Overview of NHGIS Datasets

NHGIS summary tables are organized into datasets distinguished by the years, geographic levels and topics they cover; by the data source and survey coverage (e.g., sample-based vs. 100% count); and by the breakdown variables available.

NHGIS datasets are in turn organized into dataset groups, each of which corresponds to a single census program or to specific data measurement or release years.

NHGIS Dataset Groups

2021 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 5 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2021 American Community Survey (ACS) Summary Files. One dataset contains the 1-Year Summary File, providing estimates of 2021 population and housing characteristics for areas with a population of 65,000 or more. The 5-Year Summary File provides estimates of average characteristics from 2017 through 2021. NHGIS divides it into 4 datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2020 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 4 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2020 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Summary File, which provides estimates of average characteristics from 2016 through 2020. NHGIS divides the Summary File into 4 datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels. Note: For most other ACS release years, NHGIS also includes data from the 1-Year Summary File, but the 2020 ACS release included only 1-Year Experimental Data Tables, which employ an experimental weighting scheme to address deficiencies in the 2020 sample due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NHGIS has not added the Experimental Data Tables because they include only nation- and state-level data for a smaller range of subjects than standard 1-Year Summary Files.

Back to top

2019 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 5 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2019 American Community Survey (ACS) Summary Files. One dataset contains the 1-Year Summary File, providing estimates of 2019 population and housing characteristics for areas with a population of 65,000 or more. The 5-Year Summary File provides estimates of average characteristics from 2015 through 2019. NHGIS divides it into 4 datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2018 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 5 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2018 American Community Survey (ACS) Summary Files. One dataset contains the 1-Year Summary File, providing estimates of 2018 population and housing characteristics for areas with a population of 65,000 or more. The 5-Year Summary File provides estimates of average characteristics from 2014 through 2018. NHGIS divides it into 4 datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2017 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 5 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2017 American Community Survey (ACS) Summary Files. One dataset contains the 1-Year Summary File, providing estimates of 2017 population and housing characteristics for areas with a population of 65,000 or more. The 5-Year Summary File provides estimates of average characteristics from 2013 through 2017. NHGIS divides it into 4 datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2016 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 5 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2016 American Community Survey (ACS) Summary Files. One dataset contains the 1-Year Summary File, providing estimates of 2016 population and housing characteristics for areas with a population of 65,000 or more. The 5-Year Summary File provides estimates of average characteristics from 2012 through 2016. NHGIS divides it into 4 datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2015 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 5 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2015 American Community Survey (ACS) Summary Files. One dataset contains the 1-Year Summary File, providing estimates of 2015 population and housing characteristics for areas with a population of 65,000 or more. The 5-Year Summary File provides estimates of average characteristics from 2011 through 2015. NHGIS divides it into 4 datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2014 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 5 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2014 American Community Survey (ACS) Summary Files. One dataset contains the 1-Year Summary File, providing estimates of 2014 population and housing characteristics for areas with a population of 65,000 or more. The 5-Year Summary File provides estimates of average characteristics from 2010 through 2014. NHGIS divides it into 4 datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2013 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 6 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2013 American Community Survey (ACS) Summary Files. One dataset contains the 1-Year Summary File, providing estimates of 2013 population and housing characteristics for areas with a population of 65,000 or more. The second dataset contains the 3-Year Summary File, providing estimates of average characteristics from 2011 through 2013 for areas with a population of 20,000 or more. The 5-Year Summary File provides estimates of average characteristics from 2009 through 2013. NHGIS divides it into 4 datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2012 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 6 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2012 American Community Survey (ACS) Summary Files. One dataset contains the 1-Year Summary File, providing estimates of 2012 population and housing characteristics for areas with a population of 65,000 or more. The second dataset contains the 3-Year Summary File, providing estimates of average characteristics from 2010 through 2012 for areas with a population of 20,000 or more. The 5-Year Summary File provides estimates of average characteristics from 2008 through 2012. NHGIS divides it into 4 datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2011 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 6 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2011 American Community Survey (ACS) Summary Files. One dataset contains the 1-Year Summary File, providing estimates of 2011 population and housing characteristics for areas with a population of 65,000 or more. The second dataset contains the 3-Year Summary File, providing estimates of average characteristics from 2009 through 2011 for areas with a population of 20,000 or more. The 5-Year Summary File provides estimates of average characteristics over the period from 2007 through 2011. It is divided here into 4 NHGIS datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2010 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 6 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2010 American Community Survey (ACS) Summary Files. The first dataset contains the 1-Year Summary File, providing estimates of 2010 population and housing characteristics for areas with a population of 65,000 or more. The second dataset contains the 3-Year Summary File, providing estimates of average characteristics from 2008 through 2010 for areas with a population of 20,000 or more. The 5-Year Summary File provides estimates of average characteristics from 2006 through 2010. It is divided into 4 NHGIS datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2009 American Community Survey

