Finding Census Tract Data on the Internet

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What is a Census Tract?

A census tract is a small statistical subdivision of a county. Census tract data allows a user to find population and housing statistics about a specific part of an urban area. This is particularly important when you want information about part of a city, such as Northridge or other communities in the San Fernando Valley which are part of the City of Los Angeles. A single community may be composed of several census tracts.

Find Your Tract Number and View a Map of the Tract

To use census tract data, you must know the tract number(s) for the geographic area of interest. Census tract maps for the 2000 Census of Population and Housing are available online; the Census Bureau offers several "tools" that allow you to type in a specific address to search to get the number of the census tract that includes that address. The most popular of these tools are Fact Sheet and Address Search ; detailed instructions on how to use each of these are given below. Each of these tools also allows you to view a map of the census tract and retrieve limited data about it. 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.

To find a Fact Sheet and Reference Map for a census tract

1. Go to American Factfinder.
2. Select Fact Sheet from the column on the left side of the page. This will take you to a Fact Sheet for the entire United States. The default is the 2005 American Community Survey Fact Sheet for the United States. Click on the tab that says 2000 to switch to a Fact Sheet from the 2000 Census.
3. Click on "search by address" in the search box at the top of the page.
4. Enter an address of interest (one within the area for which you want tract data) and click on Go.
5. A Fact Sheet of the appropriate city appears. (Note: if your community is part of a larger incorporated city, the Fact Sheet will be for the city the community is in. So, if you type in an address for Northridge, California, the Fact Sheet will be for Los Angeles City because the community of Northridge is part of the City of Los Angeles.
6. A list of links representing relevant geographies for the address you typed in (e.g. United States, state name, city name, zip code, and the number of the census tract) is near the top of the Fact Sheet page for the city. Each of these is a link, so click on the link for the census tract number.
7. A Fact Sheet for the census tract will appear with a basic profile for the census tract. Click on the Reference Map and use the map to verify that it is the census tract for the geographic area you wanted. Tip: This map can be printed, but if you want to print the map and want the tract boundaries to be given without also having the block boundaries appear (which is less confusing when the map is printed in black rather than color), the Instructions on how to use Address Search to identify a tract which are given below tell you how to find a map that you can modify so that just the tract boundaries are included.
8. Close the map and review the Fact Sheet's data. For many users this will be enough information about the census tract. However, more detailed information is available if you follow the Instructions to find census tract data using American Factfinder Data Sets.

Use Address Search to identify a tract number, create a map of the tract, or view Quick Tables for a census tract

1. Go to Address Search, an advanced geography search option in American FactFinder that allows you to enter a specific street address to create a map with boundaries from the 2000 Census and/or link to some of the data for geographic areas including that address.
2. Verify that the Select a Year and Program pull-down menu is set for Census 2000.
3. Input the address in the appropriate boxes and click on Go. A list of geographies including that address will display.
4. Click on Census Tract so that it is highlighted.
5. If you click on Map It, a map of the tract will appear. Examine the map to ensure that it is a map for the address you requested.
6. This map shows both census tract and census block boundaries. If you want to print the map and want just the tract boundaries printed (which is less confusing when all the lines are printed in black), close the map and follow the steps below.
7. Select OK (instead of Map It).
8. From the Search Results list that appears below the Geographies table, click on the link for the tract under Reference Maps.
9. Examine the map to ensure that it is a map for the address you requested. Note: If you want tract boundaries and labels to show but you do not want block group or block boundaries or labels on the map, select Change Boundaries and Features (near the top left of the screen). Leave the check marks for Census Tract but change the setting to empty boxes for Block Group as well as Block in both the Boundary and Label columns. (To remove a check mark, simply click again in that box and the check mark should be removed). Then click on Update and wait patiently until a new version of the map appears. (Note: if you have blocked popups on your internet browser, this updating process may not work properly until you allow at least temporary popups.) In the updated map the tract boundaries and numbers will still be there but the block level boundaries and labels will no longer be displayed.
10. Use the Print button on the screen or your browser's Print command to print a map.
11. Note: In some cases, the Quick Tables that are also offered in the Address Search results will be enough data, but many users will need to follow the Instructions for Finding the Data using American Factfinder's Data Sets to find more detailed data.

