The Population Research Center (PRC) is an interdisciplinary public service, research, and training unit for population-related data and research for the State of Oregon.
The mission of PRC is to provide population data, information, and research analysis for Oregon and its communities. Resource-wise, this means providing PRC staff and students with administrative, computing, and information services that support their population-related agendas. Center staff engage in a variety of demographic activities, including the Oregon State Data Center, the Oregon Population Estimates and Projections Program, and a variety of population projects. PRC staff also teach in the Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning, supporting a graduate concentration in applied demography and a graduate certificate program in applied demography.
The specific activities of the Population Research Center are:
- To prepare population estimates for the state of Oregon and its cities and counties, including work in cooperation with the U.S. Census Bureau as Oregon's designated agency in the Federal-State Cooperative Program for Local Population Estimates.
- To participate actively in the U.S. Census Bureau's cooperative program as the state's lead agency for the Oregon State Data Center.
- To prepare population analysis and reports on the state's population and characteristics as well as for local areas.
- To serve as a source of demographic expertise for the state and provide demographic services on contract.
- To staff graduate courses in the area of applied demography and related fields.