Group is comprised of 4 datasets derived from the US Census Bureau's 2009 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Summary File. The 5-Year Summary File provides estimates of average characteristics from 2005 through 2009. NHGIS divides it into 4 datasets, each providing tables for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2020 Census

Group is comprised of 4 datasets derived from US Census Bureau summary files. The Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC) is divided into 3 datasets, each providing data for a different set of geographic levels.

Back to top

2010 Census

Group is comprised of 6 datasets derived from US Census Bureau summary files. 2010 Summary File 1 is divided into 3 datasets, and 2010 Summary File 2 is divided into 2 datasets, each providing data for a different set of geographic levels. The data for school attendance areas was derived from block-level data as part of the School Attendance Boundary Information System (SABINS) project.

Back to top

2000 Census

Group is comprised of 26 datasets derived from US Census Bureau summary files. 8 datasets correspond to 2000 Summary Files 1 to 4, including 2 supplemental files for SF1 and SF2. SF1 and SF3 were both divided to separate out the smaller number of tables available at census block and block group levels. The tables in the PL 94-171 Redistricting File are repeated in SF1 for most geographic levels, so the NHGIS PL 94-171 dataset only provides data for geographic levels not in SF1. The remaining datasets in the group all correspond to files from the Census 2000 Special Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Tabulation.

Back to top

1990 Census

Group is comprised of 21 datasets derived from US Census Bureau summary tape files. 6 datasets correspond to 1990 Summary Tape Files 1 to 4. The 15 others correspond to selected supplemental 1990 summary files.

Back to top

1980 Census

Group is comprised of 15 datasets derived from US Census Bureau summary tape files. 8 datasets correspond to 1980 Summary Tape Files 1 to 4. The 7 others correspond to selected supplemental 1980 summary files. Some data files were expanded to provide explicit data on males and occupied housing units, as well as full census tract records.

Back to top

1970 Census

The 6 datasets in the 1970 Census dataset group correspond to the first 4 series ("Counts") of the Summary Computer Tape Files of the 1970 Census of Population and Housing. Note: this is the oldest NHGIS dataset group derived entirely from computer files produced by the US Census Bureau, involving no transcription from print sources.

Back to top

1960 Census

The 4 datasets in this group provide population and housing data from the 1960 Census for several geographic levels, including census tracts where available. A limited selection of US, state and county data were entered from printed census publications for ICPSR Study 02896, Parts 38-40. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.) Tract data are drawn from 2 sources (resulting in some redundancy): an electronic data file produced by the Census Bureau in 1971 and the 1960 Elizabeth Mullen Bogue File (ICPSR Study 2932), which was transcribed from printed census reports.

Back to top

1950 Census

The 6 datasets in this group provide population, housing and agriculture data from the 1950 Census for several geographic levels. This includes some population and housing data for census tracts where available. US, state and county data were entered from printed census publications for ICPSR Study 2896, Parts 35-37. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.) Tract data in datasets 1950_tPop_Misc and 1950_tPrP_LA were entered by the team of Andrew Beveridge, Queens College - City University of New York. Tract data in dataset 1950_tPH_Major were entered from printed census publications for the 1950 Elizabeth Mullen Bogue File (ICPSR Study 2931).

