What term describes how population is spread out across a given area?

The term that accurately describes how population is spread out across a given area is population distribution. This concept focuses on the arrangement of individuals within a specific geographic space, allowing for an understanding of where populations are concentrated or sparse. Essentially, it examines the patterns of where people live and how these patterns relate to factors such as geography, resources, and urbanization.

Population density, on the other hand, refers to the number of individuals living per unit of area, providing a measure of how crowded a place is, rather than the pattern of spread. The general fertility rate and total fertility rate are demographic measures related to birth rates and do not pertain to spatial distribution of populations. Thus, population distribution is the most fitting choice for describing how populations are spatially arranged throughout an area.