Selected Sources of 1990 Census Data -- Reference, Davis Library

Selected Sources of 1990 Census Data

Contents:

Overview of Resources
Web sites
CD-ROMs
Print (Population and Housing)
Print (Population)
Print (Housing)
Odum Institute for Research in Social Science (IRSS)
North Carolina State Data Center

For lists of sources of census data from the Census Bureau, see: U.S. Department of Commerce. Bureau of the Census. Census Catalog and Guide., Davis Reference WS-13; 1990 Decennial Census Publications.

Overview of Decennial Census Resources

Davis Library Reference either holds, has Internet access to, or can refer you to many resources for census data, for 1990 and all previous censuses. Formats include Internet, CD-ROM, print, and microfiche. Some examples of major resources:

Internet: American FactFinder is the Census Bureau's primary web source for 1990 decennial census data as well as other datasets.

Internet: The Census Bureau web site provides access to many other statistical publications and datasets.

CD-ROM: STF 1A, STF 1B, STF 1C, STF 1D, STF 3A, STF 3B, STF 3C, STF 3D, and other 1990 CD-ROM data products for the entire U.S. Davis Library Reference Electronic Resource.

CD-ROM: CensusCD+Maps. Data from 1990 census for U.S. down to block group via a relatively easy to use software interface. Includes estimates and projections for state, county, census tract, block group, and ZIP Code. Includes statistical data and mapping capability. Davis Library Reference Electronic Resource.

CD-ROM: CensusCD. Data from 1990 census for U.S. down to block group via a relatively easy to use software interface. Includes statistical data but not mapping. Davis Library Reference Electronic Resource.

CD-ROM: CensusCD Blocks. Data from 1990 census for U.S. for blocks only via a relatively easy to use software interface. Includes statistical data and mapping capability. Davis Library Reference Electronic Resource.

Print: Davis Library Reference Desk (1980 and 1990 print for North Carolina).

Print: Davis Library Reference Row 12 (all years and states except for North Carolina 1980 and 1990).

For Internet and other sources of decennial census data for small geographical areas: Major Sources of Statistical Data for Geographical Areas Smaller than State: Census of Population and Housing

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Web sites for Census data

At most of these interactive web sites, combinations of geographical areas are predetermined and limited when compared with CD-ROMs.

American Factfinder

Census Bureau's primary web source for 1990 decennial census data, as well as other datasets. Includes both statistical data and thematic mapping capability.

A Guide to American FactFinder Geography and Functionality

Offers a variety of methods to access data.
"Basic Facts provides fast answers to the most common questions. Using this feature, you can find statistical information for many geographic areas, and display the data in a table or on a map."
"For more experienced data users, the Data Sets option provides easy access to information from the Decennial Censuses, the American Community Survey, and the Economic Censuses and Surveys."
"Use Reference Maps to create a map showing the boundaries of a Census geographic area or areas (such as a congressional district or census tract), as well as features (for example, roads or waterways) and other information."
"Use Thematic Maps to create a map that graphically depicts statistical data, such as population, median income, or industry data."

Data from STF1 under "Data Sets": all available variables; geographical areas: U.S., state, county, census tract, block group, place, county subdivision, American Indian Reservation, congressional district.

Data from STF3 under "Data Sets": all available variables; geographical areas: U.S., state, county, census tract, block group, place, county subdivision, American Indian Reservation, congressional district, ZIP code, Metropolitan Statistical Area, Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area, urbanized area.

Data download options: comma-delimited or tab-delimited.

Oregon State's Government Information Sharing Project

Easy to use

Sources of data: STF 1, STF 3, including general profiles. Geographical areas: U.S., state, place, MSA, CMSA, PMSA, county, census tract, block group, American Indian and Alaska Native areas.

1990 Census Lookup

No longer the primary service for census data

Data from STF 1A: all available variables; geographical areas: state, place, MSA, county, county subdivision, census tract, block group.

Data from STF 1C: not all available variables; geographical areas: U.S., state, MSA, county.

Data from STF 3A: all available variables; geographical areas: state, place, urbanized area, MSA, county, county subdivision, census tract, block group.

Data from STF 3B: all available variables; geographical area: ZIP code.

Data from STF 3C-1: all available variables; geographical areas: US, state, MSA, county.

Data from STF 3C-2: under construction.

TIGER Mapping Service also easily available.

