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Introduction to Census Geography Presented by Jane Traynham and Dan Veroff SDC Boot Camp, October 13, 2009

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Two Categories of Census Geography Legal and Administrative Entities Legal and Administrative Entities Result from legal actions, treaties, ordinances, and so on. Boundaries generally accepted as provided by appropriate authorities. Statistical Entities Statistical Entities Evolve from practice, usage, or need. Boundaries generally delineated using Census Bureau criteria and guidelines

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Census Geographic Hierarchy ZCTA: Zip Code Tabulation Area used for areas in which detailed zip code data is not available (rural areas, etc.) TAZ: Traffic Analysis Zone ANRC: Alaska Native Regional Corporation SLD: State Legislative District UGA: Urban Growth Area (Oregon) Not listed here: PUMAS (Public Use Microdata Areas)

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Nested Geographies From Geographic Areas Reference Manual 203

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Hierarchy of census geography Counties are subdivided into census tracts all tracts are unique within county

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Hierarchy of census geography contd Census tract boundaries Block group boundaries Tract 514201 split into 5142011 and 5142012

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Census tract 514201

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Block group 5142011 further divided into census blocks The further in you zoom roads appear

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The Usual Suspects Wisconsin Dane County Madison MSA Madison, WI Urban Area Place: Madison City Blocks Census Tracts Block Groups

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What is a Census block? Wisconsin Southern RR Muskrat River What is a Census Block? Town of Muskrat Village of Muskrat

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Geography Reference Resources LINK to reference resources LINK to geo terms & concepts

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Questions?