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The population data sets representing High Population Areas and Other Populated Areas are derived from the Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas rulemaking (IMP Rulemaking).

PHMSA conducted a review of available data sources in December 2021 and confirmed that the 2020 Census information necessary to update these layers is not yet available. Versions 4 are still the most up to date HPA and OPA datasets available from the NPMS. PHMSA will continue monitoring the availability of 2020 Census information and will publish HPA and OPA data updates as soon as possible.

High Population Areas (HPA) Data

The High Population Areas (HPA) data is derived from the U.S. Census Bureau’s TIGER Urban Areas data layer, which is reproduced with every decennial census and downloaded from the Census website. Within the Urban Areas data layer, features defined as Urbanized Areas containing 50,000 or more people with a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile were extracted to become the “High Population Areas” data layer. Urbanized Clusters within Census Urban Areas data layer were not included in the High Population Areas data layer. A separate Excel table includes the 2010 Census population and population density for each HPA. Depending on the version, the metadata is included as an .XML file within the downloadable Esri Shapefile or as an independent link.

Version: 4 (Derived from 2010 Census)

Installation: Esri shapefiles can be used with numerous GIS applications.
Size: 71 MB unzipped; 46 MB zipped
Posted Date: January 2018

Version: 2 (Derived from 2000 Census)

Installation: ArcInfo Export files can be imported into Esri ArcGIS using the To Coverage option within the Conversion Tools Toolbox. Esri shapefiles can be used with numerous GIS applications. Open PDF files with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Size: 4 MB

Other Populated Areas (OPA) Data

The Other Populated Areas (OPA) data is derived from the U.S. Census Bureau’s TIGER Designated Places (CDP)/Incorporated Places data layer, which was downloaded from the Census website. Census Urbanized Areas (High Population Areas) were erased from the CDP/Incorporated Places data layer using the Esri ArcGIS ERASE command. The resultant data layer represents the “Other Populated Areas” data layer. Other Populated Areas are all CDP/Incorporated Places that lie outside of the boundaries of Census Urbanized Areas containing 50,000 or more people with a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile. Depending on the version, the metadata is included as an .XML file within the downloadable Esri Shapefile or as an independent link. For the older versions of the data, a PDF map is available for download.

Version: 4 (Derived from 2010 Census / 2017 TIGER/Line Files)

Installation: Esri shapefiles can be used with numerous GIS applications.
Size: 97MB
Posted Date: December 2017

Version: 2 (Derived from 2000 Census)

Installation: ArcInfo Export files can be imported into Esri ArcGIS using the To Coverage option within the Conversion Tools Toolbox. Esri shapefiles can be used with numerous GIS applications. Open PDF files with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Size: 4 MB

Readme for Population Areas and Other Populated Areas
August 2012

The High Population Areas and Other Populated Areas data layers are derived from the U.S. Bureau of the Census 2010 TIGER database. The Census 2010 TIGER files were downloaded from the Census website (www.census.gov) 

High Population Areas High Population Areas are derived from the Census Urban Areas data layer. Within the Urban Areas data layer, features defined as Urbanized Areas were extracted to become the "High Population Areas" data layer. Urbanized Clusters within the Census Urban Areas data layer were not included in the High Population Areas data layer.
Other Populated Areas Other Populated Areas are derived from the Census Designated Places (CDP)/Incorporated Places data layer. Census Urbanized Areas (High Population Areas) were erased from the CDP/Incorporated Places data layer using the Esri ArcGIS ERASE command. The resultant data layer represents "Other Populated Areas". Other Populated Areas are all Census Designated Places/Incorporated Places that lie outside of the boundaries of Census Urbanized Areas.
Contact Amy Nelson, GIS Manager
U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Area E24-462
Washington, D.C. 20590
Tel: 202-493-0591
Fax: 202-366-4566
Email: amy.nelson@dot.gov
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