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Census Guide

Rechs Ann Pedersen, Internet Librarian
Last updated 4/5/2001

Data, Geography, and other Variables in the Census
Or, Why you may not find something

Like every statistical question, a question about a Census statistic has three components: date, data, geography. The date part is simple. All statistics for the 1990 census and the 2000 census are dated 1990 or 2000. The one exception is income. Income figures are from 1989 or 1999 respectively.

The data component includes the subjects of the questions asked on the Census questionnaires and the statistics based on those questions. (For example: Age, Race, Home Ownership, Income).

For the Data component, consider:

  1. Was the subject asked in the Census? (see What was asked on the Census?)
  2. Have the statistics been release yet? (see Has the 2000 data been released?)
  3. Will the data ever be available for blocks? (see Tracts and blocks: data and maps)

Geography refers to the area that you want the statistics for. (For example, data for the City of Capitola).

For the Geography component, consider:

  1. Have the statistics have been released for the area you want? (see Has the 2000 data been released?)
  2. Is the area you want one that is used in the Census. For example, La Selva Beach is not a Census Designated Place. (see What are the cities and CDPs in S.C. County?)
  3. Do the boundaries of an unincorporated place as used the Census match what you think of as that place? (For example, Seascape is included in Rio del Mar and not in Aptos, although the mailing address for Seascape is Aptos.) To be sure, check the Census Track Maps (see Tracts and Blocks: Data and Maps)

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