U.S. Census & Demographics: Decennial Census of Population and Housing

2020

2010

  • Social Explorer (selected tables, easiest to use)
    Maps and data tables that can be downloaded. From their main page choose Data & Reports.
  • New York City Planning
    Tables specific to New York City including neighborhood-level data at the new, NYCPL defined, "Neighborhood Tabulations Areas."
  • Cornell Program on Applied Demographics 2010 Census Data
    Tables, maps based on data for geographies within New York State.
  • Missouri Census Data Center
    Missouri's lead agency in the Census Bureau's Data Center program publishes nation-wide data for selected geographies. The site has both files for FTP and an interface for individual data tables.
  • Center for Urban Research
    A list of links to data, maps, analysis, and more about the 2010 Census.

2000

This section explains the way the files were published regardless of the access methods as described above. 

  • Selected Products From the Short Form
    Counts reported from the short form represent exact counts as these questions were asked of 100% of the population. They are reported on the following products.
    • Summary File 1 (SF1)
      Data for all topics tabulated for the nation and by basic race categories and Hispanic/non-Hispanic populations.  Note that New York City successfully challenged the SF1 counts for detailed Hispanic Origin and a revised file was issued.  The revised file is available in the CU Data Catalog,
    • Summary File 2 (SF2)
      Data for all topics tabulated for the nation and by detailed race categories and Hispanic/non-Hispanic populations.
    • Demographic Profiles (DP1)
      Preformatted reports summarizing, for named geographic locations, data reported on the short form. Data are derived from SF1.
    • Re-Districting File (PL-94)
      Selected topics tabulated for the purpose of congressional reapportionment.
  • Selected Products From the Long Form
    Counts reported from the long form represent estimated counts based on the large sample of the population who completed the long form. The topics cover those asked on the short form plus a wide range of socio-demographic topics. They are reported on the following products:
    • Summary File 3 (SF3)
      Data for all topics tabulated for the nation and by basic race categories and Hispanic/non-Hispanic populations.
    • Summary File 4 (SF4)
      Data for all topics tabulated for the nation for 336 population groups (groups included detailed race and Hispanic origin groups, and selected ancestry).
    • Demographic Profiles
      Preformatted reports summarizing, for named geographic locations, data reported on the short form. Data are derived from SF3.
    • Microdata
      The responses from individual questionnaires are released as ASCII file called Public Use Microdata (PUMS) For details about microdata, refer to the Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) page.
      • PUMS 1%
        A sample of 1% of the housing units that filled out the long form questionnaire.
      • PUMS 5%
        A sample of 5% of the housing units that filled out the long form questionnaire.
  • Special Topic Products
    These analyses are based on either a subject or geography:
    • Worker Flow
    • School Districts
    • Migration
    • Transportation Planning
    • Congressional District (has both 100% and sample data)
  • Maps and Spatial Data
    All the geographies supported by the Census Bureau were originally published in the TIGER® Line Files product. These are the basis for the spatial data products described above.
  • Census 2000 Data Products At a Glance
    A list of all 2000 Data products with their release date, medium in which they are published, and their geographic coverage.
  • Online Data Extraction
  • GIS and Mapping Products
    • For New York City
      This guide details sources for demographic data for New York together with sources for the corresponding boundary files.
    • For the United States
      This pages lists sources for Census boundaries from both a national and New York State perspective.
  • CD/DVD Products 
    • Summary File Products from Bureau of Census
      • All Summary Files are published on DVDs.
      • The DVDs have a powerful Windows-based extraction program for making both simple and complex data requests. 
      • Summary File 3, the most frequently used file, is on the DSSC workstations (program menu _DSSC Applicationsin ->US Census 2000).
      • The other are in the lower level of the DSSC (room 215).
    • Public Use Microdata (PUMS)
      PUMS data on CD-ROM come an interface that does cross tabulation on either the 1% or 5% sample. It is available in the lower level of the DSSC (room 215).
  • Files for FTP Download
    Because of the size and complexity of the files for FTP, the options listed above may be preferable.
    • Census Bureau's Census 2000 Gateway
      Links to an FTP site for each of the available data products are listed in the "Data Releases" list. Links to the American FactFinder interface for creating custom tables are also given.
    • ICPSR Catalog
      All the Census 2000 files, the full files, program code (SAS and SPSS), meta-data, and tips for working with the files are found here.
      Search for Census 2000 and limit to series, Census of Population and Housing 2000.

