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2020 Census shows a dramatic drop in Am Samoa’s population

American Samoa population and housing chart
compiled by Samoa News staff

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday released the 2020 Census population and housing unit counts for American Samoa and the three other island insular areas — Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

As of April 1, 2020, the American Samoa’s population was 49,710, representing a decrease of 10.5% from the 2010 Census population of 55,519. The housing unit count was 11,807 in 2020, representing an increase of 7.7% from the 2010 Census housing unit count of 10,963.

These population and housing unit count data, as of April 1, are collected once a decade during the decennial census. The 2020 Island Areas Censuses counted people living in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Census Bureau conducts the decennial census in partnership with the Island Areas governments in compliance with Title 13 of the United States Code and to meet the specific data needs of the Island Areas.  

The Census Bureau uses a long-form census questionnaire to meet the Island Areas’ data needs for detailed demographic, social, economic and housing unit information because other surveys, such as the American Community Survey (ACS), are not conducted in the Island Areas. This long-form census questionnaire is similar to the ACS questionnaire used in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Additional detailed data will be available in the future.

“We appreciate the collaborative efforts of our Island Areas partners to complete this important count,” said Dr. Jennifer Kim, the Decennial Census Management Division's assistant division chief for Content, Translation, Puerto Rico and Island Area Operations. “Working together to provide an accurate count of the Island Areas population helps ensure that every person counts.”

American Samoa had the second smallest population of the four Island Areas at 49,710 people, a decrease of over 10% since 2010. Only the Western District of Tutuila Island saw its population increase since 2010.

Despite the declining population, the number of housing units in American Samoa increased by 7.7%, or 844 units. This was driven by an increase of over 1,300 units in the Western District.

BACKGROUND

The combined population of the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the U.S. Virgin Islands was just under 339,000, according to the first results of the 2020 Island Areas Censuses released Thursday.

In addition to conducting a count of people and housing units for all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts the Island Areas Censuses to produce population and housing counts for each of the four Island Areas.

The four Island Areas each have different types of geographies. For example, there are villages in American Samoa and estates in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Demographic, social, economic and housing characteristics — critical in understanding the ongoing changes and trends occurring in each Island Area — will be released in the future.

(Additional information and local reactions in upcoming issues.)

Click on attachment to download pdf of the population and housing chart.