Back to top

1940 Census

The 6 datasets in this group provide population, housing, agriculture, and economic data from the 1940 Census for several geographic levels. This includes some population and housing data for census tracts where available. US, state and county data were entered from printed census publications for ICPSR Study 2896, Parts 32-34. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.) Tract data for New York City and Hawaii were entered by the team of Andrew Beveridge, Queens College - City University of New York. All other tract data, including the functionally equivalent New York City health areas data, were entered from printed census publications for the 1940 Elizabeth Mullen Bogue File (ICPSR Study 2930).

Back to top

1930 Census

The 22 datasets in this group provide population, housing, agriculture, and manufacturing data from the 1930 Census for several geographic levels. This includes some population and housing data for census tracts and enumeration districts where available. The US, state and county data were entered from printed census publications by the team of Michael Haines, Colgate University. Most of these data were originally published in ICPSR Study 02896, Parts 26-29 and 31. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.) Data in the 1930_cAg dataset were provided directly by Haines for NHGIS. Tract and ED data were entered from printed census publications by the team of Andrew Beveridge, Queens College - City University of New York.

Back to top

1920 Census

The 8 datasets in this group provide population, housing, agriculture, and manufacturing data from the 1920 Census for several geographic levels. This includes some population and housing data for census tracts and enumeration districts where available. The US, state and county data were entered from printed census publications by the team of Michael Haines, Colgate University. Most of these data were originally published in ICPSR Study 02896, Parts 24 and 25. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.) Data in the 1920_cAg dataset were provided directly by Haines for NHGIS. Tract and ED data were entered from printed census publications by the team of Andrew Beveridge, Queens College - City University of New York.

Back to top

1910 Census

The 7 datasets in this group provide population, housing, and agriculture data from the 1910 Census for several geographic levels. This includes, for the first time, some population data for census tracts and enumeration districts where available. US, state and county data were entered from printed census publications for ICPSR Study 02896, Parts 22, 23 and 85. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.) Tract and ED data were entered from printed census publications by the team of Andrew Beveridge, Queens College - City University of New York.

Back to top

1900 Census

The 3 datasets in this group provide population, housing, agriculture and manufacturing data from the 1900 Census for the US, states (including territories) and--in 2 datasets--counties. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Parts 20, 21 and 50. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1890 Census

The 4 datasets in this group cover population, agriculture and several other topics from the 1890 Census for the US, states (including territories) and--in 3 datasets--counties. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Parts 18, 19, 49 and 52. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1880 Census

The 4 datasets in this group cover population, agriculture and several other topics from the 1880 Census for the US, states (including territories) and--in 2 datasets--counties. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Parts 15-17 and 87. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1870 Census

The 6 datasets in this group cover population, agriculture and several other topics from the 1870 Census for the US, states (including territories) and--in 3 datasets--counties. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Parts 11-14, 43 and 47. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1860 Census

The 3 datasets in this group cover population, agriculture and several other topics from the 1860 Census for the US, states (including territories) and--in 2 datasets--counties. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Parts 9, 10 and 46. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1850 Census

The 3 datasets in this group cover population, agriculture and several other topics from the 1850 Census for the US, states (including territories) and--in 2 datasets--counties. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Parts 7, 8 and 45. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1840 Census

The 3 datasets in this group cover population, agriculture and several other topics from the 1840 Census for the US, states (including territories) and counties. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Parts 6, 42 and 44. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1830 Census

Group is comprised of 1 dataset covering population characteristics from the 1830 Census for the US, states (including territories) and counties. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Part 5. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1820 Census

Group is comprised of 1 dataset covering population characteristics from the 1820 Census for the US, states (including territories) and counties. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Part 4. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1810 Census

Group is comprised of 1 dataset covering population characteristics from the 1810 Census for the US, states (including territories) and counties. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Part 3. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1800 Census

Group is comprised of 1 dataset covering population characteristics from the 1800 Census for the US, states (including territories) and counties. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Part 2. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1790 Census

Group is comprised of 1 dataset covering population characteristics from the 1790 Census for the US, states (including territories) and counties. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Part 1. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1935 Census of Agriculture

The 1 dataset in this group covers agricultural topics from the 1935 Census of Agriculture for the US, states (including territories) and counties. A team led by Michael Haines at Colgate University entered the data from printed census publications, and NHGIS researchers organized the data into tables and assigned metadata on topics, categories, etc.

