1. Using Census Data for Community Analysis and Assessment
Welcome
Thanks to the Host: Sacramento Area Council of Governments
Housekeeping
Introductions
Ice Breaker
What do you want to get out of our session today?
Lia Bolden Data Dissemination Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau

2. What does the Census Bureau do?
Decennial Census
  Periodical Surveys
Every 10 years, Counts Residents
American Housing Survey (2017)
American Community Survey (ACS)
Annual Social, Economic and Housing data
 Other Surveys and Censuses
Current Population Survey (CPS)
National Crime and Victimization Survey (NCVS)
Health Interview Survey (HIS)
Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE)
Population Estimates
Economic Census
Census of Governments
The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy.

3. Data Dissemination Branch
Provide no cost workshops, presentations for the general public, local government, businesses and organizations
Answer data inquiries for the public
Part of the Customer Liaison Marketing Services Office at Census Headquarters

4. Agenda
Community Analysis
Basic Census geography
Quick Overview of data sets
Presenting the data
Hands on: DIY Exercises

5. Community Assessment and Analysis
ID Community Assets and Needs
What Community Analysis Model?
Identify data Collection sources or methods
Assessment Tools?
-GIS Systems
-Community Profiling and Needs assessments

6. Portrait of a Community Analysis Source: http://www. wmich
Overview and Introduction
Description of the Community
Community Residents
Economic Stability
Community Values
Quality of Life
Community Resiliency
Retail Sector Analysis
Infrastructure Analysis

7. Community Residents
Source:

8. Economic Stability

9. Quality of Life

10. Retail Sector

11. Importance of Census Bureau Data
Comparability
Regularly collected
Recognition
Availability and accessibility
Comparison- Geography or historical…how has this area changed over time
Regularly collected: Via the ACS and PEP program
Recognition: Census Data is considered Official Statistics
Collected in a uniform way
Accessibility– Ease of use
Source : USA Today Archives

12. Data Access Foundation
Know Your Geography
Know what Data Set
Know What Story you are validating
Now let’s get into accessing the data.

13. Block level data only for Decennial Census
Census Geography Hierarchy
(with 2010 Statistical Area Criteria)
Revised
Central axis describes
a nesting relationship
These are some of the geographies for which ACS data is produced. It is important to note the difference between Legal and Administrative areas and Statistical areas.
Legal/administrative areas have legally described boundaries; they may provide governmental
services or may be used to administer programs. The difference between legal and administrative areas is that administrative areas generally do not have elected officials and are created solely to administer elections or other government functions.
Incorporated Places: provides govt functions for a concentration of people
Minor civil divisions: primary govt or administrative divisions of a county in many states (i.e., townships, boroughs)
Statistical geographic areas are defined primarily for data tabulation and presentation purposes.
CDP: settled concentrations of populations known by name, not legally incorporated
CCD: primary division of county with no legal function
Census tracts are small, relatively permanent of a county or county equivalent. Census tracts generally have a minimum population of 1,200, or 480 housing units, and a maximum population of 8,000 people or 3,200 housing units. Tracts have an optimum size of 4,000 people or 1,600 housing units.
Block groups are statistical divisions of census tracts and are defined to contain a minimum of 600 persons or 240 housing units and a maximum of 3,000 people or 1,200 housing units. In the American Community Survey, block groups are the lowest level of geography published.
These statistical areas are designed to have stable boundaries. Boundary changes to existing census tracts, as well as newly defined census tracts, may occur at the time of each decennial census.
Block
Groups
Types of Place
Cities and towns -- incorporated
Census Designated Places (CDPs):
- - Unincorporated; no size threshold
- - Separate and distinct from city/town
- - Redefined each census
600 to 3,000 population
240 to 1,200 housing units
Blocks not defined by population
Lowest geographic level for data
Census Tracts
1,200 to 8,000 population (optimum 4,000)
480 to 3,200 housing units
Block level data only for Decennial Census

14. Data Access 101 Census data comes in many forms!
Annual Population Estimates
Decennial
American Community Survey
Current Population Survey
Other Surveys (100’s of others)
Economic Census
Now let’s get into accessing the data.
There are a couple rules we want to follow before we actually get into using the American Factfinder which is our data access tool.
We call the rules Data Access 101.
Before jumping onto the site you want to know 2 things. First, know the geographic area or areas you want your data for. And second, you want to know the data that you want.
The reason for this is that it will cut down on the potential of getting lost in the factfinder. Now the American FactFinder is a pretty user-friendly tool, but there is so much information in there that if you just go in there and play around with it you are bound to get lost and we want to limit the frustration.

