Calculate the population density of where you live
Measure or estimate your neighbourhood area, count residents or use population data, then calculate people per square kilometre to learn about population density.
Step-by-step guide to calculate the population density of where you live
How to calculate Population Density (New York City)
Step 1
Pick the neighbourhood area you want to study and walk its outer edges in your head so you know exactly what boundary you will measure.
Step 2
Draw a simple map of your chosen neighbourhood area on your notebook showing the boundary you picked.
Step 3
Decide how you will measure distances by choosing one method: measuring tape map app or counting steps.
Step 4
Measure the longest distance across your area in metres and write that number on your map.
Step 5
Measure the widest distance across your area at a right angle to the longest side in metres and write that number on your map.
Step 6
Multiply the two metre measurements to find the area in square metres and write the result down.
Step 7
Convert the area from square metres to square kilometres by dividing the square metres number by 1000000 and write the result.
Step 8
Find out how many people live inside your boundary by counting residents asking an adult or looking up population data and write the number down.
Step 9
Calculate population density by dividing the number of people by the area in square kilometres.
Step 10
Write the final population density with the units "people per square kilometre" in your notebook and check your math.
Step 11
Share your finished creation and what you discovered about population density on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a measuring tape or a map app to measure the distances?
Use a long piece of string and a ruler to measure the longest and widest distances on your drawn map, or use your phone's step counter or Google Maps' distance tool instead of the measuring tape, map app, or counting steps.
I got very different numbers when I counted steps and when I used a map—how can I make my measurements more reliable?
Measure each distance twice (the longest and the widest metres), line up the widest at a right angle using a street corner or a 3-4-5 step triangle, then multiply the two metre measurements and check your conversion by dividing by 1,000,000 to confirm the area in km² before calculating density.
How can I change this activity to suit younger children or older students?
For younger kids, simplify by drawing a small grid and using toy people to estimate residents and area, while older students can use Google Maps to measure metres, search census data for population, and calculate people per square kilometre in a spreadsheet.
What are some ways to extend or personalize the population density project before sharing it on DIY.org?
Make a colored map labeling the longest and widest metre measurements, calculate and add a comparison chart of nearby neighbourhood densities, and photograph your notebook to upload with the final 'people per square kilometre' result to DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to calculate the population density of where you live
Calculate Population Density
4 Videos
Calculate Population Density
How is population density calculated?
Population Density - Corbettmaths
Population Densities (AP Human Geography)
Facts about population geography
🛣️ City planners use population density to decide where to place schools, parks, buses, and shops.
🏔️ Mongolia is one of the least densely populated countries at about 2 people per km² — lots of open land.
📏 Population density is simply people ÷ area — usually reported as people per square kilometre (perfect for your activity!).
🏙️ Some districts of Manila can exceed 40,000 people per km² — that's a lot of neighbors in a small space!
🇲🇨 Monaco is the world's most densely populated country — over 26,000 people per km² in some parts.
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