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Random Samplings

The U.S. Census Bureau is the leading source of data about the population and economy of the United States. While the Census Bureau is best known for conducting a national headcount once every 10 years, the agency is continually conducting surveys that provide data about a variety of social and economic conditions.

Experts from around the Census Bureau will use Random Samplings to describe the objectives of their work and explain census and survey results. We hope this blog will increase awareness and use of the valuable data collected by the Census Bureau, and make this data more accessible to all users.

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Random Samplings Blog
A Glance at the Age Structure and Labor Force Participation of Rural America
Rural America is older than urban America. The median age of all people living in rural areas is 43 years, compared with 36 years for urban areas.


Random Samplings Blog
Simple Tools, Great Solutions: Creating Boundaries for Puerto Rico Urbanizaciones
Puerto Rico addresses contain types of areas typically not seen in stateside addresses.


Random Samplings Blog
Understanding Geographic Relationships: Geographic Summary Levels
The third installment of our geographic relationships series discusses geographic summary levels and how American FactFinder uses them to provide tabulated data.


Random Samplings Blog
Understanding Geographic Relationships: American Indian Areas
Part two in the Understanding Geographic Relationships series focuses on relationships that exist between different types of American Indian Areas. Part one in this series provided an overview of how Census Bureau geographies relate to one another.


Random Samplings Blog
74,134 Census Tracts and More Geographic Area Tallies Information
Have you ever wondered how many counties, incorporated places, census tracts or census blocks there are in a particular state or in the nation as a whole? Or, have you wondered how the number of 2010 census tracts compares to the number of 2000 census tracts in each state? If so, you should check out the Geographic Tallies webpage. Here you will find counts of 2010 Census geographies and comparisons of 2000 and 2010 counts of areas by state.


Random Samplings Blog
Census Data Mapper: Beta Version Now Available
Are you interested in creating maps that display 2010 Census Population and Housing data for use in reports, presentations, or general viewing? If so, then the Census Data Mapper is an application you should explore.


Random Samplings Blog
GIS Day at the Census Bureau
The holiday season is upon us and for the Geography Division at the U.S. Census Bureau, the season starts with GIS Day! Today is GIS Day, a worldwide celebration that highlights how geography and GIS can help answer questions. Geographic information systems (GIS) combine software and data to display and analyze spatial information. GIS allows us to visualize and interpret data through maps and charts, and in a way that is quick to understand.


Random Samplings Blog
Collecting and Maintaining our Geographic Data
The Census Bureau collects and maintains geographic data in order to take censuses and surveys and to prepare and present statistical information. We store all of our geographic data in the Master Address File/Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) System. The MAF/TIGER system has become an essential part of our daily operations and keeping it up-to-date and accurate is vital. So, how do we do it?


Random Samplings Blog
Decoding State-County Census Tracts versus Tribal Census Tracts
The U.S. Census Bureau offers thousands of statistics at hundreds of geographic levels. Census Bureau geographies help us organize all of this information. One of the most popular levels of geography used in statistical analysis is the census tract, which is used in community planning, grant writing, real estate, research and much more.


Random Samplings Blog
Mapping at the U.S. Census Bureau
When you think of the Census Bureau, you might imagine filling out a census or survey form. Maybe you think of the billions of statistics and counts that are available. What you may not realize is that the Census Bureau is as much a geographic and cartographic agency as it is a statistical agency.


Random Samplings Blog
How Do We Measure Urban Areas?
If you have looked out the window of a plane while flying over the United States, you no doubt have seen areas that are clearly built-up and densely settled and areas that are not. The extent of each built-up area varies, but each is distinguishable from the surrounding less developed territory.


Random Samplings Blog
Why is geography important to the Census Bureau?
Geography is at the heart of taking a census. The U.S. Census Bureau is tasked with counting everyone in the United States once every ten years, but we do not just count people; we count people where they live. Here are several reasons why geography is important to the Census Bureau.


Random Samplings Blog
What are census blocks?
Census blocks are: – The building blocks for all geographic boundaries the Census Bureau tabulates data for, such as tracts, places, and American Indian Reservations.

Page Last Revised - December 5, 2023
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