15. Estimates and Projections?
For the present and the past
Produced using administration records and other data
The official measures of population and housing units between censuses
Monthly and Annual (July 1) for each year
Formulated based on the latest census number, birth and death rates and migration
Projections
Estimates for future dates
Produced by making assumptions about future trends
Use the latest Published census or estimates as a base

16. What estimate data do we produce?
Resident population
Totals
National, state, county, sub-county ( Incorporated Cities)
Demographic Characteristics
National, state and county
Age, sex, race and Hispanic origin
Other Data
Component of change
Birth, deaths and migration
Housing Units
Population Universes
Residents plus armed forces overseas, civilian and civilian non-institutionalized

17. Sacramento County Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: July 1, 2010 to July 1, Population Estimates (as of July 1)

19. What is the ACS? Annually produces 1-year and 5-year period datasets:
An ongoing monthly survey sent to 3.5 million addresses
Data collection through four modes: Internet, Mail, Telephone, Personal Visit
Annually produces 1-year and 5-year period datasets:
Detailed population and housing estimates previously collected on the decennial long form
Critical information on small areas and small population groups
Over 11 billion estimates for over 35,000 communities
The American Community Survey is a large national survey that uses continuous measurement methods, meaning that data are collected continuously throughout the year, to produce detailed population and housing estimates each year. The sample size is approximately 3.5 million addresses annually, which comes out to about 290,000 addresses per month.
The survey covers the resident population of the United States and Puerto Rico for those people living in housing units (for example, a typical house, apartment, or mobile home) and those living in group quarters.
Group quarters are group living arrangements that are owned or managed by an entity or organization (for example, dorms, correctional facilities, or barracks).
The survey produces annual 1-year and 5-year period datasets designed to produce critical information that was previously collected in the decennial census.
Over 11 billion estimates for over 35,000 communities.

20. Availability of ACS Data Products
Estimated Population of Geographic Area
1-Year Estimates
3-Year Estimates
5-Year Estimates
65,000 or more X
20,000 to 64,999
Less than 20,000
Next Planned
Release Date
September 2016
N/A
December 2016
ACS data are available for geographic areas with a population of 65,000 or more in the form of 1-year and 5-year estimates. ACS data are only available for geographic areas with a population less than 64,999 in the form of 5-year estimates.
In 2015, the U.S. Census Bureau has discontinued the 3-year estimates in order to prioritize activities that would preserve the integrity of the sample, enhance the quality of the entire data set, and ensure a better experience for the respondent (reinstating an operation that collects data left incomplete by respondents, additional training for field representatives, continued review of the survey questions, and expanded outreach and partnership with stakeholders).
Although the Census Bureau would discontinue the 3-year product, every community in the nation will continue to receive detailed social, economic, housing and demographic characteristics through the 1-year and 5-year products. (Additionally, past 3-year data products, for populations of 20,000+ are still available to the public.)

21. ACS Content Social Social Economic Economic Demographic Housing
Education
Marital Status
Fertility
Veterans
Disability
Citizenship
Language
Migration
Social
Employment Status
Income
Commuting
Occupation & Industry
Health Insurance
Class of Worker
Economic
Economic
Sex
Age
Race
Hispanic Origin
Relationship
Demographic
Tenure (Own/Rent)
Occupancy & Structure
Home Value
Costs (Mortgage, Taxes, Insurance)
Utilities
Plumbing/Kitchen Facilities
Housing
Demographic
Housing 21

22. Census Bureau focuses on Age and Aging Populations in terms of:
Age Trends
Race and Ethnicity
Living Arrangements
Social Characteristics
Economic Status
Geographic Distribution
Workforce Characteristics

23. ACS Data Products Comparison Profiles (CP): Changes over time
Data Profiles (DP): Snap shot of characteristics
Narrative Profile (NP): Summarizes the data in the profiles using concise non-technical text
Selected Population Profile: Social, Economic and Housing Profiles for large number of Race, Ethnic, Ancestry, County Origin of Birth Groups
Subject Tables (S): More detail about a specific topic
Detailed Tables (B): The most granular detail for topics
Geographic Comparison Tables (GCT): compares geographies within a state to one another
Public Use Micro data Sample: Access to ACS microdata for SPSS and SAS users
Summary Files: Access Detailed tables via comma delimited text files through the Census Bureau’s FTP site: www2.census.gov
Thematic Maps: Interactive platform that displays ACS data
Profiles, which contain estimates and percentages on a variety of topics in one table
Geographic Comparison Tables (GCT), which are exactly what they sound like. They allow you to easily compare geographies to one another
Subject Tables, which contain estimates and percentages for a more detailed set of information on a particular topic.
And finally Detailed Tables, which contain estimates only, are organized by topic, and as their name implies -are the most detailed tables in the data products package.

