Newsroom

Census Bureau Tip Sheet

A product of the U.S. Census Bureau's Public Information Office

Upcoming

Web Transformation

Census Bureau Releases Its First Mobile App — The U.S. Census Bureau will released its first-ever mobile app, called “America’s Economy,” which will send economic trends, updates and the schedule of upcoming releases to a smartphone or computer tablet. The app combines statistics from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau of Labor Statistics with statistics from the Census Bureau, presenting a live update of the nation's key economic indicators. (Scheduled for release early next week.)

2010 Census

2010 Modified Race Summary File — This downloadable file, summary table and documentation shows the results of modifying the 2010 Census population from census race categories (which include “some other race”) into those consistent with the Office of Management and Budget standard categories (white, black or African-American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander). Release includes information for counties by Hispanic origin, 31 race groups and five-year age groups. (Scheduled for release July 30.)

2010 Census Alternative Questionnaire Experiment: Race and Hispanic Origin — On Aug. 8 at 10 a.m., the U.S. Census Bureau will release the results of the 2010 Census Alternative Questionnaire Experiment (AQE) on race and Hispanic origin at a news conference at George Washington University. The 2010 Census AQE focuses on improving the race and Hispanic origin questions by testing a number of different questionnaire design strategies. This is among the largest quantitative efforts ever done for race and Hispanic origin research, and this important research is part of the Census Bureau's planning for the 2020 Census. Following the news conference, there will be a technical briefing at 1 p.m., which will include other experts in the field. Members of the media are invited to attend. Press kit page: <http://2010.census.gov/news/press-kits/aqe/aqe.html>.

Summary Population and Housing Characteristics Reports (CPH-1) — This report series contains tables on age, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, households, families, housing tenure and occupancy, population density, and area measurements. The lowest level of geography is the place level. There is a report produced for each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the United States. The reports are being released on a state-by-state basis. Reports have been released for several states so far and can be found at <http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/index.html>.

Population and Housing Unit Counts Reports (CPH-2) — This report series contains tables providing population and housing unit counts from the 2010 Census and selected historical censuses. Some tables also include area measurements and density. The lowest level of geography is the place level. There is a report produced for each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the United States. The reports are being released on a state-by-state basis. Reports have been released for several states so far and can be found at <http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/index.html>.

Economic

2011 Annual Survey of Public Pensions: State-Administered Defined Benefit Data — Provides an annual look at the financial activity of the nation’s state-administered defined benefit retirement systems, including cash and investment holdings, receipts, payments, and membership information. Shows employee and government contributions as well as pension obligations. Statistics are shown at the national level and for individual states. (Scheduled for release Aug. 9.)

2011 Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll Preliminary Data Release — This release shows data on the number of state and local government civilian employees and their gross payrolls for the month of March 2011. Statistics include government functions such as education, fire protection, and police protection. Data are available for the nation and individual states. (Scheduled for release Aug. 23.)

Nonemployer Statistics: 2010 — Annual report on businesses without paid employees in nearly 450 industries for the nation, states, counties and metropolitan areas. Most who own such businesses are self-employed and operate very small businesses (for example, real estate agents or beauticians) that may or may not be their primary source of income. (Scheduled for release in August.)

Facts for Features

Grandparents Day (Sept. 9) — On this day intended to honor the nation's grandparents, the Census Bureau provides an array of demographic statistics about the role these caregivers play in the lives of our nation's youth. (Scheduled for release July 31.)

Unmarried and Single Americans Week (Sept. 16-22) — The third full week of September recognizes the nation's unmarried Americans with an array of statistics about this group from the Census Bureau's demographic and economic subject areas. (Scheduled for release July 31.)

Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) — During this monthlong observance, our nation celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The Census Bureau joins in the celebration with this fact sheet presenting a range of updated statistics describing the demographic state of the nation's Latino population, including new statistics from the 2010 Census and statistics on Hispanic-owned businesses. (Scheduled for release in August.)

Broadcast/Photo/Multimedia/Television

Radio

Profile America and Al Día (Spanish) for July and August — Upcoming segments include spooning out “ An Old Favorite Cereal” (July 30) and hearing them roar in “Women Gain the Right to Vote” (Aug. 18).

The daily features are available at <http://www.census.gov/multimedia/www/radio/>, with download options for MP3 (including podcast subscription) and WAV or zip files for the entire month (MP3).

Television

“America By the Numbers” Segment Live on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” — Nearly 1 in 5 people have a disability in the U.S. Find out more on Friday, July 27, at approximately 9:15 a.m. EDT as Matthew Brault, a statistician in the Health and Disability Statistics Branch at the U.S. Census Bureau discusses statistics about the people with disabilities in the United States. Each Friday, C-SPAN’s “America By the Numbers” segment features information from the federal statistical system. The program highlights the trends and allows the public to call in or email their views. More information on previous C-SPAN programs is available at <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/cspan/>.

