1. Census Geographic Programs
Cathy Friedenreich
Geographic Coordinator
Charlotte Regional Census Center

2. 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)

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

7. 2000 Census TIGER/Line features and MTAIP Source centerline

8. 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

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

10. Block boundaries From realigned TIGERpp
Block boundaries
From realigned TIGER 

11. 2000 Census TIGER/Line features and 2007 TIGER/Line Shapefile features

13. 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

14. Road features in TIGER/LINE Shapefiles
Generally consistent nationwide road centerline
Free download from
(Follow the TIGER links or go directly to

15. Local Update of Census Addresses
(LUCA)

16. What’s Next?

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

18. 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

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

20. Participant Statistical Areas Program
Census Tracts

21. 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

22. 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 )

23. 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

24. 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

27. Participant Statistical Areas Program
Block Groups

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

29. Participant Statistical Areas Program

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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. Participant Statistical Areas Program
Census Designated Places (CDPs)

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. Participant Statistical Areas Program
PSAP Review and Update

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

42. 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 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 ( )

43. 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)

44. 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

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

46. Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
September 2008 Advance letter (by fax / / 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)

47. 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

48. 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

49. Questions? Cathy Friedenreich Geographic Coordinator
U.S. Census Bureau
3701 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 250
Charlotte, NC 28273
( )
Fax: