Census
This research guide highlights the electronic and print
resources published by the U.S. Census Bureau and select resources that
accompany Census research. The United States Census has been conducted decennially since
1790. Gelman Library has been a selective depository for U.S.
Census
publications since 1977.
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Subject
Librarian: Tina Plottel
Location: Gelman Library
E-mail:
plottel@gwu.edu
Phone: 202-994-2294
Updated: July 2006
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- U.S. Census Bureau
- Location: http://www.census.gov
- This site serves as the official web site for the U.S. Census Bureau. All
Census data and publications available online can be accessed on this web
site. For subject specific information contact Census
Bureau Subject Specialists (http://www.census.gov/contacts/www/c-census2000.html).
- American
Factfinder
- Location: http://factfinder.census.gov
- American Factfinder is the main search engine for most current Census surveys,
includingthe 1990 and 2000 Decennial Census of Population and Housing, the
2000-2004 American Community Survey, the 1997 and 2002 Economic Censuses,
and Annual Population Estimates. The Data
Sets Page (Select data sets from the home page menu to configure) serves
as a portal to configuring custom tables and maps.
- NOTE: You will need to set your web browser to accept pop-up
windows to utilize American Fact Finder in its full capacity.
- Statistical Abstract
of the United States. 1885 - present.
- Location: READY REF HA 202 (Latest edition in READY REF, earlier editions
in STACKS). Latest edition and select earlier editions available online at
http://www.census.gov/statab/www/
- Provides an extensive collection of statistics on social and economic conditions
in the United States. Select international data also included. Consult source
information following each table to determine which federal or independent
agency compiles the data.
- State and County Quick
Facts
- Location: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/
- This link is comprised of frequently requested Census data at the national,
state, and county level. Topics include population demographics, geography
and business. Links to more detailed data sets available within each section.
- State
and Metropolitan Area Data Book. 1979 - present.
- Location: REF HA 205 .S72 (Latest editions in REF, earlier editions in STACKS).
Latest edition available online at http://www.census.gov/prod/3/98pubs/smadb-97.pdf
- Provides data on social and economic conditions in the United
States at the state and metropolitan area
levels. Selected data for component counties and central cities of metropolitan
areas are also included.
- State Data Centers
- Location: http://www.census.gov/sdc/www/
- Located in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
- County and City
Data Book.
1949 - present.
- Location: REF HA 202 A.36 (Latest edition in REF, earlier editions in STACKS).
2000 edition available online: http://www.census.gov/prod/www/ccdb.html)
- Provides data on a variety of topics including population, education, employment,
income, crime, housing and more. Measured at the level of county, city, and
towns of 2500 or more and published every five years. Data is culled from
decennial censuses, population estimates and economic censuses as well as
other government agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As mandated by Article 1 of the Constitution, the Census
of Population and Housing (also known as the Decennial Census) is taken every
ten years ending in a zero. The data collected is used for reapportioning
the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Census
of Population and Housing
- Location: http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/index.htm (Selected volumes
of the Decennial Census (1790-1890; 1970-1980) are available as PDF documents)
- Data from the 1990 and 2000 Decennial Censuses are available via American Fact Finder.
- Census 2000
- Location: http://www.census.gov/main/www/cen2000.html
- This site serves as the gateway to the Census 2000 data. Custom tables can
be created using American
Fact Finder's Data Sets.
Print volumes of the 2000 Census is located in Gelman’s Reference Stacks. The reports
are as follows:
- Census of Population and Housing (2000). Summary Population
and Housing Characteristics (PHC-1).
- Location: REF HA 201 2000 .N533b
- Provides data based on the 100-percent questions. Subjects include age,
Hispanic or Latino origin, household relationship, race, sex, tenure (owner-
or renter occupied), and vacancy characteristics. Arranged alphabetically
by state.
- Census of Population and Housing (2000). Population and Housing
Unit Counts. (PHC-2).
- Location: REF HA 201 2000 .A572
- Provides sample data based on both the 100-percent and the sample questions.
Sample subjects include place of birth, residence, language, educational
attainment, school enrollment, veteran status, disability status, employment
status, journal to work, work status, earnings, income, poverty status,
physical housing characteristics including units in structure, fuel and
equipment, owner and renter household characteristics, home value, contract
and gross rent, mortgage and rental cost characteristics. Arranged by
alphabetically by state.
- Census of Population and Housing (2000). Social, Economic, and
Housing Characteristics. (PHC-3).
- Location: REF HA201 2000 .N5538
- Provides Census 2000 and historical comparisons of the 100-percent population
and housing unit counts. Provides land and water area measurements, and
population density. Arranged by alphabetically by state.
- Decennial Censuses: 1860 to 1990
- Location: Older Decennial Censuses
are located in the stacks on the fourth floor of Gelman, unless otherwise
noted. Since 1940, the population and housing components of the Decennial
Census have been published separately, and are shelved according to the
Library of Congress Classification Number assigned to the publications.
