Selecting Rural Data in American Factfinder

Finding Statistics and Data Related to Rural Health

Selecting Rural Data in

American Factfinder

December 2016

ruralhealthinfo.org

Two Methods for Selecting Rural Data

Method 1: Geographic Comparison TablesThe simplest method for finding both rural and urban data.

Method 2: Choose Specific GeographiesUseful if you are seeking only rural statistics.

Method 1:Geographic Comparison

Tables

What are Geographic Comparison Tables (GCTs)?

GCTs provide statistics for a group of related geographic areas.

You can use GCTs to compare data for:• Urban/Rural• Metropolitan/Micropolitan/Noncore

Begin at http://factfinder.census.gov

Select “Advanced Search”, then click the SHOW ME ALL button

Select “Topics”

In “Topics”, select “Product Type”

Then select “Geographic Comparison Table”

Click CLOSE in the “Select Topics” window

Under “topic or table name”, enter “rural” and click GO

The list of tables will be updated to reflect your selections so far

From here, add additional topics of interest, for example “Veterans”

If you select 5-year ACS estimates by state from the list:

You will see state level rural statistics for Alabama:

With the option to view the same data for other 5-year periods (end year shown):

As well as the option to view the same data for other states:

Method 2:Choose Specific

Geographies

Begin at http://factfinder.census.gov

Select “Advanced Search”, then click the SHOW ME ALL button

Check “Your Selections” to see if any previous search selections are listed

If search selections are listed, click “clear all selections and start a new search”

Select “Geographies”

Within Geographies, click on the “Name” Tab

On the Name Tab, scroll down to “Show Geographic Components”

Click the “Show Geographic Components” checkbox

Type “rural” in the search box and click “Go”

The list will update to show just those choices that include “rural”

Select the choices you want, such as “United States -- Rural”

You could also select a state, for example “Colorado -- Rural”

Once you’ve made your selections, click the “Add” button

The choices you added appear in “Your Selections”

Click the x to remove “rural” from “Your Geography Filters”

To add comparison data for the entire U.S. and all of Colorado:

“United States” will be at the top of the list. Select and click “Add”

Type “Colorado” in the search box and click “Go”

“Colorado” will be at the top of the list. Select and click “Add”

“Your Selections” now lists U.S. and Colorado, overall and rural

Now select the type of data you are interested in, such as “Topics”

For example, you might be seeking data on Veterans

After making your selection, click CLOSE in the “Select Topics” window

If you select the 5-year ACS estimates for Veteran Status:

You will get detailed data for the geography and topic selected:

Table modified for display purposes. Margin of error columns removed.

With the option to view the same data for other 5-year periods (end year shown):

For more information on rural data:

The Rural Health Information Hub guide

Finding Statistics and Data Related to Rural Health

https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/statistics-and-data

ruralhealthinfo.org