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32aAppendix Daverage household size (“AHS”) would be 3.40-3.55 in theillustrative districts, higher than the 2000 Census averageof 2.5 for Irving. (Defs.’ Ex. 49.) The estimated 2008 AHSof 4.07-4.11 for a Hispanic household in the illustrativedistricts was also higher than the 2000 Census Hispanichousehold AHS of 3.65. 9 (Id.) Dr. Rives surmises that thelarger-than-expected AHS values for all households andHispanic households imply that Mr. Ely’s ACS derivedHCVAP growth rates are inflated. (Defs.’ Ex. 5, at 5.)In response to Dr. Rives, Mr. Ely defended hisestimates by differentiating HCVAP growth from generalpopulation growth. Mr. Ely emphasized that the criticalissue is the composition of the population in the illustrativedistricts, not any changes in the size of the total population,and that the pertinent analysis must therefore focus onratios rather than absolute numbers. (Trial Tr. vol. 1,5, Feb. 20.) He explained that the ACS survey data (orCensus long form data) only provides percentages andratios; the Census Bureau does not count all of the peoplewho fall into the different categories. The surveys count asubset of the population and state what percentage of thatsubset fall in within the various categories. (Id. at 19.) Hefurther explained that his methodology was designed tomeasure the relative size between two populations, andcannot reliably produce estimates of total population. (Id.at 6-10.) He urged the Court that Dr. Rives’ conclusions aretherefore invalid, because carrying capacity is relevant9. Dr. Rives calculated Hispanic households based onhouseholds with a Hispanic head-of-household. A large percentageof Hispanic residents live with a Hispanic head-of-household.(Trial Tr. vol. 1, 14, Feb. 19; Defs.’ Ex. 5, at 5.)