THE DECENNIAL CENSUS, THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY, AND THE AMERICAN

FACTFINDER WEB SITE

Karma Shore, Bureau of Business and

Economic Research, UNMkshore@unm.edu or (505)277-8300

American Community SurveyMost current data available, rightnow only for places of 20,000 or more

American FactFinder Web SiteWhere you access both decennial data, ACS, maps, technical documentation and more

2000 Decennial CensusAvailable for small geographic areas Not as current as data from ACS

Why Use Census 2000 at this point in time?

• Census 2000 still the latest data for places below 20,000 population

• ACS still contains suppression for some variables, due to small sample size

2000 CENSUS SHORT FORM100% Questionnaire

It’s called the “short-form” for a reason. Contained 8 questions on general population and housing

characteristics.

This will be the same with the2010 census questionnaire.

Population DataName Sex Age Race

Hispanic OriginRelationship to Head of

Household

Housing DataTenure (Owned or Rented)

Goes to every housing unit

2000 (and 2010) SHORT-FORM TOPICS

Sample QuestionnaireContained questions covering more detailed socioeconomic population and housing characteristics.

Went to about 17% (1 in 6) of housing units.

Included Short-Form Questions along with additional socioeconomic and housing questions.

Replaced now by the on-going American Community Survey.

2000 CENSUS LONG-FORM

Social CharacteristicsMarital Status EducationAncestry DisabilityResidence 5 Years Ago Veteran StatusLanguage Spoken at Home & Ability to Speak English Place of Birth/ Citizenship/Year of Entry

New in 2000: Grandparentsas Caregivers

2000 LONG-FORM TOPICS

With a decennial census you can only changequestions and collect data every ten years

Economic CharacteristicsLabor Force Status

Place of Work & Journey to WorkIndustry, Occupation & Class of Worker

Work Status Last Year

Income in 1999 (Used to Derive Poverty Status)

2000 LONG-FORM TOPICS

Physical & Financial Housing Characteristics

Units in Structure Number of RoomsNumber of Bedrooms Plumbing & Kitchen FacilitiesYear Structure Built Year Moved Into Unit House Heating Fuel Telephone ServiceVehicles Available Farm ResidenceType of Structure Vacancy StatusMonthly Rent Value of Home Selected Monthly Owner Costs

List of topics is included on your handoutcalled “Overview of Census 2000 Data Sets”

2000 LONG-FORM TOPICS

Handout

These topics, from both the long- and short-form, are summarized on the

DP-1 though DP-4 Profiles(available down to the block group level)

Table DP 1: General Demographic CharacteristicsTable DP 2: Selected Social CharacteristicsTable DP 3: Selected Economic CharacteristicsTable DP 4: Selected Housing Characteristics

2000 DATA SUMMARY PROFILES

Handout

2000 Data Sets

For more detailed information about data sets go to

www.census.gov/main/www/cen2000.html

100% data:Summary File 1 (SF1) *Summary File 2 (SF2)

Sample data:Summary File 3 (SF3) *Summary File 4 (SF4) American Indian and Alaska

Native Summary File (AIANSF)

Census Geography*Nation***Region**

***Division*********State******

*******County*********Census Co. Division***

*******Census Tract****************Block Group*********

*************Block*************

Nes

ting

Hier

arch

y

Census Block Map with Partial Legend

Non-nesting

Smith East CCDCCDCCD

CCDCCD

CCD

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Continuenesting

2000 Census Block Map Section

Highland Senior Center, 131 Monroe NE Census Tract 5, Block Group 4, Block 4020

Census BlockSmallest units of data tabulation.Do not cross census tract or county

boundaries.Generally bounded by visible features

and legal boundaries.Block numbering system is completely different from 1990 .Size: average about 100 people.

NM

has

137

,055

ce

nsus

200

0 bl

ocks

Groups of blocks within a tract sharing the same first digit.

Smallest areas for which sample data (or ACS data) are available.

Census Block Group

Size: optimally 1,500 people, range between 300 to 3,000.

NM

has

1,4

1 3

Cen s

u s 2

000

BGs

Census TractsRelatively homogenous characteristics

65,000 Census tracts across U.S.

