Census Geographic Programs Cathy Friedenreich Geographic Coordinator Charlotte Regional Census Center

Census Geographic Programs MAF/TIGER Accuracy Improvement Project (MTAIP) Local Update of Census Addresses Program (LUCA) Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Redistricting Data Program Tribal Programs Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)

Major Sources of Census Data 2010 Census – A very short form for basic data American Community Survey (ACS) - Sample data Estimates Program and other data programs ~ All of these data are tied to geography ~ Two Objectives of Census Geography Programs To support the collection of data that are as complete and accurate as possible To provide useful, current geographic areas for data tabulations.

MAF/TIGER Database (MTDB) MAF – Master Address File Census address list – used to distribute questionnaires TIGER – Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing Geographic data ~ Base map features ~ Address ranges and ZIP codes ~ Geographic areas

MAF/TIGER Accuracy Improvement Project (MTAIP) Sources Accurate road centerline and other layers Sources created by contractor TIGER Updates Realign matching features in TIGER Add features missing from TIGER Rubber sheet features not in a source Copy attributes where missing from TIGER Harvest attributes for existing TIGER features

2000 Census TIGER/Line features and MTAIP Source centerline

Geographic Areas in TIGER/Line Shapefiles When linear features are realigned, boundaries following those features also are realigned Thus shapefiles for census tracts, census blocks, and other geographic areas are more accurate and generally will line up with positionally accurate local layers

Local centerlines and streams overlaid on block boundaries from Census 2000 TIGER/Line file

Block boundaries From realigned TIGER pp Block boundaries From realigned TIGER 

2000 Census TIGER/Line features and 2007 TIGER/Line Shapefile features

Census-developed format – must be converted for use in GIS Public Products TIGER/Line – 1989 to 2006 Census-developed format – must be converted for use in GIS TIGER/Line Shapefiles Up to 60 layers, current and 2000 geography

Road features in TIGER/LINE Shapefiles Generally consistent nationwide road centerline Free download from www.census.gov (Follow the TIGER links or go directly to http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/index.html)

Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA)

What’s Next?

Next Steps Census Bureau processes updates – Feb-Aug 2008 Address Canvassing Operation - Spring/Summer 2009

2010 Census LUCA Schedule – Feedback and Appeals Feedback materials sent Option 1 & 2 - Updated Address List, Address Count List, Census Maps Option 3 - Updated Address Count List and Maps Discrepancies appealed All Title 13 U.S.C. materials including copies returned or destroyed

Participant Statistical Areas Program Participants review and update Census tracts Block groups Census designated places (CDPs) Census county divisions (CCDs) (selected states) (not NC)

Participant Statistical Areas Program Census Tracts

Participant Statistical Areas Program Census Tract Characteristics Relatively permanent Small-area divisions of counties defined for the tabulation of census data The primary goal: to provide a set of nationally consistent small, statistical geographic units with stable boundaries that facilitate analysis of data across time

Participant Statistical Areas Program Census Tract Characteristics Compact and contiguous land areas Visible and identifiable features Optimum population size of 4,000 Census tract numbers contain 1 to 4 digits and possibly a 2-digit suffix (e.g. 301.01)

Participant Statistical Areas Program Census Tract Criteria Changes for 2010 Minimum population threshold for most tracts is lowered to 1,200 Housing unit counts may be used (480 housing unit minimum) All types of populated tracts must meet the same thresholds Special tracts may be created large special land use areas without housing units or population

Participant Statistical Areas Program Census Tract Revisions Should be limited to: Splits Split census tracts with large populations (e.g. census tracts that had a 2000 census population above 8,000) Mergers Merge census tracts with small populations (e. g. census tracts that had a 2000 census population below 1,200) Boundary adjustments Adjust boundaries where necessary to follow acceptable, visible features

Participant Statistical Areas Program Block Groups

Participant Statistical Areas Program Block Group Characteristics Divisions of census tracts defined for the tabulation of census data Form the framework for block numbering

Participant Statistical Areas Program

Participant Statistical Areas Program Block Group Characteristics Smallest geographic areas For sample data from Census 2000 For data from the American Community Survey