Back to top

1925 Census of Agriculture

The 1 dataset in this group covers agricultural topics from the 1925 Census of Agriculture for the US, states (including territories) and counties. A team led by Michael Haines at Colgate University entered the data from printed census publications, and NHGIS researchers organized the data into tables and assigned metadata on topics, categories, etc.

Back to top

1850-1959 Census of Agriculture

Group is comprised of 1 dataset reporting 1 variable--the average value of farmland and buildings per acre--for states and counties for each of the 16 US Censuses of Agriculture from 1850 to 1959. Censuses were taken at decennial intervals throughout the period, as well as in 1925, 1935, 1945, 1954 and 1959. Data were entered from a print source (Thomas J. Pressly and William H. Scofield, eds. Farm Real Estate Values in the United States by Counties, 1850-1959. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1965) for ICPSR Studies 0003, 0009 and 02896, Part 106.

Back to top

1998-2002 County Business Patterns (1997 NAIC Codes)

Group is comprised of 3 datasets of County Business Patterns (CBP) data from the US Census Bureau, covering the US, states, counties and ZIP code areas by year, 1998-2002. Differs from other CBP dataset groups in its use of 1997 North American Industry Classification (NAIC) codes.

Back to top

1988-1997 County Business Patterns (1987 SIC Codes)

Group is comprised of 3 datasets of County Business Patterns (CBP) data from the US Census Bureau, covering the US, states and counties by year, 1988-1997, as well as ZIP code areas for 1994-1997. Differs from other CBP dataset groups in its use of 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes.

Back to top

1974-1987 County Business Patterns (1972 SIC Codes)

Group is comprised of 2 datasets of County Business Patterns (CBP) data from the US Census Bureau, covering the US, states and counties by year, 1974-1987. Differs from other CBP dataset groups in its use of 1972 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes.

Back to top

1970-1973 County Business Patterns (1967 SIC Codes)

Group is comprised of 2 datasets of County Business Patterns (CBP) data from the US Census Bureau, covering states and counties by year, 1970-1973. Differs from other CBP dataset groups in its use of 1967 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes.

Back to top

1970-2007 Vital Statistics

Group is comprised of 1 dataset of vital statistics for the U.S., states, and counties in 1970, 1975, 1980, and 1985, and annually from 1990-2007. The data are derived from the USA Counties database of the U.S. Census Bureau, which includes birth and death data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates program. WARNING: Where county boundary changes occurred, the population estimates may be based on *different* county boundary definitions than the birth and death counts. In some cases, NHGIS has attempted to standardize the counts and rates to describe consistent county definitions. Elsewhere, NHGIS supplies a note to indicate where inconsistencies may occur. In these cases, the reported birth and death rates may be inaccurate and should be interpreted with caution.

Back to top

1959-1972 Vital Statistics

Group is comprised of 1 dataset of vital statistics for states and counties, 1959-1972. The 1959-1967 data are derived from printed annual reports from the U.S. Public Health Service. The 1968-1972 data are derived from individual-level microdata (either birth certificates or the Compressed Mortality File) from the National Center for Health Statistics. Michael Haines at Colgate University provided NHGIS with digital source data, and NHGIS researchers organized the data into tables and assigned metadata on topics, categories, etc.

Back to top

1939-1959 Vital Statistics

Group is comprised of 1 dataset derived from annual reports of vital statistics for states (including territories) and counties from the U.S. Census Bureau (1939-1944) and the U.S. Public Health Service (1945-1959). Michael Haines at Colgate University provided NHGIS with digital source data, which were entered from printed publications, and NHGIS researchers organized the data into tables and assigned metadata on topics, categories, etc.

