Census 2000 Data Engine

Census 2000 Data Engine

Used for the Census 2000 DVDs and CD-ROMs

Software Overview

Once the application is launched, the Data Engine screen will appear:

Software Overview, 2

There are five tabs along the top of the workspace. The tabs open pages to walk you through selecting: the dataset, the area(s) of geography, the type of file you want to create, and the data points (variables).


The Back, Next and Finish buttons at the bottom of the box also walk you through the selection process.


The tabs and buttons are available on every screen so you can refine your selections without restarting the Data Engine.

Overview - Workspace

The first tab, for the Workspace page, has two functions:

Using the Current Database Set menu you can select SF1 or one of the 250 datasets available for racial and ethnic groups using SF2 (if you have both datasets loaded).

Overview, Workspace - 2

The other function of the Workspace page is the ability to save or retrieve a workspace (your selected geography or variables) using the File button.

Tip: You’ll want to save your workspace when you plan to reuse geography or variables. This will save time in the future.

Overview, Workspace - 3

The File button, on the Workspace page, allows you to open previously saved workspaces, or to save newly developed ones.

Unfortunately, workspaces do not transfer between datasets.

Overview, Pick Geography

The next tab, Pick Geography, opens the page for selecting the geographic areas (states, counties, census tracts, blocks, etc.)

Overview, Pick Geography - 2

The File button on this page has three important features. Users may add radii, clear previously used radii, and clear geographic selections.

Overview, Pick Geography - 3

The Custom Radii search allows users datasets based on distance from a point using miles or kilometers.

Overview - Output Tab

The Output Tab allows users to export data in two ways (modes):

• Report, the default option, generates html tables

• File exports data into into xls, csv, dbf, htm, mdb and db.

Overview - Simple Variables

At the Simple Variables Tab you select data elements (Input Variables).

Overview, Simple Variables - 2

Each dataset has variables divided into several categories, or folders. Roughly, these are

• Geographic Identifiers, • H (Housing) Tables, • P (Population) Tables


In addition to the P and H tables, there are HCT Tables (Housing Tables to the Census Tract, and PCT Tables (Population Tables to the Census Tract).


The Geographic Identifiers describe the areas you selected. In SF2 and SF3 these are divided into four categories:

Record Codes, Geographic Area Codes, Area Characteristics, and Special Area Codes.

SF1 lists them alphabetically.


The other variables, H Tables, P Tables, HCT and PCT tables, are numeric data you may choose for the selected geography.


The Input Variables box does not expand in size, however if you “mouse over” the table name, the whole title will appear.

Scroll bars may also be used to see titles.


As you choose variables (by double-clicking on the variable, or by clicking on the variable and then the Select button) they appear in the Output Variables box.


You can select a complete table – including all data items - by highlighting it and clicking on the Select button.

Overview – Custom Variables

The Custom Variables page allows users to take simple variables, and as you might in a spreadsheet or database program, perform mathematical functions.

Overview, Custom Variables - 2

By adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing – creating formulas - new variables are created.

Datasets currently available

SF1 provides access to population and housing data based on Census 2000 questions asked of all people and about every housing unit. These data are often referred to as the "100% data."

Population items include: sex, age, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, household relationship, and household and family characteristics.

Housing items include occupancy status and whether the unit is owner- or renter-occupied (tenure).


Geography covered for SF 1 includes: States, counties, county subdivisions, places, census tracts, block groups, blocks, ZIP code tabulation areas, congressional districts (106th Congress), American Indian and Alaska Native Areas, Hawaiian Home Lands.


SF 2 contains population and housing unit data based on Census 2000 questions asked of all people and about every housing unit (100% data) down to the census tract for 250 population groups.


Tables are iterated for each of 250 groups - these are the databases for SF 2 listed on the Workspace page:

the total population, 132 race groups, 78 American Indian and Alaska Native

tribe categories (reflecting 39 individual tribes), and

39 Hispanic or Latino groups.

Population Threshold

In SF2, the presentation of tables for any of the population groups is subject to a population threshold (within any geographic area) of

100 or more people.

Population Threshold -2

After you’ve selected a database, if a census tract or other geographic area doesn’t appear on the Pick Geography page, the population doesn’t meet the 100 threshold.

Examples: Two or more races (Group 100) - for Tract 21 in

Albuquerque NM; Bangladeshi alone - in 21 states including: AK,

AR, HI, ID, IA, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, NM, ND, RI, SC, SD, UT, VT, WV, WI, WY and PR.


SF 3 has 813 tables of social, economic, and housing characteristics compiled from approximately 19 million housing units – about 1 in 6 households.

Of the 813 tables, 484 are population tables, and 329 are housing tables.


Geographic Coverage for SF3:

Data is presented for the United States, the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico down to the block group for many tabulations, but only to the census tract for others.

Summaries are included for other geographic areas, such as ZIP Code Tabulations Areas (ZCTAsTM) and Congressional Districts

Sample Search

Go to the Workspace Tab, select SF 1 DVD or SF1 for New Mexico (if you are using the CD-ROM)

If another dataset was selected, you may need to wait a minute for the dataset to reload.