1990

  • Summary Tapes Files (STF)
     
    Summary Tape Files report data tabulated to various geographic levels, referred as "summary levels."  Files report data on either the short form, filled out by everyone, or the long form given to a sample.

  Short form, 100% count- exact counts

STF1 - all persons & by race - Hispanic Origin
       A - States - BlockGroups
       B - Blocks
       C - Nation, MSA, cross-state geographies
       D - Congressional District

STF2 - 34 race and Hispanic Origin groups
       A - Hierarchy within states to tracts
       B - States to areas 1,000 or more
       C - Nation to areas of 10,000 or more
       D - Congressional District

  Long form, sample coverage - estimates

STF3- all persons & by race - Hispanic Origin
       A - States - BlockGroups
       B - Zip Codes
       C - Nation, MSA, to areas of 10,000+
       D - Congressional District

STF4 - 34 race and Hispanic Origin groups
       A - States to tracts
       B - Hierarchy in state to areas 2,500+
       C - Nation to counties

  • Public Law (P.L.) 94-171
Also called the Redistricting file, it was the first file published from the 1990 Census and was used for congressional reapportionment. Data is based on the short form and focuses on age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin.
  • Subject Summary Tape Files (SSTF)
    Subject Summary Tape Files analyze a topic (like ancestry, elderly, education, etc.) or population (blacks, asians, etc).  Tables are generally reported to the state level with cross-tabulations within these files are reported at the national level only.
  • Public Use Microdata (PUMS)

The design of the 1990 PUMS files is similar to that of 2000, so refer to Microdata Overview for an explanation, while relying on the links the next section of this page to obtain the data.

  • Maps and Spatial Data
  • TIGER/Line®
    All the geographies supported by the Census Bureau were originally published in the TIGER Line Files product. These are the basis for the spatial data products described above.
  • Printed Maps
    The Census Bureau distributed Census maps in print. The Map collection has the Tract Boundary Maps and the Puma maps for 1990.
  • Other Products
    The Census Bureau publishes two special tabulations that it prepares under contract for other agencies: the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) File, and the Census Transportation Planning Package (CTTP) file.
  • Online Data Extraction
  • GIS Products
  • CD-ROM Products Available in the DSSC
    • CD-ROMs from the Federal Government
      Refer to 1990 Census - CD-ROMs for a list of these CD-ROMs. They include the Subject Summary Tape Files series that reported on special topics and population sub-groups.
  • Files for FTP
    • ICPSR
      This link leads to the complete list of what ICPSR provides. Use this source if you do not find what you are looking for in CU Data Catalog.

1980

  • Summary Files

  Short form, 100% count- exact counts

STF1 - all persons by race, Hispanic Origin
       A - States - Block Groups/EDs 
       B - States-Blocks plus MSAs 
       C- Nation-States-places 10,000+
       D - Congressional District (98th)

STF2 - 26 race and Hispanic Origin groups
       A - States -counties-places-tracts
       B - States, SMSA, areas 1,000 or more
       C- Nation to areas of 10,000 or more 

  Long form, Sample count- estimates

STF3 - all persons by race, Hispanic Origin
      A- States - tract/BNAs
      B - States-Zip Codes 
      C- Nation-States-places 10,000+
      D - Congressional District (98th)

STF4 -up to 39 race - Hispanic Origin groups
       A -States - counties-places-tracts
       B - States, SMSA, areas 2,500 or more
       C- Nation to areas of 10,000 or more

 

Summary level and other technical concepts pertaining to summary files are briefly described in our guide, Census Summary Files: Technical Issues.

