New Look New Tools Easier Access Accessing and Using Census Data The New American FactFinder (AFF2) Northwest Government Information Network Tumwater, Washington November 4, 2011
Speaking of Browsers ( ) Recommended browsers –Internet Explorer 7.0 –Mozilla Firefox 3.5 or higher Some compatibility issues still –Safari –Google Chrome 2
Census Bureau Home Page Simple searches are available on the home page American FactFinder is the single entry point for census data 3
Population Finder 4
Quick Facts 5
AFF Transition Page New (AFF2) Legacy (AFF) to New (AFF2) from Legacy (AFF) 6 Due to sunset by November 30, 2011
7 AFF2 FAQs
AFF Transition Page New (AFF2) Legacy (AFF) to New (AFF2) from Legacy (AFF) 8 Due to sunset by November 30, 2011
Click on hyperlink of each Summary File to view table shells available Example: SF 1 shell for the P23 table - - Households by Presence of People 60 Years and Over By Household Type 2010 Census Data Products Release Schedule 9
AFF Transition Page New (AFF2) Legacy (AFF) to New (AFF2) from Legacy (AFF) 10 Due to sunset by November 30, 2011
Quick Start Text Box (only available from the Main page) Enter a topic / table name or geography alone, or Enter a topic / table name and geography 11 Nine tutorials take 3-5 minutes each to complete - - the AFF2 search and navigation tips (in your packets) are based on these tutorials. A “Virtual Tour” is also available. AFF2 Main Page
Search Results = number of data products currently available, before filters are applied “i” (information) icon opens a table shell similar to “What’s This?” on Legacy AFF 12 Search Tab
Search Results Pane This view changes as the filters are applied and appear in the Your Selections box. You make your final selection of data product (table) from this list and then view the result. Search within Results Refine your search results by entering keywords Search by Topic Expand any of the topics and make a selection Advanced Search Options Geographies Population Groups Industry Codes 13 Filters Column - - available from both the Main and the Search tabs
Very Important... All the filters you choose must appear in the Your Selections box before you make your final selection of a data product (table) 14
Tips / Hints “Your Selections” is limited to 250 search items. Pseudo-geographies (all the census tracts in a county, for instance) count as only one geography Tables that exceed 50,000 geographies (expanded from 10,000!) and / or 500,000 rows are too large to display. For example, “All Places in the United States.” Refer to the FTP site for large downloads 15
Search Using Geography: Name tab Enter text or use geo filters Geographic selections added to Your Selections box Search Results updated under geography overlay Close overlay after verifying your final choice is included in the Your Selections box 16
17 Search using Geography: Address tab Search for geographies by entering an address then Select geographies to add to Your Selections
Geographies Search Search for Geographies by Name –Text Search –Filtered Search –Indexes Show most requested summary levels –Default setting consisting of commonly selected geographies Show all summary levels –Displays all geographies / summary levels, not including individual blocks Slower than “most requested” option Select individual blocks –Does not include “Group geographies” for blocks such as “all blocks within a Place” –Very slow performance 18
Search using Geography: Map tab Select a single geography by clicking on the map Select multiple geographies by drawing a rectangle or circle on the map Add the selected geographic areas to “Your Selections” 19 By using... Text box or symbol... Point Rectangle Polygon Circle
Search using Population Groups Population Groups overlay functions like Geography overlay 20
... As does the Industry Codes overlay Search using Industry Codes 21
View a Table View your selected search results Bookmark the data for future use Download the data in multiple formats Excel Comma-Delimited PDF Create a thematic map from the table 22
Modify a Table Collapse or expand groups of data in the table Reorder rows and columns Transpose rows and columns Filter results Reset table to its original view Bookmark or save query Download table 23
Create a Thematic Map (“on the fly” from a table) Data Classes and Colors: Change colors and transparency Modify number of classes Revise classing method 24 Boundaries and Features: Select / Deselect, then Update Find a Location: By place name By address By latitude and longitude By geographic area Map Markers: Place a map marker Place text on a map Caveats: One theme (only) per map At least two (same level) geographies
25 LEGEND Zoom to state Zoom in Zoom out Pan U.S. view Identify Statistical significance Print Map Tools
Census Geography: Hierarchy CTs: 1,200 to 8,000 population 480 to 3,200 housing units BGs: 600 to 3,000 population 240 to 1,200 housing units 2010 Statistical Area Criteria (1) Cities and towns - Incorporated (2) CDPs = Census Designated Places 26
Statistical Areas: New Criteria Minimum Optimum Maximum Minimum Optimum Maximum CT 1,500 4,000 8,000 1,200 4,000 8,000 HU 480 1,600 3,200 BG 600 1,500 3, None 3,000 HU 240 None 1,200 CDP (Census Designated Place) - Cannot have zero population or housing units - Cannot be coextensive with an incorporated place - Must represent a single, distinct community 27
28 Home page > Maps > Map Products > (select type of map - - census tract, block, voting district / state legislative district, or school district) > (select state) > (select county) > open 000.pdf (index map) to determine map sheet (or inset) > back out > select map sheet (or inset) 2010 Census Reference Maps are now online
Data User Training Resources Online Manual: How to Use AFF Virtual Tour Tutorials FAQs 29
> Publications > Census of Population and Housing > 2010 > Technical Documentation > Public Law Redistricting Data Summary File, or select another from drop-down list or... Type technical documentation in text box and choose from drop down menu Technical Documentation 3 Ways to Find It * * Technical documentation is published for each dataset 30 or... factfinder2.census.gov > Topics > expand Program > Decennial Census > expand Document Type > Technical Documentation > (choose dataset)
31 Download Site Enter ftp in Quick Start search box or Click on more in this Feb 04, 2011 News and Notes
Thank you! Linda Clark Data Dissemination Specialist, Pacific Northwest Los Angeles Region, U.S. Census Bureau Mobile: