Census Guide

Rechs Ann Pedersen, Internet Librarian
Last updated 9/27/2001

What was asked on the Census?
100% Data, Sample Data, and the Questionnaires

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The Census used two Questionnaires in both the 1990 Census and the 2000 Census-- a short questionnaire and a long questionnaire. The short questionnaire was sent to most people and is the source of the 100% data. The long questionnaire was sent to a portion of the population. It asked the same questions as on the short questionnaire, plus an additional group of questions. It is the source of the sample data.

Go to: Questionnaires || 2000 Census || 1990 Census

Copies of Census questionnaires:

• 2000 Census Links to the long and short questionnaires in pdf format
• 1990 Census Link to the questionnaires in pdf format

100% Data (2000 Census)

Summary File 1 (SF 1) which includes basic counts and cross-tabulations; and Summary File 2 (SF2) which includes additional cross-tabulations for race, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native tribes, ancestry groups.

• Household relationship
• Sex
• Age
• Hispanic or Latino origin
• Race
• Tenure (home owned or rented)
• Vacancy characteristics

For more information, see the source: Introduction to Census 2000 Data Products

Note: Some of the 100% data is included in the Redistricting Public Law 94-171 Summary File. (Total Population, Race, and Over 18) This data has been released. To find this data, see Sources for Finding the Data

Sample Data (2000 Census)

Summary File 3 (SF3) which includes sample characteristics; and Summary File 4 (SF4) which includes additional cross-tabulations for race, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native tribes, ancestry groups.

For Population: Marital status Place of birth, citizenship, and year of entry School enrollment and educational attainment Ancestry Migration (residence in 1995) Language spoken at home and ability to speak English Veteran status Disability Grandparents as caregivers Labor force status Place of work and journey to work Occupation, Industry, and class of worker Work status in 1999 Income in 1999

For Housing: Value of home or monthly rent paid Units in structure Year structure built Number of rooms and number of bedrooms Year moved into residence Plumbing and kitchen facilities Telephone service Vehicles available Heating fuel Farm residence Utilities, mortgage, taxes, insurance, and fuel costs

For additional information, see

• Introduction to Census 2000 Data Products.
• Census Bureau's FAQ: What questions are on the census forms?

100% Data (1990 Census):

Included on Summary Tape File 1--basic counts and cross-tabulations and Summary Tape File 2--additional cross-tabulations for race, Hispanic-origin.

• Household relationship
• Sex
• Race
• Age
• Marital status
• Hispanic origin
• Number of units in structure
• Number of rooms in unit
• Tenure (owned or rented)
• Value of home or monthly rent paid
• Congregate housing (meals included in rent)
• Vacancy characteristics

Sample Data (1990 Census):

Included on Summary Tape File 3--basic counts and cross-tabulations and Summary Tape File 4--additional cross-tabulations for race, Hispanic-origin.

Social Characteristics: Place of birth, citizenship and year of entry to the United States Education (enrollment and attainment) Ancestry Migration (residence in 1985) Language spoken at home Veteran status Disability Fertility

Economic characteristics: Labor force Place of work and journey to work Year last worked Occupation, industry, and class of worker Work experience in 1989 Income in 1989 Year moved into residence Number of bedrooms Plumbing and kitchen facilities Telephone in unit Vehicles available Heating fuel Source of water and method of sewage disposal Year structure built Condominium status Farm residence Shelter costs, including utilities

Source: U.S. Dept. of the Commerce. Bureau of the Census."Introduction to 1990 Census Products" [The Dept. Undated]

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