Planning Database

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Planning Database

The Census Bureau's Planning Database (PDB) contains select operational, housing, demographic, and socio-economic statistics from the Decennial Census and the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year files. When available, some vintages also contain the Low Response Score (LRS), where the LRS is a predicted value of mail self-response. With few exceptions, notably ACS response rates, statistics are provided at both the block group and tract levels. The PDB was designed as an aid for survey and census planning, but has many potential uses. For example, given its ease of use, one may consider using the PDB for instructional purposes.

For more information on the LRS, see Erdman and Bates 2017 (PDF).

For visual displays of key PDB statistics, see Response Outreach Area Mapper (ROAM).

2021

The 2021 PDB contains select operational, demographic, and socio-economic statistics from the 2010 Census and the 2015-2019 5-year ACS, including the segmentation profile statistic carried forward from the 2020 PDB and current ACS response rates. Data are available at both the tract and block group levels. The 2021 PDB still uses 2010 Census tract and block group geographies.

Data and Documentation

^{We recommend managing the files in a statistical software application such as R or SAS, as Excel may truncate columns or rows. We also urge users to verify that the downloaded file contains the indicated number of columns and rows: The tract file (pdb2021trv3_us) should be 165,716 KB with 74,024 rows and 523 columns. The block group file (pdb2021bgv3_us) should be 331,400 KB with 220,357 rows and 346 columns. If the number of rows and columns do not align with these counts, verify that the download has not been interrupted or corrupted. If so, we recommend you try to re-download the file from a different web browser.}

^{Statistics downloaded from American FactFinder or data.census.gov received clearances from the Disclosure Review Board before being posted. No clearance number is required at this time for such information products. When presenting packages to the DRB that include such data, their provenance must be documented to the satisfaction of the DRB.}

^{2010 Census operational statistics were cleared by the DRB on 5/21/2012.}

^{The audience segmentation variable was approved by the Census Burea's Disclosure Review Board in 2018 and has not been modified since approval (CBDRB-FY18-382).}

^{The ACS 2015-2019 response rates have been approved for public release by the Disclosure Review Board (CBDRB-FY21-121).}