Using the Census API

The Census Bureau API is a powerful resource that enables you to flexibly and easily access wide-ranging demographic-economic data down to the census block level. The Census API is a well-designed tool geared more toward application developers. That is, you cannot enter a Web instruction that generates a profile, map or directly usable dataset. ProximityOne has developed tools you can use to do just that — at no cost. This section briefly reviews how these tools can be used. See related Web section.

Direct Use of the Census API
• See this summary of how to use the API to retrieve decennial census data.
• See Census 2010 SF1 items available, documentation and examples
• See more about finding the right data.
• Join us in a Web session for overview, step-by-step & Q&A.

Visual Analysis of Block Group Demographic Patterns
The following view of the Chicago area shows patterns of Asian and Hispanic population by block group using Census 2010 Summary File 1 data. This map has been developed using data accessed via the Census API and transitioned for visual analysis using tools reviewed below. In this example, two block group layers are displayed — shown to the left of map in the legend (%Asian & %Hispanic). Color patterns assigned to interval values are shown for each layer in the legend.

Click graphic for larger view
Additional views: Asian alone … Hispanic alone

Use no-cost tools available from ProximityOne to develop similar map views for your geography and subject matter. The ProximityOne tools extend the capabilities of the Census API resource by enabling the user to create a dataset and then integrate those data into a Census-sourced shapefile to geospatially analyze the data. Details follow.

1. Use Demographic-Economic Data Extraction (DEDE) Tool
The Demographic-Economic Data Extraction (DEDE), a Windows-based application, is used to programmatically control use of the Census API. The user starts DEDE, opens a geographic specifications file, a subject matter specifications file, and then clicks Run to access the specified data. The data are displayed in a spreadsheet where a row corresponds to a geographic area (block group) and columns correspond to the subject matter fields. Use the File
Optionally, stop here. You now have your dataset in Excel of CSV structure for direct use. The DEDE value-added benefit is the ability to select data by a list of geographic codes, a list of subject matter items and save the API retrieved data as a dataset — these operations are not directly available using the Census API alone.

Census 2010 SF1 Table P5
Census 2010 Summary File 1 Table P5 items for a selected area (census tract in this example) is shown below.

2. Using Census API Data & GIS; Mapping & Geospatial Analysis
After extracting the data using the Census API, visually/geospatially analyze the data using Geographic Information System GIS tools. See more about CV XE GIS software to perform these tasks — available at no fee to ProximityOneUser Group members.
• Install CV XE GIS.
• Add your User Group ID to the CV XE GIS settings.
• Use the GeoGateway to add shapefiles to your GIS project.
• Use the CV XE GIS dBMerge to integrate Census API data into the shapefile.
• Make settings relevant to your needs; save your GIS project.

Zoom to areas of interest. Change labeling/colors/appearance. Set queries to filter layers showing only select geography. Add other geography.

ProximityOne User Group
Join the ProximityOne User Group to keep up-to-date with new developments relating to decision-making information resources. Receive updates and access to tools and resources available only to members. Use this form to join the User Group. There is no fee.

Support & DMI Web Sessions
Learn more about using resources described in this section. Join us in a Decision-Making Information Web session. There is no fee for these one-hour Web sessions. Each informal session is focused on a specific topic. The open structure also provides for Q&A and discussion of application issues of interest to participants. We can address your specific questions about tools to visually analyze patterns.

New 2013-14 School District Boundary Files

The master set of U.S. school district boundary files (shapefiles) is updated every two years.  The 2013-14 update is now available (August 2014) and includes 13,479 school districts. See the 2013-14 school districts page for more information. These shapefiles provide the geography to develop thematic pattern and reference maps and perform geospatial analysis using GIS software.

Houston ISD, TX Boundary: 2011-12 Compared to 2013-14
The following view illustrates the Houston ISD, TX 2013-14 boundary (red) with the 2011-12 boundary (black). It is easy to see where and how the district has changed (see pointer). Use the school district boundary files with GIS tools to examine how districts of interest have changed.

25 Largest 2013-14 School Districts Based on Geographic Size
Nineteen of the 25 geographically largest 2013-14 school districts are located in Alaska. The largest district, at almost 89,000 square miles in land area alone, exceeds the size of the State of Minnesota. The largest 25 districts are listed below showing the school district name, state and size (land area) in square miles. Use the interactive table to view districts of interest.

The average school district geographic size (land area) is 275 square miles. The geographically smallest school district is Kashia Elementary School District in California and is 0.067 square miles in size.

In December 2014, the first demographic-economic data become available for each of the 2013-14 school districts as a collective set. See related information about these data at http://proximityone.com/acs2013.htm. At that time, thematic pattern maps may be prepared using the CV XE GIS software with ready-to-use GIS projects.

Using TIGER/Line Files & Visual Pattern Analysis

.. all demographic-economic data are associated with a geographic location and/or area. The Census Bureau TIGER/Line shapefiles are the geographic backbone for all Census Bureau demographic-economic data. The TIGER/Line shapefiles are essential to develop statistical and political area reference and thematic pattern maps. Even if you are analyzing non-Census-sourced data, these shapefiles provide the geographic framework for Geographic Information System (about GIS) applications. For example, you might have your own U.S. by metro housing price index data. To view thematic patterns of these data, e.g., housing value appreciation by metro, the recommended way would be to integrate your subject matter into the TIGER/Line U.S. by metro shapefile and then use GIS software to display a color/pattern map.

