KML – Prototype Files

KML is a file format used to display geographic data in a tool such as Google Earth or Google Maps.  KML is an international standard maintained by the Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC). 

These KML files are prototype files to help us gauge demand and gather requirements in order to build a product that is useful to our users.  These KML files are compatible with tools such as Google Earth and Google Maps.

What’s In These Prototype Files?

Layers Available: Counties and Census Tracts

Attributes: Geographic Identifier (GEOID)

Vintage:  2010 Census

Available in Detailed (the exact boundaries) and Generalized (boundaries are smoothed and do not represent the exact boundaries)

Download These Files

How You Can Help

We need your input to build a useful product.  We’d like to hear from you:

• What geographic layers are needed?
• What attributes are absolutely required?
• Do you need detailed, generalized, or both?

 Some things to keep in mind:

• There are file size limitations for KMLs in tools such as Google Maps.  From the KML Support page from Google Maps (retrieved December 14, 2011):



Maximum fetched file size (raw KML, raw GeoRSS, or compressed KMZ)	3MB
Maximum uncompressed KML file size	10MB
Maximum number of Network Links	10
Maximum number of total document-wide features	1,000



• We have tried to add all of the attributes available in the TIGER/Line Shapefiles and the KML files would not load in Google Maps due to the file size
• We only have access to the 2010 Census total population and total housing unit counts for demographic data attributes at this time

Our plan is to add KMLs to the regular product suite beginning in 2012.  Input received prior to February 28, 2012 will be evaluated and considered for the 2012 product.

Please send all comments and questions to: geo.tiger@census.gov.