Understanding the Census A Hands-On Training Workshop Vanderbilt Census Information Center March 23, 2003
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
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
Who Uses the Census National, State, & Local Government Businesses Educators & Researchers Non-profit Organizations Religious Organizations Political Organizations Communities
Census 2000 Overview Census Geography Census Basics Census Terminology Data Products Census.gov
Understanding Census Geography
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
Census 2000 Short Form Questionnaire Name Sex Age Relationship Hispanic Origin Race Owner/Renter Status 7 Questions
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
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
Census 2000 Data Products Demographic Profiles Quick Tables Geographic Comparison Tables Summary Files (1-4) Maps/Tiger Files Printed Reports & Briefs
State & County QuickFacts Quick access to facts about geography, business & people Population Estimates Selected short and long-form data Contains data most often requested
Demographic Profiles Demographic Profile Social Characteristics Economic Characteristics Housing Characteristics ***Lowest level of geography: Census Tract
Census Briefs & Reports Special topics of interest Comparison by region, state, and cities EXAMPLES: State-to to-state Migration Flows: 1995-2000 Married-Couple and Unmarried-Partner Households Educational Attainment Grandparents Living with Grandchildren
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
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
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
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
Other Census Bureau Products Economic Census American Community Survey Census Briefs Statistical Abstract of U.S. City & County Data Book
Economic Census Every 5 yrs (ending in 2 &7) Sent to 20 million businesses in Dec. 2002 Compliance required by law Forms are tailored to the business size & industry Result will be released beginning this month
The Economic Census is Important # Paid employees/annual payroll # Establishments by sector Sales Survey of business owners Zip code statistics Sales E-Commerce swtatistics
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!!
QUESTIONS???