8/12 Webinar
Using TIGER/Line Shapefiles; Visual & Geospatial Data Analysis
– see more detail about topics covered
– steps to build a GIS project from scratch using TIGER shapefiles
– plus steps to add streets, census block and higher level geography shapefiles
– we will also review a broader set of topics.

The GIS project developed (which you can develop on your computer) will be used in next week’s session.

8/19 Webinar
Census Block, Block Group & Census Tract Demographic Analysis
– see more detail about topics covered
– we will review use of GIS project developed in 8/19 session.
– plus steps to integrate small area data into the GIS project.
– plus steps to use the GIS project for pattern analysis.
– we will also review a broader set of topics.

8/21 Webinar
TIGER 2014 — New/Updated Digital Map Database
A new, special session will be held on 8/21 to review TIGER 2014 scheduled for release on 8/19. See more about the 8/21 session in an upcoming User Group email update.

Join us
– Register here
– Related events

Children in Households by Neighborhood

Between 1970 and 2012, the share of households that were married couples with children under 18 decreased from 40 percent to 20 percent. During this period, the average number of people per household declined from 3.1 to 2.6
(details). These trends vary by state and region. Patterns vary widely at the neighborhood level. What are the characteristics and patterns of households with children under 18 at the neighborhood level?

This section illustrates use of CV XE GIS with associated GIS project to examine patterns of children in households by age by block group. Data are based on Census 2010 Summary File 1 Table 32 as shown in the table presented below in this section. See more about the GIS project. See related Web section for more details.

San Francisco Area
  — Patterns of Children in Households by Block Group
Block groups with 400 or more children in households (item P0320001) appear blue. Block groups with 100-300 children in households appear with green fill pattern.

Click graphic for larger view

San Francisco Zoom-In
  — Patterns of Children in Households by Block Group
Block groups with 400 or more children in households (item P0320001) appear blue. Block groups with 100-300 children in households appear with green fill pattern.

Click graphic for larger view

San Francisco Zoom-In
  — Patterns of Children in Households, ages 6-17, by Block Group
Illustrating different colors, different ranges, population by age; other ages could be used. Block groups with 300 or more children in households (items p0320009 – p0320012 summed) appear red. Block groups with 100-300 children in households appear with orange fill pattern.

Click graphic for larger view

Cupertino Area Zoom-In
  — Patterns of Children in Households, ages 6-17, by Block Group
Illustrating further zoom-in, street detail, labels showing total population under 18 years; could be other item as label.
Block groups with 300 or more children in households (items P0320009 – P0320012 summed) appear red. Block groups with 100-300 children in households appear with orange fill pattern.

Click graphic for larger view — larger view use of identify tool to profile a selected block group.

Examining Study Areas Using Site Analysis Tool
Above view in site analysis mode; selecting three block groups as a study area using SiteAnalysis API tool. See summary profile in lower right section/table; export to HTML or XLS file. Use mouse to cherry pick areas to add and/or use circular area selection.

Click graphic for larger view.

Viewing Selected Records in Tabular Form
After selecting areas (block groups in this example) that comprise a study area, click the View File in the lower right panel above the grid. The dBrowse feature is started; the selected records dataset can be opened and used. The $$siterecs.dbf is overwritten with each new site selection. It can be optionally be saved to a CSV, TXT or dBase file for later use; possibly merger/comparison with other study area selections.

Click graphic for larger view.

GIS Project
The GIS project used to develop views shown in this section is focused on the state of California by block group. It can be used to examine patterns similar to those shown here for any area in California. A similar project could be developed for a specific county, another state or the U.S.

Data from Census 2010 SF1 Table P32 (see item list below) were merged into the California block group shapefile. Many of the items available in Table P32 were not used in the map views shown here but could be used to develop alternative views; e.g., specific age patterns or percentages.

A GIS project is itself a file that knits together a set of layers that have certain settings. In the GIS project used here, the layers mainly reflect attributes of a corresponding shapefile (U.S. by state, U.S. by county and California by block group).

Children in Households; Census 2010 Summary File 1; Table P32
P32.  HOUSEHOLD TYPE BY RELATIONSHIP BY AGE
FOR THE POPULATION UNDER 18 YEARS [45]
Universe: Population under 18 years
P0320001   Total
P0320002     In households
P0320003       Householder or spouse
P0320004       Related child:
P0320005         Own child:
P0320006           Under 3 years
P0320007           3 and 4 years
P0320008           5 years
P0320009           6 to 11 years
P0320010           12 and 13 years
P0320011           14 years
P0320012           15 to 17 years
See full table item list in related Web section.

About Households
A household contains one or more people. Everyone living in a housing unit makes up a household. One of the people who owns or rents the residence is designated as the householder. For the purposes of examining family and household composition, two types of households are defined: family and nonfamily.

