Data and statistics sources
- American FactFinder A good (first) source to "obtain data in the form of maps, tables, and reports from a variety of Census Bureau sources."
- Census Atlas of the United States
Maps of the United States based on various census findings. - Historical Statistics of the United States Millennial Edition Online Covers a wide range of topics; statistics are drawn from many sources (not just the decennial census). Date coverage varies by topic.
- National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS) Aggregate census data and GIS-compatible boundary files. Data can be downloaded for import into Excel, SAS, SPSS, or Stata.
- SimplyMap SimplyMap is a web-based mapping application that lets users create thematic maps and reports using demographic, business, and marketing data. Among the selectable variables are many from the 2000 Census, incl. post-2000 estimates and projectons.
- Selected Historical Decennial Population and Housing Counts Easy to scan by time period and geography, but only a subset of the "Decennial Census of Population and Housing Reports (Census Bureau)" listed below.
- Decennial Census of Population and Housing Reports (Census Bureau) With narrative introductions for each census about changed methodologies, underlying laws, etc.
- Social Explorer Social Explorer maps reports include a wide variety of historical and modern data from the U.S. Census, from 1790 on.
- Historical Census Browser (University of Virginia Library) Data available at state and county levels only. Data cannot be downloaded. Thematic maps can be generated from the data selections.
- IPUMS USA Samples from fifteen federal censuses (1850-2000) and the American Community Surveys (2000-2006). Each record is a person; researchers must use a statistical package to analyze the data.
- Geolytics Census Data Products Not all products are available online; some are available on DVD in the library.
- Census 2000 at ICPSR ICPSR's presentation of Census 2000 data and documentation is especially useful for two things: (1) Data files may be available in SAS, SPSS, or Stata formats; and (2) Selected subsets from Summary File 1 (short form) and Summary File 3 (long form).
"Short form" vs. "long form" census questionnaires and changes over time
When looking for and at data from the Census of Population and Housing, it's important to consider whether the questions were asked of all respondents or just a sample.
100% (Short Form) and Sample (Long Form) Questions
The 1940 census provided the prototype for the census today. It was the first census to develop and apply sampling techniques, thus creating the short form or 100% questionnaire and the long form, or the sample. Since then, the Census Bureau has continued to refine its sampling techniques but the terms 100% or sample are still the same.
The questions asked on both forms have changed over time; they reflect the changes in our society and the need for statistical data mandated by Federal legislative programs. See the Major Differences in Subject-Matter Content between 1990 and 2000 Census Questionnaires and the Census 2000 Questionnaires for the changes in that ten-year period, and for a longer historical perspective, Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790 to 2000, which includes the questionnaires and instructions to census takers.
It is expected that the American Community Survey (see the Intercensal Years tab) will replace the long form in the future.
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