PLAN 720: Planning Methods

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Michele Hayslett
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Davis Library - Reference
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Introduction to Library Research

Instruction Sessions

Wednesday, September 9:
Instruction Session for Group Assignment 1
Davis Library 246 & 247

Friday, September 18:
Group Assignment 1 HELP Session
Davis Library 247

Monday, October 12:
Instruction Session for Group Assignment 2
Davis Library 246 & 247

Friday, October 16:
Group Assignment 2 HELP Session
Davis Library 247

Citing 

Citation Guide
How To Cite a Data Set from the North Carolina State University Libraries

American Factfinder

CensusCD Neighborhood Change Database
CensusCD Neighborhood Change Database Long Form [CD-ROM]. (2003). Brunswick, NJ: GeoLytics. Available: UNC Chapel Hill Davis LIbrary [September 15, 2009].

For Reference

Presentation

One-page summary of major economic data sets

Data Sources

MAJOR RESOURCES

U.S. Census Bureau State & County QuickFacts
"Quick, easy access to facts about people, business and geography". Select your state, then your city. For even more data, "Browse data sets for (your city)". The bottom link provides data from SOCDS (described below).

American Factfinder
Provides Decennial Census (1990 - 2000), American Community Survey (2000-2005), Economic Censuses (1997 and 2002), and Annual Economic Surveys (2003-2005). View the tutorial, How do I navigate the American Factfinder website? for help getting started.

County Business Patterns Data- available from the U.S. Census Bureau's website.

Building Permits Data by MSA, county and place (Note that MSA boundaries are NOT the ones you have been instructed to use- use county data).

State of the Cities Data Systems (SOCDS)
This resource provides a wealth of data for individual Metropolitan Areas, Central Cities and Suburbs. Data includes: data from the 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 Censuses, Current Employment Statististics for City Residents, Extracts from County Business Patterns (jobs, # of businesses), Building Permits and more. *Note that the 1999 definition (which you have been instructed to use for your assignments) is the default for Quick Link, and is referred to as "Metropolitan Statistical Area (1990 Standard)" (Source- Information also verified by SOCDS staff).

Regional Economic Accounts (aka REIS) from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

Regional Economic Information System CD-ROM: 1969-2001
Not Available Online - Only Available on CD-ROM in Davis Library Reference, EDOCS C59.24:969-2001/CD. This CD provides employment by sector for several decades and uses the 1999 MSA definitions (the ones you are supposed to use for your assignments). This does not work for Miami and Hartford. Please view the tutorial, How to use the 1969-2001 Regional Economic Information System CD-ROM.

Local Area Unemployment Statistics - from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Provides employment/nonemployment data for MSAs, Counties, and Places greater than 25,000.

State Sources - Check sources available from the state government of your location. State agencies responsible for labor statistics like Employment Security Commissions or Departments of Labor, and State Data Centers are excellent sources of local data. Ability to download data (in numeric and geospatial formats) and what geographies are available will vary.

State Labor Agencies - this page provides links the agencies responsible for labor statistics in all but two states (MA and RI because they don't participate in this program) but it's the best listing of such agencies available.

State Data Centers - Scroll down for a clickable map of the states. State Data Centers are local partners of the Census Bureau so often re-publish Census data but in many states are also involved in compiling other data produced by state government.)

ANCILLARY RESOURCES

Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 - from the U.S. Census Bureau- has population for the entire U.S. as well.

Metropolitan Planning Organizations from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics

County and City Data Books
Provides access to the 1944 through 2000 County and City Data Books. Create custom datasets.

BEA Regional Facts (BEARFACTS), from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, provides narratives describing an area's personal income. Note that the MSA boundaries are from the 2003 OMB definitions, NOT the ones you are to use for this assignment - use counties instead.

LED On The Map - from the Census Bureau. Shows where people live and where they work in great detail. Not all states are available, no historical data available.

National Transit Database

Home Sales Statistics from the National Association of Realtors

State and Local Home Construction/Sales Statistics Data from the National Association of Home Builders

This list is by no means exhaustive- it was created with your assignments in mind. There are many other resources that may be useful. You are not limited to just these resources- be creative and see what's available!

Reference sources

Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses From 1790 to 2000

Ancestry in America

Encyclopedia of American Urban History

Journey to Work Trends in the United States and its Major Metropolitan Areas 1960 - 2000

Population growth in standard metropolitan areas, 1900-1950, with an explanatory analysis of urbanized areas

Geographic Areas Reference Manual- U.S. Census Bureau

Socioeconomic Data for Understanding Your Regional Economy (see Chapters 2 and 3)