Census Geography Data
- Pre-2010 Census Cartographic Boundary FilesFiles for all levels of census geography. Includes some boundary files for 1990 and 2000 as well.
- Tiger: Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing systemThe Census Bureau offers several file types for mapping census geographic data based on data found in our MAF/TIGER database.
Shape and Boundary Files
- U.S. Census Bureau 2008 TIGER/Line ShapefilesTIGER/Line®Shapefiles are spatial extracts from the Census Bureau's MAF/TIGER database, containing features such as roads, railroads, rivers, as well as legal and statistical geographic areas.
- US Census Bureau Cartographic Boundary FilesBoundary files comprised of census data.
- Small-Scale DataA small-scale map of North America was made using a set of basic map information provided by national atlas programs in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Historical GIS Data
- The Historical GIS Research NetworkMajor historical GIS websites from around the world
- Social Explorer This link opens in a new window
This link opens in a new window
Provides easy access to current and historical census data and demographic information.
Create maps and reports to illustrate, analyze, and understand demography and social change. Professional edition provided by UCLA
- National Historic GIS Data FinderUnited States, 1790 and 2011
- Atlas of Historical County BoundariesThe Atlas describes and maps every change in the boundaries of all United States counties from the early 1600s to 2000. You can use interactive maps or download the shapefiles.
- California Environmental Legacy ProjectIncludes administrative divisions, aquatic biology, cadastral, conservation planning, cultural geography, environmental hazards, physical geography, political districts, terrestrial biology, and transportation networks
- Hypercitiesa collaborative research and educational platform for traveling back in time to explore the historical layers of city spaces in an interactive, hypermedia environment
- The Historical GIS Clearinghouse and ForumAssociation of American Geographers
- China Historical GIS Data ArchiveA database of populated places and historical administrative units for the period of Chinese history between 221 BCE and 1911 CE
- World-Historical DataVerseProvides historical data on the human experience at the global level
- Historical Census Data from University of MichiganA general guide to understanding and finding historical demographic data produced by the U.S. Census Bureau.