24. Tables - Older Population Variables

25. S0101: Age and Sex
  American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

26. Using Age Data Adult basic education programs
Transportation services for elderly
Social services for children under 5 years of age
Requesting funds under Title I
Housing needs for elderly
Supplemental food programs for children
Job training programs for working age
Delinquency prevention programs

27. Housing Characteristics
2/2/2018
Tenure
Occupancy & Structure
Housing Value
Taxes & Insurance
Utilities
Mortgage/Monthly Rent 27

28. Housing Characteristics
2/2/2018
Tenure
Occupancy & Structure
Housing Value
Taxes & Insurance
Utilities
Mortgage/Monthly Rent 28

29. Housing for the Elderly Special Needs Housing
What is the age distribution of those living in your community?
How many live in rental housing?
How many live in housing they own?
How many live alone?
How many have mobility or living limitations?

30. Units in Structure, Rooms and Bedrooms

31. Assessing Housing Needs
Population Trends
Employment
Household Growth
Income Level
Overpayment/Overcrowding
Housing Conditions
Housing Stock
Disabled
Disabled- employed
Elderly
Large Households
Female Headed Households
Homeless
Projected Housing Need

32. Presenting the Data

33. 450+ Characteristics Data Profiles
DP05 Demographic Characteristics
DP02 Social Characteristics
DP03 Economic Characteristics
DP04 Housing Characteristics
The American Community Survey provides data on over 450 Characteristics.
We just finished looking at the Demographic Characteristics. In a future exercise, I will show you how to access Social, Economic and Housing Characteristics for Race and Ethnicity Groups

34. Community Analysis Worksheet Sources: Census and latest ACS 5-year data ( ) -- Data points DP-1, DP2 and DP3

35. 2010 Demographic Profile—DP-1

36. ACS: DP-2, DP-3, DP-4, DP-5

37. Source : 2009-2013 ACS 5 year Estimates: DP02, DP03
Demographic Characteristics
Sacramento
Yolo
Estimate
Percent
Total population
1,435,207
202,288
Under 5 years
100,347
7.00%
12,225
6.00%
18 years and over
1,073,480
74.80%
156,980
77.60%
65 years and over
166,835
11.60%
20,804
10.30%
85 years and over
24,199
1.70%
3,018
1.50%
Median age (years)
35.1
(X)
30.7
Male
702,786
49.00%
98,679
48.80%
Female
732,421
51.00%
103,609
51.20%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
312,797
21.80%
62,047
30.70%
White alone
688,052
47.90%
99,870
49.40%
Black or African American alone
139,014
9.70%
4,534
2.20%
AIAN alone
7,207
0.50%
1,098
Asian alone
206,253
14.40%
25,654
12.70%
NHOPI
13,925
1.00%
1,029
Some other race alone
4,042
0.30%
540
Two or more races
63,917
4.50%
7,516
3.70%
Social Characteristics
Total households
517,243
70,347
Civilian veterans
94,398
8.80%
10,321
6.60%
Foreign-born population
285,959
19.90%
43,934
21.70%
With a disability
85.90%
84.30%
Percent high school graduate or higher
28.00%
37.90%
Percent bachelor's degree or higher
180,059
20,579
English only
918,792
68.80%
124,102
65.30%
Language other than English
416,068
31.20%
65,961
34.70%
Economic Characteristics
Percent Unemployed
13.70%
10.40%
Median household income (dollars)
55,064
55,918
With cash public assistance income
30,866
2,153
3.10%
With Food Stamp/SNAP benefits in the past 12 months
57,544
11.10%
5,473
7.80%
With related children under 18 years Living below poverty level
20.10%
14.70%
All people Living below poverty level
17.60%
19.10%
Under 18 years Living below poverty level
24.70%
18.00%
65 years and over Living below poverty level
9.00%
10.10%

38. Thematic Maps: Interactive and Displays ACS data Table S1602: Limited English Speaking Households: Households speaking Spanish by Census Tracts
Source: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