  • Public Law (P.L.) 94-171
    Also called the Redistricting file, it was the first file published from the 1980 Census and was used for congressional reapportionment. Data is based on the short form and focuses on age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin.
  • Public Use Microdata
    Public Use Microdata are records drawn from the responses to the long-form questionnaire. There are two files: one a sample of 1% of households and the other a 5% sample. For general description of microdata refer to Census Microdata Overview. Although it references 2000 Census, the concepts, though not the links to sources, are the same. The sources for all 1980 data are listed on this page. The 1980 samples are split in to the following groupings:
    • A Sample
      5% or 1% with states, counties, groups of counties, and large cities
    • B Sample
      1% only with some states, SMSAs, selected counties, and selected places
    • C Sample
      1% only with divisions, some States, selected places of 100,000 or more population, selected urban areas, and an urban/rural breakdown
    • D Sample
      1% only using a unique geography that groups counties based on the labor market
  • Maps and Spatial Data
    • Spatial Data
      Spatial Files were developed for 1980 boundaries sometime after the release of the 1980 Census.
    • Maps
      Columbia's holdings for 1980 maps are described on the Government Documents 1980 Decennial Census Information web page.
  • Online Extraction Data
    • Social Explorer
      Use Data & Tools then choose Browse Reports.
      Selected tables down to tracts for years including SF1 and SF3 for 1980.
    • InfoShare Online  (for data on New York City)
      Access to STF1A, STF3A, and Public Use Microdata is available. For STF files, a single data table for a multiple locations can be downloaded.
    • National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
      Use the use the "NHGIS Data Finder" link.
      Provides an online extraction tool for selected summary file variables at the national, state, county, tract/block numbering area, metropolitan area, and primary metropolitan area levels.
    • Longitudinal Tract Data Base (LTDB)
      Preselected 1980 population characteristics in Excel spreadsheets reported for tracts as defined in 1980 or as defined in 2010. LTDB also has a feature that allows you to adjust any data based on 1980 tracts to estimates based on 2010 tracts.
    • Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS)
      At this site custom extractions of public use microdata can be done. Coverage is for all census years since 1850 except 1930.
  • Spatial Data
    • National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
      Use the use the "NHGIS Data Finder" link.
      Provides an online extraction tool for selected summary file variables at the national, state, county, tract/block numbering area, metropolitan area, and primary metropolitan area levels.
  • Files for FTP
    If using the ASCII versions of the summary files, users should acquaint themselves with how certain Technical Issues are handled. Suppression and allocation are issues of particular interest to those dealing with tract level or smaller geographies.
    • ICPSR
      Provides the most complete archive of 1980 files. A subset of these, usually those dealing with local areas, are available in the CU Data Catalog which also contains sample programs for reading SF3 and SF1.
    • CU Data Catalog
      Selected files (especially for New York City counties) converted to SAS and/or SPSS format are available. Search the data catalog for study number 1980 to see what is available.

1970

The lowest level of geography for summary data from 1970 is either block groups (in areas were tracts were defined) or elsewhere enumeration districts (ED). This overview outlines how key products were originally published and highlights only a few of the custom products that were subsequently produced based on the original.

Note that some sample questions were asked of either a 15% or a 5% sample of households, but some were asked for both, thus constituting a 20% sample. Variation can occur among totals based responses from 20%, 15% or 5% samples.

  • Summary Files
    The table below outlines the most commonly used summary files from the 1970. Not all these files are readily available. For some that are all states may not be reported.

Short form, 100% count- exact counts

1st Count
  A: States-Block Group-EDs
  B: States, counties, places & Cong.Dist.

2nd Count
  A: States and Tracts
  B: States, counties, MSAs and places

Long form, Sample count- estimates

4th Count
  A: States-Tracts
  B: States-MCDs-CCDs
  C: States-MSA-Urban areas

5th Count
   A: 3 digit Zip Code
   B: 5 digit Zip Codes by SMSA
   C: States-Tracts-Block Group/EDs

