Newsroom

Census Bureau Tip Sheet

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

Upcoming

1940 Census Records Release — On April 2 at 8:30 a.m., Census Bureau Director Robert Groves and National Archivist David Ferriero will lead a news conference at the National Archives in Washington announcing the release of 1940 Census records to the public. Strict confidentiality laws ensure that census records are only unsealed after 72 years have passed, so genealogists, historians and researchers have waited with great eagerness for this release.

American Community Survey

2005-2009 American Community Survey County-to-County Migration Files — Tables showing how many people during the course of a year moved from one county to another. These are the first such numbers published since the 2000 Census. (Scheduled for release in late March.)

2010 Census

2010 Census Urban and Rural Areas — The Census Bureau will release a list of the areas considered “urban” based on the 2010 Census results. The new list will reveal how the nation's urban and rural populations have changed since 2000. Urban areas represent densely developed territory and encompass residential, commercial and other nonresidential urban land uses. Rural encompasses all population, housing and territory not included within an urban area. The release will include geographic files for mapping urban area boundaries. (Scheduled for release March 26.)

2010 Census Summary File 2 — This file provides detailed demographic information from the 2010 Census for up to 331 detailed race and ethnic groups down to the census tract level, adding a new layer of detail to the population and housing topics previously released from the census. The statistics are being released on a state-by-state flow basis and are offered on embargo. For more information on the release process, visit the Summary File 2 press kit. (Scheduled for release through May 2012.)

Demographic

Evaluation Estimates of the Population for the United States, States and Counties: April 1, 2000, to July 1, 2010 — Internet tables and downloadable files contain vintage 2010 estimates of total population, births, deaths, migration and demographic characteristics including age, sex, race and Hispanic origin. The estimates were produced with an administrative records method that incorporates special censuses and local challenges. Additional tables and a downloadable file contain alternative estimates produced with the same method but do not incorporate special censuses and local challenges. All estimates are based on the 2000 Census and were created without knowledge of the 2010 Census results. The evaluation estimates are available on the population estimates Web page <http://www.census.gov/popest/research/eval-estimates/eval-est.html>. (Scheduled for release March 27.)

Net Worth and Asset Ownership of Households: 2005 and 2009 — Income and net worth are two important factors in determining economic well-being. This report looks at net worth and asset ownership by various socio-economic factors, including education level and age, and explores how various education levels fared relative to other levels over time. The statistics come from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. (Scheduled for release in April.)

State-Level Maps and Graphs on Voting — This is a menu-driven, interactive Web page with graphs showing percentages of adults by states who voted and registered in congressional and presidential elections between 1996 and 2010. In addition to voting and registration trends, there are graphs showing voting and registration by age, sex, educational attainment, and race and Hispanic origin. Some analysis is provided as well, as are thematic maps of states showing percent voting during each election. The statistics come from the Current Population Survey. (Scheduled for release in early April.)

County, Puerto Rico Municipio, Metropolitan and Micropolitan Area Population Estimates: July 1, 2011 — Internet tables showing population estimates, rankings and components of change for the nation's counties, county equivalents, metro and micro areas since the 2010 Census and up to July 1, 2011. (Scheduled for release April 5.)

Economic

Finances of Selected State and Local Government Employee Retirement Systems: 4th Quarter 2011 — This quarterly survey provides national summary statistics on the revenues, expenditures and composition of assets of the 100 largest state and local public employee retirement systems in the United States. These 100 systems comprise 89.4 percent of financial activity among such entities, based on the 2007 Census of Governments. This survey presents the most current statistics about investment decisions by state and local public employee retirement systems, which are among the largest types of institutional investors in the U.S. financial markets. These statistical tables are published three months after each calendar quarter and show national financial transactions and trends for the past five years. For more information, please visit <http://www.census.gov/govs/qpr/>. (Scheduled for release March 29.)

Information and Communication Technology Survey — These statistics, based on the 2007 North American Industry Classification System, estimate capitalized and noncapitalized spending in 2010 for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment and computer software at the sector level, as well as for three-digit and selected four-digit industries. Rapid advances in ICT equipment result in these assets having short useful lives and being replaced at a much faster rate than other types of equipment. As a result, rather than capitalizing the value of such assets and expensing the cost over two or more years, companies often expense the full cost of such assets during the current annual period. In some cases this same-period expense is also because companies have varying dollar levels for capitalization. Hence, the survey gives users a more complete idea of U.S. companies' total investment in ICT equipment. The statistics are used to assess future productivity and economic growth prospects and permit the reconciliation of important differences between reported production and consumption of technology. (Scheduled for release March 29.)

