Money Stories in Census Data
Where to find it, how to use it
For IRE 2015
By
Evan Wyloge
@EvanWyloge
Reynolds Center
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Finding Money Stories in Census Data
What we’ll cover:
History/overview
Contents (and geography)
Examples of use
Navigation … and CensusReporter.org
Stories you can produce right away
U.S. Census
What is it?
Why do we do it?
What the heck is in there?
U.S. Census
• A count of the population
• Done every 10 years
• Written into the U.S. Constitution
• First intended to facilitate proportional representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. Census
• First done in 1790 (counted 3.9M people)
• 22 Times since
• More detailed and nuanced each time
U.S. Census
American Community Survey
• Survey of 3,000,000/year (vs surveying all)
• Much more detailed than decennial census
• Began testing in 1996
• First official data begins in 2005
• Three flavors: 1-year, 3-year, 5-year
American Community Survey
U.S. Census
U.S. Census
Data on…
population (count, race/ethnicity, veteran/military...), business, the economy, education, employment, families, housing, income, health, wealth, trades
Census geography
Let’s get just a little technical now...
Census geography
Numerous layers of geographic areas that fit together to form larger geographic areas.
Census geography
Example: blocks combine into a block group. block groups into a tract.
Finding Money Stories in Census Data
What we’ll cover:
✓ History/overview
✓ Contents (and geography)
Examples of use
Navigation … and CensusReporter.org
Stories you can produce right away
Census data in action
Census data in action
Census website navigation
Data & Tools from Census Bureau:
Census data releases
Find out what’s new and/or coming up with the online calendar
Search by topic
Get the census bureau’s updates emailed to you!
Census website navigation
American FactFinder
An easier way…
CensusReporter
Take-home projects
Poverty
What do we want to know about poverty?
Take-home projects
Poverty, income inequality, gentrification
What do we want to know about poverty and income inequality?
Where is it increasing? Where is it decreasing? Who has been most affected?
How do we define gentrification?