Census 2000 Summary File 3 Data Data Dragnet The data request we are about to discuss is real. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Census 2000Summary File 3 Data

Data Dragnet

The data request we are about to discuss

is real.

The names have been changed to protect the

innocent.

Data Request

“I was calling in regards to a story I’m doing looking at the median household income in Cabarrus/Rowan Counties by race and ethnicity, as well as how Black and Hispanic income compares to White income.

I had a couple of specific questions for you as well as wanted to touch base with you on any general impressions

Hope you don’t mind, I’m attaching a spreadsheet with some numbers that I’ve been looking at. Could you please give me a call.”

- Joe Tattler, Daily News

Just the Facts

See the Numbers- Take a look at the initial information

Consider the Question- Determine what data is really needed

The Usual Suspects- Census data (decennial or other)- State Government data - Local experts

Group US NC Cabarrus Co. Rank* Rowan Co. Rank*White 44687 42530 48922 6 39,599 38Black 29423 27845 32286 10 26,914 37Asian 30599 49497 53207 21 53,393 20Am. Indian 51908 30390 42321 17 36,036 38Other 32694 31147 30435 46 34,138 252 or more races 35587 32149 36731 24 37,569 21Hispanic 33676 32353 33573 28 33,291 31All groups 41994 39184 46140 4 37,494 32* Out of 100 NC counties Source: Census 2000

Median Household IncomeCabarrus County White inc. Black inc.Hispanic inc. dif wb income dif wh-hisp inc

1999 48922 32286 33573 16636 153491989 40868 24291 21739 16577 19129

Pct. Change 19.7% 32.9% 54.4%$1w99 1 0.66 0.69$1w89 1 0.59 0.53Rowan County

1999 39,599 26,914 33,291 12685 63081989 35,870 24,300 28391 11570 7479

Pct. Change 10.4% 10.8% 17.3%$1w99 1 $0.68 $0.84$1w89 1 $0.68 $0.79Source: U.S. Census dataNote: 1989 figures are adjusted for inflationThe Census Bureau counted Asians differently in the 1990 and 2000 census,so direct comparisons for that group's income cannot be made

The Information

The Initial Evidence Cabarrus’s median hhld income is significantly

higher than Rowan’s. Percent change in both Black and Hispanic median

hhld income was roughly 3 times higher in Cabarrus County than Rowan County.

The gap between Black and White median hhld income in Cabarrus County narrowed but was “flat” in Rowan County

Median hhld income gap was/is more narrow in Rowan County.

Hispanic median hhld income as a percent of White median hhld income increased in both counties.

What Does It All Mean?

“What does that tell you about these two counties?” - Joe Tattler, Daily News

“What’s driving these numbers?” - Joe Tattler, Daily News

Census DataLocating the Information Hideouts

NC Census Lookuphttp://census.state.nc.us/lookup

American FactFinderhttp://factfinder.census.gov

Census Data ProfilesViewing the Data Line-up

Summary File 1-100% data-Pop. and housing-Block coverage

Summary File 3-Sample data-Socio-economic-Tract coverage

Census Data ProfilesChanging Appearances

1990 STF3 Profile 2000 SF3 Profile

Census Data ProfilesSeeing Through the Disguise

STF/SF name change is due to release format

There have been significant changes in census content and concepts from 1990 to 2000.- Race categories are NOT comparable- Grandparents as caregivers is a new item

Changes in content and concepts have led to changes in profile appearance.- 29-page profile from 1990 STF3- 58-page profile from 2000 SF3

Other Census Data SourcesThe Accomplices

County Business Patterns Economic Census Current Population Survey American Community Survey Other US Dept of Commerce Sources

- Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Economic Information System (REIS)

The data business was big. Maybe too big. I needed new information and a way to accurately compare trend data.I began investigating local leads.

State ResourcesNC Department of Commerce

http://www.nccommerce.com

Economic Development

Information System (EDIS)

Economic Development

Scans

Industry Profiles

State Comparisons

State ResourcesNC State Data Center

Census Information census.state.nc.us

Log Into North Carolina (LINC) linc.state.nc.us

Incriminating EvidenceLINC Topic Report: Decennial Census Profile

LINC Topic Report: Decennial Census Profile

Cabarrus County Rowan County Cabarrus Rowan

Data Items 1990 2000 Data Items 1990 2000

Census Population (Uncorrected) - v6001 98,935 131,063 Census Population (Uncorrected) - v6001 110,605 130,340 24.51340195 15.14116925Population Urban (pct) - v20 59.3 72.4 Population Urban (pct) - v20 41.3 58.8 13.1 17.5Population Nonwhite (pct) - v21 14 16.7 Population Nonwhite (pct) - v21 16.9 20 2.7 3.1Rural Farm Population (pct) - v22 0.6 0.7 Rural Farm Population (pct) - v22 1.1 0.9 0.1 -0.2Pop Outside Co 5 Yrs Ago (pct) - v23 21 28.4 Pop Outside Co 5 Yrs Ago (pct) - v23 16.7 19.8 7.4 3.1Population Married (pct of age 15+) - v24 61 60.7 Population Married (pct of age 15+) - v24 58.7 59.5 -0.3 0.8Pct College Grads of Pop Aged 25+ - v25 12.3 19.1 Pct College Grads of Pop Aged 25+ - v25 11.7 14.2 6.8 2.5Pct of Adults with HS Diploma - v62 67.4 78.2 Pct of Adults with HS Diploma - v62 66 74.3 10.8 8.3Median Age - v6042 34.6 35.4 Median Age - v6042 35.2 36.4 0.8 1.2