39. Graphs and Charts http://censusreporter
Census Reporter—censusreporter.org

40. Sacramento Narrative Profile 2011-2015

41. ACS Margin of Error (MOE)
Margin of Error Definition:
A measure of the precision of
an estimate at a given level of
confidence (90%, 95%, 99%)
-- MOEs at the 90% confidence
level for all published ACS
estimates
Confidence Interval Definition:
A range that is expected to contain
the population value of the
characteristic with a known
probability
Sampling estimates contain a measure of uncertainty that is based on data gathered from a sample of the population rather than the full population. This is called
Sampling error. So, why do sample estimates have uncertainty associated with them? There are two reasons:
Estimates of characteristics from the sample data can differ from those that would be obtained if the entire population were surveyed.
Estimates from one subset or sample of the population can differ from those based on a different sample from that same population.
A key measure of sampling error is the margin of error or MOE. It is defined as a measure of the precision of an estimate at a given level of confidence. The most commonly used confidence levels are 90%, 95% and 99%.
What does the confidence level (CI) mean? Again, according to Wikipedia, CI is
The range of values expected to include (at some desired probability called a confidence level) the true value of a parameter, or in our case, the true population. Another definition is a range that is expected to contain the population value of the characteristic with a known probability. The CI is the second key measure of sampling error is the confidence interval.
All ACS estimates are published with their margins of error at the 90 percent confidence level. However, it is possible to construct margins of error with higher levels of confidence, such as 95 percent or 99 percent. This is done by adjusting the published margin of error. Instructions for these adjustments can be found in the technical appendices of the The ACS Compass Products Handbooks now available on the American Community Survey web site.
American Community Survey estimates are published with their margins of error at the 90 percent confidence level. However, it is possible to construct margins of error with higher levels of confidence, such as 95 percent or 99 percent. This is done by adjusting the published margin of error. Instructions for these adjustments can be found in the technical appendices in the Compass Handbooks available on the Census Bureau’s web site.
It is important to note that the long form data from Census 2000 are also sample data. Therefore estimates produced from the long form also had sampling error associated with them, but the Census Bureau did not publish these data within the data products.

42. Reducing the Margins of Error ( MOE)
Elevate geographic Level – Census Tract to Place or County
Aggregate Geographies and recalculate MOE
Elevate Population Groups, Filipino to Asian
Use“Collapsed” Table instead of “ B” (Base)Tables
Use Higher level multi-year ACS estimate
3-year estimate instead on 1 year Estimate
5-year estimate of 3 year or 1 year

43. Exercises!
Finding Census Tracts
Using Address Search
DIY Exercises

44. Finding Census Tracts
Step 1: Access Guided Search to pull up all Census Tracts In Sacramento County.
Step 2: Select Table S1701 and View Results
Step 3: Create a Map of the Percent in Poverty by Census Tracts

45.
To begin, go to The Census Bureau just recently released their new look and feel based on customer feedback. We have made the search and navigation much easier for you. Once on the census site you will…

46. Access American FactFinder (AFF)

47. www. Factfinder.census.gov

48. Guided Search– Choose data variable

49. Select Topic - Poverty

50. Poverty displays in Your Selections

51. Select Geography

52. Select Race/Ethnic Group or Skip this Step

53. Select Table S1701 from Search Results

54. View Table

55. Create a Map> Click on Data value

56. Zoom into Sacramento Area using +/- or Use “Find address or place” Open up Boundaries> Select Census Tracts> Update

57. Zoom in to see Census Tracts numbers

58. Address Search Exercise
Conduct an Address Search
6201 Logan St., Sacramento, CA 95824
Compare Census Tract to target ZCTA (zip code) City, County
View the Demographic Profiles for each geography
View Table S1601 Language Spoken at Home
View Table S0802 Means of Transportation to Work by Selected Charactertics

59.
To begin, go to The Census Bureau just recently released their new look and feel based on customer feedback. We have made the search and navigation much easier for you. Once on the census site you will…

60. Homepage: census.gov Access American FactFinder (AFF)

61. Address Search Click on street address link

62. Enter Address and click GO
6201 Logan St., Sacramento, CA 95824

63. Click on County, Census Tract, Place within State, 5-digit ZCTA to Your Selections

64. All Geographies are in Your Selections Click CLOSE X

65. Type in Data Profiles in quick search box

66. Select Profiles DP02, DP03, DP04, DP05
Click View

67. DP02 Selected Social Characteristics ACS 5-Year Estimates County, Census Tract, City, ZCTA View DP03, DP04, DP05

68. Back to Advanced Search and deselect Data Profile
Select S1601 Language Spoken at Home
County, Census Tract, City, ZCTA

69. View Table S1601 Language Spoken at home Back to Advanced Search

70. Select S0802 Means of Transportation to Work by Selected Characteristics

71. View Table S0802 Means of Transportation to Work by Selected Characteristics

72. Resources: Need Assistance?
Data Dissemination Branch
Customer Liaison and Marketing Services Office
U.S. Census Bureau
(844) ASK-DATA Toll Free
Cell: 72 72