Social Science and Government Data Library via University of California at Berkeley

Sources of data: STF 1A, STF 1C,� STF 3A, STF 3B, STF 3C-1, STF 3C-2. Mirror site for the Census Bureau's 1990 Census Lookup.
Geographical areas for STF 1: United States, regions, divisions, States (including urban and rural), counties, places of 10,000 or more inhabitants, county subdivisions of 10,000 or more inhabitants in selected States, metropolitan areas, urban areas, and American Indian and Alaska Native areas.
States and their subareas in hierarchical sequence down to the block group level; also summaries for the State portion of American Indian and Alaska Native areas, whole places, whole tracts/BNA's, whole county subdivisions in selected States and whole block groups.
Geographical areas for STF 3: States and their subareas in hierarchical sequence down to the State, county, place (or place part), census tract/block numbering area, block group (or part), State portion of American Indian and Alaska Native area (with trust lands and with no trust lands), Alaska Native Regional Corporation, State portion of MSA, CMSA, and PMSA, State portion of urbanized area. Also, inventory (complete) summaries for: Census tract/block numbering area, block group, place, consolidated city.

Sources of data: SSTF 1, SSTF 2, SSTF 3, SSTF 5.

TIGER Mapping Service also available.

Files to ftp via Social Science and Government Data Library at the University of California at Berkeley

Provides ftp access to entire files in these series: STF 1B, STF 3A, STF 3B, STF 3C-1, STF 3C-2; Equal Employment Opportunity File; Public Law 94-171 data; Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS), 1% and 5% data; all SSTF files. Warning: the files are typically very large.

Census Bureau web site, 1990 Decennial Census of Population and Housing Characteristics

Provides access to a variety of 1990 data resources

Census Bureau Decennial Censuses print publications (selected) in PDF format

Other web sites via Major Sources of Statistical Data for Geographical Areas Smaller than State: Census of Population and Housing

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CD-ROMs - Census of Population and Housing

Held in Davis Library Reference Department.

CensusCD+Maps. Commercial product including data from 1990 census for U.S. down to block group via a relatively easy to use software interface. Includes estimates and projections for state, county, census tract, block group, and ZIP Code. Includes statistical data and mapping capability. Davis Library Reference Electronic Resource.

CensusCD. Commercial product including data from 1990 census for U.S. down to block group via a relatively easy to use software interface. Includes statistical data but not mapping. Davis Library Reference Electronic Resource.

CensusCD Blocks. Data from 1990 census for U.S. for blocks only via a relatively easy to use software interface. Includes statistical data and mapping capability. Davis Library Reference Electronic Resource.

1990 Census of Population and Housing. Census Bureau.

Summary Tape File 1A. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.282:(date)/(place)

Block Statistics, Summary Tape File 1B. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.282/3:CD90-1B-#

Summary Tape File 1B, Puerto Rico. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.282:CD90-1-B-PR

Summary Tape File 1C. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.282:CD90-1C

Congressional Districts of the United States. Summary Tape File 1D. Summary Tape File 3D. (STF 1D and STF 3D).103rd Congress. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.282/4:CD90-1D-3D/103

Congressional Districts of the United States. Summary Tape File 1D, Summary Tape File 3D, 104th Congress. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.282/4:CD90-1D-3D/104R

Congressional Districts of the United States. Summary Tape File 1D, Summary Tape File 3D, 105th Congress. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.282/4:CD90-1D-3D/105

Summary Tape File 3A. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.282/2:CD90-3A-(#)

Summary Tape File 3B, by ZIP Code Areas. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.282/2:CD90-3B-#

Summary Tape File 3C, United States Summary Except Urbanized Areas and Their Components. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.282/2:CD90-3C-#

Summary Tape File 3C. United States Summary Urbanized Areas and Their Components. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.282:CD90-3C-#

Ancestry of the Population in the United States. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF02

Characteristics of Adults with Work Disabilities, Mobility Limitations, or Self-Care Limitations. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF04(part)

Characteristics of American Indians by Tribe and Language. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF13

Characteristics of the Asian and Pacific Islander Population in the United States. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF05

Characteristics of the Black Population of the United States. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF21A, B, C

County-to-County Migration Flow Files. Special Project 312 (SP312). In-Migration and Out-Migration discs. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.284:CD90-MIG-nos.

Earnings by Occupation and Education. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF22A

Education in the United States. Employment Status, Work Experience, and Veteran Status. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) File on CD-ROM. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.283:CD90-EEO-#

Fertility. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF16

The Foreign-Born Population in the United States. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF01

Geographic Mobility in the United States. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF15

Housing Characteristics of Condominium Housing. Condominium Housing. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF18

Housing Characteristics of Mobile Homes. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF10

Housing Characteristics of New Units. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF09

Housing of the Elderly. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF08

Journey to Work in the United States. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF20

Metropolitan Housing Characteristics. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF07

Occupation and Industry - Industry by Occupation Alphabetical Index. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF14

The Older Population of the United States. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF19

Persons of Hispanic Origin in the United States. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90SSTF03

PL 94-171 Data. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.281:(state)/990/CD

Poverty Areas in the United States. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.286:CD90-SSTF17

Public Use Microdata Samples, 1% Sample. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.285:CD-90-PUMSB#

Public Use Microdata Samples, 5% Sample. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.285:CD-90-PUMSA#

Special Tabulation on Aging. Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.281/2:CD90-AOA1

1990 Census Transportation Planning Package. Davis Reference Electronic Resource TD1.56/2:BTS-CD-02-01

1990 Census Transportation Planning Package: Urban Element. Davis Reference Electronic Resource TD1.56/2:BTS-CD-15-(nos.)

