Research Guides: United States Census Statistics and Information: About Census

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The UCLA Census Collection

This guide points to important United States Census information, statistics, and data you will find at the Charles E. Young Research Library and on the Web. The collection represents a part of the Federal Depository Library Program in which the Research Library has participated in since 1932. As a designated Federal Depository Library (0043) by Senator Samuel Shortridge, the collection supports the informational needs of the residents in the 29th Congressional district and the university community users.

All bound copies of the Decennial Census can be found in the Reference section under the call number HA201 for population (and Census before 1940), and HD7293 for housing.

About the Census

Census Powerpoint by Maria A. Jankowska

Encyclopedia of the U.S. Census : from the Constitution to the American Community Survey by Margo J. Anderson
ISBN: 9781608717835
Date: 2011
The new edition highlights changes in the Census Bureau data collection and dissemination practices for the 2010 enumeration, including the use of a short-form questionnaire for the actual population count, and the release in late 2010 of the American Community Survey (ACS), a 5-year data set based on rolling samples of the US population gathered using the long-form questionnaire. Also in print.
Encyclopedia of the United States Census by Rolf Anderson
ISBN: 1568024282
Date: 2000
Subjects covered include: Content of the census. What the census tracks, and when it began to ask specific questions. How questions are formulated, and factors that affect which questions are asked. Other types of censuses (housing, economic, and agricultural). Procedure: how the census is planned, advertised, and conducted; state and local involvement; how results are tabulated and stored. Uses of the census. Publications, databases, and electronic products that provide census information. Archiving of census records and genealogical use of census schedules. Census history. Population trends over time, including changes in family composition; racial and ethnic groups; and the social, economic, and educational status of the population. Politics of the census. Effect of census data on congressional districts and funding of federal programs. Controversies: from slavery and the three-fifths compromise in 1790 to the use of statistical sampling in 2000.
Guide to the Census by Frank Bass
ISBN: 9781118419892
Date: 2013
This resource offers a reference guide for anyone interested in tailoring specific Census data to their needs. It includes computer coding (SAS v9.x) software for extracting targeted data from thousands of Census files, as well as primers on using online tools and mapping software for analyzing data. The book offers thorough coverage of all aspects of census data including its historical significance, suggestions for parsing housing, occupation, transportation, economic, health, and other data from the census, and much more.

The Census Bureau, as a division of the Department of Commerce, conducts:

Census of Population and Housing (also called the decennial census), every 10 years
American Community Survey, annually
Economic Census, every 5 years
Census of Governments, every 5 years

The National Agricultural Statistics Service, as a division of the Department of Agriculture, conducts:

Census of Agriculture, every 5 years

See the full Data and Analysis Tools page for more information.

California State Data Center
The Demographic Research Unit of the California Department of Finance is designated as the single official source of demographic data for state planning and budgeting.
U.S. Census TIGER Shapefiles
The files linked here are backups of Census data including nationwide geographies and detailed state files.
Missouri Census Data Center
The MCDC offers census data for every state in the country.
National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
The NHGIS provides aggregate census data and GIS-compatible boundary files for the United States between 1790 and 2012. Funded by the National Science Foundation.
Pew Research Center - Social & Demographic Trends
The PRC offers census data and data analysis on a variety of topics.

PolicyMap
- This link opens in a new window
Online data and mapping application with access to more than 10,000 indicators for U.S. demographics, housing and real estate, income, mortgages, health, and more. Create custom maps, tables, and reports and upload your own data without expensive software and training. Online access restricted to UCLA.
SimplyAnalytics
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Web-based mapping application that creates thematic maps and reports using demographic, business, and marketing data for the United States. Licensed for use by 2 simultaneous users. Researchers may create a personal account or sign in as a guest. Previously named SimplyMap.
maps, mapping, GIS, demography, demographics, business, consumers, consumption, markets, marketing, digital mapping, mapping software, Simmons, Experian

maps, mapping, GIS, demography, demographics, business, consumers, consumption, markets, marketing, digital mapping, mapping software, Simmons, Experian
Social Explorer
- This link opens in a new window
Current and historical demographic and social data, plus online tools to create custom maps and reports. Optional personal login account required to save and share projects online.

STATS America
STATS America is a service of the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. Thousands of data items from hundreds of data sets from dozens of federal and state sources, along with some commercial or private source data. The direct agency source of the data is acknowledged on every table, profile or map.

"Census records" (sometimes "census schedules") is the term usually used to describe the actual census forms filled in by users and census-takes. By law these are kept private for 72 years. After that time, they're available from the National Archives on microfilm .

The UCLA Library has some of the census schedules, mostly for selected counties in California. They can be found in the UCLA Library Catalog. The Library also subscribes to Ancestry Library Edition, which has all of the available schedules online (off-campus access requires UCLA authentication).

For genealogical research, we recommend using the Los Angeles FamilySearch Library, which has comprehensive genealogy resources that go beyond just the census schedules.

Ancestry Library
An extensive collection of family history research databases, including the US federal census images from 1790 to 1940

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