Population Density
Population Density Revision
Population Density
Population density tells us how many people are living in a given location. It is often given in people per \text{km}^2, which means in an area, approximately how many people live in each \text{km}^2
Calculating Population Density
To calculate population density, you need to know the population of an area and the size of an area.
The equation for population density is:
\text{Population density} = \dfrac{\text{Population}}{\text{Land Area}}
If somewhere is crowded, it will have a high population density, and if somewhere is sparsely populated, it will have a low population density.
Example 1: Calculating Population Density
Calculate the population density of Boston given that it has a population of 650000 and an area of 230\text{ km}^2.
[2 marks]
To calculate this, we will use the equation.
\text{Population density} = \dfrac{\text{Population}}{\text{Land Area}}
\text{Population density} = \dfrac{650000}{230}
\text{Population density} = 2826\text{ people}/\text{km}^2 to the nearest whole number.
Example 2: Using the Equation
San Francisco has a population density of 1350\text{ people}/\text{km}^2 and a population of 810000.
Work out the area of San Francisco.
[3 marks]
We will use the equation again, but will have to rearrange it:
\text{Population density} = \dfrac{\text{Population}}{\text{Land Area}}
1350 = \dfrac{810000}{\text{Land Area}}
Rearrange:
\text{Land Area} = \dfrac{810000}{1350}
\text{Land Area} = 600\text{ km}^2
Population Density Example Questions
Question 1: York has an area of 270\text{ km}^2 and a population of 210000
Work out the population density of York to the nearest whole number.
[2 marks]
Question 2: Birmingham has a population of 1.2\text{ million} and a size of 270\text { km}^2 whereas Manchester has a population of 500000 and an area of 115\text{ km}^2.
Work out which area has a higher population density.
[4 marks]
Birmingham:
Population density = 1200000\div270\\
Population density =4444\text{ people}/\text{km}^2
Manchester:
Population density = 500000\div115\\
Population density =4347\text{ people}/\text{km}^2
Therefore, Birmingham has a higher population density.
Question 3: The population density of Liverpool is 4546\text{ people}/\text{km}^2, and the area is 110\text{ km}^2. Work out the population of Liverpool.
[2 marks]
Put the figures we know into the equation:
4546=\dfrac{\text{Population size}}{110}Rearrange:
\text{Population size}=4546\times110\text{Population size}=500060
You May Also Like...
MME Learning Portal
Online exams, practice questions and revision videos for every GCSE level 9-1 topic! No fees, no trial period, just totally free access to the UK’s best GCSE maths revision platform.
