How To Create A Census

Census 2010

Census 2010 is the most recent decennial census, which generates population counts by age, sex, race/ethnicity, for people living in households and group quarters, as well as counts of housing units, both occupied and vacant.

The decennial (every 10 year) U.S. Census aims to count every resident in the United States. It is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution and has been taking place since 1790. The data collected by the decennial census determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to direct the distribution of federal funds. The results of each decennial census are also used by states for redistricting. Redistricting is when state officials realign congressional and state legislative districts, taking into account population shifts since the last census and assuring equal representation for their constituents.

Users should note that the 2000 decennial census was the last recent census that contained both a short form (given to all of the population) and a long form (given to just a sample, or portion, of the population). Historically, the long form generated the data regarding detailed social, economic and housing characteristics. However, these data are now collected by the ongoing American Community Survey and were not asked in the 2010 decennial census. Learn more about the American Community Survey (ACS). ACS data are featured in various places in our Data By Topic section. Click here to review the 10 questions that appeared on the 2010 Census form and learn about the purpose of each question or here to download a copy of the questionnaire.

We've catalogued some of the most popular datasets from the 2010 decennial census in the tabs below. Additional tools for locating data 2010 decennial data follow.

The tools below may help you find the 2010 Census data you need.

data.census.gov

The U.S. Census Bureau's new data retrieval tool replaces the old American FactFinder. The new table display feature allows the user to dynamically add geographies, topics, or any applicable filters.

The following tools (not sponsored by the Census Bureau) also allow users to access 2010 and earlier decennial Census data.

Minnesota Compass

Minnesota Compass, a project of Wilder Research, features thousands of interactive graphs, maps, and tables for MN geographies. Its Demographics Topic section is rich with decennial data on total population, race and ethnicity, and age data, often dating back to the 1950 or 1960 decennial census. By using the dropdown menus in the gray banner above any graph, users can change geographies, further disaggregate data by subgroups, view data tables, or download data in a CSV file. Geographic profiles contain popular 2000 decennial data points compared more recent data.

National Historic Geographic Information System (NHGIS)

NHGIS, a project of the University of Minnesota Population Center, provides free aggregate census data and GIS-compatible boundary files for volumes of decennial data back to 1790 as well as the more recent American Community Survey data. Users have to create a free account to extract data. Statistical software not required; Microsoft Excel will suffice.

IPUMS-USA

Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS-USA)

IPUMS-USA, a project of the University of Minnesota Population Center, provides free, anonymized individual record census data ( microdata ) samples for volumes of decennial data back to 1850 as well as the more recent American Community Survey data. The data may be tabulated by advanced users for geographies down to the Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) level, which contain at least 100,000 people. Users have to create a free account to tabulate data online or extract data. Statistical software required for extracts.