US Census Data

RESOURCE DESCRIPTION

The US Census provides raw population data as well as housing and demographic data. Census data are collected by two methods: the American Community Survey (ACS) and decennial collection. ACS data contain detailed socioeconomic information formerly collected in a long-form questionnaire as part of the decennial census. The decennial census became exclusively short-form in 2010. Population items in the decennial census include sex, age, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, household relationship, household type, household size, family type, family size, and group quarters. Housing items in the decennial census include occupancy status, vacancy status, and tenure (whether a housing unit is owner-occupied or renter-occupied). US Census data are often used to construct other datasets and to supply population data to models. Disability status information is also collected. For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses these data to identify populations with access and functional needs that may need special consideration during an event. The US Census also provides a variety of economic data collected every 5 years through the Economic Census. Economic data include employment, sales, payroll, and more by industry, firm size, and geographic area. More timely but less detailed economic data are available from the ACS and specific industry surveys.

BROAD DATA CATEGORIES

• Population
• Demographic

SPECIFIC DATA ELEMENTS

• Population

DEMOGRAPHICS INCLUDED

• Age
• Gender
• Race
• Ethnicity

GEOGRAPHIC RESOLUTION

• State/Province
• County
• District
• Place (city, CDP, etc.)
• Metropolitan/Micropolitan Area (CBSA)
• County subdivision
• Census Tract

GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE

US States

TEMPORAL RESOLUTION

• NA