A family household has at least two members related by birth, marriage, or adoption, one of whom is the householder. A nonfamily household can be either a person living alone or a householder who shares the housing unit only with nonrelatives; for example, boarders or roommates. The nonrelatives of the householder may be related to each other.

Family households are maintained by married couples or by a man or woman living with other relatives. Children may or may not be present. Nonfamily households are maintained only by men or women with no relatives at home.

Own children are a subset of all children; they are the biological, step, or adopted child of the householder or family reference person (in the case of subfamilies) for the universe being considered, whether household, family, or family group. Own children are also limited to children who have never been married, are under the age of 18 (unless otherwise specified), and are not themselves a family reference person. Foster children are not included as own children since they are not related to the householder.

Support & DMI Web Sessions
Learn more about using resources described in this section. Join us in a Decision-Making Information Web session. There is no fee for these one-hour Web sessions. Each informal session is focused on a specific topic. The open structure also provides for Q&A and discussion of application issues of interest to participants. We can address your specific questions about tools to analyze patterns of children’s demographics.

ZIP Code Demographics: Asian/Urban-Rural Patterns

Understanding the size, characteristics and distribution of the Asian population is important to Asian community stakeholders as well as business, government and organizations that cater to Asian population interests.  The Asian population is distributed unevenly throughout the U.S. As of Census 2010, and among Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), the Asian Indian population ranged from a high of 6.6 percent of the total population in the Yuba City, CA MSA to just 44 persons in Farmington, NM MSA.  The New York MSA has the largest number of Asian Indians (526,133).  Examine the Asian population distribution by type and metro using this interactive table. See more about Asian race groups.

This section reviews use of tools, data and related resources to examine the distribution of the Asian population by ZIP code area and in context of urban/rural geography. Create your own map views similar to those shown in this section. Zoom to locations of interest. Modify Asian percent population settings. Label ZIP codes areas in your preferred manner. Add your own related data. See details below.

Asian Population by ZIP Code & Urban/Rural Status
Patterns of percent Asian population by ZIP Code in Houston, TX area are shown in the graphic presented below. The map shows ZIP code areas that have certain percentages of population who are Asian. The orange fill pattern shows urban areas (defined by census block). Areas with no orange fill pattern are rural blocks. See legend at the left of map for details.

ZIP code areas with highest percent Asian population (see pointer) are shown with red crosshatch pattern.
• Click graphic for larger view, zoom-in & ZIP Codes as labels.
• Click this link to view zoom-in, isolating ZIPs with 30% or more Asian.

Other Selected Areas …

Atlanta Area: Asian Population by ZIP Code & Urban/Rural Status
  Orange fill pattern shows urban areas.
  See ZIP code area legend in map view at top of section.

Washington DC: Asian Population by ZIP Code & Urban/Rural Status
  Orange fill pattern shows urban areas.
  See ZIP code area legend in map view at top of section.

New York City: Asian Population by ZIP Code & Urban/Rural Status
  Orange fill pattern shows urban areas.
  See ZIP code area legend in map view at top of section.

San Francisco: Asian Population by ZIP Code & Urban/Rural Status
  Orange fill pattern shows urban areas.
  See ZIP code area legend in map view at top of section.

Los Angeles: Asian Population by ZIP Code & Urban/Rural Status
  Orange fill pattern shows urban areas.
  See ZIP code area legend in map view at top of section.

Using these Resources on Your Computer
Members of the ProximityOne User Group may use the CV XE GIS software and associated GIS project to develop map views like those shown in this section. Join now. No fees.

Support & DMI Web Sessions
Learn more about using resources described in this section. Join us in a Decision-Making Information Web session. There is no fee for these one-hour Web sessions. Each informal session is focused on a specific topic. The open structure also provides for Q&A and discussion of application issues of interest to participants. We can address specific questions about tools to visually analyze patterns.

American Community Survey 2013 Release Schedule

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) are an indispensable part of most analyses involving demographic-economic characteristics and patterns.  These data help analysts and decision-makers compare characteristics of one area to another.  In many ways uniquely, these data help you understand where and how patterns are changing.  The ACS data can be used to develop insights into new areas of opportunity, what areas show diminishing potential, what areas might be most suited to what you do and programs that you operate.  Census 2010 and ACS data provide the most current Census-sourced demographics for wide-ranging geography.  An important feature of these data is the availability of national scope small area demographic-economic data … data at the census tract, block group and ZIP code area levels among many others.

ACS 2013 Release Dates
Annual ACS updates — new and more recent data — are released in the fall of each year.  The ACS 2013 data release schedule is as follows:

09.18.14 — American Community Survey 2013 1-year Estimates
    2013 estimates for areas of 65,000 population or more.
10.23.14 — American Community Survey 2013 3-year Estimates
    2011-2013 estimates for areas of 20,000 population or more.
12.04.14 — American Community Survey 2013 5-year Estimates
    2009-13 demographics-economic estimates for all areas.

ACS 2013 Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS); early 2015
ACS 2013 SDST – School District Special Tabulation (May 2015)

See more about these data at the progressively updated ACS 2013 Web site.