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Census Bureau Releases 2011 Edition of the Statistical Abstract
The Census Bureau recently released the 2011 edition of the Statistical Abstract. Contained in the 130th edition are 1,407 tables of social, political, and economic facts that collectively describe the state of our nation and the world. This year, there are 65 new tables, covering topics such as insufficient rest or sleep, nursing home occupancy, homeschooling, earthquakes, U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions, organic farmland, honey bee colonies, crashes involving distracted drivers, and cities with the highest transit savings. The statistics come not only from the Census Bureau but also from other governmental agencies and private organizations. The data generally represent the most recent year or period available by summer 2010. Most are national-level data, but some tables present state- and even city- and metropolitan-level data as well. Every edition of the Statistical Abstract dating back to 1878 is available in PDF or zip files on the Census Bureau’s website.
Census Bureau Releases Version 5 of OnTheMap
The Census Bureau recently released Version 5 of OnTheMap, an interactive mapping tool that allows both novice and experienced computer users to create, print, and download workforce related maps, charts, profiles, and reports. Version 5 includes a number of important new features and enhancements, such as: the addition of data for Connecticut, new analysis types (including Area Comparison, Destination, Distance/Direction, and Inflow/Outflow), and a redesigned user interface with a dashboard layout.
2010 Census: Data Collection Operations
The General Accounting Office (GAO) recently released three reports on the U.S. Census Bureau and the 2010 Census.
- The first report states that Census completed the field data collection phase of the 2010 Census consistent with its operational plans. However, at $13 billion, the 2010 Census was the costliest Census in the nation’s history.
- The second report highlights the effort the Census Bureau put forth to conduct a complete and accurate count of the nation’s population and housing. Yet some degree of error in the form of persons missed, duplicated, or counted in the wrong place is inevitable due to the complexity in counting a large and diverse population.
- The third report addresses concerns about overcoming the long-standing challenge of enumerating hard-to-count (HTC) groups such as minorities and renters. To overcome these challenges, the Census Bureau used outreach programs, such as paid advertising, and partnered with thousands of organizations to enlist their support for the Census.
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Notable Data Publications
Each week, the APDU Data Update identifies recent statistical agency data releases of interest to APDU members.
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Calls for Comment
APDU maintains a list of open calls for comment on proposed federal data collections (http://www.apdu.org/advocacy.asp). We periodically alert APDU members to newly added calls for comment. Over the last several weeks, calls for comment on the following proposed data collections were published in the Federal Register (with due date):
Census Bureau
- Proposed Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) Criteria and Guidelines for the 2010 Census and American Community Survey (February 28, 2011)
- National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR) Cell Phone and Debit Card Test (February 10, 2011)
- Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey (March 7, 2011)
- Monthly Retail Trade Survey (March 8, 2011)
Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Consumer Price Index Commodities and Services Survey (March 14, 2011)
Employment and Training Administration
- Workforce Information Grants to States Application Instructions for PY 2011 (March 7, 2011)
Office of the Chief Information Officer, HUD
- Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (February 9, 2011)
Administration for Children and Families
- National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being–Second Cohort (NSCAW II) (March 7, 2011)
Food and Drug Administration
- Health and Diet Survey (March 8, 2011)
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Using the 2005-2009 American Community Survey 5-year Data to Study Small Areas and Change Over Time
Thursday, January 20, 2011
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
Register here
In December 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau released the first-ever 5-year estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). Totaling more than 11 billion individual estimates, the new release includes the first full set of small-area estimates provided since Census 2000. The 2005-2009 ACS 5-year estimates make it possible for researchers to characterize and compare small areas and—in some cases—to investigate how characteristics have changed since Census 2000. This webinar will provide background on the American Community Survey, a brief demonstration of how to get the different data products, and a discussion of best practices in using the data to study small areas and change over time. The webinar will consist of a 40-minute presentation followed by a 20-minute question and answer period.
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Accessing Business Data Available in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Research Data Center Network
Thursday, January 27, 2011
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
Register here
Research Data Centers (RDCs) are secure Census Bureau facilities, staffed by Census Bureau personnel and meeting all physical and computer security requirements for access to non-public data. At RDCs, researchers from academia, federal agencies, and other institutions with approved projects receive restricted access to Census Bureau data files that are not publicly available. Projects must have a statistical purpose in order to be approved. In addition, the Center for Economic Studies (CES) judges each proposal against five standards: potential benefits to the Census Bureau; scientific merit; clear need for restricted data; feasibility with data available in the RDC system; and no disclosure risk.
This webinar will provide information about some of the business data which can be accessed through the RDC Network and about the process to obtain access to data within the RDCs. Topics to be covered include: The Employer Universe: The Business Register and the Longitudinal Business Database; The Economic Census Program; The Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics Data; Newly Discovered Microdata on U.S. Manufacturing Plants from the 1950s and 1960s; and a Guide to the Proposal Process and Using an RDC.
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