jessica Godwin
Spatiotemporal Trends in Local Business Closures
The 2024 Applied Research Fellowship program used proprietary data on businesses from Data Axle to understand trends in business openings and closures throughout King County. In collaboration with Public Health–Seattle & King County, the team looked at the spatial distribution of pharmacies, grocery stores, child care facilities, and third places and how that distribution has changed over time. For each jurisdiction in King County, the top 10 employers by size were reported. The research team of 3 UW graduate students and 2 UW undergraduates was led by CSDE Research Scientist, Jessica Godwin.
Learn More : Project Report
Point of Contact: Jessica Godwin