Economic Indicators — The Census Bureau releases statistics that provide monthly, quarterly and yearly updates on key measures of the nation's economic condition. Upcoming releases include advance report on durable goods, manufacturers' shipments, inventories and orders, quarterly financial reports - retail trade, manufacturing, mining, wholesale trade, and selected industries. For the latest releases and schedule, go to <http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/briefroom/BriefRm>.

Profile America — Facts for Features

Father's Day — The Census Bureau honors “dear old dad” with a collection of statistical information from its demographic and economic subject areas pertaining to Father's Day, from stay-at-home dads to time spent with their children. (Scheduled for release in April.)

Broadcast/Photo/Multimedia/Television

Radio

Profile America and Al Día (Spanish) for March and April — Upcoming segments include we “wooden” have it any other way in “First National Forest” (March 30) and scrambling to celebrate in “Egg Salad Week” (April 9).

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).

Webinar

1940 Census Records Release Webinar — In anticipation of the April 2 release of 1940 Census records from the National Archives, the Census Bureau will hold a webinar on March 29 at 1 p.m. to provide the media with an overview of the 1940 Census release. The webinar will highlight notable 1940 Census facts with corresponding information from the 2010 Census and provide a demonstration from the National Archives and Records Administration on accessing these records when they become available to the public. More information will be available at <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/>.

Multimedia

A Look at the Census: Then & Now — This is an interactive slide show featuring historic images from the 1940 Census and more recent images from the 2010 censuses. These images allow the viewer to take a step back in time to see the operational, promotional and technical efforts that were needed to conduct both of these census. By providing a side-by-side comparison between these two very distinct decades with a narrative that tells the story behind these immense efforts, the slide show offers viewers a unique opportunity to connect with the past. Visit the site at <http://www.census.gov/1940census/index.html>.

1940-2010: How Has America Changed, A Snapshot in Time: How the Census Measures America and 1940-2010 State by State: Key Comparisons Between the Years — These three infographics take an in-depth look at the change that has taken place between the 1940 and 2010 censuses. By utilizing these statistically rich visualizations, we achieve a deeper understanding of life in America. Visit the site at <http://www.census.gov/1940census/index.html>.

Television

“America By the Numbers” segments on C-SPAN's “Washington Journal” — Each Friday, C-SPAN's “America By the Numbers” segment features information from the federal statistical system. On March 30, Census Bureau representatives will present notable 1940 Census facts with corresponding information from the 2010 Census in anticipation of the April 2 release of 1940 Census records from the National Archives. More information is available at <http://www.c-span.org/Series/Washington-Journal/>.

Recently Released

(Released since March 9, 2012)

Census Bureau Launches Interactive 1940 Census Web Page — March 19 — In anticipation of the April 2 release of 1940 Census records from the National Archives, the Census Bureau launched a new page on its website. The site features an interactive overview of the 1940 Census, including questions asked on the census form, history facts, blogs, a 1940 Census video, pictures and a countdown clock. From the site, users will also find a direct link to the National Archives website for looking up individual 1940 Census records. In addition, there is a newly released infographic providing a rich visual depiction of how characteristics of the U.S. population have changed between 1940 and 2010. For more information, visit <http://www.census.gov/1940census>.

2010 Census

The Asian Population: 2010 — March 21 — This 2010 Census brief provides a portrait of the Asian population in the United States and discusses its distribution at the national level and for regions, states, metropolitan statistical areas, counties and places. This brief also discusses the size and growth of detailed Asian groups, such as Asian Indian, Japanese, Vietnamese, etc. The brief contains tables and figures (including maps) that display regional, state, metropolitan, county and place level patterns. More information about the 2010 Census briefs, including previously released briefs, can be found online at <http://2010.census.gov/news/press-kits/briefs/briefs.html>.
Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/2010_census/cb12-cn22.html>.

Economic

2011 4th Quarter Summary of State and Local Government Tax Revenue — March 22 — This summary shows quarterly tax revenue statistics on property, sales, license, income and other taxes. Statistics are shown for individual state governments as well as national estimates of total state and local taxes, including 12-month calculations. This quarterly survey has been conducted continuously since 1962. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/govs/qtax/>.

Profile America — Facts for Features

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May) — March 21 — We celebrate the contributions of Asian/Pacific Americans to our nation with a host of statistical information. Statistics are included for Asians as well as Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders covering demographics and businesses. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb12-ff09.html>.

Cinco de Mayo — March 21 — “The Fifth of May,” a national holiday in Mexico, has become a time to celebrate Mexican heritage and culture. This edition presents a wide array of statistical information about the population of Mexican origin. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb12-ff10.html>.

Broadcast/Photo/Multimedia/Television

Radio

Profile America and Al Día (Spanish) for March — Profile America segments included sugar and spice in “Girl Scouts at 100” (March 12) and running on fumes in “Diesel Engines0” (March 18). Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/multimedia/www/radio/profile_america/>.