Demographics

Here are selected electronic resources related to demographics - the  physical characteristics of a population such as age, sex, marital status, family size, education, geographic location, and occupation.

Most of the resources are reports stemming from the Decennial Census of Population and Housing. In various formats, our library owns census materials dating from 1790. These data are issued in a series of reports and products covering the country, state, metropolitian areas, city, zipcode and the smaller units - census tracts, block groups and blocks. Below are listed some of the popular summary reports that are available in electronic format from the various censuses. Individual census records are available for 1790-1930.

Census Basics – Quick Guide to Using Census Summary Files.

  Main Agency/Source:

• Bureau of the Census 
  (Gateway to a variety of census publications and products - including American Factfinder and census subjectsA-Z)
• Maryland State Data Center
• Specialized Census of Population and Housing Resources 
  If the basic sources listed below do not meet your needs
• Selected International Demographic Resources

Selected electronic sources:

• American Community Survey
• American FactFinder  - select the data you need for the geography of your choice from summary data files such as:
  • 2000 Decennial census
  • 1990 Decennial Census Summary Files
  • American Community Survey Summary Tables
• American Housing Survey
• Baltimore City
  Specialized sources for just Baltimore City, its census tracts and neighborhoods
• Census Population Division Reports
  Listing of population topics leading to specific census reports containing data. 
• Congressional District Atlas
• County and City Data Books
• Current Population Survey 
  Joint website between Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bureau of Census
  • BLS Labor Force Statistics from the CPS
  • Census - Current Population Survey tables
  • DataFerrett - online extraction and tabulation for CPS and other government data
    Download dataferrett browser
• Equal Employment Opportunity Tabulation
  Provides occupation distribution and educational attainment data by sex, race, and Hispanic origin.
• Historical Census Data 1790-1960 via U. Va.
  • Historical Censuses and Historical Statistical Abstract
    From the US Census Bureau -image files, not searchable
  • Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the US: 1790 to 1990 Decennial census population totals for the 100 largest cities and other urban places in the US based on 21 decennial censuses taken from 1790 to 1990
  • National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS) Aggregated data down to the census tract level.
• Income 
• Population Estimates & Population Projections
  Provides estimates of the population of counties and states by age, sex, and modified race and Hispanic Origin. Historical data is included in the archives
• Poverty in the United States: ...State Poverty Estimates
• State and Metropolitan Area Data Book
• Survey of Income and Program Participation
• USA Counties 1998
  Compiles useful demographic, economic, and governmental information spanning several years and sources for county comparisons and profiles. Publication not current.  See MapStats for quick, current county profile information.

Related links: Contents of the Census Questionnaire includes summaries of the answers | Additional Background on the census | Our links to ICPSR data | University of Michigan's Guide to Using the Census | Definitions of MSAs, PMSAs, CMSAs | MABLE/Geocorr Geographic Correspondence Engine