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SI 547: Engaging with Communities

Research guide for School of Information 547 Engaging with Communities taught by Prof. Edras Rodriguez-Torres Fall 2024

Finding Census Data

Learn more about census data from the U.S. Census and Demographic Information Research Guide

To search by address and identify tract numbers use the Census Geocoder

Look up Census terminology in the Census Glossary

About the 2020 Decennial Census

The 2020 Census is part of the decennial census program mandated by the US Constitution. The decennial census is used for apportioning Congressional seats, as well as many other purposes, such as demographic research, allocating funding, and informing public policy. The 2020  questionnaire is short, covering these topics:

  • Race
  • Ethnicity
  • Sex
  • Age
  • Household Relationship
  • Housing Tenure (own or rent)

Census Data - American Community Survey

The ACS is an ongoing sample survey which began in 2005. Questions asked cover:

•age
•sex
•race
•family and relationships
•income and benefits
•health insurance
•education
•veteran status
•disabilities
•where you work and how you get there
•where you live and how much you pay for some essentials
•and other topics related to people, households, families and housing

Census Data - Household Pulse

The Household Pulse Survey began in 2020 to measure how the coronavirus pandemic and other emergent issues are impacting households across the country from a social and economic perspective. 

The HPS also asks about core demographic household characteristics (including sexual orientation and gender identity), as well as the following topics:

  • Access to infant formula
  • Children’s mental health treatment
  • COVID-19 vaccinations and long COVID symptoms and impact
  • Use of antivirals to treat COVID-19
  • Education, specifically K-12 enrollment
  • Childcare arrangements
  • Employment
  • Food sufficiency
  • Housing security
  • Household spending, including energy expenditures and consumption
  • Inflation concerns and changes in behavior due to increasing prices 
  • Physical and mental health
  • Feelings of pressure to move from rental home
  • Transportation, including behavioral changes related to the cost of gas
  • Health insurance coverage (including Medicaid)
  • Shortage of critical products
  • Impact of living through natural disasters
Last Updated: Nov 11, 2024 7:51 AM
Subjects: Course Help