2011

Delivering What Users Want: The History of U.S. Census Small Area Data

2:00 pm EDT
Webinar

Webinar recordings and presentations are available to Members.

Since the late nineteenth century, the U.S. Census Bureau has met the growing demand for new types of small area data.  Beginning with the 1890 Census, the Census Bureau attempted to make small area data more routine and consistent and expand the scope of such data in its products. The Census Bureau was responding to requests from public health agents who wanted to investigate causes of disease, which, at that time, they saw as overcrowding, poor sanitation, and possibly topography.  Tract level data, first introduced in New York City in the 1910 Census, was added for other cities and became essential for social welfare programming, business purposes, and local government planning.  Fast forward to the internet age and widespread demand for Block Group and Block Level data for a host of applications.  Michael Snow, historian at the U.S. Census Bureau, will present this fascinating history of the development of small area data products.