Accessing Census Data Accessing Census Data through the American through the American

FactFinderFactFinderArthur Bakis

Information Services Specialist

Boston Regional Census Center

US Census Bureau

617-223-3610

arthur.j.bakis@census.gov

ImportanceImportance of the Censusof the Census

• Congressionally mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution– First Census was in 1790

• Why do we conduct the Census?– Congressional Apportionment– Redistricting– Data is used to allocate billions of dollars

in federal funds

Short Form Only!Short Form Only!

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• In 2000, 1 in 6 households received the 53 question, 40 page long form

• Detailed social, economic & housing info

• 2010 Census is Short Form Only!• 7 Questions

• 2010 Questionnaire- Name - Race - Housing - Sex - Ethnicity Tenure- Age - Household

Relationship

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CENSUS 101

KNOW YOUR GEOGRAPHY!

KNOW THE DATA YOU WANT!

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The Geography

Nation

Regions

Divisions

States

Counties

Congressional Districts

County SubdivisionCensus Tracts

Block Groups

Blocks

Places

Metropolitan Areas

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Census Tract 3110, Middlesex Cty, MA

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Block Group 3, Census Tract 3110, Middlesex Cty, MA

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Block 3003, BG 3, Census Tract 3110, Middlesex Cty, MA

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The Data

Summary File 1

Summary File 2

Summary File 3

Summary File 4

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SF 1 (100% Data)

Household Relationship

Sex

Age

Hispanic or Latino Origin

Race

Tenure (own/rent)

Vacancy characteristics

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SF 3 (Sample Data)

Population- Marital Status-Place of birth, citizenship,

entry year-School Enrollment/Ed.

Attainment-Ancestry-Migration-Language spoken-Veteran status-Disability-Grandparents as caregivers-Labor force status-Place of work, journey to

work-Occupation, industry,

class of worker-Work status in 1999-Income in 1999-Poverty status

Housing-Value of home or monthly rent paid-Units in structure-Year structure built-Number of rooms and number of bedrooms-Year moved into residence-Plumbing and kitchen facilities-Telephone service-Vehicles available-Heating fuel-Farm residence-Utilities, mortgage, taxes,

Insurance and fuel costs

American Community SurveyAmerican Community Survey

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Social and Economic information every year rather than just once a decade

Will take the place of the census long form

At the start of each month, the questionnaire is mailed to a scientifically selected sample of households in counties throughout the Nation.

The Census will continue to conduct a short form – only Census every ten years

NOT A COUNT! VIEW TRENDS!

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American Community SurveyAmerican Community Survey

Data is currently available for areas with a population of 20,000 or more.

- 2006 – areas with a population 65,000+- One Year Estimates

- 2008 – areas with a population 20,000+- 3 Year Estimates

- 2010 – all other areas (incl. census tracts and BG)- 5 Year Estimates

CURRENT DATA AVAILABLE FOR 2007!!

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AMERICAN FACTFINDERAMERICAN FACTFINDER

American FactFinder (cont.)American FactFinder (cont.)

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Consistency! Consistency! Consistency!Consistency! Consistency! Consistency!

• No matter what survey, census, year or data No matter what survey, census, year or data you want – the process remains the same.you want – the process remains the same.

• Choose your surveyChoose your survey• Choose your data file/yearChoose your data file/year• Choose type of table you wantChoose type of table you want• Choose your geographyChoose your geography• Choose your tableChoose your table

American FactFinder (cont.)American FactFinder (cont.)

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• Quick Tables (Data Profiles) - Predefined tables for one geographic area. Simplest to access, least detailed.

• Geographic Comparison Tables – Tables containing small amount of information for a group of related areas

• Detailed Tables – Tables that provide the most detailed data on all topics and geo areas. Allows for choosing of multiple tables and multiple geos. All other tables are sourced from these tables.

• Selected Population Profiles – Predefined tables that allow detailed race groups and Ancestries to be cross referenced.

• Ranking Tables – Tables that are ranked by state only.• Reference Maps – Allows viewing of geographic boundaries• Thematic Maps - Provides visual data for geographic on color

coded maps

Types of TablesTypes of Tables

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Exercises1. Access basic profiles for Lowell.

2. Poverty stats for United States, Massachusetts, Middlesex Cty and Lowell.

a) Add Framingham and Cambridge

3. Language spoken at home stats for United States, Massachusetts, Middlesex and Arlington.

4. Find the Median Income tables for all available cities and towns in Massachusetts.

a) Download Table

c) Rank Table

5. Find Tenure stats for the White, Black or African American and Asian populations.

a) Add Hispanic Median Income table

6. Find Foreign Born stats for the Census Tract we are in (Tract 3110, Middlesex Cty)

7. Find Detailed Race/Ethnic group stats.

8. Find the Census tract an address is located in.