Census Data WorkshopData Access Tools

Genora F. Barber, Information Services SpecialistGale D. Brock, Information Services Assistant

Data Dissemination Specialists:Gerson D. Vasquez

Vicki MackKelly Karres

Marilyn E. Stephens

E-mail: atlanta.pds@census.gov E-mail: gerson.d.vasquez@census.gov

U.S. Census BureauAtlanta Region404-730-3833

• Mission• Overview of Key Data Sets• Data Tools – A Quick Look• American FactFinder, in depth• Questions & Answers

Census Data WorkshopAgenda

U.S. Census BureauMission

The Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and

economy. We honor privacy, protect confidentiality, share our expertise globally,

and conduct our work openly. We are guided on this mission by our strong and capable

workforce, our readiness to innovate and our abiding Commitment to our Customers

• People– Population size– Age– Sex– Race & Hispanic origin– Education– Foreign-born– Families– Language ability

• Economy– Income and poverty– Employment status– Health insurance

coverage– Housing values– Costs of owning/renting– Business information– Economic indicators

• Places – Localize!

People, Places and EconomyKey Data Collected

Congressionally mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution– First Census was in 1790

• Why do we conduct the Census?• Congressional Apportionment• Redistricting• Data is used to allocate more than 435

billions of dollars in federal funds

Importance of the CensusThe foundation of a democracy

Demographic SurveysBeyond the Decennial Census

Current Population Survey (CPS) – Primary source of labor force information and leading economic indicator of monthly employment/unemployment

Consumers Expenditure Survey (CE)- Used to determine the Consumer Price Index

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)- Used by law enforcement

Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)- Used for evaluating Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid

National Health Insurance Survey (HIS)- Used by National Center for Disease Control

National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) – Provides information on the health problems of ambulatory patients

National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) –Provides information on health problems of Ambulatory patients in the ER and outpatient departments.

Population EstimatesU.S. Census Bureau, Population Division

(1) base population

(2) births to women residing in the U.S.

(3) deaths to persons residing in the U.S.

(4) net international migrants

The base procedure to estimate population.

The reference date for estimates is July 1.

Decennial Census and ACSA Portrait of America

Census 2000:

Demographic, and housing information:Complete counts from questions collected on both the short form and the long form.

General Demographic Characteristics

Population by Race and Hispanic or Latino origin: Counties, Places (cities) and smaller geographies

Estimates based on the one-in-six sample of housing units that received the long form:

- Social Characteristics

- Economic Characteristics

- Housing Characteristics

2010 CensusOnly 10 Questions

A large, continuous survey that:• samples approximately 3.54

million resident addresses per year (about 290,000 per month)

• produces characteristics of population and housing

• produces estimates for small areas and small population groups

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What is the ACS?A Closer Look

The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey designed to provide communities a fresh look at how they are changing. It is a critical element in the Census Bureau's decennial census program. There are approximately 3 million housing units “in sample,” annually, and the estimates change the primary focus to more current estimates than the long form.

ACS and Decennial CensusA Portrait of America

2010 Census ACS

• Population count • Population characteristics

• Short form only • Includes short form questions

• Only long form is for U.S. territories, except PR

• Conducted in Puerto Rico

• “Usual residence” rule • “Current residence” rule

• Point in time • Period of time

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2010 Census and ACSA Portrait of America

American Community SurveyDetailed Information, Delivered Annually

www.census.gov/acs

• Economic Indicators Dashboard• QuickFacts• County Business and Demographics Map• American FactFinder• Other Resources

Data ToolsA Quick Look

The NEW www.census.govYour Gateway to Census Data

Top Navigation

Bottom of the Page

• Both provide similar choices (or more) as the center column of the old census.gov homepage

Homepage Slider• Cycles through the latest

news• Often links to press kits• Click “See More” for more

information

Census News• Find the latest on

news releases, data products, upcoming events and more

Economic Indicators Dashboard• Most recently released items at

top• 13 indicators about U.S.

economy• Click on name for more info• Updated quarterly or monthly• Scroll down using arrow at

bottom• Can embed on your website

QuickFacts• Minimal clicks to a factsheet

about your state, county or city• Shows demographics, social

characteristics and business statistics

• Social characteristics will soon be updated from the latest American Community Survey

Interactive Map: County Business Patterns and Demographics• County-level 2009 info on businesses,

employees, industries• 2010 Census info on population, race,

ethnicity, age/sex, housing• Options available for comparing counties

and embedding on your website

Scroll down the homepage…

American FactFinder• More comprehensive• Variety of datasets, topics and

geographies available

Back at the top of the homepage…

The American FactFinder:Recent Enhancements

What is the American FactFinder?• Census Bureau’s on-line data tool• One-stop shop (for most geographies)• Contains large data sets from censuses & surveys• Allows access to a variety of Census data– Population– Housing– Economic– Geographic

Sources of FactFinder Data• Decennial Census• Population Estimates• American Community Survey• Economic Census • Economic Surveys

Examples of available topics in AFF:• Population• Sex• Age• Race• Ethnicity• Tenure• Household Size

• Education• Income• Poverty• Health Care• School Enroll.• Disability Status• Marital Status

• Grandparents• Fertility• Benefits• Commuting• Industry• Housing Costs• Heating Fuel

f a c tf i n d e r 2 @ c e n s u s . g o v

C o m m u n i t y F a c t s G u i d e d S e a r c h

A d v a n c e d S e a r c h

Accessing Data and Summaries – Community Facts

Advantages: • Provide quick access for users

searching for data products most frequently accessed on AFF

Accessing Data & Summaries – Community Facts & Popular Tables

Advantages: Provides users with a

simple way to access data profiles and other summarized data

Accessing Data – Guided Search

Advantages: • Guided Search helps you

locate Census data products by letting you specify search criteria step-by-step.• Guided Search is a

helpful way to start searching for Census data if you are new to American FactFinder or are not sure where to begin.

Accessing Data – Advanced SearchAdvantages: • In Advanced Search you can search for all data using all features within American

Factfinder.• Use Advanced Search to find data:

• using text or keyword search• using pre-defined topics, geographies, race/ethnic groups, industry codes, or EEO occupation codes

Geography Selection Improvements

• Improvements to existing geographic selection options

• Provide guided geographic selection as an option

Geography Selection Improvement

Key Features• Modify the selection options in the

Geography Overlay to reduce confusion

• Refine the list of Geographic Summary Levels displayed in the default view

Advantages: Provide a consistent, guided

approach to geographic selection

Provide a quick geographic selection for users not familiar with the Census geographic hierarchy

Geography Selection Improvements – Geography Assistant

Enhanced MessagingKey FeaturesUpdated messaging specific to user selections. Dynamic messaging:• When default selections are made for geographies, industry

codes, and race/ethnic groups

• When the maximum product selections are reached in the table view

Enhanced Messaging

Key Features

Other messaging enhancements:• Updated current messaging when the maximum

number of geographies, industry codes, and/or race/ethnic groups are reached in a user’s search selections.

Download Options

Advantages: Provides

users with quick access to high-volume downloads

How to Stay Connected

• Subscribe to e-mail updates

• Submit suggestions/questions via Feedback link at the top of the AFF web page

• AFF News & Notes (lower, center of main page)

Questions & Answers