U.S. Department of Commerce

TIGER Frequently Asked Questions

This is the index of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about TIGER/Line files, LandView, the Census Tract Street Index and ZIP Code data.
  1. Where do I get TIGER data and detailed information about the data set?

  2. Does TIGER/Line have topographic (terrain) data?

  3. Why are streets missing from the TIGER/Line products?

  4. Does TIGER/Line have telephone exchange data or LATA zones?

  5. How accurate is the LandView EPA data?

  6. Can I use the LandView CD-ROMs or DVDs on a network?

  7. What map projection does LandView use?

  8. How do I find the Census Tract code for a specific street address?

  9. Are census tract and block group maps available online?

  10. Is the TIGER data copyrighted? Do I need permission to use these resources?

  11. Does the Census Bureau produce maps of river networks or other physical features?

  12. Where do I get a map of my county?

  13. What other gazetteer-like resources for cities, towns, and places are available on the Internet?

  14. Why doesn't the Places file that you have for downloading include county FIPS codes?

  15. Does the ZIPCODE file you have available for downloading contain a complete and up-to-date list of ZIP CODES?

  16. Does the Census Bureau produce ZIP CODE maps?

  17. Why am I coming up with gaps in coverage when I try to use TIGER/Line files to create ZIP Code polygon coverage for an area?

  18. How did you calculate the latitude and longitude for my town since your information puts it at a point that is actually outside of town?

  19. Why are your products not free/Why do they cost so much?

  20. What format do you use for your latitude and longitude coordinates?

  21. How accurate are the TIGER/Line coordinates?

  22. Have there been changes in the TIGER/Line files?

  23. What was the datum for the source material from which TIGER was built? Is there a document that describes all the details of the process of creating the TIGER data base?

  24. Why is the 2002 TIGER/Line file called 2002 when it was released in 2003?

  25. What datum was used for Hawaii and the Pacific Island Areas in the TIGER/Line Files?

  26. Is there an equivalency or comparability data product that relates the relationship between Census 2000 ZCTAs (ZIP Code Tabulation Areas) and U.S. Postal Service 2000 ZIP Codes?

  27. Is there an equivalency or comparability data product that relates 1990 Census Tracts to Census 2000 Census Tracts? 1990 Census Blocks to Census 2000 Blocks?
Look at the entire FAQ.

Comments and questions to: geo.tiger@census.gov

Source:  U.S. Census Bureau
  Last Revised: Tuesday, 05-Jun-2012 10:42:45 EDT