DALLAS, TX -- (Marketwire) -- 12/11/12 -- As media reports continue to document the dramatic growth of the nation's Latino, African American and Asian communities -- numbering 106 million in 2011 -- many individuals still struggle with the task of accessing Census data to understand where these groups reside and describe their basic demographic characteristics. Understanding the nation's race and ethnic communities is important to many businesses that are eager to market a service or product to these groups, to non-profits that plan programs to serve their needs, to politicians that seek their vote, and to journalists that write about their experiences.

For several years, Dr. Edward T. Rincón observed this frustration with his research clients and college students, whose patience was tested when trying to access the Census Bureau's web site. Explains Rincon: "Visitors to the Census Bureau's web site often felt intimidated that they didn't have the basic knowledge required to get a simple demographic report, and many had deadlines to meet as well." Sensing that a simpler solution was needed, he developed Populus USA® -- an app for iPhone and iPad users that literally "brings Census Bureau data to your fingertips."

"Populus USA® levels the playing field for Census data users by making it easier and less costly to use this information. It is also a great companion for data users who are on-the-go," adds Rincon. Indeed, with just a few simple clicks, a user can access pre-designed tables of information from both the 2010 Census and the 2011 American Community Survey that provide information for the nation's communities by race and ethnicity on selected characteristics like:

• Number of persons by gender and age category
• Number of foreign-born persons
• Detailed subgroups of Hispanic and Asian populations
• Home language usage for Hispanic and Asian populations
• Number of households, homeowners, renters
• Number of multi-generational households
• Health insurance coverage rates
• Median and aggregate household income
• Top 20 Rankings feature that ranks the top 20 states, metros, counties, and cities in terms of the concentration of 14 race-ethnic groups

Using Populus USA®, users can easily prepare their marketing plans, use current Census data in reports or presentations, challenge inaccurate or outdated population counts, prepare community profiles, and identify ethnic communities throughout the U.S. -- all from the comfort of their iPhone or iPad.

Populus USA® is available in the Apple Store.

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