Introduction to Census Introduction to Census GeographyGeography

Presented by Jane Traynham and Presented by Jane Traynham and

Dan VeroffDan Veroff

SDC Boot Camp, October 13, 2009SDC Boot Camp, October 13, 2009

Two Categories of Census Two Categories of Census GeographyGeography

Legal and Administrative EntitiesLegal and Administrative Entities Result from legal actions, treaties, Result from legal actions, treaties,

ordinances, and so on. Boundaries generally ordinances, and so on. Boundaries generally accepted as provided by appropriate accepted as provided by appropriate authorities.authorities.

Statistical EntitiesStatistical Entities Evolve from practice, usage, or need. Evolve from practice, usage, or need.

Boundaries generally delineated using Boundaries generally delineated using Census Bureau criteria and guidelinesCensus Bureau criteria and guidelines

Census Geographic HierarchyCensus Geographic Hierarchy

ZCTA: Zip Code Tabulation Area

used for areas in which detailed zip code data is not available (rural areas, etc.)

TAZ: Traffic Analysis Zone

ANRC: Alaska Native Regional Corporation

SLD: State Legislative District

UGA: Urban Growth Area (Oregon)

Not listed here:

PUMAS (Public Use Microdata Areas)

Nested GeographiesNested GeographiesFrom Geographic Areas Reference ManualFrom Geographic Areas Reference Manual

203

Hierarchy of census geography

Counties are subdivided into census tracts – all tracts are unique within county

Hierarchy of census geography cont’d

Census tract boundaries

Block group boundaries

Tract 514201 split into 5142011 and 5142012

Census tract 514201

Block group 5142011 further divided into census blocks

The further in you zoom roads appear

The Usual SuspectsThe Usual SuspectsWisconsin

Dane CountyMadison MSA

Madison, WI Urban Area

Place: Madison City

Blocks

Census Tracts

Block Groups

What is a Census block?What is a Census block?

Par

k S

tree

t

Riv

er S

tree

t

First Street

Second Street

1001

1002

1003

1004 1005

1006

2021 2022

Wis

cons

in S

outh

ern

RR

Muskrat River

What is a Census Block?

Town of Muskrat

Village of Muskrat

Geography Reference ResourcesGeography Reference Resources

LINK to reference resources

LINK to geo terms

& concepts

Questions?Questions?