GeoTIFF / ASCII
WorldPop
Global 100m population density grids built from census and satellite data, covering 2000–2020 with annual estimates.
Population density mapping Humanitarian risk assessment
Population & census
Population & Census Data
Global population grids, census boundaries, and demographic datasets including WorldPop, LandScan, GPW, and US Census TIGER/Line data.
WorldPop population density census 人口网格 demographics LandScan
Downloadable datasets in this category
5
Each dataset page captures official source links, access notes, and related GIS workflows.
Official sources and direct access
Mixed delivery
Pages combine official portals, direct downloads, and task-focused usage guidance in one canonical URL.
GEO coverage
Task-first content
Intros, FAQs, and workflows are written to answer real “where do I download…” searches.
Population pages provide global and regional population distribution datasets at resolutions from 100m to 1km, suitable for risk analysis, humanitarian planning, and demographic mapping.
These sources pair well with boundaries and hydrology layers for multi-factor analysis of human settlement patterns.
Downloadable datasets in this category
Category directory
Category pages aggregate the most useful entry points first, then push visitors into detailed dataset pages with richer steps and FAQ sections.
GeoTIFF / ESRI Grid
Oak Ridge LandScan
Global population distribution at ~1km resolution from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, widely used for risk analysis and humanitarian planning.
Disaster risk assessment Humanitarian response planning
GeoTIFF / ASCII / NetCDF
Gridded Population of the World (GPWv4)
CIESIN's classic global population grid at 30 arc-second resolution with native census units preserved, covering 2000–2020.
Global population mapping Demographic trend analysis
Shapefile / GeoJSON
US Census TIGER/Line
U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line shapefiles with roads, boundaries, hydrography, and demographic data for all US territories.
US demographic mapping Census boundary analysis
GeoTIFF / ESRI Grid
中国人口空间分布 (1km Grid)
Chinese Academy of Sciences 1km population grid for China based on census and nighttime light data.
China demographic mapping Urbanization studies
Recommended population workflow
How to choose a source
- Start with WorldPop for high-resolution global population grids with annual time series.
- Use GPWv4 when you need longer historical coverage or census-native administrative units.
- Use US Census TIGER/Line for detailed US demographic and boundary data.
- Combine population grids with boundaries and land cover for integrated spatial analysis.
Category FAQ
Category FAQ
Which global population dataset should I start with?
WorldPop is the most practical starting point for modern high-resolution population grids at 100m, while GPWv4 offers longer time series and LandScan provides a widely cited 1km alternative.
Can I use population grids with DEM and land cover data?
Yes. Population grids are often combined with elevation, land cover, and boundary layers to study settlement patterns, disaster risk, and environmental exposure.