More about Census Tract Maps, at the bottom of this page, provides other options of how to find a tract map from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing plus information on census tract maps from other decennial censuses.

Finding the Data using American Factfinder's Data Sets

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

American FactFinder has 2000 Census data as well as 1990 Census data. The 2000 Census product information is available by geographic type (including census tract), subject, and product. If you need census tract data before 1990 in an online format, consult the Census Bureau's site for Census of Population and Housing publications to see if publications from the census of interest have been digitized.

Instructions to find census tract data using American Factfinder Data Sets:

1. Go to American FactFinder.
2. Select Data Sets by clicking on it.
3. Choose Decennial Census, then click on the tab for Census 2000 or 1990 Census.
4. Make a selection from the files listed under the census you selected and then click on the circle to the left of your choice so that a dot appears in the circle. Note for Census 2000 data: Summary Files 1 and 2 provide data on Census 2000 shortform (100 per cent) subjects. Summary Files 3 and 4 provide data on Census 2000 longform (sample data) subjects. Census Overview includes a list of the topics that were 100 per cent subjects and the topics that were in the sample. Questionnaires provides an opportunity to see the questionnaires used.
5. A menu will appear to the right of your choice. Select Detailed Tables.
6. Choose a selection method by clicking on "list". (The selected tab will be on top).
7. Select a geographic type by pulling down the menu and selecting Census Tract.
8. Select a state using the pull-down menu.
9. Select a county using the pull-down menu.
10. Select a geographic area by waiting for the list of census tracts in the county to appear and finish loading. Then use the pull-down menu and select your tract number by clicking on it. (Note: if you select your tract 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).
11. Click on Add. Your tract number should appear in the box under the Add button.
12. Click on Next.
13. 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 type in a keyword or choose from a pull-down menu of stubjects 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.
14. 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.
15. Click the Add button. The table names you selected should appear in the box under the Add and Remove buttons.
16. 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. Note: If you are using either the Census 2000 Summary File 2 or Summary File 4 data set, an additional step is necessary. Click on the Next button, and you will be able to select detailed race or ethnic groups and then Show Results. Summary File 4 allows you to select a detailed ancestry groups instead of race or ethnic groups if you wish to do so.
17. 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.
18. 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.

Citing the Data

For suggestions on how to cite data from American Factfinder, 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.

More about Census Tract Maps

To locate a community on a map and view its Census 2000 or 1990 tracts and their boundaries:

1. Go to American FactFinder.
2. Select Maps from the choices on the left side of the page, then choose Reference Maps.
3. Select the boundary grouping 2000 Census Tracts and Blocks by clicking on its button.
4. You have a choice of what to do next. Either input a ZIP code and click "Go"; this will generate a map of the ZIP code area showing census tract boundaries. Or select the state you want and a map will appear on which you click on the city or general part of the state you want OR, using the options on the left side of the screen, you can reposition by street address, ZIP code, latitude/longitude or a Geography you select (use the Geography choice in the line above the map to select either Census 2000 or 1990, the level of geography desired, and the place you want to map so that you can reposition the map by Geography to the area of interest to you).
5. Use the "Recenter and zoom in" and Zoom button features to display the desired area. You may have to Recenter and Zoom In several times to find the community of interest to you or to have readable street names. You also may move the map's focus area to the north, east, south, west, or diagonally by clicking on the arrows around the edge of the map.
6. Tract numbers, boundaries, and street names will all be displayed when you are at an appropriate Zoom level. (Having the Zoom button on the second, third, or fourth level from the right often works well for an urban area such as Los Angeles, California).
7. The legend on the left side of the screen will clarify which boundaries and labels are for census tracts and which are for block groups (smaller areas within a tract). Note: If you want tract boundaries and labels to show but you do not want block group or block boundaries or labels on the map, select Change boundaries (near the top on the left side of the page) and change the setting. Leave the check marks for Census Tract but change the setting to empty boxes for Block Group as well as Block in both the Boundary and Label columns. (To remove a check mark, simply click again in that box and the check mark should be removed). Then click on Update and wait patiently until a new version of the map appears. The tract boundaries and numbers will still be there but the block level boundaries and labels will no longer be displayed.
8. Use the onscreen option to print or download a map.

