Understanding the Census A Hands-On Training Workshop

Transcription

1 Understanding the Census A Hands-On Training Workshop Vanderbilt Census Information Center March 23, 2003

2 U.S. Census Bureau The world s largest and most comprehensive data collection and analysis organization!!! 200 annual surveys Decennial Census Economic Census Census of Governments

3 Why Should I Care? Statistical snapshot of the country as a whole, its cities, and its neighborhoods It affects our lives in ways we don t often realize The road you take to work each day The schools your children attend/will attend The products your grocery store stocks The hospital that serves your community

4 Who Uses the Census National, State, & Local Government Businesses Educators & Researchers Non-profit Organizations Religious Organizations Political Organizations Communities

5 Census 2000 Overview Census Geography Census Basics Census Terminology Data Products Census.gov

6 Understanding Census Geography

7 Census Blocks Smallest geographic unit Bounded by streets or legal boundaries Census Block Groups Collection of census blocks within a census tract Census Tracts Small, relatively permanent subdivisions of a county Usually between 2,500-8,000 persons

8 Census 2000 Short Form Questionnaire Name Sex Age Relationship Hispanic Origin Race Owner/Renter Status 7 Questions

9 Long Form Census Questionnaire Population Marital Status Place of Birth & Citizenship School Enrollment & Attainment Ancestry Employment Income & Poverty Disability Housing Units in Structure Year Structure Built Number of Rooms Monthly Rent Value of Home Pluming/Phone

10 What s New Hispanic question asked before race Grandparent as caregiver Disability Blindness & deafness added Persons 5 & older (instead of 15 & over) Race Option to select one or more race categories Asian and Pacific Islander category split

11 Census 2000 Data Products Demographic Profiles Quick Tables Geographic Comparison Tables Summary Files (1-4) Maps/Tiger Files Printed Reports & Briefs

12 State & County QuickFacts Quick access to facts about geography, business & people Population Estimates Selected short and long-form data Contains data most often requested

13 Demographic Profiles Demographic Profile Social Characteristics Economic Characteristics Housing Characteristics ***Lowest level of geography: Census Tract

14 Census Briefs & Reports Special topics of interest Comparison by region, state, and cities EXAMPLES: State-to to-state Migration Flows: Married-Couple and Unmarried-Partner Households Educational Attainment Grandparents Living with Grandchildren

15 Summary File 1 Contains data from short form census Counts for 5 major races, other race, 2 or more races, & hispanic/latino Lowest level of geography: Census Block Contains about 300 tables

16 Summary File 2 Contains data from short form census (same data as SF1) Data available for 336 race, hispanic/latino, American Indian/Alaskan native & ancestry categories Lowest level of geography: census tract Population threshold: 100

17 Summary File 3 Includes data from long-form census Counts for 5 major races, other race, 2 or more races, & hispanic/latino Census block group lowest level of geography available Contains about 800 tables of data

18 Summary File 4 Includes same data as available in SF3 Census tract is lowest level of geography Data available for 336 race, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaskan & ancestry categories Population threshold (50 unweighted sample cases) Lowest Level of Geography: Census Tract Population threshold:100

19 Other Census Bureau Products Economic Census American Community Survey Census Briefs Statistical Abstract of U.S. City & County Data Book

20 Economic Census Every 5 yrs (ending in 2 &7) Sent to 20 million businesses in Dec Compliance required by law Forms are tailored to the business size & industry Result will be released beginning this month

21 The Economic Census is Important # Paid employees/annual payroll # Establishments by sector Sales Survey of business owners Zip code statistics Sales E-Commerce swtatistics

22 American Community Survey Replace long-form census in 2010 Provide data every year instead of every 10 years (states, counties, cities, metro. areas & population groups of 65,000+) Smaller portion of the population surveyed each year An individual address has a chance of selection only once in a 5 yr.period!!

23 QUESTIONS???