The United States Census is a decennial count of everyone living in the United States. Census data are used to distribute congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide.  

What types of information is available through the Census? There are a number of parts the census such as the census of the population which includes data on social, economics, housing and demographic characterists of the population.   Also includes are other types of surveys areas such as the Economic Census, Agricultural Census, Census of Manufacturing, and Census of Business.

What is Found on the Census Home Page? http://www.census.gov/  It is a busy page with link to a great deal of information but a few things to notice are...

• The US Census Bureau Economic Indicators, click on view all to get into the full data
• Quick Facts: Access to people, business, and geography
• Interactive Map to see "mashup of population and economic data."
• Population Finder "Find and compare populations of States, Counties, or Cities"
• Current US Population, updated daily
• Find Data Permanent Footer with link to American Fact Finder

Historical Data The first census was conducted in 1790 under the direction of Thomas Jefferson. That census was conducted by U.S. marshals on horseback and counted 3.9 million inhabitants. The census has been conducted every ten years since then.  The information is now stored on the US Census website.  Increasingly, historical data is being included on the web.  Historical census data not found on the web can be located through microfilm in Government Documents in the Pollak Library.  See the Pollak Library Catalog.  Do a subject search using the phrase... United States Census.

ACS American Community Survey is an annual national survey collected monthly which provides communities with reliable and timely demographic, housing, social, and economic data every year.

BLOCKS These are the smallest type of census area. They average about 70 people and most commonly are small rectangular areas bounded by four streets. Only populated areas were previously assigned block numbers. With the increased need to track population shifts and trends and the advent of computer technology making this easier, the Census Bureau has created block and/or block numbered areas (BNA) for the entire nation beginning with the 1990 census.

BLOCK GROUPS These are groups of blocks, as defined below, averaging approximately 1,100 in population. They are the second smallest type of census area.

CENSUS TRACTS are statistical areas averaging about 4,000 in population, although they can have between 2,500 and 8,000 residents. Tracts generally have stable boundaries. When census tracts are established, they are designed to be relatively homogenous areas with respect to population characteristics, economic status, and living conditions. Tract boundaries are established with the intention of being maintained over a long time so that statistical comparisons can be made from census to census. When sufficient population increases occur, tracts are subdivided.

CIPP The Survey of Income and Program Participation is a longitudinal panel survey of demographic information, income, labor force characteristics, and program participation in the United States with supplemental topical modules including questions on topics such as child well being, child care and detailed household relationships.

CPS The Survey of Income and Program Participation is a longitudinal panel survey of demographic information, income, labor force characteristics, and program participation in the United States with supplemental topical modules including questions on topics such as child well being, child care and detailed household relationships.

INCORPORATED PLACES These concentrations of population, such as cities, have legally prescribed boundaries, powers and functions.

METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS (MSA) Most MSAs consist of a city of 50,000 or more inhabitants and the county in which it is located. Contiguous counties are included in an MSA if they are socially and economically integrated with the central county. The inclusion of contiguous counties in an MSA is based primarily by census data on commuting patterns. Effective with the 1980 census, a central city (as in the case of St. Louis) can be any size as long as it has an urbanized area of 50,000 or more inhabitants and a total metropolitan area population of at least 100,000.

QuickFacts Tables are summary profiles showing frequently requested data items from various Census Bureau programs. Profiles are available for the nation, states, counties, and places. At this time, QuickFacts tables are only available for the nation, states, counties, and large cities.

American Fact Finder  An index of data provided by the US Census Bureau, including population, ethnic, divorce, economic, poverty, and migration statistics, as well as the procedures to access the data. American Fact Finder includes data from the Decennial Census, American Community Survey, Puerto Rico Community Survey, Economic Census, and the Population Estimates program.

What American Fact Finder is used for:
     An attempt to simplfy the search process
     Assists users and finding and combining files
     Offers the ability to download files and create maps from these files   

Getting Help
     see the HELP link in the upper right hand corner
      Also:  Click on FAQ (in the upper right hand corner) for questions & answers.

NOTE: The Census Bureau advises users that pop-up blocker software may affect American Factfinder in unusual ways. So, if you use a pop-up blocker, make sure it is turned off when you use American Factfinder.

Sample Search in American Fact Finder:

Topic:
Compare educational attainment of Black males and females in Chicago vs Los Angeles

1. Click on Quick Start and enter
     Topic: Educational Attainment and
     State, County, or Place Chicago Illinois
     Press GO
2.  To add in race to your results...
     Click on Race and Ethnic Groups (along the left) choose Blacks
     Click on Add and then close that screen.

3.  Choose the file you want and double click on that title
     such as...Educational Attainment By Sex 2000

4.  Users can modify, bookmark, download, print

5. Repeat process for Los Angeles, California and start building an Excel file.

Note:
Sometimes you need to close a screen and your results will appear under that screen
It might be necessary to scroll down long lists of files looking for your info