A technical overview of how population totals are computed and disaggregated in PopEx.
Overview
Population Explorer aggregates global gridded datasets to compute total population inside any drawn or selected boundary. Behind the simple “total” figure are algorithms that reconcile global raster sources (LandScan, WorldPop) with administrative age/sex breakdowns (ASB) to produce meaningful, comparable results.
Algorithms for Totals
Input data: LandScan (ambient, ~1 km), WorldPop (residential, ~100 m), normalized to census totals.
Aggregation: Polygon overlay sums grid cells, partial overlaps weighted by geodesic area.
Consistency checks: Totals checked against control surfaces; deviations recalibrated.
Folder-level totals: Aggregated recursively from polygon-level results.
Age/Sex Breakdown (ASB) Algorithm
Step 1: Census ratios imported by admin unit.
Step 2: Ratios blended across raster cells.
Step 3: Cross-boundary polygons weighted by overlap.
Step 4: Output in 5-year age bands × sex categories.
LandScan vs WorldPop
LandScan: Ambient totals; ASB applied post-allocation at ~1 km.
WorldPop: Residential totals; finer ~100 m disaggregation.
Key difference: LandScan smooths more; WorldPop captures intra-urban variation.
Related Resources
Need More Help?
If you run into issues, please contact us.
Explore expert articles, eCommerce guides, and the latest updates to help your business grow smarter and sell better with Unistore.
May 22, 2026
You Can Create a Franchise Territory in Less Than 2 Minutes
Franchise territory mapping no longer has to mean expensive consultants, complex GIS software, or weeks of setup. Modern tools let franchisors create, evaluate, and compare protected territories in minutes.
May 22, 2026
At What Point Does a Franchise Need Territory Mapping?
Not every franchise needs rigorous territory mapping on day one. But once territory decisions begin affecting franchise sales, market protection, expansion planning, and long-term network value, the stakes change quickly.
May 14, 2026
São Paulo Retail and Franchising: Emerging Retail Corridors Beyond the City’s Established Commercial Centers
São Paulo’s strongest retail opportunities may not emerge from its most established commercial centers. Using high-resolution population forecasts, ambient population analysis, retail density, and drive-time territory mapping, this analysis explores how customer growth and retail competition are beginning to diverge across several secondary corridors in the broader São Paulo metro.
