Census Basics –

The Decennial Census of Population and Housing counts the population every 10 years and summarizes characteristics about the U.S, population such as age, race, sex, marital status, disability, labor force status, place of work and commuting method, education, income, poverty and a host of other topics. Housing data include occupancy, type, age, size, characteristics such as kitchen facilities, plumbing, value, rent and owner costs.

The census describes these characteristics for many different levels of geography.  It offers statistics about the Nation, Regions, States, Metropolitan Areas, Counties, Cities, Places and smaller areas such as Zip Code Tabulation Areas, Census tracts, Block Groups and Blocks.

The collected data is summarized and available in tables.

Where to Go

 American Factfinder contains the Census of Population and Housing for 2000 and 1990.  Use the site to produce and download statistical tables and simple maps.  The site also gives access to the American Community Survey, a new survey which collects data similar to the Decennial Census of Population and Housing but on an annual basis.  Other data include Economic Census (Census of Businesses) and Population Estimates.

How To Get Started With FactFinder:

For Quick Facts:
There are many layers and ways to access data in FactFinder.  You make choices on a series of screens and drop down menus to get to the data you are seeking.

 For quick basic information use the Fast Access, People and Housing links to specify certain geographies and select corresponding tables and or/maps.

For More Detailed Information

For more detailed information and or geographies beyond the basics, choose Data Sets. 

• The SF1 and SF2 data or 100% data contains the basic data collected from all households.  It has fewer subjects but contains all the census geographies. Also known as short-form data.
  
• The SF3 and SF4 data or sample data contains the social and economic data collected from a 1-in-6 sample of households. SF3 data is not as geographically detailed as SF1, but it contains information on many more topics. Also known as long-form data.

A word about the types of tables in FactFinder

Quick Tables, Data Profiles, Multi-Year Profiles, and Subject Tables : Show popular information for a single geographic area.  Often includes percentages.

Geographic Comparison Tables and Ranking Tables : Compare basic information across multiple geographic areas (for example, all counties in a state).

Detailed Tables : Show highly specific information at the greatest level of detail. These tables are the sources for most other tables and thematic maps.  Contains many cross-tabulations such as sex by age.

Reference Maps : Show boundaries of census geographies along with orienting features.

Thematic Maps  : Compare basic information across multiple geographic areas in the form of color-coded maps.

All tables can be downloaded.

 Other things to know About Census Data: 

• MSEL purchases other products which aid users of census data.  These cd products offer an easy interface for summary Census data for 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000. Visit the Government Publications/Maps/Law Library on A-level of MSEL for assistance.
  
• Summarized historical census data for the nation, states and counties from 1790-1960 can be found at the University of Virginia census site  
  
• Learn more about Census Geography
  • Find your own census geography and characteristics about your community by entering your street address
  • Geographic terms and concepts
    
• Map census data using ArcGIS
  
• Learn more about the Census Questions
  • Grid of questions over time– courtesy of University of Michigan
  • Questionnaires
    
• Learn more about individual census records 1790-1930

Contact Jim Gillispie jeg@jhu.edu for additional assistance.