Census Data Collection and Access through the Decades

Government Information DayIndianapolis, IN April 9, 2013

Stephen Laue, Information Services SpecialistU.S. Census Bureau, Chicago Regional Office

Census History

. Beginnings & Evolution

. Questionnaire & content

. Procedures

. Technology

. Data Products and uses

. Data access and interpretation

Census Act of 1790 (March 1, 1790)

SECTION 1. Be £t enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the marshals of the several districts of the United States shall be, and they arehereby authorized and required to cause the number of the inhabitants within their respective districts to be taken ………

1790 Census

* Free/Slave

* Sex

* Race (free persons)

* Free Males aged 16+

2010 Census Apportionment

Redistricting

Census Schedule - 1790

1890 Questionnaire

Questions thru the Decades• 1800: Number of slaves

• 1850: Is the person "deaf, dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper, or convict?“

• 1900: Is this person living in polygamy? (Indians)

• 1930: Can the person read and write?

• 1950: Is there a radio in this unit?

• 1980: If this person is a female, how many babies has she ever had, not counting stillbirths?

• 2010: Is this person CURRENTLY covered by any of the following types of health insurance or health coverage plans? (ACS)

Door to Door Enumeration1790 - 1950

1940 CensusStatistical Sampling Introduced

“Mail-Out” Census: 1960-2010

2010 Questionnaire

What is the American Community Survey?

A large, continuous survey that:• produces characteristics of

population and housing (similar to Census 2000 long form)

• produces estimates for small areas and small population groups

• samples approximately 3.54 million resident addresses per year (about 290,000 per month)

14

Tabulating machine

16

Tabulation Card - 1910

1930: Card Sorters

UNIVAC - 1960

FOSDIC

FOSDIC - 1970

Census Publications

Census.gov

Community Facts

ACS: Place/Journey to Work

Community Benefits: Place/Journey to Work Data

Census Data Search Techniques

Clear statement of criteria:

• GEOGRAPHY: County, Neighborhood, etc.

• SUBJECT: Poverty rate, High School graduates

• TIME FRAME: Most current, ten-year trends, etc.

Census Data Search Techniques

Clear statement of criteria:

• NOT How many poor people live in my area?

• RATHER What is the latest estimate (Time frame) of the number of persons with income below the poverty (Subject) level in the Old Northside (Geography) district?

Census Regional Offices

Indiana State Data CenterIndiana State LibraryIndiana State Data Center140 North Senate AvenueIndianapolis, IN 46204Ms. Katie Springer(317) 232-3732 FAX (317) 232-3728

Indiana Business Research Center (BIDC)777 Indiana Avenue Suite 210Indianapolis, IN 46202-5151Ms. Carol Rogers(317) 274-2205FAX (317) 278-3400

Indiana Business Research Center100 S. College Ave, Suite 240Bloomington, IN 47404Ms. Victoria Nelson(812) 855-5507 FAX (812) 855-7763

Indiana Department of Workforce Development Research and AnalysisIndiana Government Center South, SE21110 North Senate AvenueIndianapolis, IN 46204Ms. Vicki Seegert(317) 233-2697

Indiana Geographic Information CouncilIndiana State Library, GIS140 N. Senate Ave.Indianapolis, IN 46204Mr. Phil Worrall(317) 234-2924