Demographics and Statistics

• American Factfinder--gateway to population, housing, industry and business data. This website can be accessed by data set or by topic. A tutorial is available from the University of Michigan. This database contains data from:
• Decennial Census (1990 and 2000) provides statistics on the population, such as counts, housing, race, tenure, etc.
• Economic Census (1997 and 2002) provides statistics on industry and business in the United States.
• American Community Survey (1996-present) this yearly survey examines communities on a yearly basis, the Census plans to replace the long-form of the Decennial Census with this survey.
• Census of Agriculture from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, includes the 1992, 1997, and 2002 Census.
• Census Briefs (previously Statistical Briefs) are 2 to 4 page occasional reports. They provide timely data on specific issues of public policy.
• Census Street Address Search Enter a street address, city, state, and zipcode. You can then choose to display Census 2000 or 2002 Economic Census data and maps on the state, county, county subdivision, census tract, block, place, voting precinct, congressional, and state legislative districts in which the address is found.
• CenStats Databases include the Annual Survey of Manufactures, Building Permits, Census Tract Street Locator, County Business Patterns, International Trade Data, Detailed Occupation by Race, Hispanic Origin and Sex, USA Counties, and ZIP Code Business Patterns.

• Census 2000 Outline Maps provides online access to various census maps. American Factfinder allows users to create custom maps. Some of the maps available in this series are:
• Cartographic Boundry Files
• Census Reference Maps
• Census Thematic Maps
• Consolidated Federal Funds Report
• Current Population Reports--"current population data derived from the Current Population Survey (CPS), which is a sample household survey of the noninstitutional civilian population in the United States." Includes the following series: P20-Population Characteristics; P23-Special Studies; P60-Consumer Income and Poverty; P70-Household Economic Studies; and P25-Population Estimates and Projections. Ohio State University provides an Index to these and other series by number or subject that includes links to the online version when available. Compiled from the Census Bureau Catalog of Publications.
• Current Population Surveys (CPS) A joint project of the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPS surveys about 50,000 households on a monthly basis. "Estimates obtained from the CPS include employment, unemployment, earnings, hours of work, and other indicators. They are available by a variety of demographic characteristics including age, sex, race, marital status, and educational attainment. They are also available by occupation, industry, and class of worker."
• Glossary of Selected Abbreviations and Acronyms Look up the meaning of terms such as "STF", "PUMS", and other acronyms.
• Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, For The United States, Regions, Divisions, and States.
• HUD User Datasets provides access to housing related data such as State of the Cities, a database which contains 1970-2000 Census data for 542 metropolitan areas and their surrounding suburbs, labor force data, and special extracts from County Business Patterns on the number of jobs, establishments, and average pay by economic sector.
• Mapping Census 2000: The Geography of U.S. Diversity "presents a synthesis of the basic patterns and changes in U.S. population distribution in the last decade. Each page features county-level detail for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico." Available in its entirety or as the following subsections: Total Population, Diversity, White, Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, Two or More Races, Hispanic or Latino Origin, and White, Not Hispanic or Latino Origin.

• Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790 to 2000 provides a history of the US Census of Population and includes "images or descriptions of the questionnaires used in each census, along with the instructions given to census-takers on how to fill out the form. Also included is a synopsis of how each census was conducted and information about its historical significance."

• Minority Links pulls together demographic and economic data for African Americans, Asian /Pacific Islanders, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. See also Census Bureau Demographics Related to Race and Hispanic Origin

• A Profile of Older Americans
• State and County Quick Facts Select a state from an interactive map. Includes demographic data for an entire state, a county, or a congressional district.
• Statistical Abstract of the United States most issues from 1878-present.

• Statistical Atlases, title index of the American Memory Collection, from the Library of Congress has statistical atlases from 1870, 1883, and 1890.
• Uses for Questions on the Census 2000 Forms This page explains why questions are asked and how the answers are used, provides a sample of each question, and documents the legal basis for each question with citations to the U.S. Code, Executive Orders, and the Code of Federal Regulations.
• U.S. Gazetteer searchable by Place Name or Zip. The Gazetteer supports online map creation with the Tiger Mapping Service and retrieval of 1990 Census data.
• USA Counties includes crime, vital statistics, social programs, income, education, labor force and other demographic information by county.
• White House Social Statistics Briefing Room highlights of population, crime, education and health statistics.

• American Demographics--a publication that puts demographic data into format useful for marketers.
• Basic Tables: 1990 Demographic Profile Generator "This application generates a single 1990 "Basic Tables" (demographic profile) report for any of the supported geographic units, including census tract, block group, city (no size limit), 5-digit ZIP code, state, county or metro area for anywhere in the United States."
• Census 2000 DVDs/CDs CU DVDs and CD-Roms from the Census Bureau and Geolytics Inc. offers an alternative way to search Census 2000 data. Census DVDs includes Summary File data, Congressional District data, and map outlines for census tracts and blocks. Geolytics Inc.'s Census package is a bundled product that includes all of their Census 2000 products: Long Form, Long Form Profile, Short Form, Short Form Blocks, Redistricting and Redistricting Blocks, and Neighborhood Change Database: 1970-2000. These CDs are only available on computers in the Government Publications Library.
• CensusScope "easy-to-use tool for investigating U.S. demographic trends, brought to you by the Social Science Data Analysis Network (SSDAN) at the University of Michigan. With eye-catching graphics and exportable trend data, CensusScope is designed for generalists and specialists." Provides maps, charts and rankings that focus on population growth, population by race, age structure, and family structure. Data available for states, counties, and metro areas.
• County and City Data Books, 1988, 1994, and 2000 State, city and county level data. Provided by the Social Sciences Data Center (University of Virginia).

• Demographic Data Viewer. This service uses the 1990 Census data and the Tiger Boundary files to create maps of census data by state, county or region. Select from a list of variables to create a .gif format map. Although the user can select up to 25 variables, only the first selection will be mapped. Data can be mapped to the county, tract or block group level.
• EASI Quick Reports & Analysis EASI sells CD-ROM demographic databases which are derived from Census and other government sources. Easi's free Quick Reports service lets the user to select from 12 geographic variables (cities, counties, economic areas, TV markets, states, regions, etc.) and 12 report variables (income, quality of life, business, population, etc.) to create an online report which rates and ranks the geographic area.
• First Measured Century: The Other Way of Looking at American History--a PBS program that examines the history of the United States as revealed through its numbers--using statistics to tell a story. Includes timelines, an analysis of trends, and a companion book, Trends of the Century, with chapters on population, work, education, family, living arrangements, religion, active leisure, health, money, politics, government, crime, transportation, business, and communications.
• Historic Census Information, 1790-1960 including total, white, free African American, and slave populations, churches, education and literacy, vital statistics, and economic data. Data collected varies by census. See Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790 to 2000 for "images or descriptions of the questionnaires used in each census, along with the instructions given to census-takers on how to fill out the form."
• Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMs)"The IPUMS consists of twenty-five high-precision samples of the American population drawn from thirteen federal censuses. Some of these samples have existed for years, and others were created specifically for this database. The twenty-five samples, which span the censuses of 1850 to 1990, collectively comprise our richest source of quantitative information on long-term changes in the American population." Requires registration for use.
• Maps for Census 2000 --a guide to Census Bureau geographic products including maps and GIS data. Includes a glossary of terms, a good overview of product uses, and tips, techniques, and software for manipulating/printing data and maps.
• National Survey of America's Families this survey, conducted by the Urban Institute "provides a comprehensive look at the well-being of children and non-elderly adults, and reveals sometimes striking differences among the 13 states studied in depth. The survey provides quantitative measures of child, adult and family well-being in America, with an emphasis on persons in low-income families."
• Population Reference Bureau provides information on global population issues. It also provides links to sources of national and state level statistics on population and related topics.
• Post-1990 Population Estimates for U.S. Counties & Higher Level Geographies By Age, Race, Sex and Hispanic Origin thru 1999 "This application accesses the most recent county level population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau with detail by age (5-year cohorts through 85+), race, Hispanic origin (for total and white race only) and sex. These data are reported for July 1 of each year from 1990 to 1997. Coverage is for the entire United States. In addition to data at the county, state and US levels as provided by the Census Bureau, these estimates have been aggregated (by the MSCDC) to allow access to summaries at the metro area (complete and within state), and US division levels, as well as for metro/non-metro portions of state and above." From the Missouri State Data Center.
• Social Science and Government Data Library (Berkeley) provides web and/or ftp access to Census Bureau data from the 1990 and 2000 Census

• Demographics Relating to Race and Ethnicity
• Census Information by Year in our Collection
• Statistics
• Worldwide Demographic Information