Census Guide

Rechs Ann Pedersen, Internet Librarian
Last updated 10/9/2001

Sample Search on American FactFinder

Comparison Table with Date from More than One Tract

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American Factfinder allows you to search in many ways. Below is one of the ways. The search was performed on October 9, 2001. American Factfinder may have changed since then.

What this search is for

The instructions below show how to use American Factfinder to see a table that combines data from more than one TRACT.

Does this way of searching suit your needs?

This search:

• Will show broad subjects.
• Has the advantage of showing data in one table
• Has the possible disadvantage of giving only percentages for the data
• Requires another search to see where a tract is located.

If you want more detailed subject data or need counts (rather than percentages), see Finding Tracts in S.C. County with Specific Characteristics

Step 1: Go to American Factfinder

1. Go to American Factfinder at http://factfinder.census.gov/
2. Click on "Data Sets" from the menu on the left.
3. Click on Census 2000 Summary File 1 (This will give you 100% data)
4. Choose "Geographic Comparison Tables"

You now come the first form page. You start from the top and work down, but you can go back up from any point and change choices. It has one unexpected feature--every time you make a selection, the screen refreshes and you have another set of options to choose from. After a refresh, continue to work your way down, by going to the box under the one you just used.

Step 2: Choose the geographical areas you want the data for:

1. Select the type of area: Click on County
2. Select a state: Click on California
3. Select one geographic area: Click on Santa Cruz County
4. Select a table format: Click on County--Census Tract, then click on the "Next" button.

You now come to the second form page.

Step 3: Choose the data that you want:

1. Select a table: Click on one table--only one may be displayed at a time.
2. To display the data, click on the "Show Table" button.

You will get a data tables showing all the tracts in Santa Cruz County.

Step 4: See Where the Tracts are Located in the County

1. Go back to the main page of American Factfinder at http://factfinder.census.gov/
2. Click on "Data Sets" from the menu on the left.
3. Click on Census 2000 Summary File 1 (This will give you 100% data)

You now come the first form page. You start from the top and work down, but you can go back up from any point and change choices. It has one unexpected feature--every time you make a selection, the screen refreshes and you have another set of options to choose from. After a refresh, continue to work your way down, by going to the box under the one you just used.

1. Selection method: Leave on List
2. Select the type of area: Click on Census Tract
3. Select state: Click on California
4. Select the county: Click on Santa Cruz County
5. Click on a tract number that you want to see (You can select only one map at a time)
6. Click on the "Map It" button. A map will be displayed showing you where the tract is located.
7. If you want to see more than one tract, repeat steps 2 and 3 for each additional tract.

You can also see tract maps on this Website, go to Online Santa Cruz County Census Maps (Census 2000)

Census Guide Home Page Santa Cruz Public Libraries' Home Page

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