Families with Own Child (pct) - v27 44.4 47.2 Families with Own Child (pct) - v27 43.9 45.6 2.8 1.7Families with Single Fem Hhsldr (pct) - v28 13.6 14.3 Families with Single Fem Hhsldr (pct) - v28 14.7 16.7 0.7 2.0Families with Single Mom (pct) - v29 6.4 8.2 Families with Single Mom (pct) - v29 7.6 9.8 1.8 2.2Avg Persons Per Family - v30 3 3 Avg Persons Per Family - v30 3 3 0.0 0.0Number of Households - v6055 37,598 49,519 Number of Households - v6055 42,396 49,940 24.07358792 15.10612735Persons in Households (pct) - v31 21.2 21.8 Persons in Households (pct) - v31 24 24.7 0.6 0.7Avg Persons Per Household - v32 2.6 2.6 Avg Persons Per Household - v32 2.5 2.5 0.0 0.0

Pct Males Unemployed (pct) - v33 3.5 4.1 Pct Males Unemployed (pct) - v33 3.3 6.4 0.6 3.1Pct Females Unemp (pct) - v34 3.9 4.4 Pct Females Unemp (pct) - v34 4 6.2 0.5 2.2Net Number Commuting into County - v6069 -9,035 No data Net Number Commuting into County - v6069 -8,201 No data

Pct 16-64, Work Disab (pct) - v35 8.1 12.7 Pct 16-64, Work Disab (pct) - v35 9.6 15 4.6 5.4Pct Fem 16+ w Own chld (pct) - v36 31.4 33.6 Pct Fem 16+ w Own chld (pct) - v36 30.5 31.3 2.2 0.8Pct Fem 16+ w Ownchld in LF (pct) - v37 77.1 73.4 Pct Fem 16+ w Ownchld in LF (pct) - v37 77.5 74.4 -3.7 -3.1

Median Family Income - v6077 $35,217 $53,692 Median Family Income - v6077 $31,169 $44,242 34.4 29.5Per Capita Money Income (Census) - v6082 $13,552 $21,121 Per Capita Money Income (Census) - v6082 $12,018 $18,071 35.8 33.5Pct White Pop Below Poverty (pct) - v38 5.9 5.2 Pct White Pop Below Poverty (pct) - v38 6.9 7.8 -0.7 0.9Pct Black Pop Below Poverty (pct) - v39 23.9 13.7 Pct Black Pop Below Poverty (pct) - v39 23.5 23.3 -10.2 -0.2Pct Children Below Poverty (pct) - v40 9.7 8.3 Pct Children Below Poverty (pct) - v40 11.6 13.7 -1.4 2.1

Total Housing Units - v6105 39,713 52,848 Total Housing Units - v6105 46,264 53,980 24.85429912 14.29418303Total Occupied Housing Units - v6121 37,515 49,519 Total Occupied Housing Units - v6121 42,512 49,940 24.24120035 14.87384862Pct Households Owner Occup (pct) - v41 69.6 70 Pct Households Owner Occup (pct) - v41 67.6 68 0.4 0.4Pct Occ Houses ''Substandard'' (pct) - v42 3 3.3 Pct Occ Houses ''Substandard'' (pct) - v42 2.8 3.3 0.3 0.5Pct Occ Houses, No Vehicles (pct) - v43 7.4 6 Pct Occ Houses, No Vehicles (pct) - v43 8.8 7.1 -1.4 -1.7Homes Heated with Util Gas (pct) - v84 29.3 39.3 Homes Heated with Util Gas (pct) - v84 23.6 29.4 10.0 5.8Homes Heated with Electricity (pct) - v82 38.7 43.7 Homes Heated with Electricity (pct) - v82 37.3 48.4 5.0 11.1Homes, No Heat (pct) - v44 0.1 0.2 Homes, No Heat (pct) - v44 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1Pct Occ Hous >10 Yrs Old (pct) - v45 73.5 68.3 Pct Occ Hous >10 Yrs Old (pct) - v45 79 76.2 -5.2 -2.8Median Contract Rent - v6114 $270 $449 Median Contract Rent - v6114 $252 $387 179.0 135.0

Making the Call

I contacted Joe Tattler at the Daily News, and I told him what I’d found.

I was expecting more questions.

I was in for a surprise.

Experts in the FieldSDC Affiliate Network

SDC affiliates providestatewide coverage

At least 2 affiliates for each county

Local experts

Public Library and LeadRegional Organizations

State Library ofNorth Carolina

Locate affiliates by Countysdc.state.nc.us

Closing the CaseSummary

Census source data and concepts

Other US Dept. of Commerce sources

State Data Center web and affiliate resources

NC Dept. of Commerce resources

It felt good to close this case, but there would be others. Soon the phone would ring, but right now there was coffee.