Sample Search

Move to the next page, Pick Geography.

Select all census tracts for a county or place in New Mexico listed below:

Places: Albuquerque, Carlsbad, Roswell, Santa Fe, Taos, Truth or Consequences Counties: Bernalillo, Chaves, Eddy, Santa Fe, Sierra, Taos

Sample Search

You’ll want to use Summary Level 140 (Census Tract by County) or 158 (Census Tract by County and Place)

Sample Search

Click on the “plus box” next to the square to expand the selections. If you click on the empty box, the software will place a checkmark in the box indicating you have selected all of the tracts for the entire country.

Sample Search

Next, click on the Output tab.

First we’re going to use the default option, Report. For Report, the user chooses from a variety of preformatted reports listed under the Report Template File dropdown menu.

Sample Search

Select one of the reports (e.g. DP-1, or

Quick Tables P05) and click on the Finish button.

Sample Search

A in process note will appear, and then the “processing finished” dialog box, asking if you want to open the output file using the default application, or another application.

Sample Search

Below is the output from the tracts for Eddy Co., NM. Note that the county and and state names are not listed, only the Census Tract numbers.

Sample Search

Tip: If you are working with multiple numbered areas (tracts or blocks) it is important to note (by keeping records, or by file names) which geographic area they belong to.

This applies to named areas, as well. You’ll find many states with county and city names that repeat (e.g. Madison, Franklin, Lincoln, Jefferson, Athens etc.).

Sample Search

Close the browser, and return to the Output tab.

Click on the File button, then on the Save As button

Sample Search

Select the directory, the file name, and the file format for your download. Tip: The “save as” box allows you to save onto the a:\ drive by typing the drive letter.

Sample Search

Click on the Simple Variables Tab.

Click on the folder to open the Geographic Identifiers.

Sample Search

Select (in this order):• State (FIPS)• County• Place (FIPS)• Census Tract • Internal Point (Longitude)

• Internal Point (Latitude)

Sample Search

Now open any of the other folders and select 3-10 additional data points of your choice.

Click on the Finish button.

Sample Search

If you are using Excel, the system will ask you if you want to overwrite the file. Click on Yes.

Note: The Data Engine software interacts differently with each spreadsheet and database application. Be flexible and try one or two approaches for your own situation if there are problems.

Sample Search

Next a dialog box will open to ask if you want to name the worksheet/table. Name it something slightly different (add a letter or number to the end).

Click on OK.

Sample Search

The “Processing Finished” dialog box will open.

Check the box for Open the field descriptions file.

Click OK.

Sample Search

The spreadsheet software, and the field descriptions file will open.

Sample Search

The top row lists the name, several abbreviations for the geographic identifiers, and the codes for the selected simple variables.

Note the longitude and latitude for one of

your tracts from your output.

Sample Search

The Field Description file gives the complete titles for each code and abbreviation used.

The Data Engine automatically generates this file, using the same name as the saved file, with a .desc.txt extension

Sample Search

The “key” column gives you information about the geography you selected.

In this case, because of the other

geographic identifiers selected, you can discern that these are the census tracts for Bernalillo County, NM.

Sample Search – Key

Below is the key generated for Detroit census tract 5001.00 using different summary levels.

080, Tract by Place 261632200022000500100 140, Tract by County 26163500100 158, Tract by Cnty & Place 2622000163500100 511, Tract by Cong. Dist. 2614163500100

Note the elements recurring for each summary level (state code, 26; county, 163; county subdiv., 22000; and place 22000). For summary level 511, number 14, for the Congressional District, has been added.

Sample Search – Key

The key is a combination of FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) and Census Codes.

FIPS codes are used for higher level geography - states, counties, places, and some MCDs. Tracts, Blocks, Block Groups etc., are Census Codes.

URLS with FIPS information: http://www.census.gov/geo/www/fips/fips.html

http://www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/55new/nav-top-fr.htm

http://www.census.gov/geo/www/fips/fips.html






















Saving your Workspace

Now that you’ve selected some tracts and some variables, return to the Workspace page to save your workspace.


Click on the button to open up the drop-down menu.

Click on Save As…


Type the file name in the box. It you were to reuse this software on this machine, the file would be there for you to re-use next time.

Assistance!

User assistance is available:SF1 Tutorial:http://www.census.gov/mso/www/

sf1dvd/index.htm

Technical Documentation:http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/

doc/sf1.pdf SF1.pdf, SF2.pdf, or SF3.pdf on each CD-

ROM/DVD

http://www.census.gov/mso/www/

http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/

Sample Exercises:

Using longitude and latitude you previously wrote down, search using custom radii.

Investigate the different ways to retrieve census tract data: 080, 140, 158, 511 and what that does to the “route” to your geography.

Investigate one of the datasets for the census tract, place, county, and state.

Census 2000 Data Engine

Documents