Tabular or Microdata? Both or Neither

Dissemination of data  Published census volumes  Electronic tabular data  Microdata  Research Data Centers 2000+

Tabular data  Good geographic detail States, counties, metropolitan areas, Places, census tracts, zip codes, blocks  Multi-way tables Limited detail No flexibility  Skills Mixed;  some ready-to-use; Excel

Microdata  Geographic Detail is limited States, Metropolitan areas; PUMAs  Maximum detail on items Some limits due to confidentiality issues Top codes  Skills Data not in ready-to-use form

Research Data Centers  Not practical choice for most  Costly and Time-consuming  s/researchlocations s/researchlocations

Tabular or Microdata?