Research Guides: Urban Planning &amp; Development: GIS & the Census

GIS Layers & Data From the Census Bureau

Census Data Site (Official)
Data.Census.gov is the official source for U.S. Census data. It offers a single search box interface for finding Census and ACS data. All new data will be released here. Documentation and how-to information from the Census
Tiger/Line Shapefiles with Demographic Data
Download shapefiles that include Census Demographic Profile data and Tiger/Line geographic data for all states, counties, census tracts, congressional districts, places and more. Also download block level files by state. 2010-2017.
Additional Tiger Products
The Census Bureau has other Tiger products available for download as shapefiles for use in GIS. Boundary files are available for a variety of geographies and generally are not available earlier than 1990.

National Historical GIS (NHGIS)

The National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS) includes Decennial Census data from 1790-2010, as well as selected data from the American Community Survey, County Business Patterns, Census of Religions, Special city Censuses of Chicago & Detroit and more. All of this data is available for download along with the accompanying boundary files. This is the easiest way to import and use Census data in ArcGIS. Refer to the directions below for importing and joining tables with geographic boundaries. Free registration is required to download data.

NHGIS Data Finder
Select geography, year, variables, etc. you want for download. Don't forget to select source tables AND GIS boundary files for download.
How to Join Data Tables and Boundary Files
Instructions from NHGIS on joining data tables and boundary files in ArcGIS.
NHGIS User Guide
More instructions and topics for using NHGIS. Also see the FAQ for more information.

U.S. Census & American Community Survey

Some important sources of Decennial Census and American Community Survey data. See slides to the right for a brief introduction to the differences between Decennial Census and American Community Survey Data. For more information, see the U.S. Census Information guide.

The Decennial Census & the American Community Survey
Not sure if you need Decennial Census Data or American Community Survey Data? These slides offer a brief comparison of the ACS and the Decennial Census, what is included in each, and where to find more information and data.

Social Explorer This link opens in a new window
Includes Census and ACS data from 1790 to present in a user friendly mapping interface. Easiest way to identify census tracts and see change over time. Even if you will be doing your own mapping, this database is a good place to start to identify geographic boundaries and get a feel for the data before creating your own GIS map. It also allows you to easily become familiar with the types of data available through Census and ACS before doing a deep dive.
PolicyMap This link opens in a new window
PolicyMap is a multi-disciplinary interactive online mapping and visualization tool that provides access to data, including, demographic, spending, housing, quality of life, economy, health and more.

Census Data Site (Official)
Data.Census.gov is the official source for U.S. Census data. It offers a single search box interface for finding Census and ACS data. All new data will be released here. Documentation and how-to information from the Census
Missouri Census Data Center
The Census Data Center does some of its own tabulations, so there is data here not available elsewhere. They also have 1980 and 1990 still available for download, as well as select older data. See especially the ACS profiles & trends for easy downloading of all data for a particular year and geography.
NHGIS
The data behind Social Explorer. Data from this site is available to download as a shapefile and is the best option for historical data to be imported into GIS.
U.S. Census Bureau
Descriptions of programs and surveys, including methodology and data. See "Geography" to download shapefiles of Census geography for use in GIS.

Neighborhood Research?

Don't forget to check out the Neighborhood and Community Census Data page for information on how to study neighborhood and other local boundary areas using Census data.

Urban Planning & Development

Reference Sources

GIS Layers & Data From the Census Bureau

National Historical GIS (NHGIS)

U.S. Census & American Community Survey

Neighborhood Research?