The collection of Census materials is not complete, but a full collection
is located at the Census Bureau Library in Suitland,
MD. A reference librarian
may be contacted by calling 301-763-2511 or
emailing library@census.gov.
- Measuring
America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790 to 2000
- Location: http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/ma.html
- This document provides questionnaires and enumerator instructions for each
Decennial Census taken in the United States. It includes individual histories
of each census.
- US
Historical Census Data Browser
- Location: http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/
- This site provides easy access to data from ICPSR study number 0003, entitled
"Historical Demographic, Economic and Social Data: The United States, 1790-1970".
- State of
the Cities Data System
- Location: http://socds.huduser.org/
- This site, maintained
by the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Policy Development
and Research Information Service, provides selected demographic and economic data from the 1970 to
2000 Census, for Metropolitan Areas, Central Cities, and Suburbs. It also
provides employment statistics, information from County Business Patterns, FBI Crime data according
to geography, building permits data and urban public finance data.
- Population
and Housing Items on the General Census Schedules 1790 to 2000
- Location: http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/census2/censubj.pdf
- Compiled by Grace York of University of Michigan, this chart
details the population and housing items on the Census Questionnaires from
1790 to 2000.
The Economic Census is conducted by the United States Census
Bureau every five years ending in a 2 or a 7. It provides data on construction,
manufacturers, minerals, minority- and women-owned businesses, retail trade,
service industries, transportation, and wholesale trade.
- 2002 Economic Census
- Location: http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/
- Reports from the 2002 Economic Census (note: some reports have not been published
yet. For a publishing schedule, go to http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/guide/g02sched.htm.
- 1997 Economic
Census
- Location: http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/econ97.html#1997
- Tables from the 2002 and 1997 Economic Censuses are available electronically via American
Fact Finder at http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ECN&_lang=en&_ts=154438725156.
- 1992 Economic
Census
- Location: http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/92result.html (Earlier editions in
Gelman Stacks. Consult the ALADIN Catalog for specific call numbers)
- http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html
(reports from 1993-2003)
- Location: REF HC 101 .A184 (Consult the ALADIN Catalog for specific call
numbers)
- County Business Patterns is an annual series published since 1964 (irregular
publication began in 1946) that provides economic data by industry. Data is
tabulated according to NAICS and SIC (pre-1998).
- North American
Industry Classification System
(NAICS)
- Location: http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html. Also in REF HF 1042
.N67 2002.
- The Office of Management and Budget introduced the NAICS in 1997 in conjunction
with Canadian and Mexican agencies in response to the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It replaces the Standard Industry Classification
(SIC). This table (http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naicstab.htm)
provides correspondence between the 2002 NAICS and the 1987 SIC.
- The American Community Survey is an annual sample of population and housing
information which provides yearly and multi-year estimates. Eventually,
this survey is intended to replace the long form of the Decennial Census
of Population and Housing. Data from the ACS can be tabulated in American
Fact Finder, though the home page for the survey is here: http://www.census.gov/acs/www/index.html
- http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/popula.html
- Location: HA 201
- Gelman Library has select print Census publications for each decade. Data
is available for individual states. The latest Census publications are available
in the reference stacks and the earlier editions are available in the stacks.
Consult the ALADIN
Catalog for specific titles and call numbers.
There is no set schedule for Population Reports, but a list compiled by
the Ohio State University Library lists Population reports according to
series and subject, and can be found here: http://library.osu.edu/sites/reference/govdocs/CPR/CPRindex.htm.
- Population
Estimates
- Location: http://www.census.gov/popest/estimates.php
- These reports focus
on data from the past and present, producing reports focusing on the resident
population. Reports are published according to demographics (age, sex, race, Hispanic origin) as well
as by geography (national, states, counties, cities, and metropolitan area).
Population
Projections
- Location: http://www.census.gov/population/www/projections/popproj.html
- Projections for
the resident population of the United States
in its entirety, plus the 50 states and the District
of Columbia. This data illustrates potential changes in the population, as well future births, deaths, and
migration. Other series of projections deal with potential fertility rates
and life-expectancy. Projections dealing with age, sex, race and Hispanic Origin
are released every two years.
Technical Documentation and Working Papers
(white papers written by Census Bureau staff) that focus on the population
of the United States can be found here: http://www.census.gov/prod/www/workpaps.html.
- Fast Facts
for Congress
- Location: http://fastfacts.census.gov/home/cws/main.html
- Provides frequently requested Census and American Community Survey data
for congressional districts for the current Congress. Searchable by street
address, state, district or county. Provides general, social, economic and
housing data.
- Congressional
Districts (108th Congress)
- Location: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/108th.html
- Provides population and housing characteristics for the Congressional Districts
of the 108th Congress based on Census 2000 data for the newly defined boundaries
of the 108th Congress. Data is available for all states, District
of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Geographic areas include, but are not limited to the following entities
with congressional districts: county; county subdivision; place, state portion
of American Indian and Alaska Native area (with trust lands and with no
trustlands) and Hawaiian home land.
