This dataset contains populated places and their approximate population. Incorporated municipality populations were determined by the U.S. Census Bureau. The population of unincorporated places were approximated by UGRC using a given place's surrounding census blocks and their 2010 census population counts.

Geography is a fundamental aspect of the census, providing the framework for the once-a-decade count of population and housing. Utah's 2010 census geographic boundaries and basic demographic files for the redistricting process became available in January 2011. UGRC used these datasets to create the basic census 2010 layers.

The 2010 Census marked the end of the long-form questionnaire and the beginning of the American Community Survey (ACS). The 2010 geographies are used for the ACS estimates available before the 2020 Census, after which the ACS uses the 2020 geographies.