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An Introduction to Census Data for Congressional and Intergovernmental Staff
An Introduction to Census Data for Congressional and Intergovernmental Staff
Description
In the ever-changing demographic and economic national landscape, understanding and harnessing data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau is essential for informed decision making and effective policy implementation. This course, custom designed for congressional and intergovernmental staff, shows you how to unlock the power of Census Bureau data.
Census experts have curated this training to provide you with the practical skills you can apply immediately to your role in government. For legislative assistants, communications directors and state and local staffers alike, this training will empower you to make data-informed decisions that benefit the people you serve.
Table of Contents
Module One: Introduction to the Census Bureau Data, and Surveys
- Census 101
- Three Primary Elements You Must Know to Find Census Bureau Data
- DATA GEM: How to Find What Survey Has the Data You Need with Census Survey Explorer
Module Two: Making Sense of Census Geography
- DATA GEM: What is a CDP?
- DATA GEM: What is a ZCTA?
Module Three: Accessing Census Data
- DATA GEM: How to Access Data for My Congressional District
- DATA GEM: Inside Your State Legislature; Discover the landscape of the Upper and Lower Chambers
- DATA GEM: How to Use Filters on data.census.gov
- DATA GEM: How to Access Data for Your Neighborhood in Just a Few Clicks
- DATA GEM: Locate and Analyze your Customers and Market with Census Business Builder
Introduction:
About this Course (Play to hear course introduction)
Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs: (301) 763-6100
Congressional Affairs: cao@census.gov
Intergovernmental Affairs: cao@census.gov
This training is powered by Census Academy
Resources:
Module One: Introduction to the Census Bureau Data, and Surveys
This module is your introduction to Census Bureau programs and surveys. It will guide you through your journey with Census demographic and economic statistics and teach you how to leverage the Census Survey Explorer data tool.
Census 101
The Census Bureau has a big job! Watch this introduction to get familiar with our programs and the vital work we do.
Three Primary Elements You Must Know to Find Census Bureau Data
This video offers the "big picture" of what you need to learn as you embark on your journey of finding and using Census Bureau data. It will help you understand the three primary elements you need to know and why. In other words, discover what you didn’t know you needed to know.
DATA GEM: How to Find What Survey Has the Data You Need with Census Survey Explorer
If you are looking for data about a specific topic or area but do not know where to find such data, you can use the Census Survey Explorer to discover which surveys have the topics, geographies, and frequency of release that you are interested in. This Data Gem will use practical real-life examples to teach you how to search our surveys with the Census Survey Explorer and offer tips for how to use the tool's guidance pages.
Module Two: Making Sense of Census Geography
This module offers an overview of the most used geographies, including Census tracts, Census Designated Places (CDP) and Zip Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTA). To discover more about the State Legislative District and Congressional Districts geographies, see the next module.
DATA GEM: What is a Census Tract?
If want to access data for parts of your community, Census Tracts are the way to go. These geographies will give you the flexibility to take a deeper look at any small area of a city or county. Watch this gem to learn all about the Census Tract
DATA GEM: What is a CDP
Working with census geography can be confusing. If you need to access data for cities and towns, it is important to learn more about CDPs. CDP is the abbreviation for Census Designated Place, the statistical counterpart of an incorporated place. CDPs are delineated to provide data for settled concentrations of populations.
DATA GEM: What is a ZCTA?
Looking for data for your zip code? The Census Bureau does not produce population data at the zip code level, but rather by the Census Bureau's own Zip Code Tabulation Areas, or "ZCTAs." If you are wondering what ZCTAs are, watch this quick explanation to learn how they compare to zip codes.
Module Three: Accessing Census Data
In this module, you will learn the essential steps to access Census statistics effortlessly! From the My Congressional District data tool to Census Business Builder, this module will empower you to navigate the wealth of data available through the U.S. Census Bureau.
DATA GEM: How to Access Data for My Congressional District
Learn how to access demographic, social, economic, housing, and business data for your Congressional District using the My Congressional District tool. It gives you quick and easy access to selected statistics collected by the U.S. Census Bureau through the American Community Survey (ACS) and County Business Patterns (CBP). This Data Gem will show you a simple way to easily access the frequently used annual statistics at the congressional district level.
DATA GEM: Inside Your State Legislature; Discover the landscape of the Upper and Lower Chambers
In the ever-changing social, economic, housing, and demographic landscape of your State Legislative District, learn how to access annual statistics from the Census Bureau’s largest household survey, The American Community Survey (ACS). In this Data Gem, we show you how to locate data for both the Upper and Lower Chambers of your State Legislative District using data.census.gov.
DATA GEM: How to Use Filters on data.census.gov
Save time when trying to access data products on data.census.gov. Learn how to use pre-selected filters to find new data tables as well as table IDs to access your favorite products.
DATA GEM: How to Access Data for Your Neighborhood in Just a Few Clicks
Accessing data for your neighborhood or service area can be challenging. But did you know that data.census.gov has a mapping feature that you can use to select your areas? By using census tracts you can select the boundaries of your area and access demographic, socioeconomic, and housing statistics about your community. Watch this Data Gem to learn this trick.
DATA GEM: Locate and Analyze your Customers and Market with Census Business Builder
Current and prospective business owners looking to open or expand, will want to use our tool, Census Business Builder, to analyze their customers, market, and competition for their industry of interest.
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Page Last Revised - April 24, 2024
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