Comparing data from different census years can be a difficult task due to changing geographic boundaries. The Normalized Data Product line assists researchers with comparisons of data across time by adjusting and weighting the census data to account for changes in geographies.
Individual normalized products include:
Normalized product packages include:
To demonstrate some of the issues associated with changing boundaries, below is a comparison of Pima County, Arizona in 1990 and 2000 at the Census Tract level. During this time span, Pima County expanded in population. A quick appraisal of the two maps below demonstrates the numerous changes that occurred in the census tract boundaries, specifically the addition of 83 tracts in 2000.
1990
Pima County, AZ
Total Census Tracts (115)
|
2000
Pima County, AZ
Total Census Tracts (198)
|
Which product makes sense for your project?
Neighborhood Change Database [NCDB]
This single CD product is the easiest way to compare 1000+ variables from each of the 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000 US Censuses. The 1970, 1980, and 1990 data sets come in both its year-specific boundaries and also weighted to the 2000 Census Tract boundaries. When you use it in the year-specific format, the data and maps are identical to that found in the Census for that given year. However, the NCDB is limited to Census Tracts only. Therefore, smaller geographies (block group) or larger geographies (zip code, county, or state) are not available in the NCDB. This product is ideally suited for neighborhood (tract) time series analysis over the four census periods. Regional planning groups, government agencies, and researchers looking at changes over time for these smaller areas often find this to be the best choice.
Census 1990 Long Form in 2000 Boundaries
This product lets users access ALL of the 1990 Census data at ALL of the geographic levels that the US Census Bureau released for the 2000 Long Form (SF3). This is the best choice for analysts who need data at geographic levels other than the Census Tract. There are also variables available on the year specific products that are not included in the NCDB because of space constraints (for example some of the age break-outs were agglomerated). When paired with the Census 2000 Long Form, this combination of products is for researchers who want to do time series analysis from 1990 to 2000 at any of the geographic levels. The Census 1990 Long Form in 2000 Boundaries is best suited for the researcher who focuses on trends from 1990 to 2000, and wants to do the research at the most granular level (block group) or at one of the many larger geographies (Zip Code, MCD, County). The zip code level comparison can be especially important if you want to compare the data to an existing database of addresses with zip codes.
Census 1980 in 2000 Boundaries
CensusCD 1980 is the first and only source of Census data from 1980 that is expressed at all of the 2000 Long Form geographies. The Census 1980 Long Form in 2000 Boundaries contains both the 1980 Long Form (STF-3) and Short Form (STF-1) datasets. It includes detailed demographic data about topics such as population, household structure, income, poverty, education level, employment, housing costs, immigration, and other variables. This product has complete US Coverage at the Block Group and Tract (the NCDB docs not have full coverage in 1980 and 1970).
CensusCD +Maps 1990-2000
Tracking and mapping demographic trends is a fundamental part of successful business marketing, made easy with CensusCD +Maps 1990-2000. This product has basic geographies from zip code to the national level (does not have tracts or blockgroups). It also has normalized 1990 Long Form data in 2000 Boundaries, as well as 2000 Long Form Data combined together in the same product. With the built in Time Series Report, all you have to do is define your area (such as a county, a place, etc.) and run. Your report is produced with 2000 and 1990 data and calculates percentages automatically so you can compare data quickly and easily.
Demographic Changes in America: 1990-2000
Bring technology into the classroom with the Demographic Changes in America: 1990-2000. This demographic data product has multiple uses for secondary education teachers and college professors on many educational subjects. The CD gives instant access to data and maps for learning about US history, social studies, geography, economics, urban studies, real estate, business and marketing, mathematics, and statistics. It is very simple to learn and use, and students will be able to run reports and create maps in no time.
Discounted Demographic Data Packages with Normalized Data:
We also have Demographic Data Packages that cover multiple time spans and include both combinations of normalized and non-normalized datasets:
- Time Series Research Package
This package is our most complete package with normalized and un-normalized census data from 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000. If you need instant access to all the data, this is the best discounted package that covers a broad range of our demographic data product line.
- Planners Package Plus
This combination of products was put together for planners, developers, and marketing in mind. It covers 1980 and 1990 normalized data to 2000 boundaries, 2000 Census data, and the current year estimates & 5-year projections.
