Census Basics

1. Census Basics Description: By gaining an understanding of the basic structure and content of the United States census, students will be able to decide which data needs can be met by the census and how to start locating useful data.

2. Objectives/Outcomes • Student(s) will understand what types of information can be found in U.S. Census data products. • Student(s) will understand structure of the U.S. Census and its data products. • Student(s) will locate information in U.S. Census data products in multiple ways.

3. Part I: Census Introduction Census Basics Description Objectives/Outcomes Presentation Outline Census Introduction Definition Importance History Questions vary over time Grid of questions Historical Costs Practical Applcations Question 1: What are you planning to use it for? Logistics and Structure Collection of Data Logistics and Structure Structure Before and after 2010 Addition of ACS Question 2: Why the changes? Census Geography Census Geography Map Part II: Where and How to Find Census Data (Slides 12-27) Overview of Main Sources Demographic Profiles American Factfinder Social Explorer (subscription) Demographic Profiles Advanced Topic: Beware of Sampling Errors American Factfinder Overview American Factfiner: Factsheets Guided Practice 1 Practice Search 1 American Factfinder: Summary Files Guided Practice 2 Practice Search 2 American Factfinder: Where to Locate Info. American Factfinder: Custom Tables Advanced Topic Guided Practice 3 Social Explorer: Overview Social Explorer: Guided Practice Guided Practice 4: Map Guided Practice 5: Report Other Sources of Census Info. Special Tabulations Other Sources of Census Info., cont. Products available at Penn Other Sources of Census Info., cont. Producrs Freely Available Other Research Guides and Tutorials Other Research Guides and Tutorials, cont. Questions? References Presentation Outline

4. Census Introduction • Def. – A census “is an enumeration of … important items in a particular country or region at a particular time” (Encyclopedia Britannica). • The U.S. Census counts every resident and is required by the Constitution to occur decennially (2010 being next). • Why is it important? • Determines: seats in House, distribution of federal $, redistricting. Used by researchers, comm. activists, etc. • The Supreme Court has stated that the census “is the linchpin of the federal statistical system” (as cited in U.S. Census Bureau. “Census in the Constitution.”)

5. History • Questions vary over time • Grid of questions (1790-2000) • Slavery last asked in 1860 • Feeble-minded in 1840-1890 • Income first asked in 1940 • Televisions surveyed, 1950-70 • Detailed ancestry beginning 1980 • Multiple races and grandparents as caregivers in 2000 • From York (2008).

6. Historical Costs • Census year Population ` Census cost • 1790 3,929,214 $44,377 • 1800 5,308,483 $66,109 • 1810 7,239,881 $178,445 • 1820 9,633,822 $208,526 • 1830 12,866,020 $378,545 • 1840 17,069,458 $833,371 • 1850 23,191,876 $1,423,351 • 1860 31,443,321 $1,969,377 • 1870 38,558,371 $3,421,198 • 1880 50,155,783 $5,790,678 • 1890 62,979,766 $11,547,127 • 1900 76,303,387 $11,854,000 • 1910 91,972,266 $15,968,000 • 1920 105,710,620 $25,117,000 • 1930 122,775,046 $40,156,000 • 1940 131,669,275 $67,527,000 • 1950 151,325,798 $91,462,000 • 1960 179,323,175 $127,934,000 • 1970 203,302,031 $247,653,000 • 1980 226,542,199 $1,078,488,000 • 1990 248,718,301 $2,492,830,000 • 2000 281,421,906 $4,500,000,000 • From Gauthier (2002).

7. Practical Applications • Reapportioning seats in House of Rep. • Used to distribute federal $ • Used by researchers, marketers, grant writers • Used by urban planners and public health professionals • Question 1: What are you planning to use it for?

8. Logistics and Structure of the Census • Collection of Data • Form is mailed to every U.S. household. • Questions are ideally answered about all living in household (citizens and non-citizens alike) • If form is not returned, a census taker must follow-up with every address. • The 2010 form is short, consisting of only ten questions, available here. • For comparison, Census 2000’s sample form • 8 Questions for “person 1”.

9. Logistics and Structure of the Census, cont. • Structure • Before 2010 • Approx. 1 in 6 households received a “long form” (a.k.a. “sample” questionnaire) collecting further data • Now, American Community Survey (ACS) collects sample information • Replaces decennial “long form,” collects info. monthly, releases tabulations of data annually • Some (Ron Paul incl.) argue this is unconstitutional • Question 2:Why the change?

10. Census Geography • Census-Designated Areas • Metropolitan Statistical Area (definition/list) • Urbanized Area (50,000+) and Urban Cluster (2500-50,000, can be outside MSA) • Census Tract (about 4000 people, approx. neighborhoods) • Block Group (2-8 per tract, smallest area for sample data) • Began in 1940, in Philly 1970 • Question 3: Does anyone know why? • Block (In 2000, 4 digit numbers) • Zip Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) • PUMAS/Super-PUMAS • Traffic Analysis Zones • From York (2008).

11. Census Geography Map • From York (2008).

12. Where and How to Find Census Data • Overview of Main Sources of Information • Demographic Profiles • Summary stats. for 1990 and 2000 Census. • American Factfinder • Factsheets, Detailed info. (maps/geographies), slight learning curve • Census 1990, 2000, ACS, PR, Pop. Estimates, et al. • Social Explorer (subscription via Penn Libraries) • Fast, easy, good for maps, reports (export, copy or print) • Good for 1990. 2000, ACS, Hist. Census • Hist. Census – Data normalized!

