American Fact Finder Census Tracts

You can use the US Census Bureau's American Fact Finder tool to get data for Census Tracts for your projects. First, you need to decide if you want Census 2010 data, Census 2000 data or American Community Survey (ACS) data. The process is a little different for each data set.

The Census Bureau currently has 2 versions of American Fact Finder Census Tracts tools. The American Fact Finder 1 has Census 2000 data and American Community Survey data. The American Fact Finder 2 has Census 2010 data. Let's walk through the steps for 3 example projects so you can see how to get Census Tract data from the 2 different American Fact Finders.

Example 1. Census 2010 Race/Ethnicity Data via the American Fact Finder for Census Tracts in Los Angeles County

For this example, let's pretend that you need race and ethnicity data for all Census Tracts in Los Angeles County, California.

Go to the American Fact Finder 2 website here: http://factfinder2.census.gov/main.html
Click on the Geographies tab on the left side. A Geography box will pop up.
In the Geography Filter Options box (left side), click on the minus button to close Geographic Type.
Click on Plus button to open Summary Level.
Click on 140 - Census Tract to select Census tracts. If you did this correctly, 140 - Census Tracts appears in the Your Geography Filters box.
In the "Enter a geography name or use the Geography Filter Options below" box, type in "Los Angeles County." Click Go. If you did this correctly, "Los Angeles County" will appear in the Your Geography Filters box.
In the Geography Name section, the top option is "All Census Tracts within Los Angeles County, California." Click on the blue words "All Census Tracts within Los Angeles County, California." If you did this correctly, "All Census Tracts within Los Angeles County, California" now appears in the Your Selections box (upper left corner of the American Fact Finder -- which is outside of the Select Geographies box.)
Close the Select Geographies box by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.
In the Search Results box, click on the blue words "Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010."
On the next screen, you will see Race and Ethnicity data for Census Tracts data for Census 2010 for Los Angeles County. You can also get data such as population counts and housing occupancy information.

Example 2. American Community Survey Income Statistics via the American Fact Finder for Census Tracts in Cook County

For this example, let's pretend that you need income statistics for all Census Tracts in Cook County, Illinois.

Go to the American Fact Finder 1 website here: http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en
Scroll down a little. In the Getting Detailed Data section (middle of the page), find where it says American Community Survey. Click on the Get Data link.
Pick the American Community Survey data set that you are interested in. IMPORTANT NOTE: American Community Surveys 1 year and 3 year data sets DON'T have Census Tract level data. You must select a 5 year ACS data set to get Census Tract data. To select a data set, click on the round button next to the name of the data set (i.e. 2005-2009 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates).
Select which type of data you want. Do you want general demographic information about Census Tracts? Click on the Data Profiles. Do you want detailed information? Click on the Detailed Tables link. Let's pretend you clicked on Detailed Tables.
In the Select a Geographic Type drop down box, select Census Tract.
Then select Illinois as your state.
And select Cook County as your County.
Click on All Census Tracts, and add "All Census Tracts" to the Geography Selections box.
After the data has loaded, click Next.
Select the data sets that you are interested in. Let's say pretend we want income data for all Census Tracts. Scroll down to select table B19013 Median Household Income. Click Add. Then Click Show Result.
On the next screen, you'll see the income for the first 5 Census Tracts in Cook County. Seeing the data for the first 5 Census Tracts probably isn't helpful if you wanted to get income data for all Census Tracts. At the top Center of the page (in the 2nd blue bar), click on Print/Download.
Choose Download. And select a file type. Try .xls if you have Excel or .csv if you don't have Excel.

Census 2000 Poverty Statistics via the American Fact Finder for Census Tracts in Harris County

For this example, let's say you want poverty data for Census Tracts in Harris County, Texas. Perhaps you followed the instructions above and you have Census 2010 data. If you pull Census 2000 data, you can analyze how your community has changed over time.

Go to the American Fact Finder 1 website. See the link in Example 2. Step 1 above.
Scroll down a little. In the Getting Detailed Data section (middle of the page), find where it says Decennial Census. Click on the Get Data link.
Because you want Poverty data, you need to pick Census 2000 Summary File 3. Click on the Round button next to Census 2000 Summary File.
Select which type of data you want. Do you want detailed information? Click on the Detailed Tables link. Let's pretend you clicked on Detailed Tables.
In the Select a Geographic Type drop down box, select Census Tract.
Select Texas as your state.
Select Harris County as your County.
Click on All Census Tracts, and Add it to the Geography Selections box.
After the data has loaded, click Next.
Select the data sets that you are interested in. Since this example is for Poverty Statistics, scroll down to select table P87 Poverty Status in 1999 by Age. Click Add. Then Click Show Result.
On the next screen, you'll see the poverty statistics for the first 5 Census Tracts in Harris County. Seeing the data for the first 10 Census Tracts probably isn't helpful if you wanted to get income data for all Census Tracts. At the top Center of the page (in the 2nd blue bar), click on Print/Download.
Choose Download. And select a file type. I suggest .xls if you have Excel or .csv if you don't have Excel.

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