• Why has it taken so long to release 2000 data?



• What are census tracts, blocks and block groups?



• What census tract or block to do I live in?



• What is the difference between race and ethnicity? Why is Hispanic separated from the race catergories?



• How do I compare race data now that the categories have changed?



• When was all the data released?



• When will the detailed Journey-to-Work data become available?



• How do I compare 2000 census blocks with those from 1990?



• I am unfamiliar with some terms. Is there a glossary available?



• Are there other data sites like this one?



• Are there other lists of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)?

Why has it taken so long to release 2000 data?
The U.S. decennial census is a major undertaking that requires an enormous commitment of human and computer resources. The decennial census operation includes: developing a "master address file" for all known housing units in the U.S.; printing and mailing of over 100 million census forms; hiring and training of nearly a million census enumerators; home visits to persons not returning their census forms via the mail or internet; post-enumeration surveys to check on the validity of the responses from the main census; computerized "optical character recognition" of all census forms; human editing and review o written-in responses that computers can't recognize; further editing and cleaning of census data; development of software and computer systems to provide the aggregated census data to census bureau's customers; training of users; detailed analysis and statistical correction of the data; and printing and dissemination of census results via the internet and other media. The "short answer" is that the decennial census is a really big job and it requires a lot of time and money to complete.

What are census tracts, blocks and block groups?
These are small statistical units used by the Census Bureau. The abbreviated glossary for use with this site includes definitions for census tract, block, and block group. The U.S. Census Bureau provides a full glossary on its American Factfinder site as well as a Glossary of Geographic Definitions with related terms.

What census tract or block to do I live in?
The easiest way to find census tract and block numbers for a specific address is through an address search. For census tract and block outline maps, use the U.S. Census Bureau's American Factfinder site which allows for searching by address, zip code, or latitude and longitude. PDF maps are also available through the Census Bureau's ftp server. To find the right map, browse by city or county and use the index map (the first file - #000) to find the relevant detailed map. These maps are typically 36" x 33" prints and require drum plotters to print full size.

What is the difference between race and ethnicity? Why is Hispanic separated from the race catergories?
In general, the Census Bureau defines ethnicity or origin as the heritage, nationality group, lineage, or country of birth of the person or the person 's parents or ancestors before their arrival in the United States. People who identify their origin as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino may be of any race. The federal Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) standards for data on race generally reflect social definition recognized in this country, and do not conform to any biological, anthropological or genetic criteria. According to the revised OMB standards, race is considered a separate concept from Hispanic origin (ethnicity) and, wherever possible, separate questions should be asked on each concept.

How do I compare race data now that the categories have changed?
In 1997, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) revised the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity to include Pacific Islanders as a separate category as well as allow respondents to mark more than one race. Since the new standards were used in Census 2000, the race categories are no longer comparable with data from previous years. The Washington State Office of Financial Management has provided tips on interpreting and comparing the data in its brief, Understanding Census 2000:Race Category Changes and Comparisons (pdf).

Other helpful information:
Using ranges of numbers -- An example from Kansas showing how to use ranges of numbers in the race categories
FAQ regarding Race from the U.S. Census Bureau

When was all the data released?
Data was released at different times as it became available. For a detailed outline of census products and release schedules, visit the Census Bureau's Census 2000 Data Products at a Glance page.

When will the detailed Journey-to-Work data become available?
The detailed journey-to-work data will be released in a special package known as the Census Transportation Planning Package (CTPP). CTPP data will be released soon after the SF-3 data is released, sometime in the Fall of 2002. Some transportation-related data has already been released as part of the Demographic Profile series, and analyses are available through MTC. Questions on historical (1970, 1980, 1990) journey-to-work data should be directed to Chuck Purvis at MTC (cpurvis@mtc.ca.gov).

How do I compare 2000 census blocks with those from 1990?
The U.S. Census Bureau provides Block Relationship files to help users determine how Census 2000 block data relates to data from 1990.

I am unfamiliar with some terms. Is there a glossary available?
Yes. We have created an abbreviated glossary for use with this site, and the U.S. Census Bureau provides a full glossary on its American Factfinder site.

Are there other data sites like this one?
Yes. Please check our links page for a listing of other Census 2000 data sites.

Are there other lists of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)?
Census Bureau's Census 2000 Frequently Asked Questions page.
Census 2000 Initiative's FAQ page.