13. Where and How to Find Census Data,Demographic Profiles • Coverage: summary statistics from the 100% and sample data sets for Census2000, 1990 • Demographic, Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics • For Census 2000, can be searched here: Demographic Profiles • ex. Haddonfield Borough, NJ • Harder to find for 1990 Census • Steps: Select 1990 Tab, STF-1 or STF-3, Quick Tables • Advanced Topic: Beware of sampling errors • Information on data use

14. Where and How to Find Census Data,American Factfinder • Coverage: • Census 1990, 2000, ACS, Population Estimates, PR Community Survey and Island Surveys • Detailed Geographies • Complex queries: Create detailed maps, custom tables • Can save queries to load at later time • Can download to Excel (sometimes), .RTF; dl zip files

15. Where and How to Find Census Data,American Factfinder • Choosing a Data Source • For a simple variable for U.S., or one: state, county, place or zip code (1990-Today) • Use Fact Sheets in American Factfinder – http://factfinder.census.gov (could also use DPs) • Guided Practice: • 2006-2008, what was the difference in percentages for families below the poverty level in the city of Philadelphia vs. the United States as a whole? • Practice Search 1: • Using Census 2000 data, what percentage of persons 25 and older in zip code 19104 have a high school degree or higher? • Try out the map and brief functions if you complete early.

16. Where and How to Find Census Data,American Factfinder • Choosing a Data Source (cont.) • For all other requests(1990-Today), choose a relevant data file based on your topic (subject) AND the geographic area (use address search if you need to determine) you are looking to cover. • For detailed information, see the University of Michigan Library’s Census Toolkit, page 2. • Guided Practice 2: What % of hh’s pay 50% or more of their income in gross rent in Kensington? • Practice Search 2: For Census Tract 6018 in Camden, NJ, how many males are 18-24 y/o?

17. Where and How to Find Census Data,American Factfinder From York (2008).

18. Where and How to Find Census Data,American Factfinder • Advanced Topic: Custom Tables • Allows you to choose what elements you want in a table • Guided Practice 3: Compare # of Black or African American Alone, Female, PhDs in Philadelphia County, Northampton County, PA, and U.S.

19. Where and How to Find Census Data, Social Explorer • Subscription via Penn Libraries • Coverage: • 1940 to 2000 Census Tract Info • Historical Data: 1790-2000 Census Data • American Community Survey Information • Great for Maps & Reports • Can create slideshows, export images to PPT, export data to Excel • Data is already normalized – Advantages

20. Where and How to Find Census Data, Social Explorer • Guided Practice 4: • Map Slideshow – What percentage of homes had a television in Major Cities in 1950? • Guided Practice 5: • Report – Compare the “colored population” in Maryland, Virginia, and the Overall United States in 1860.

21. Other Sources of Census Info. Census 2000 Special Tabulations • Cannot be found via American Factfinder • Can be extremely useful, if relevant to your topic • Not standard Census Data products • Usually sponsored by another org. (public or private) • Examples: • School District Data File • Equal Employment Opportunity File • Others: Worker Flows, Trans. Planning, Aging • List: http://www.census.gov/mp/www/spectab/specialtab.html • Usu. avail. a few years after decennial Census.

22. Other Sources of Census Info., cont. • Products available at Penn Libraries • PolicyMap • Combines Census info with other sources of info., over 10,000 indicators • Datasets currently available • Ancestry Library Edition (Ancestry.com) • Census Images and Indexes from 1790 to 1930 • ICPSR – Census Data • Search “ICPSR” in FindIt! bar • Most popular study: Persistent URL • Advanced: Download for Stata s/w, manipulate

23. Other Sources of Census Info., cont. • Products Freely Available • Social Explorer • Extremely limited public version • Census Scope • Data trends over last few decades • Historical Census Browser • Coverage: 1790-1960 // Geographies: State, County • Quick comparisons over decades • NHGIS • Coverage: 1790-2000 // Good geographical coverage • No queries, many tables to choose from • Must create a free account • Public Use Microdata Samples • Create your own table using data • Steps - American Factfinder – Reference & Tools – Tools • Use IPUMS or PDQ Explore

24. Other Research Guides and Tutorials • Penn Census Research Guide • Includes location of in-print resources, incl. statistical publications, microfilm • Links/location to writings on history of the Census • University of Michigan Research Guides • Many sections, incl. “Historical Census Publications” • Using the Census Presentation • Using “Products Freely Avail.” in more detail • 2000 Census Toolkit • Referenced in this presentation

25. Other Research Guides and Tutorials, cont. • American Factfinder Tutorials • How to Search, Work with Tables, Create Custom Tables, Create and Use Maps, Work with Economic Data • Social Explorer Help Page • Tutorial Videos, other helps topics • Link to University of Buffalo’s guide to Social Explorer • Census Bureau’s Public Use Presentations

26. Questions? • Please feel free to ask now! • Or, feel free to contact the presenters: • Phillip Hewitt, Intern, Reference & Instruction Services – phewitt@pobox.upenn.edu • Charles Cobine, Subject Specialist, Census and Social Science Data, info • Or, feel free to contact a librarian via Chat, IM, text, e-mail, or phone. Thanks!

27. References • Census. (n.d.) In Encyclopædia Britannica online. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://proxy.library.upenn.edu:3225/eb/article-9022060. • Dept. of Commerce v. U.S. House of Representatives, 525 U.S. 316, 341 (1999). • Gauthier, J.G. (2002). Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790 to 2000. Report POL/02-MA(RV). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved fro http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/pol02marv.pdf. • U.S. Census Bureau. (2010). Census in the Constitution. Retrieved from http://2010.census.gov/2010census/why/constitutional.php • York, G. (2008). American Factfinder and Census 2000 [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.lib.umich.edu/government-documents-center/guides-1.