NM

has

456

Ce

n su s

200

0 CT

s

Size: optimally 4,000 people, range between 1,000 and 8,000

Place (Incorporated or CDP)Metropolitan/Micropolitan AreaIndian ReservationPUMAs Urban/RuralUrban AreaSt. Legislative Dist. (‘05/’06 boundaries)Congressional DistrictZip Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA)

Other Levels of Geography That Are Non-nesting

Metropolitan Statistical Areas• New areas determined in June 2003 • Defined by Office of Mgt. & Budget (OMB)• Consist of a single county or multiple,

contiguous counties• Contain large central core city (50K+)• High socioeconomic integration between

counties within an MSA•Micropolitan Statistical Area similar but

with central core city of 10-50K

For more information about MSAs go to www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metroarea.html

Zip Code Tabulation AreaZIP Code Tabulation Area or ZCTA – have a close approximation to actual postal ZIP Code coverage, but defined by census boundaries. (Can’t split a block down the middle.)

Place Boundaries Updated RegularlyBoundaries of incorporated places and other legal jurisdictions are updated regularly by local governments through the Census Bureau’s Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS).

Boundaries of CDPs, CCDs, census tracts and block groups are updated before each censusin the Participant Statistical Area Program (PSAP).

Decennial Census MapsNow that you know a bit about census geography where can you find the

maps you need?bber.unm.edu/census/maps.htm

Two main map sets from 2000 and 1990 censuses

BBER has prepared one-page census tract and ZCTA

outline maps

Be sure to look for the “Index” map from each

map set.

This will help you orientyourself geographically

and decide whichmaps to look at for

your specificgeography needs.

www.unm.edu/~bber/census/maps.htm

The Index Map Sheetis the map

with a “_000.pdf” extension.

Chaves County, NM Index Sheet

Roswell 2000 Census Tract Outline Map

Large numbers indicate census tracts. Pastel shadedarea indicates the boundaries of a “place”.

Roswell 2000 Block Map

Large numbers indicate census tracts. Pastel shadedarea indicates the boundaries of a “place”.

2000 CENSUS GEOGRAPHY & CENSUS DATA

• 100% Data: Available for All Levels of Geography Down to the Block Level for most tabulations.

• Sample Data: Available for All Levels of Geography Down to the Block Group for most tabulations.

www.census.gov/mso/www/c2000basics/00Basics.pdf

Census Bureau Publication on“Census 2000 Basics”

AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEYThe ACS replaces the decennial census

long form, providing annual updates of detailed socioeconomic data rather than once every 10 years.

The ACS provides a continuous stream of updated information for states and local areas, revolutionizing the way we use data and understand our communities.

Less a snapshot, more of a moving picture.

AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEYIn 2010 the ACS will replace the decennialcensus long-form questionnaire.

Data are now available fromACS for all areas with population of 20,000or more. Smaller areas take longer toaccumulate a large enough sample to publish estimates. By 2010 data will be published for areas down to the CT and BG.

AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEYRelease Schedule

For current information and more detail on ACS go to www.census.gov/acs/www/

AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY

Because the ACS is a sample survey, data will only ever be available down to the block group level. (Like the long-form data available in 2000.)

For block level data you will still rely on the decennial census.

The 2010 census will contain ashort-form questionnaire only.

AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEYComparability between ACS and decennial census data is an issue as is comparability between different annual releases of ACS.

See your handout on comparability between the 2008 ACS release, other ACS data and the decennial census.

www.census.gov/acs/www/UseData/compACS2008.htm

Handout

AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEYKey issues/comparability

• ACS collects data for all 12 mos. within the year/decennial is one point in time , April 1st

• ACS uses current residence rule (2 mo.+ at address)/decennial uses usual residence rule (6 mo. or longer at address)

• Income is not strictly comparablebetween ACS and 2000

• Note the margin of error (MOE) onACS to determine reliability

AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEYKey issues/comparability

• ACS is about characteristics of the population, not actual counts

• Other ACS topics may not be comparable to Census 2000 (or earlier ACS data) because of question redesign or other differences. Examples include disability, employment status, previous residence, home value, mortgage status and owner costs

AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY

Three new topics in the 2008 ACS• Health insurance coverage• Veteran’s service-connected

disability• Marital history

One questions deleted• Time and main reason for staying

at address

Also changes in some wording/format

ACS PRODUCTS• Data Profiles• Narrative profiles (not avail. in decennial)• Comparison profiles• Selected population profile tables

(race, ethnic, ancestry, tribal groups)• Subject tables• Ranking tables• Detailed tables• Geographic comparison tables• Thematic maps• Public use microdata sample

ACS MULTI-YEAR ESTIMATESFor some areas you now have two choices;

2007 single-year or 2005-2007 3-yearIn 2010, with the release of CT and BG

data, you will have three period choices for most geographic areas:• Places of 65,000 or more will have

1-yr, 3-yr and 5-yr estimates• Places of 20,000 or more will have

3-year and 5-year estimates • Block groups and census tracts will have

only 5-year estimates

ACS MULTI-YEAR ESTIMATES

MOE decreases with larger multi-year sample size

Recalculating the MOEbber.unm.edu/MOECalculations.xls

When combining data from ACS

it may be necessary

to calculate new MOEs. I have posted an Excelfile on our web site, prepared

by the NY State Data

Center.

•Calculate new MOEs•Determine statistical significance•Calculate MOE for a proportion

ACS MULTI-YEAR ESTIMATESBlock data still only availablefrom 2010 decennial

In addition to the the block level,2010 census data will be availablefor all other geographic areas aswell

X

• ACS data provide “characteristics” of the population

• For best counts of total population use data published by the Census Bureau’s Population Division

Census Bureau Population Estimates Program Has “Official” Estimates

NOTE. Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, it is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties.

factfinder.census.gov/home/en/official_estimates_2008.html

AMERICAN FACTFINDER LIVE:QUERY 2000 CENSUS DATA

Now you know the basics about the decennial census and ACS.

Let’s live to American FactFinder(AFF) on the Internet and do

some quick queries to illustrate.

STEPS IN THE AMERICAN FACTFINDER QUERY PROCESS

• Go to factfinder.census.gov• Select a data set (decennial or ACS)

• Select a product option• Select geographic areas• Select data table(s)• Print or download tables

Getting started at factfinder.census.govfor decennial census

Bookmark factfinder.census.gov

then select the Data Sets linkon the left

In Data Sets, select

“Decennial Census”

Under Decennial

Census, select a Summary File, then select the “detailed

tables” option

The “detailed tables” option defaults to national level geography. Use the drop down

box to see other geographic selections.

Work through selecting various geographicsummary levels, from U.S. down to the block level. Highlight your selection and

“add” it to the box below.

Once you have all your geographic selections in the lower box you are ready to go on

and select data tables.

You can search tables by keyword or by subject, or you can scroll down

through all the tables in this data set.

When all your data table selections are added to the bottom box you are ready to look at your final results.

The tables you have selected are shown for all the geographic areas

you queried.

You can download your query into Excel or text format. You can “save” your query parameters.

Getting started at factfinder.census.gov

for ACS data

Bookmark factfinder.census.gov

then select the Data Sets linkon the left

In Data Sets, select American Community Survey, then the

2006-2008 3-Year

Estimates, then

Detailed Tables.

Select the geographic

areas you want, working through a hierarchy.

A “keyword” search is a good place to start.

In ACS you will see B (basic) and C (compressed) tables. Basic

tables may contain suppression.A corresponding C tables will

show data at less detail.

We have both the B and C tables for this illustration.

The B table for both geographic areas is suppressed because the sample size is not

sufficient to publish data.

The C table contains data for both areas, just not in

as much detail.

You can download your query into Excel or text format. You can “save” your query parameters.

My contact information appears on the front of this handout.

Additionally, State Data Center affiliates in New Mexico are

good contacts for census data and assistance.

To find contacts in your area go to bber.unm.edu/affils.htm or see the

handout in your folder.

WHO TO CONTACT WHEN YOU NEED ASSISTANCE

Question and

AnswerSession

Now you havesome backgroundinformation andcan start using decennial census and ACS datafor all your

project needs