Participant Statistical Areas Program Block Group Characteristics Reasonably compact and contiguous land areas Boundaries should follow visible and identifiable features Population range is 600 to 3,000 Block group numbers are unique within census tract and range from 1 to 9

Participant Statistical Areas Program Block Group Criteria Changes Housing units counts may be used to meet block group thresholds (240 housing unit minimum) All types of populated block groups must meet the same threshold Special BGs may be created for large special land use areas without housing units or population

Participant Statistical Areas Program Block Group Revisions Stability over time is not a requirement Block groups should be revised to meet population/housing unit thresholds Boundary adjustments – Adjust boundaries where necessary to follow acceptable, visible features

Participant Statistical Areas Program Census Designated Places (CDPs)

Participant Statistical Areas Program Census Designated Place Characteristics Closely settled, unincorporated communities that are locally recognized and identified by name Generally contain a mix of residential and commercial uses similar to that of an incorporated place of similar size Consist of contiguous territory

Participant Statistical Areas Program Census Designated Place Characteristics Boundaries should follow visible features or nonvisible state, county, or incorporated place boundaries CDPs cannot cross state lines but may be in more than one county

Participant Statistical Areas Program CDP Criteria Changes For 2010, boundaries may follow nonvisible features in selected circumstances Population threshold requirements were eliminated for Census 2000, but for 2010, a CDP cannot have zero population and zero housing units A CDP must represent a single, distinct community

Participant Statistical Areas Program PSAP Review and Update

Participant Statistical Areas Program Participants are being identified now Local participants will coordinate review for whole counties or groups of counties Review of areas begins in later this year

Participant Statistical Areas Program Participants will: Receive the review materials – Fall 2008 Make interested persons aware that the opportunity exists to review and update participant statistical areas Submit proposed revisions and updates to the Census Bureau – Fall 2008/Spring 2009 Negotiate revisions to make sure they meet Census Bureau standards

Participant Statistical Areas Program Review will use census shapefiles – no paper maps Participants must use MAF/TIGER Partnership Software (MTPS) Must provide output in specified format Census will post maps showing proposed revisions on an internet site for easy viewing and discussion

Redistricting Data Program Phase 1 - State Legislative District Project Phase 2 - Voting District/Block Boundary Suggestion Project (through spring 2009) Phase 3 - Delivery of the 2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data Files and Geographic Products (nlt April 1, 2011) Phase 4 - Collection of Post-2010 Census Redistricting Plans (2012 – 2013) Phase 5 - Evaluation of the 2010 Census Redistricting Data Program and Recommendations for 2020 (2012-2014)

American Indian Areas for the 2010 Census American Indian reservations (AIRs) and Off-reservation trust lands (ORTLs) Tribal designated statistical areas (TDSAs) Tribal census tracts (tribal tracts) and block groups Tribal subdivisions Census designated places State designated tribal statistical areas (SDTSAs)

Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) Variety of Ways to Respond: Paper BAS MAF/TIGER Partnership Software (MTPS) Digital BAS Web-BAS (future) E-BAS (forms) Submitting a No Change Response

Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) May 31, 2008 Survey packages received by this date will be included in the 2009 BAS materials

Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) September 2008 Advance letter (by fax / email / mail) will ask if there are changes to report and the response method the local or tribal governments prefers February 2009 BAS packages mailed out April 1, 2009 Survey packages received by this date will be included in the Population Estimates Program and the American Community Survey May 31, 2009 Survey packages received by this date will be included in the 2010 BAS materials (dates are approximate)

Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) Similar cycle to 2009 BAS January 1, 2010 = Boundary reference date for the 2010 Census Last BAS for 2010 Census

Census Day: April 1, 2010 Census geography programs offer opportunities for local, regional, state and tribal participants to have a positive impact on the census for their areas We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities, if appropriate, and to encourage other regional and local agencies to participate as well Active participation in census geography programs will help to create a better census and better data products for your areas

Questions? Cathy Friedenreich Geographic Coordinator U.S. Census Bureau 3701 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 250 Charlotte, NC 28273 catherine.j.friedenreich@census.gov 704-936-4200 (1-866-511-5822) Fax: 704-909-6714