selecting rural data in american factfinder
DESCRIPTION
This step-by-step guide from the Rural Assistance Center shows 2 methods for selecting rural data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Factfinder tool, which provides access to a wide range of statistics describing the U.S. population. Learn how to use the Geographic Comparison Tables and direct selection of locations to easily identify data for use in rural health grant applications, community health needs assessments, and more.TRANSCRIPT
www.raconline.org
April 2015Rural Assistance Center
Finding Statistics and Data Related to Rural Health
Selecting Rural Data in
American Factfinder
Two Methods for Selecting Rural Data
Method 1: Geographic Comparison TablesThe simplest method for finding both rural and urban data.
Method 2: Choose Specific GeographiesUseful if you are seeking only rural statistics.
www.raconline.org
Method 1:Geographic Comparison
Tables
What are Geographic Comparison Tables (GCTs)?
GCTs provide statistics for a group of related geographic areas.
You can use GCTs to compare data for:• Urban/Rural• Metropolitan/Micropolitan/Noncore
Select “Advanced Search”
Select “Topics”
In “Topics”, select “Product Type”
Then select “Geographic Comparison Table”
Under “topic or table name”, enter “rural” and click Go
The list of tables will be updated to reflect your selections so far
From here, add additional topics of interest, for example -“Veterans”
If you select 5-year ACS estimates by state from the list:
You will see state level rural statistics for Alabama:
With the option to view the same data for other 5-year periods (end year shown):
As well as the option to view the same data for other states:
www.raconline.org
Method 2:Choose Specific
Geographies
Select “Advanced Search”
Select “Geographies”
Within Geographies, click on the “Name” Tab
On the Name Tab, scroll down to “Show Geographic Components”
Click the “Show Geographic Components” checkbox
Type “rural” in the search box and click “Go”
The list will update to show just those choices that include “rural”
Select the choices you want, such as “United States -- Rural”
You could also select a state, for example “Colorado -- Rural”
Once you’ve made your selections, click the “Add” button
The choices you added appear in “Your Selections”
Click the x to remove “rural” from “Your Geography Filters”
To add comparison data for the entire U.S. and all of Colorado:
“United States” will be at the top of the list. Select and click “Add”
Type “Colorado” in the search box and click “Go”
“Colorado” will be at the top of the list. Select and click “Add”
“Your Selections” now lists U.S. and Colorado, overall and rural
Now select the type of data you are interested in, such as “Topics”
For example, you might be seeking data on Veterans
If you select the 5-year ACS estimates for Veteran Status:
You will get detailed data for the geography and topic selected:
With the option to view the same data for other 5-year periods (end year shown):
www.raconline.org
For more information on rural data:
The Rural Assistance Center’s topic guide
Finding Statistics and Data Related to Rural Health
http://www.raconline.org/topics/statistics-and-data