Recently Released

Web Transformation

Census Application Programming Interface (API) — July 26 — The Census Bureau released its first-ever API. This online service provides the building blocks for developers to design online and mobile apps, such as interactive maps, charts and databases, using a variety of Census Bureau statistics. The API provides statistics down to the neighborhood level (tracts and block groups) from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 and the 2006-2010 American Community Survey. With these two datasets available in the form of an API, database editors and other developers have easier access to a wide variety of timely, localized information, including population totals, age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, home ownership, education, income, employment, commuting and occupation. More information about the API can be found at <http://www.census.gov/developers/>. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/miscellaneous/cb12-135.html>.

2010 Census

2010 Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles Pre-Joined with 2010 Census Demographic Profile — July 19 — The Census Bureau has eliminated the need to download separate files of demographic data and geographic areas for users of geographic information system (GIS) software. These files provide data items such as total population, total housing units, median age, population 16 years and over, population 65 years and over, race, relationship, average household size, and many others. These national level shapefiles and geodatabases join geographic areas and selected attributes from the 2010 Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles with the 2010 Census Summary File 1 Demographic Profile (DP1) for the United States and Puerto Rico. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/tgrshp2010/2010DP1.html>.

Demographic

Americans with Disabilities: 2010 — July 25 — This comprehensive report provides a look at the prevalence of a wide range of specific disabilities, the degree of severity, and the well-being of the population with a disability of some type. Included is information on the need for personal assistance with everyday activities. It is the first such report with analysis since the Census Bureau published statistics in a similar report about the 2005 population of people with disabilities. The statistics come from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/miscellaneous/cb12-134.html>.

New Interactive HIV/AIDS Surveillance Data Base Online — July 23 — This compilation of data from 225 countries on the prevalence of HIV infection and AIDS cases and deaths was developed 25 years ago by the Census Bureau and moves to the Census Bureau's website for the first time thanks to a new interactive data access tool. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/international_population/cb12-131.html>.

Computer and Internet Use at Home: 2010 — July 16 — These tables provide information about computer and Internet use from the Current Population Survey (CPS) School Enrollment and Internet Use Supplement. The tables display national and state level data and examine householder and individual characteristics by school enrollment, age, race, sex and Hispanic origin. Additional tables use data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) to examine how and why people connect to the Internet. The CPS has been collecting data on computers and Internet use periodically since 1984. SIPP data on this subject have been collected since 1998. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/miscellaneous/cb12-tps44.html>.

Facts for Features

Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act — July 25 — To commemorate the July 26, 1990, signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, the Census Bureau presents a wide array of statistical information about people with disabilities. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb12-ff16.html>.

Labor Day (Sept. 6) — July 24 — Labor Day is the yearly national tribute to the workers who have contributed to the well-being of our country. First observed in 1882, this federal holiday for many marks the end of summer. In observance of this holiday, this fact sheet includes an array of demographic statistics about our nation's workforce. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb12-ff14.html>.

Back to School — July 24 — By August, summertime will be winding down and vacations will be coming to an end, signaling that the start of the 2012-13 school year can't be far away. This fact sheet presents statistics from demographic and economic subject areas pertaining to teachers, students and the reopening of our country's schools in late summer. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb11-_ff15.html>.

How Do We Know?

Infographic on U.S. Veteran Population, Second in “How Do We Know?” Series — July 16 — This month as we celebrate our nation's Independence, we reflect on the original veterans who helped found this country. How do we know about today's heroes? A new infographic will provide a statistical snapshot of our veterans from the American Community Survey (conducted annually) and the Survey of Business Owners (from the five-year economic census). Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/miscellaneous/cb12-tps42.html>.

This summer, the Census Bureau will provide more infographics and interactive features that will answer the question, “How Do We Know?” Visit <http://www.census.gov/how> to view the infographic and to learn more about “How Do We Know?” Follow @uscensusbureau on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and Pinterest (#HowDoWeKnow) for updates.

Broadcast/Photo/Multimedia/Television

Radio

Profile America and Al Día (Spanish) for July — Profile America segments included opening wide in “Baby Food Festival” (July 19) and pedaling the Hawkeye State in “Noted Bicycle Event” (July 23). Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/multimedia/www/radio>.

Television

Snapshot of American Businesses and Households, Live on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” “America By the Numbers” Segment — More than 66 percent of homeowners 65 and older own their own home without a mortgage. On Friday, July 20, Census Bureau Director Robert Groves discussed statistics about American businesses and households. Each Friday, C-SPAN's "America By the Numbers" segment features information from the federal statistical system. The program highlights the trends and allows the public to call in or tweet to express their views. More information on previous C-SPAN programs is available at <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/cspan/>.