Know Your Community

How to find and use Demographic Information

Highlands UniversityLas Vegas, New Mexico

July 11, 2008

The Government Information in the 21st Century Program is made possible by a grant from the

U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.  Additional support is provided by the University of Colorado at Boulder as well as Arizona State

Library, Archives, and Public Records; New Mexico State Library; Wyoming State Library;

and University of Utah.

Where to go first for my community?

• Census 2000 Decennial Data - still the most comprehensive data available for small areas

• American Community Survey – Available to larger areas, not yet for small

• Estimates and Projections – What is available for your community and area?

• 100% characteristics – short form• Population counts for area• Sex• Age• Race• Hispanic or Latino• Limited housing information

•Census 2000 Decennial Data

Census 2000 Decennial DataSample characteristics – long form (one in six) – Examples of

broader subjects

• Marital Status• Place of Birth• Income• Ancestry• Disability• Education• Work status• Occupation

• Language spoken at home

• Housing• Value of home• Telephone service• Vehicles available• Utilities• Etc.

American Community Survey – Available for larger areas, not yet for small

• Collects data every year instead of every 10• 3 million households surveyed – sample• Age, race, income, commute to work, home value,

veterans status, etc.• Goal: Places or areas less than 20,000 covered in 2008• In late 2008, the Census Bureau will release data for all

geographic areas with populations of 20,000 or larger. • In late 2010, the Census Bureau will release data for

areas as small as census tracts and block groups, nationwide.

• For very small towns, 2010 will be the first time ACS data are published.

How about ACS information for your patrons?

San Miguel County (2007 BBER pop. est. -28,655)Las Vegas – (2006 pop. est. -13,889)Eagle Nest – (2006 pop. est. -286)Colfax County (2007 BBER pop. Est. -14,619)Aztec (2006 pop. est. -7,056)San Juan County (2007 BBER pop est. -128,884)Santa Fe City (2006 pop est. -72,056Santa Fe County (2007 BBER pop est. -151,448)

• How to find out which New Mexico towns and counties have been included in ACS to date?

• http://factfinder.census.gov

OR

• http://factfinder.census.gov/• Get a fact sheet for your community• Type in city/county or zip• Tabs at top will inform you of data

availability

• Lets find the data!

• Hints: • Avoid using the Back Arrow on your

browser – use breadcrumbs whenever possible

• When using Data Sets, “Clear All Selections” between searches

Quick Statistics

• Create a general profile or Fact Sheet for your community or county – can you find any percentages or rankings?

• http://factfinder.census.gov

Street Address search

Using a street address as a starting point, find out what Congressional District and School District the Address is in – What else can you find?

• http://factfinder.census.gov

Exercise using Census 2000 Using Data Sets - Quick Tables

• What percentage of the population of Las Vegas has a High School diploma?

• http://factfinder.census.gov

Exercise using Census 2000 Data Sets - Detailed Tables

• What is the median age of the population of Aztec, Eagle Nest, Las Vegas and Santa Fe?

• How about San Miguel County?• http://factfinder.census.gov

Exercise using Census 2000 - Data Sets - Geographic

Comparison Tables• What county in New Mexico has the highest percentage

of working single women who also have young children to care for?

• What county in New Mexico had the highest percentage of families with income below the poverty level in 1999?

• Which city in NM had the highest percentage of families with income below the poverty level in 1999?

• http://factfinder.census.gov

Exercise using American Community Survey

• Develop a profile of the City of Santa Fe using ACS 2006. Include both statistical information and graphic information if possible.

• http://factfiner.census.gov

• Estimates and Projections – What is available?

• http://www.census.gov/• Click on estimates• BIG HINT: Mouse over drop down box for

“Estimates data” upper left.• Select Geography or subject

Exercise – using the UNM Bureau of Business and Economic Research site

• What are the most current population estimates for New Mexico’s cities and towns?

• http://www.unm.edu/~bber/

Comparison tables set up for you and more!

• The New Mexico State Library site:• http://www.nmstatelibrary.org/index.php?

option=com_content&view=article&id=221&Itemid=408

• Census Comparison tables online:• http://www.nmstatelibrary.org/index.php?

option=com_content&view=article&id=222• Compare: NM Cities/Towns/Places | Counties |

Pueblos & Reservations | NM to other States

2010 Census• The census is a count of everyone living in the United

States every 10 years. • The census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. • The next census is in 2010. • Your participation in the census is required by law. • It takes less than 10 minutes to complete. • Federal law protects the personal information you share

during the census. • Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats

to states, to make decisions at every level of government, and to distribute $300 billion in federal funds to communities each year.

• Questions?

Laurie Canepa, Public Services Director, New Mexico State Library

laurie.canepa@state.nm.usReference Desk (505) 476-9702