A Guide to American FactFinder Geography and Functionality
This guide presents the geographical levels for which statistical data and/or map boundaries are available via eight different portals for 2000 Census and 1990 Census data and maps on American FactFinder (AFF). It also describes and compares how data and maps are accessed via each of the portals. Definitions for specialized terms are below.
Since American FactFinder is continually being updated, please verify the information in this guide. (American FactFinder is the Census Bureau's primary dissemination vehicle via the Internet for Census 2000 data.)
| American FactFinder Portal: |
Geography available: |
Geography available: |
|
|
|
1. Basic Facts -
Tables.
Quick and easy access to data for the most common questions. |
Depends on table and dataset. One geographical area at a time (1990 Quick Tables (QT)): US, state, county, place. Multiple geographical areas (1990 Geographic Comparison Tables (GCT)): regions, divisions, states within US; counties, places within a state. |
Depends on table and dataset. One geographical area at a time (2000 Quick Tables (QT)): state, county, county subdivision, place. Multiple geographical areas (2000 Geographic Comparison Tables (GCT)): counties, county subdivisions, places, American Indian area, Alaska Native area, Hawaiian home land, or congressional districts (106th) within a state; census tracts within a county. |
Yes. This is the simplest AFF portal for data. Choose: [1] one subject (listed by dataset); [2] one geography. A relevant table is then retrieved. |
No. |
|
2. Quick Tables. (First choose a Data Set.) "Predefined tables that contain information about the topic you requested" and more. |
US, state, county, county subdivision, census tract, block group, place, consolidated city, congressional district (105th), American Indian and Alaska Native areas, metropolitan areas, urbanized area, region, division. |
Depends on dataset. State, county, county subdivision, subbarrio, census tract, place, consolidated city, congressional district (106th), metropolitan areas, central city, American Indian area, Alaska Native area, Hawaiian home land, 3-digit and 5-digit ZIP Code Tabulation Area, state legislative districts. |
Yes. Can choose table(s) for one or more geographical areas. Choose: [1] dataset; [2] one or more geographies; [3] subject(s); [4] table(s). The specified table(s) are then retrieved. There is one table per geographical area chosen.
Number of Quick Tables available: |
No. |
|
3. Detailed Tables. (First choose Data Set.) Summary tables "with greater subject detail, for geographic areas as small as the block". |
US, state, county, county subdivision, census tract, block group, place, consolidated city, congressional district (105th), American Indian and Alaska Native areas, metropolitan areas, urbanized area, region, division. |
Depends on dataset. State, county, county subdivision, subbarrio, census tract, block group, block, place, consolidated city, metropolitan areas, central city, congressional district (106th), American Indian area, Alaska Native area, Hawaiian home land, 3-digit and 5-digit ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, voting district, state legislative districts. |
Yes. Detailed Tables has the most tables, the most detailed subjects in tables, and the smallest levels of geography. Choose: [1] dataset; [2] one or more geographies; [3] subject(s); [4] table(s). The selected table(s) are then created. One table will be created for each table selected; each table created will contain all of the geographies selected.
Number of Detailed Tables available: |
No. |
|
4. Geographic Comparison Tables. (First choose a Data Set.) "Predefined tables that compare information for different geographic areas." |
States, regions, or divisions within US; counties or places within a state. | Counties, county subdivisions, places, congressional districts (106th), American Indian areas, Alaska Native areas, and Hawaiian home lands within a state; census tracts within a county. |
Yes. Can choose one table comparing data for geographical areas. Limited number of tables. Not available for 1990 sample data (STF 3). Choose: [1] dataset; [2] one geography; [3] one table. The specified table is then retrieved.
Number of Geographic Comparison Tables
available: |
No. |
|
5. "See list of all tables". (First
choose a
Data Set.)
A picklist of all tables available for a given dataset. |
Depends on type of table. | Depends on type of table. |
Yes. This is the most flexible way to choose a table; the options for geography will depend on the table chosen. Choose: [1] dataset; [2] one table; [3] one or more geographies. The selected table is then retrieved. |
No. |
|
6. Basic Facts -
Maps.
Quick and easy access to maps displaying data for the most common questions. |
States or counties within US; counties within a state. | Counties within a state. |
Yes. |
Yes. This is the simpler AFF portal for displaying data on a map. Cannot customize maps. Choose: [1] dataset and subject; [2] geography. A relevant variable is then displayed on a map. |
|
7.
Thematic Maps.
Maps that display statistical data. |
State, county, county subdivision, census tract, block group, place, consolidated city, congressional district (105th), American Indian and Alaska Native areas, metropolitan areas, urbanized area, region, division. To get census tracts or block groups, choose "county"; after choosing data, choose "census tract" or "block group" from drop down box. |
Depends on dataset. County, county subdivision, subbarrio, census tract, block, place, consolidated city, metropolitan area, congressional district (106th), American Indian area, Alaska Native area, Hawaiian home land, 3-digit and 5-digit ZIP Code Tabulation Area, voting district, state legislative districts. To get data by block, choose "census tract". |
Yes. |
Yes. More powerful AFF portal for displaying data on a map. Can zoom and customize maps. Choose: dataset, variable, and geography to display on a map. |
|
8.
Reference Maps.
Maps showing boundaries and features. |
State, county, county subdivision, census tract, block group, place, consolidated city, congressional district (105th), American Indian and Alaska Native areas, metropolitan areas, urbanized area, ZIP code, PUMS (1%, 5%), region, division. | State, county, county subdivision, subbarrio, census tract, block group, block, place, consolidated city, congressional district (106th), American Indian area, Alaska Native area, Hawaiian home land, metropolitan areas, 3-digit and 5-digit ZIP Code Tabulation Area, state legislative districts, voting district, region, division. | No. |
Yes. Can zoom and customize. |
Definitions for terms as used in this guide
- Portal. Method of accessing data and/or maps via AFF. The AFF portals are: Basic Facts - Tables, Quick Tables, Geographic Comparison Tables, Detailed Tables, "See list of all tables", Basic Facts - Maps, Thematic Maps, Reference Maps.
- Dataset. Examples: Census 2000 data, 1990 Census data, 1997 Economic Census data. Most datasets are accessible via all of the portals.
- Subject. General subject area for which one might want to find a table or thematic map. Examples: age, race, education, income, poverty. The subjects that are available depend on the dataset. Some portals require only that you choose a subject; others require only that you choose a table; others require only that you choose a variable.
- Table. In AFF, a systematic, predefined arrangement of data presented in rows and columns, often on a single subject; or, an arrangement of data created on request.
- Type of table. AFF includes several types of tables, for example: Quick Tables (QT), Geographic Comparison Tables (GCT), Detailed Tables (P) or (H), Demographic Profiles (DP). A given portal, such as Basic Facts - Tables, may provide access to two or more types of tables.
- Variable. A single data element that appears in a table or that is displayed on a thematic map. Examples: urban population; number of high school graduates among persons 25 years and older.
- 1990 Census geography. Census 2000 geography.
See also Census Documentation,
Guides, and History.
Back to Selected Sources of
2000 Census Data; A Guide to the
Decennial Census with a focus on 1990 and 2000 census
data
Barbara Levergood, Former Electronic Documents Librarian
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This page was last updated Monday, July 18, 2005.