For 1980:

CensusCD 1980. Commercial product including data from 1980 census down to census tract. Includes statistical data and mapping capability. Davis Reference Electronic Resource.

Population Statistics. Commercial product including 1980 census data for U.S. down to county and large cities (10,000 or more population). Davis Library Reference Electronic Resource.

Major 1990 Census Datasets: STF 1 and STF 3

STF 1 (Summary Tape File 1): A series of datasets based on questions that everyone answered (100%, short form questions). Data include basic demographic variables only. "Population items include age, race, sex, marital status, Hispanic origin, household type, and household relationship. Population items are cross tabulated by age, race, Hispanic origin, or sex. Housing items include occupancy/vacancy status, tenure, units in structure, contract rent, meals included in rent, value, and number of rooms in housing unit. Housing data are cross tabulated by race or Hispanic origin of householder or by tenure."

STF 3 (Summary Tape File 3): A series of datasets based on questions that a sample of the population answered (sample data, long form questions). Data for blocks are not available in STF 3. Data include basic demographic variables and socio-economic variables. "Population items include: age, ancestry, citizenship, class of worker, educational attainment, employment status, family type, farm and nonfarm population, foreign-born status, group quarters, Hispanic origin, household type and relationship, income in 1989, industry, language spoken at home, marital status, means of transportation to work, mobility limitation status, occupation, place of birth, place of work, poverty status in 1989, private vehicle occupancy, race, residence in 1985, school enrollment, self-care limitation status, sex, travel time to work, urban and rural population, veteran/military status, work disability status, work status in 1989, workers in family in 1989. Housing items include: age of householder, bedrooms, condominium status, farm and nonfarm housing, heating fuel, Hispanic origin of householder, housing units, kitchen facilities, meals included in rent, mortgage status, occupancy status, plumbing facilities, race of householder, rent, rooms, selected monthly owner costs, sewage disposal, telephone availability, tenure, units in structure, urban and rural housing, utilities in rent, value of housing unit, vehicles available, water source, year householder moved into unit, year structure built."

Series Number	Types of Data & Variables Included	Geographical Areas
STF 1A	100% data from short form	State down to Block Group: state, place, county subdivision, county, census tract, block group, American Indian and Alaska Native Area, Congressional District (101st)
STF 1B	100% data from short form ("extract")*	State down to Block: state, place, county subdivision, county, census tract, block group, block, American Indian and Alaska Native Area, MA, Urbanized Area.
STF 1C	100% data from short form	U.S. down to County Subdivision: U.S., region, division, state, place (10,000+), selected county subdivision, county, American Indian and Alaska Native Area, MA, Urbanized Area.
STF 1D	100% data from short form	State down to Congressional District: State, place (10,000+), selected county subdivision, county, American Indian and Alaska Native Area, Congressional District.

* The "extract" is only a subset of the data available on other STF 1 CD-ROMs (try Odum Institute for Research in Social Science (IRSS) for the full dataset.)

Series Number	Types of Data & Variables Included	Geographical Areas
STF 3A	Sample data from long form	State down to Block Group: state, place, county subdivision, county, census tract, block group, American Indian and Alaska Native Area, MA, Urbanized Area
STF 3B	Sample data from long form	State, Counties, ZIP Code: State, county, ZIP code.
STF 3C	Sample data from long form	U.S. down to County Subdivision: U.S., region, division, state, place (10,000+), selected county subdivision, county, American Indian and Alaska Native Area, MA, Urbanized Area.
STF 3D	Sample data from long form	State down to Congressional District: State, place (10,000+), selected county subdivision, county, American Indian and Alaska Native Area, Congressional District.

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Major Print Reports - Census of Population and Housing

Held in Davis Library Reference Department.