 
  • Other Summary File Products
    Special subsets based on either geography or topic have been created from the Summary Files. When needs can be met with these files, they are easier to use than the original files. Also there are the Elizabeth Bogue Census Tract Files for which data was keyed in from the printed tract reports for selected metropolitan areas.
  • Public Use Microdata
    Public Use Microdata were produced and reported for county groups, states, and geographic divisions with neighborhood characteristics each with a population of at least 250,000. Originally the files were hierarchical (contain both household and person records). A modified version is also available that combines household and person data on record so that the file is rectangular.
  • Maps
    Columbia's holdings for 1970 maps are described on the Government Documents 1970 Decennial Census Information web page.
  • Files for FTP
    If using the ascii versions of the summary files, users should acquaint themselves with how certain Technical Issues are handled. Suppression and allocation are issues of particular interest to those dealing with tract level or smaller geographies.
    • ICPSR
      Provides the most complete archive of 1970 files including a number of special extractions produced by the Census Bureau for easier access for some geographic areas and the Elizabeth Bogue tract data files for selected metropolitan areas (does not include NYC).
    • CU Data Catalog
      Selected files (especially for New York City counties) are available. Search the data catalog for study number 1970 to see what is available.
  • Online Extraction Data
    • Social Explorer
      Use Data & Tools then choose Browse Reports to obtain selected tables for years including 1970.
    • National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
      NHGIS provides an online extraction tool for selected summary file variables at the national, state, county, and tract/block numbering areas allowing for multiple locations at one level of geography to be downloaded at once
    • Longitudinal Tract Data Base (LTDB)
      Preselected 1970 population characteristics in Excel spreadsheets reported for tracts as defined in 1970 or as defined in 2010. LTDB also has a feature that allows you to adjust any data based on 1970 tracts to estimates based on 2010 tracts.
    • Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS)
      At this site custom extractions of public use microdata can be done. Coverage is for all census years since 1850 except 1930.
  • Spatial Data

1960 and earlier

  • Online Extraction Data
    • National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
      Provides online extraction tool for selected summary file variables at the national, state, and county levels for years back to 1790.
      Tract data starting in 1910 for NYC with more locations added with each new Census release.
    • Social Explorer
      Use Data & Tools then choose Browse Reports.
      Selected tables down to tracts for 1960, 50, and 40 and down to county from 1930-1790.
    • Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS)
      At this site custom extractions of public use microdata can be done. Coverage is for all census years since 1850 except 1930.
    • Historical Census Browser
      This site provides a web-based interface to state and county data for census years 1790 through 1960. Users who wish to work with the data directly should use ICPSR Study, Historical, Demographic, Economic, and Social Data: The United States, 1790-1970. This study can be downloaded from the ICPSR website.
  • Files for FTP
    • ICPSR
      ICPSR has the best collection of machine readable files for early census years. It includes Elizabeth Bogue tract data files for 1940, 50, and 60 for selected metropolitan areas (NYC available only for 1940) and states. The Bogue files are not microdata but summary data compiled from the print Census Tract reports
    • CU Data Catalog
      Two of the ICPSR studies are stored in CU Data Catalog with study number 1960, one is the public use microdata and one is tract level data that reports only on selected characteristics of a subset of the population.
  • Other Online Resources
  • Spatial Data

Because of the limited amount of data that is available electronically, it is important to be aware of what is in print.

  • Library's Decennial Census Collection
    This is a detailed list of Columbia's print and CD-ROM holdings plus links to useful Web sites and reference sources.
    Note: Selected New York City tract volumes are available in the lower level of the DSSC (room 215). These include 1990, 80, 70, and 60. There is only one copy of for 1950 and it is located with Lehman's collection of census volumes in that stacks at HA 201 C3.223:950.
  • Publications Specific to New York City
    • Census Tract Data on Population and Housing in New York City 1940
      HA 730 .N5 W3 - Lehman Reference
    • Census Data With Maps for Small Areas of New York City, 1910-1960
      HA 730 .N5 B68 1981 - Lehman Reference
      Includes not only the published census data for NYC, but also unpublished census data and special tabulation performed by the NYC Planning Dept. Levels include block, tract, and health area for 1910-1960, as well as assembly district, statistical area, and sanitation district for some earlier censuses. All data, including maps, is on microfilm (F d901) located in Lehman Library.
    • Population of the City of New York, 1890-1930.
      HA 730 .N5 C5 1930 - Lehman Reference
      317.8 N484 - Business
      AA9127 N4 C49 - Avery
      Tabular presentation of data from several censuses, both Federal and New York State, with some data actually going back to 1790.
  • New York State Census
    New York State conducted its own census in 1808, 1814 and 1822, though not in all counties. This link is to a CU Libraries Research Guide that describes what is available.
  • Related Reference Material
  • Last Updated: Mar 15, 2024 3:25 PM
  • URL: https://guides.library.columbia.edu/census
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