2020 Census data update

On August 12th the United States Census Bureau released redistricting data from the 2020 Decennial census to the public, alongside videos, visualizations, and other resources. 

About the 2020 Decennial Census redistricting data

These data capture the demographic characteristics of the nation on April 1st, 2020 at the state level and down to census blocks:

• Population totals
• Voting-age population (i.e. age 18 and up)
• Race and Hispanic/Latino origin
  
• Occupied and vacant housing units
• Population totals in group quarters (i.e. nursing homes, prisons, military barracks, and college dorms).
  

Population totals from the data are used by states to redraw electoral district lines (or, "redistrict") based on population size, and to determine where funding goes. North Carolina, for example, gained one seat in the US House of Representatives due to a 9.5% increase in the state population from 9.5 million people in 2010 to 10.4 million in 2020. 

Census Info Available Through Oxford

As most of you know, the current shutdown in Washington is limiting the access that scholars and researchers have to vital materials, including the US Census website.  To that end, Oxford University Press and the Social Explorer team will open up access to Social Explorer –for the next two weeks.  Social Explorer provides access to the US Census data from 1790 to 2010 and to the American Community Survey from 2005 through 2012.

 For access to Social Explorer, simply email onlinereference@oup.com to request a username and password.  (you can share this info with patron who need to use census data).  I actually got one it's so generic that I don't think there is any problem with sharing.

Username: trysocialexplorer

Password: govshutdown

  .

 About Social Explorer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJfh7h1IpjY

Social Explorer provides quick and easy access to current and historical census data and demographic information. The easy-to-use web interface lets users create maps and reports to illustrate, analyze, and understand demography and social change. In addition to its comprehensive data resources, Social Explorer offers features and tools to meet the needs of demography experts and novices alike. From research libraries to classrooms to government agencies to corporations to the front page of the New York Times, Social Explorer helps the public engage with society and science.

1940 census

Is finally here. We don't get many geneological questions, but still good to know about. I have a brief description and links to the user guides.