Series Number	Title	100% and/or Sample Data	Types of Variables Included	Geographical Areas
CPH-1	Summary Population and Housing Characteristics	100%	Population & housing units, summary statistics on age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, household relationships, units in structure, value, rent, number of rooms, tenure, vacancy	U.S., states, counties, incorporated places, towns, townships
CPH-2	Population and Housing Unit Counts	100%	Population and housing units for 1990 and previous censuses, land area	U.S., states, counties, minor civil divisions (MCDs), census county divisions (CCDs), places, summary geographic areas (i.e. urban/rural, metro/nonmetro)
CPH-3	Population and Housing Characteristics for Census Tracts and Block Numbering Areas	100% and Sample	Population, age, race, sex, ancestry, income, occupation, labor force status, poverty; housing, persons in unit & per room, plumbing, sewage, telephones value, vehicles, bedrooms, rent, value. Land area	In Metropolitan statistical areas: county, census tracts/BNAs, places 10,000 or more. In remainder of state: counties, census tracts/BNAs, places 10,000 or more.
CPH-4	Population and Housing Characteristics for Congressional Districts of the 103rd Congress	100% and Sample	Population, age, race, sex, Hispanic origin, income, poverty, education, veteran, labor force, employment, disability, occupation, housing, occupancy, financial characteristics., fuels, plumbing, rent, land area	State, congressional districts, counties, places 10,000 or more.
CPH-5	Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics	100% and Sample	Population, education, income, poverty, labor force status, disability, residence, school enrollment, veteran, language. Housing, bedrooms, heating, kitchen, plumbing, sewage, water, telephone, vehicles, rent	U.S., state, county, place, county subdivision.

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Major Print Reports - Census of Population

Held in Davis Library Reference Department.

Series Number	Title	100% and/or Sample Data	Types of Variables Included	Geographical Areas
CP-1	General Population Characteristics	100%	Population, age, race, sex, Hispanic origin, marital status, group quarters, households	U.S., states, counties, places of 1000, 2500, 10,000 or more, urban/rural and metropolitan areas.
CP-1-1A, CP-1-1B, CP-1-1C	General Population Characteristics for American Indian and Alaska Native Areas; ... for Metropolitan Statistical Areas; ... for Urbanized Areas	100%	Population, age, race, sex, Hispanic origin, marital status, group quarters, households	A-Indian and Alaska Native areas; B-MSAs; C-Urbanized areas
CP-2	Social and Economic Characteristics	100% and Sample	Population, age, race, sex, ancestry, disability, education, ancestry, household, family characteristics, language, birthplace, aged, income, poverty, occupation, industry, commute	U.S., states, counties, places (2500, 10,000 or more), urban/rural, nonmetro/metro.
CP-2-1A, CP-2-1B, CP-2-1C	Social and Economic Characteristics for American Indian and Alaska Native Areas; ... for Metropolitan Statistical Areas; ... for Urbanized Areas	100% and Sample	Population, age, race, sex, ancestry, disability, education, ancestry, household, family characteristics, language, birthplace, aged, income, poverty, occupation, industry, commute	A-Indian and Alaska Native; B-MSAs; C-Urbanized areas
CP-3	Population Subject Reports	100% and Sample	Specialized reports on migration, education, income, race/ethnic groups, aged, etc.	Mostly U.S., states, regions and census divisions, MSAs, large cities.

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Major Print Reports - Census of Housing

Held in Davis Library Reference Department.

Series Number	Title	100% and/or Sample Data	Types of Variables Included	Geographical Areas
CH-1	General Housing Characteristics	100%	Housing units, occupied housing, renters, vacancy, race and age, value, persons in unit/room, tenure.	U.S., state, counties, places of 1000, 2500, 10,000 or more, county subdivisions, urban/rural, metro/nonmetro.
CH-1-1A, CH-1-1B, CH-1-1C	General Housing Characteristics for American Indian and Alaska Native Areas; ... for Metropolitan Statistical Areas; ... for Urbanized Areas	100%	Housing units, occupied housing, renters, vacancy, race and age, value, persons in unit/room, tenure.	A-Indian and Alaska Native areas; B-MSAs; C-Urbanized areas
CH-2	Detailed Housing Characteristics	100% and Sample	Housing units, condominiums, bedrooms, fuel, rent, kitchen, plumbing, sewage, water, telephones, vehicles, mobile homes, mortgage, income, poverty, aged.	U.S., states, counties, places 2500 and 10,000 or more, urban/rural, metro/nonmetro.
CH-2-1A, CH-2-1B, CH-2-1C	Detailed Housing Characteristics for American Indian and Alaska Native Areas; ... for Metropolitan Statistical Areas; ... for Urbanized Areas	100% and Sample	Housing units, condominiums, bedrooms, fuel, rent, kitchen, plumbing, sewage, water, telephones, vehicles, mobile homes, mortgage, income, poverty, aged.	A-Indian and Alaska Native areas; B-MSAs; C-Urbanized areas
CH-3	Housing Subject Reports	100% and Sample	Subject reports on various areas such as structural characteristics and space utilization.	Limited to U. S., regions, census division, states, MSAs, counties, and large cities.

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Howard W. Odum Institute for Research in Social Science (IRSS) The North Carolina State Data Center

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Barbara Levergood, Former Electronic Documents Librarian

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This page was last updated Monday, July 18, 2005.