Accessing and Using Block Group DataFrom the ACS

Warren A. BrownCornell Institute for Social and Economic Research

Using ACS Data for Block Groups

Mapping to Identify Block Groups

Accessing Via DataFerrett

Improving Reliability

Using ACS Data for Block Groups

Mapping to Identify Block Groups

Accessing Via DataFerrett

Improving Reliability

Mapping in AFF: City of Auburn, NY

Mapping in AFF: City of Auburn, NY

Mapping Census Tracts

Mapping Block Groups

Block Groups of Interest

List of Block GroupsState County Tract Block Group

36 011 40700 1

36 011 40700 2

36 011 41700 1

36 011 41700 2

36 011 41700 3

36 011 41700 4

36 011 41700 5

36 011 41800 1

36 011 41800 2

36 011 41800 3

36 011 41800 4

36 011 41800 5

36 011 42100 1

Using ACS Data for Block Groups

Mapping to Identify Block Groups

Accessing Via DataFerrett

Improving Reliability

Log in to DataFerretthttp://dataferrett.census.gov

Select “DataFerrett”

Enter email address

Step 1: Get Data

Locate the ACS Summary Data

Listed below the “5-Year Summary File” are the tables. Scroll down to find the desired topics.

Select Topic Table

Selected table B25091 dealing with home owner costs. Click on the topic to view all the variables (rows) making up the table.

Select Variables

Click to highlight rows of the table. Then click on box for “Browse…” to select variables.

Features and Limitationsof ACS Summary File

A pop up notice providing info about current release

Important Features and Limitations of the Current Release of the ACS 5-Year Summary File in DataFerrett

December 2011

I.  Introduction

II.  Important Features and Limitations of the DataFerrett Release on January 31, 2011

III.  Known Bugs

IV. Geography

I.  Introduction

What is available?.

What should I do before accessing this dataset in DataFerrett? … go through the

Supplement to the User Guide for the ACS Summary File

How do I access the ACS Summary File data in DataFerrett?

Differences between the data extracted from DataFerrett and the data downloaded from the Census Bureau FTP site user selects tables from a list and views or downloads the

selected data.

II.  Important Features and Limitations (partial list for presentation)

All 930 detailed tables in the ACS Summary File are included

All tables released at the census block group level are included

Thematic mapping is available for several geographic summary levels

For detailed information about the geographic areas for which a detailed table is available, see Appendix E of the ACS Summary File Tech Doc.

New! Margins of Error (MOEs) are now treated as attibutes of the estimates. This means they are no longer selectable as independent variables. The user can now choose to include or exclude the margins of error in an extract. If they are to be included, they can be output in a separate file or interleaved with the estimates in a single extract file.

Back to Selecting Variables

Browse/Select Variables & Values

For each Table select the variables (rows) 1 or select ALL variables (whole table) 2 . Then press “OK” 3

1

2

3

Confirmation of Selected Variables

Geographic Variables Required

Double click on the variable with the X

Select Geography Unit: Census Block Group

Select Block Group within Census Tract

Select Census Tract within County

Select County within State

Select State: New York

Select County: Cayuga

Select Tracts: 407; 417; 418; 421

Select Block Groups

Block Groups Selected - Finish

Step 2: Download Data

Save Codebook

Codebook

Select Download Options

Notice of Batch Mode

Save Query Commands

Email Link to Requested Data

Email Link to Requested DataEstimates and MOE Files

Estimates

Estimates in Excel

Margins of Error

Margins of Error in Excel

Using ACS Data for Block Groups

Mapping to Identify Block Groups

Accessing Via DataFerrett

Improving Reliability

Interest in webinar?

Mapping and Identifying Tracts and Block Groups

Accessing ACS Data for Tracts and BGs

Assessing Reliability of Estimates

Preparing Reliable Reports

Contact Info:Warren A. BrownCornell Institute for Social and Economic ResearchE: warren.brown@cornell.eduT: 607-255-1365W: ciser.cornell.edu