To begin a map session, click on any of the five category labels (Total Population, Race, Ethnicity, Age/Sex, or Housing Status). A new window will appear for you to enter your town and state. Click on the "Find" button or hit "Enter" on your keyboard to start.

Once you enter a location, the map will transition to a national view of the United States. When it does, a data window will appear over the area you put in. Depending on the category label you have chosen earlier, this window will feature Population, Race, Ethnicity, Sex/Age or Housing Status. To zoom in closer, click on zoom within the data window to change to "County", "Minor Civil Division" or "Place".

Start exploring your community's results by choosing the other geographical levels in the "VIEWS" pane on the upper-left hand corner of the map. When you choose "County", the map will display your area's county and the counties surrounding it, all dynamically color-coded according to Census data. Click on your county to launch a window showing your county's results.

From the map, select your geographic area (e.g., Florida), and click on the state. A data window will appear and click "Compare" in the data window. This brings up the comparison chart and shows your first geographic area selection. Click "ADD ANOTHER LOCATION" for your next geographic location which will return you to the map. Select your next location (e.g., Ventura County, CA) by clicking on California. The data window will appear and click "Zoom In" to take you to the County level. Look for Ventura County and click on it. A data window will appear and click "Compare". This opens up the comparison chart and shows your second selection. Repeat these steps for your other locations. You can compare up to four locations by selecting your geographic area like town, city or American Indian Alaska Native area of your choice. Click on each additional state or geographic area and click "Compare" in the data window. To remove a geographic area from the comparison chart, click on the "X" icon to the left of the geographic area's name.