Which unit is defined by a population range of 2,000 to 8,000?

• A. Census tract
• B. Urbanized area
• C. Metropolitan area
• D. County district

Answer: (A)

Census tracts are designed as small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions that capture neighborhood-scale data. They’re purposefully sized to have populations roughly in the low thousands, typically around 2,000 to 8,000 people, which makes them ideal for granular demographic analysis while keeping boundaries stable over time. That population range is the defining feature that makes a census tract the unit in question.

In contrast, an urbanized area refers to a densely settled core plus surrounding areas and is usually much larger than a few thousand people. A metropolitan area covers an even broader region linked by economic and commuting ties, often crossing multiple counties. A county district is a political boundary used for elections and can vary widely in population, not tied to a fixed range. The population window described aligns specifically with census tracts, which is why that unit is the best fit.