- Congressional Apportionment
- The main reason for the Decennial Census is to determine each state's
representation in the House, or its apportionment. This is determined by
the state's apportionment population, which includes the resident
population (where people live most of the time) as well as the count of
overseas military and federal civilian employees who reside in each state.
- Congressional
Apportionment for the 2000 Census
- Location: http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/apportionment.html
- Congressional
Apportionment for the 1990 Census
- Location: http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/apportionment/results.html
- American
Fact Finder Reference and Thematic Maps
- Location: http://factfinder.census.gov/jsp/saff/SAFFInfo.jsp?_pageId=gn7_maps
- Maps of the 2000
Census.
- TIGER
Map Service
- Location: http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/index.html
- U.S.
Gazetteer (1990 and 2000)
- Location: http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html
- Census
2000 Redistricting Maps
- Location: http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/rd_2ktiger/pl_maps/pl_maps.html
- Congressional districts of the 108th Congress of the United States
(January 2003 to 2005) / prepared by the Geography Division of the
Census Bureau.
- Location: REF MAP CASES G3701.F7 2003 .U5
- Provides senate and house membership by state (current as of Feb. 10, 2003)
and state, county, and equivalent boundaries as of January 1, 2000.
- Census of Population and Housing: Population and Housing Characteristics
for Congressional Districts...
- Location: HA 201 1990 .A97. for 1990; HA 201 1980 LL for 1980
- Contains 100-percent and sample data. Provides population and housing data
for Congressional Districts, places with 10,000+, and other geographic levels.
- Non-Census Map Sources
- Location: http://65.39.85.13/google/default.htm
- Site provided by AnalyGIS and SRC.com that combines Google
maps with Census 2000 Population and Housing Data. Results are available
for one, three and five mile radii for the address entered.
- gCensus
- Location: http://www.gcensus.com/index.php
- This site, which
began as a graduate student project, combines Census 2000 data sets and
Google map technology.
- How to Locate
Census Tracts
- To locate a Census tract from the 2000 Census, Fill in
an address on the electronic form provided here:
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/AGSGeoAddressServlet?_lang=en&_programYear=50&_treeId=420&_sse=on
via American Fact Finder.
Additional information on how to locate and compare Census tracts can be found
here: http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tractez.html. Please note that
only Tracts from the 2000 Census can be located electronically.
- Congressional Quarterly's Encyclopedia of the U.S. Census.
Margo J. Anderson. 2000.
- Location: REF HA 37.U55.C66
- Comprehensive resource providing concise entries on concepts, history,
and methodologies associated with the decennial Census. Glossary of Census
terms and an index included.
- Glossary
of Census Terms.
- Online: http://www.Census.gov/dmd/www/glossary.html
- Understanding the Census: A Guide for Marketers, Planners, Grant
Writers, and other Data
Users. Michael R. Lavin.
- Location: READY REF HA 201 1990a
- American Statistics Index (ASI). 1947-present.
- Location: REFERENCE INDEX TABLE 5 Z7445.U5 A46 (last 5 years). Earlier
editions in REF stacks.
- Comprehensive index to the statistical publications of the U.S. government.
Major Census reports can be found in microfiche using this index. GW maintains
some of the corresponding microfiche, located on the reference floor.
URL's provided when available. Issued in monthly supplements that are
compiled annually. Includes an index and an abstracts volume.
- Reengineering the 2010 Census: Risks and Challenges. National
Research Council
- Location: HA 201.14 .N38 2004
- The 2000 Census: Counting under adversity. National Research Council
- Location: Gelman Stacks HA201.12 .N38 2004
- Fixing the Census until it Breaks: An assessment of the undercount
adjustment puzzle. By Kenneth Darga.
- Location: HA 179 .D298 2000
- Statistical
Agencies (International)
- Location:http://www.census.gov/main/www/stat_int.html
- Provides access to statistical agencies from around the world
- Fedstats
- Location: http://www.fedstats.gov/
- Serves as the gateway to statistics from over 100 U.S. Federal agencies
- The Dataweb
- Location: http://www.thedataweb.org
- The DataWeb is network of online data libraries and sponsored by the
US Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control. Topics include census
data, economic data, health data, income and unemployment data, population
data, labor data, cancer data, crime and transportation data, family dyanmics,
vital statistics data.
- The Complete Guide to Citing Government Information Resources:
A Manual for Writers & Librarians. Garner, Diane L.
- Location: REF J9.5 .G37 1993
- Online
Style Guides
- Location: http://www.gwu.edu/gelman/ref/readyref/style.html
- Select this link to view a number of online style guides including APA,
MLA, and information on how to cite electronic resources.
- MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.
- Location: READY REF LB 2369 .G53. Latest in reference, earlier
editions in the stacks.
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
- Location: READY REF BF 76.7 .P83 2001. Latest edition in ready
reference, earlier editions in the stacks.
For more information, call the Reference Desk at 202-994-6048 or use
the E-mail Reference
Form.
This page is maintained by Tina Plottel.
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