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Planning Database

The Census Bureau's Planning Database (PDB) contains select operational, housing, demographic, and socio-economic statistics from the 2010 Census and the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year files. It also contains the Low Response Score (LRS), where the LRS is a predicted value of mail self-response. With few exceptions, notably ACS response rates, statistics are provided at both the block group and tract levels. The PDB was designed as an aid for survey and census planning, but has many potential uses. For example, given its ease of use, one may consider using the PDB for instructional purposes.

For more information on the LRS, see Erdman and Bates 2017 (PDF).

For visual displays of key PDB statistics, see Response Outreach Area Mapper (ROAM).

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2022

2022
The 2022 PDB is a limited release. It contains select ACS 5-year estimates including the ACS tract level self-response rate (approval no.: CBDRB-FY22-204), and a limited set of the Census variables typically found on the PDB. It does not contain a Low Response Score (LRS) or 2020 Census operational variables. As 2020 Census data become available, the intention is that future PDB releases will contain a new LRS and additional Census variables. Data are available at both the tract and block group levels. The 2022 PDB uses 2020 Census tract and block group geographies.

Data and Documentation

We recommend managing the files in a statistical software application such as R or SAS, as Excel may truncate columns or rows. We also urge users to verify that the downloaded file contains the indicated number of columns and rows: The tract file (pdb2022tr) should be 174,326 KB with 85,395 rows and 464 columns. The block group file (pdb2022bg) should be 315,241 KB with 242,335 rows and 288 columns.  If the number of rows and columns do not align with these counts, verify that the download has not been interrupted or corrupted. If so, we recommend you try to re-download the file from a different web browser.

Statistics downloaded from American FactFinder or data.census.gov received clearances from the Disclosure Review Board before being posted. No clearance number is required at this time for such information products. When presenting packages to the DRB that include such data, their provenance must be documented to the satisfaction of the DRB.

The ACS 2016-2020 response rates have been approved for public release by the U.S. Census Bureau’s Disclosure Review Board (approval no.: CBDRB-FY22-204).

Page Last Revised - November 22, 2021
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