本文对对地观测数据支持下的城镇人口估算方法进行了研究。首先，将研究区的居民地划分为高密度区、中密度区和低密度区，并且通过解译IKONOS数据获取各类型居民地的面积；然后，通过线性相关分析，研究居民地面积与居民人口之间的相关关系，并建立了相关关系式；最后，应用训练数据对居民地面积与居民人口之间的关系式进行了检验，结果显示：应用对地观测数据进行城镇人口估算，在理论上可信、方法上可行，是城镇应急状态下进行人口估算的可取方法。

In this paper, a method to estimate population in urban district by using EO (Earth Observation) data has been studied and discussed. Firstly, residential district has been classified into three kinds，which are high-dense, middle-dense and low-dense, according to the investigation, and the area of each kind of district has been calculated by interpreting IKONOS. Then, the correlation between population and residential area has been studied by using linear analysis, and an equation showing the correlation between population and residential area has been determined. At last, the equation between population and residential area has been tested. Results show: it is a reasonable and adoptable way to estimate population by using EO data in some emergent situation in urban district.