Resources for Mapping Census Data
The Census Bureau provides maps, digital files for use in a Geographic Information System (GIS), and interactive mapping capabilities, in order to visualize census data. Many outside groups, such as other federal agencies, academics, and private sector companies, have also mapped census data and can provide tools to data users. Many of these groups host their own websites to aid census data users. We have compiled a list of sites that either map Census Bureau data or help you map census data.
The links below include both Census Bureau mapping resources as well as websites hosted by outside agencies and groups. Some websites contain map viewers, while others provide GIS-compatible files, and other tools and reference information, to aid data users with their own mapping software. All of the websites below offer their resources free. There are many websites that help users utilize Census Bureau data, but the list below is specific to those that help view our data spatially. In addition, although many state, county, and local governments provide great resources for their constituents, we are only listing websites that utilize our data on a national level.
U.S. Census Bureau Products
- 2010 Census Interactive Population Map
A map viewer displays 2010 Census data down to the census block level.
- American FactFinder
This tool lets data users access all decennial census, population estimates, economic census, and survey data for all available levels of geography. It also includes a map viewer with the option to download a shapefile.
- Census Data Mapper
A map viewer displays selected 2010 Census data by county and allows users to print a quality map.
- Census Explorer
An interactive map that gives users easier access to census tract-level statistics using 2008-2012 American Community Survey (ACS) data. Users can also compare the 2008-2012 ACS estimates to 2000 and 1990 Census data at the census tract level and higher for seven variables.
- Census Flows Mapper
A map viewer displays U.S. migration patterns by county and allows users to print a quality map.
- County Business and Demographics Map
This map viewer displays selected economic and demographic data on businesses at the national, state, and county levels.
- Language Mapper
The 2011 Language Mapper is an interactive map showing where people speak specific languages other than English.
- Metro and Micro Area Population Map Viewer
This map viewer shows patterns of population growth of metropolitan and micropolitan stastical areas by census tract.
An interactive tool maps data related to workers down to the census block level.
- OnTheMap for Emergency Management
An interactive tool maps workforce and population data for current national hazard and emergency related events.
- Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates Interactive Mapping
Their map viewer displays poverty and income data for states, counties, and school districts.
This is the Census Bureau's reference mapping tool that includes all geographic areas and features with 2010 population and housing unit counts.
Other Federal Government Resources
This site provides access to geospatial datasets from agencies across the Federal government.
- Geospatial Platform
This site provides geospatial data, maps, services, and applications from government agencies.
A clickable map allows users to obtain a data profile for an entity. The profiles include demographic and socioeconomic data from 2000-2009.
- The National Atlas
A map viewer displays Census 2000, 1990, and 1980 data.
- National Center for Education Statistics
A map viewer and data tables are available for the American Community Survey (ACS), Census 2000 and 1990.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
This website contains a map viewer with data tables from the American Community Survey (ACS) combined with data from the Census of Agriculture and the Bureau of Labor Statistics at the state and county level.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD offers shapefiles for special tabulation areas that the Census Bureau does not provide.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) MARPLOT
EPA offers an online mapping tool that combines 2010 Census data with EPA and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data.
- U.S. Library of Congress
They offer an archive for historical and specialty maps.
- U.S. National Archives
The website gives the public access to historical decennial census data, including actual census records (only up to and including the 1940 Census; records for the 1950 through 2010 censuses are protected and confidential).
Map Viewers and Interactive Mapping Tools
A map viewer that displays Census 2000, 1990, and 1980 data at the metropolitan statistical area, state, and county level.
- City University of New York Center for Urban Research
An interactive map that displays 2010 Census participation rates.
A site offering data sharing and a visualization tool. Maps are also available using keyword "Census."
A data visualization tool is available, along with maps and data.
- Measure of America from the Social Science Research Council
This website has an interactive map that displays the Human Development Index and variables from the American Community Survey (ACS) associated with the index. Data can also be downloaded.
A map viewer displaying American Community Survey (ACS) data.
- Social Explorer
This site offers an interactive map and reporting tool that uses data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and data from each census from 1790 to 2010.
- SocioEcon from FairData
An interactive map that shows socioeconomic characteristics from Census 2000 is available.
- Stanford University
A map viewer that displays Census 2000 data.
- University of Virginia
This site offers a map viewer and data tables that contain historical census data from 1790 to 1960.
- US2010 from Brown University
This website allows users to obtain population data dating back to 1970 using 2010-vintage census tract boundaries. A map viewer shows selected geographic boundaries from 1940-2010 and offers selected census data tables and reports.
- USA Today
This map viewer displays 2010 Census data, and change from Census 2000, for states, counties, and places.
- Washington Post
A map viewer that displays Census data from the 2010, 2000, and 1990 Censuses for states and counties.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Resources
Census-Related Reference Resources
- Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council
The website geocodes addresses to Census geography. Reference maps and 2010 Census data are also available.
- Missouri Census Data Center
They offer a nationwide geography correlation engine (MABLE/Geocorr) using Census 2000 and 2010 geography. Data users can also obtain 2000 and 2010 population around a radius using their circular area profiles.
- Missouri's Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis
Their website contains a tool that extracts data from several census datasets including Census 2000, 1990, and 1980, the American Community Survey (ACS), Population Estimates, and Economic Indicators. Relationship files are also available.
- University of Michigan
They offer census tract relationship files for each decade from 1970 to 2010.