To map a specific census tract whose tract number is known:

You must know the state and county in which the tract is located as well as the tract number. For your convenience, you may wish to print this set of instructions before you begin.

1. Go to American FactFinder.
2. Select Data Sets by clicking on it.
3. Choose Decennial Census, then click on the tab for Census 2000 or 1990 Census.
4. Make a selection from those listed under the census you selected and then click on the circle to the left of your choice so that a dot appears in the circle.
5. A menu will appear to the right of your choice. Select Detailed Tables.
6. Choose a selection method by clicking on the "list" tab. (The selected tab will be on top.)
7. Select a geographic type by pulling down the menu and selecting Census Tract.
8. Select a state using the pull-down menu.
9. Select a county using the pull-down menu.
10. Select a geographic area by waiting for the list of census tracts in the county to appear and then using the pull-down menu to select your tract number.
11. Click on the Map It button.
12. This map shows both census tract and census block boundaries. If you want to print the map and want just the tract boundaries printed (which is less confusing when all the lines are printed in black), close the map and follow the steps below.
13. Click on Add. Your tract number should appear in the box under the Add button.
14. Change the selection method tab (near the top of the screen) from list to map by clicking on map.
15. A map of the United States should appear. A box for Geographic Selections under this map should list your tract number.
16. Use the pull-down menu to change the select/deslect box from the default (usually Nation or State) to Census tract.
17. On the left side of the page is a link to reposition by "the selected geography".
18. A map with the tract should appear. The legend on the left side of the screen will clarify which boundaries and labels are for census tracts and which are for block groups (smaller areas within a tract).
19. Select Change Boundaries and Features (near the top left of the screen). Leave the check marks for Census Tract but change the setting to empty boxes for Block Group as well as Block in both the Boundary and Label columns. (To remove a check mark, simply click again in that box and the check mark should be removed). Then click on Update and wait patiently until a new version of the map appears. (Note: if you have blocked popups on your internet browser, this updating process may not work properly until you allow at least temporary popups.)
20. In the updated map the tract boundaries and numbers will still be there but the block level boundaries and labels will no longer be displayed.
21. Use your browser's Print command to print a map.

Census 2000 Redistricting Data Map Products

• Census 2000 Redistricting Data Map Products includes directions for finding Portable Document Format maps of Census 2000 tracts online. In urban areas, this is generally more difficult than using American FactFinder. As an example, Los Angeles County has over 40 maps and you must use a map index to find the correct map for your area. This is made more complex as the index map for Los Angeles doesn't make it as obvious as it might that most of the City of Los Angeles is in "D" (other things are in larger print on the index map), a fact which complicates the process of finding the correct map file after you have looked at the index map. (Hopefully, this will be more user-friendly in the future; ask for help if you need it). Be aware that these PDF maps were created as very large map sheets. If you want to print these PDF maps, you need a plotter rather than an ordinary printer or you need to follow exactly the directions given near the end of Using Census Bureau PDF Map Files regarding how to print just a small section of a map using Windows and an ordinary printer.

Published maps showing census tract boundaries

• Data seekers in the Oviatt Library who need 1990 census tract maps may find them online or identify the census tract numbers they need for parts of Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, and Santa Barbara County by using special editions of Thomas Bros. Street Map Atlases which show the 1990 census tract boundaries and corresponding tract numbers as well as street names. These atlases are kept at the Oviatt Library Reference Desk.
• For several decennial censuses before 2000, printed maps accompanied the printed census tract reports. The maps sometimes appeared as pages in the printed data reports for smaller urban areas, but for larger metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, the maps usually were separately published sets. Unfortunately, these paper maps for densely populated urban areas often are very large (some are wall-size simply because of the number of census tracts included on each map), cumbersome to use, and it is difficult to make copies; a set for a large urban area usually has many map sheets in it, so you have to find both the set and then the correct map sheet as well. Since these maps often include only the streets and geographic features that were tract or other census-geography boundaries, it can become complicated to find out which tract you want unless you are very familiar with an area's geography. Generally speaking, using another method to identify a tract number or to find a tract maps is recommended whenever possible.

Created and maintained by Mary M. Finley
Questions or comments: mary.finley@csun.edu
Links checked: 10 January 2008