Back to top

1915-1941 Vital Statistics

The 1 dataset in this group covers births and deaths data from the Census Bureau's vital statistics annual reports for states (including territories) and counties, limited in geographic extent to the Birth and Death Registration Areas established in each year. Michael Haines at Colgate University provided NHGIS with the source data, which were entered from printed census publications, and NHGIS researchers organized the data into tables and assigned metadata on topics, categories, etc.

Back to top

1867-2010 Vital Statistics

Group consists of 1 dataset provided by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research (NCFMR) at Bowling Green State University. NCFMR researchers derived the 2000 and 2010 data from county court record information obtained through individual state or county agencies. They derived the earlier data from print reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor (1867-1886), the U.S. Census Bureau (1890, 1900, 1916, 1922-1932), the National Office of Vital Statistics (1949-1950, 1952, 1957-1958), and the National Center for Health Statistics (1959-1987). NHGIS researchers reformatted the data and enriched the metadata for redistribution.

Back to top

1952 Survey of Churches and Church Membership

Group is comprised of 1 dataset of US, state and county religious institutions data from the 1952 Survey of Churches and Church Membership, conducted by the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Includes a selection of tables from the 1950 Census for reference. Digital source: ICPSR Study 0014 or 02896, Part 57. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1936 Census of Religious Bodies

Group is comprised of 1 dataset of state and county religious denomination data from the 1936 Census of Religious Bodies, conducted by the US Census Bureau. Includes population counts from the 1930 and 1940 Censuses for reference. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Part 56. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1926 Census of Religious Bodies

Group is comprised of 1 dataset of state and county religious denomination data from the 1926 Census of Religious Bodies, conducted by the US Census Bureau. Includes population counts from the 1920 and 1930 Censuses for reference. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Part 55. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1916 Census of Religious Bodies

Group is comprised of 1 dataset of state and county religious denomination data from the 1916 Census of Religious Bodies, conducted by the US Census Bureau. Includes population counts from the 1910 and 1920 Censuses for reference. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Part 54. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1906 Census of Religious Bodies

Group is comprised of 1 dataset of state and county religious denomination data from the 1906 Census of Religious Bodies, conducted by the US Census Bureau. Includes population counts from the 1900 and 1910 Censuses for reference. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Part 53. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1937 Census of Unemployment

Group is comprised of 1 dataset of US, state and county unemployment data from the US Census Bureau's 1937 Census of Partial Employment, Unemployment, and Occupations. Includes a selection of tables from the 1930 Census for reference. Digital source: ICPSR Study 02896, Part 30. (Updates in either the ICPSR or NHGIS data may have produced incomplete correspondence.)

Back to top

1934 Special Census of Chicago

The 1934 Special Census of Chicago was conducted by the Chicago Census Commission (not the US Census Bureau) in January of 1934 with the aid of over 2,800 men and women put to work by the Civil Works Administration . The purpose of this tract-level census was, as then Mayor Edward J. Kelly described, "...to know exactly what had been the effects of the depression upon changes of residences, occupancy of dwellings, housing needs, health of the people, etc." (Charles Shelton Newcomb, Richard O. Lang, Chicago Census Commission. Census Data of the City of Chicago, 1934. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, 1934). The data were digitally transcribed by the team of Andrew Beveridge, Queens College - City University of New York.

Back to top

1925 Special Census of Detroit

The 1925 Detroit City Census was conducted by the Detroit Board of Education (BOE) and not the US Census Bureau. While the BOE conducted an annual census of school-age population for appropriating state school funds, city officials suggested and approved a census of the entire population to benefit other city departments. The US Census Bureau provided a supervisor to ensure the data were also acceptable to the federal government. The city was divided into 570 census zones, but no data were tabulated for two of these (2162 and 2165). It is possible that these zones had no population, but the source documentation provides no explanation. The data were digitally transcribed by the team of Andrew Beveridge, Queens College - City University of New York.

Back to top

1920-1936 FDIC Bank Deposit Data

Group is comprised of 1 dataset of US annual bank data collected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), covering states and counties for 17 years, 1920 through 1936. Data for Wyoming and the District of Columbia are missing. Dataset was derived from ICPSR Study 0007, which received source files from the University of Wisconsin Department of Economic History.