Planning and Urban Studies: Government Information
Print Resources
The Earl K. Long Library does house some print Census resources. If you need to use these resources, contact your documents librarian to schedule an appointment.
Measuring America : the decennial censuses from 1790 to 2000 is a popular resource. It can be located in the federal documents stacks at C 3.2:M 46/2; it is also available online.
Electronic Resources
- American Community SurveyThe American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing survey that provides data every year -- giving communities the current information they need to plan investments and services. Information from the survey generates data that help determine how more than $400 billion in federal and state funds are distributed each year.
- Explore Census DataOnline census information - 2000 & 2010
- Social ExplorerSome material requires a subscription, but there is free access to census reports and maps.
- Louisiana Census Data - New OrleansQuick facts from the 2010 Census - Louisiana and New Orleans
- Louisiana State Census Data CenterDemographics and Census Geography for Louisiana.
Historical Census Data
- Decennial Censuses of the United States 1790-2010All documents are in PDF format with a filesize ≤1MB unless otherwise stated.
- United States Historical Census BrowserThe Historical Census Browser is provided by the University of Virginia and allows users to view state and county Census data by year, or by topics over time. It also has some mapping capabilities.
- Census Atlas of the United StatesThe complete content, in PDF format, of the recently published Census Atlas of the United States, the first comprehensive atlas of population and housing produced by the Census Bureau since the 1920s. The Census Atlas is a large-format publication about 300 pages long and containing almost 800 maps. Data from decennial censuses prior to 2000 support nearly 150 maps and figures, providing context and an historical perspective for many of the topics presented.
City and County Information
The Government Documents collection is heavily used by students in planning and urban studies. The U.S. Census of Population and Housing is a key resource, as are several census publications which focus on cities and counties specifically:
County and City Data Book
Combines selected census data (economic, population and housing) and tabulates by country, region, state, county, city (25,000 or more), and place (2500 or more).
2007 is the latest edition and is online http://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/07ccdb/ccdb-07.pdf
Fed Docs. C3.134/2: C83/2 (Most recent print year available: 2000 in Fed Doc Ready Reference.) Earlier years shelved in Fed Doc Reference.
USA Counties
Provides detailed information on population, economics, education, health, elections, etc. Includes spans of years.
2007 is the latest edition and is online http://censtats.census.gov/usa/usa.shtml
Earlier years Fed Docs C 3.134/6: CD-ROM (Most recent year available: 1998.) Ask at Reference Desk.
County Business Patterns
Provides economic and employment information at the state and county level, by SIC code.
Current year is online http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/
Earlier years C 3.204/4: CD-ROM (Most recent year available: 2000/01.) Ask at Reference.
To visit the web page for the Bureau of the Census, which offers online versions of many of these documents, click here