Finding Census 2000 Data by Zip Code

The U.S. Census Bureau offers free internet access to data from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing via American FactFinder. Various geographic levels (state, county, city, etc.) are available, including Zip Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs), which are as close as you can get to Zip Code data. Read ZCTAs and ZCTA (FAQ) Frequently Asked Questions for more details about these tabulation areas.

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Useful information about Census 2000

What topics were included in the census?

• Census 2000 shortform (100 per cent) subjects: Age, Hispanic or Latino Origin, Race, Sex, Household Relationship, and whether Homeowners or Renters.
• Census 2000 longform (sample data) subjects: Ancestry, Citizenship, Disability, Educational Attainment, Income, Industry, Language Spoken at Home, Marital Status, Migration, Occupation, Place of Birth, Place of Work, Poverty, Rent, School Enrollment, Plumbing and kitchen facilities, Telephone service, Value of home or monthly rent paid, Vehicles available, and Units in Structure. (see Census Overview for a more complete list).
• Census 2000 Questionnaires

Definitions of terminology used in the census:

• Definitions of terms used in the 2000 Census are available online via the Glossary tab in American Factfinder or by using Appendix B of the Summary File 1 Technical Documentation (100 percent subjects) and Appendix B of the Summary File 3 Technical Documentation (sample subjects).
• Racial and Ethnic Classifications Used in Census 2000 and Beyond is recommended reading for everyone who intends to use Census data. Note specifically that Hispanics and Latinos may be of any race as this may make a difference in which tables a specific user should select to find needed data and/or how to interpret the data that is found.

Find Zip Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) data using American Factfinder:

For your convenience, you may wish to print this set of instructions before you begin.

American Factfinder provides zip code data online at two levels: Fact Sheets (fast and easy basic demographic profiles) and Data Sets (more detailed access to Census data). A Fact Sheet is a single page overview, a basic demographic profile for a specific geographic area. For many users, a Fact Sheet is enough information. (When it is not enough, follow the Directions for Using Data Sets to access the detailed Census results). Also, the Census Bureau advises users that pop-up blocker software may affect American Factfinder in unusual ways. So, if you use a pop-up blocker, make sure it is turned off when you use American Factfinder.

Jump to: Find a Fact Sheet / Directions for Using Data Sets / Many Zip Codes in a City, County, or State

Finding a Fact Sheet

1. Go to American FactFinder.
2. Enter the Zip Code of interest in the box provided in the Fast Access to Information section of the page (or go to the Fact Sheet page and enter it in the box there). Then click the Go button.
3. Review the Fact Sheet for the Zip Code you selected. For many users this will be enough data. More is available, however, if you follow the directions below on using Data Sets to access Census data via American Factfinder.

Directions for Using Data Sets to Access Census Data

1. Go to American FactFinder.
2. Select Data Sets, then Decennial Census.
3. Verify that the tab selected is Census 2000.
4. Make a selection from those listed under Census 2000 by clicking on the circle to the left of your choice so that a dot appears in the circle. Note: Census 2000 Summary File 1 provides data on Census 2000 shortform (100 per cent) subjects while Census 2000 Summary File 3 provides data on Census 2000 longform (sample data) subjects. (You can read the Census Overview to find out which subjects were 100 per cent questions and which were sample questions). Census 2000 Summary File 2 and Summary File 4 data is not currently available by Zip Code.
5. A menu will appear to the right of your choice. Select Detailed Tables or Quick Tables. (Note: Quick Tables is fast, but gives you less choice regarding exactly which variables you are getting).
6. Choose a selection method by clicking on "list".
7. Select a geographic type by pulling down the menu and selecting 5-digit ZIP Code tabulation area.
8. Select a 3-digit ZIP code tabulation area using the pull-down menu and the first 3 digits of the Zip Code of interest to you.
9. Select a geographic area by waiting for the list of 5-digit ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) which begin with those 3 digits to appear and finish loading. Then use the pull-down menu to select your 5-digit ZCTA by clicking on it. (Note: if you select your ZCTA before the list is done loading, you may not be able to do the next step without reloading the page and repeating this step with more patience).
10. Click on Add. Your 5-digit ZCTA should appear in the box under the Add button.
11. Click on Next.
12. Choose a search method (by subject, by keyword, or show all tables). If you choose "by subject" or "by keyword", you will next have to search to get a list of tables that meet your criteria. (A box will ask you to do this and there will be a button labelled Search). If you choose "show all tables", a list of tables will appear in the box under the search method choice area.
13. Select one or more tables by clicking on the one you want or highlighting several at the same time. Use your control (PC) or command (Mac) keys for discontinuous multiple selections.
14. Click the Add button. The table names you selected should appear in the box under the Add and Remove buttons.
15. Click on the Show Result button that is on the right side of the screen; if necessary scroll over until it is displayed on your screen.
16. Note: It is possible to ask for more data than the system can give you at one time. If you get a message that your request is too large, break your request into more than one search, each of which requests less data. The Remove button allows you to delete some of the tables you requested from the list of those to be shown.
17. Printing: Data tables can be wider than a normal page of print; be forewarned that most users need to change the print properties/settings to print in landscape orientation (rather than portrait) to ensure that all data is printed.
18. If you choose to download data, follow the directions given in American Factfinder.

Finding data on (or a list of) all Zip Code Tabulation Areas within a place (i.e.city), county, or state

Zip Code Statistics, a Census Bureau page, includes--near the end of the page--instructions on how to obtain a list of (and/or data about) all Zip Code Tabulation areas within a specific place (including a city), county, or state).

How to Cite the Data

Attention Students: Use the Search box on the Census Bureau homepage (choose to search FAQs, type American Factfinder Citations in the box, and click the Go button); this will provide access to a page on how to cite tables and maps from American Factfinder. Use Online Citation Style Guides or ask at the reference desk if you have any questions about how to cite your sources for your paper correctly following the rules for MLA and other frequently used styles.