The results of the year 2000 Federal Census of Population and Housing provide important new benchmark data regarding the number and characteristics of population, households, and housing units. The release of data from Census 2000 began in March 2001 and will continue for several years.

Data Released to Date
Among the Census 2000 data released to date are the following:

• Redistricting Data
  Total population and population age 18 and over by race and Hispanic origin, for geographic areas including counties, cities, villages, towns, and census tracts and blocks.
  
  
• Demographic Profiles (complete count data)
  Population, household, and housing unit data from the Census 2000 "short form" (questions asked of everyone) for states, counties, cities, villages, towns, American Indian areas, and Congressional districts.
  
  
• Demographic Profiles (sample data)
  Social and economic population characteristics, and housing characteristics from the Census 2000 "long form" (questions asked of about 1 in 6 persons) for states, counties, cities, villages, towns, American Indian areas, and Congressional districts.
  
  
• Summary File 1 (complete count data)
  Population items including age, sex, race, and household relationship, and housing items including occupancy status and household size for all geographic areas including place, tract, block, and zip code area. These data are from the census "short form" (questions asked of everyone).
  
  
• Summary File 2 (complete count data)
  Population items including age, sex, household and family types, and housing occupancy status from the Census 2000 "short form" (questions asked of everyone) for 249 detailed population groups based upon race and Hispanic origin. Data are available for fewer geographic areas than Summary File 1. Geographic areas include states, counties, cities, villages, towns, tracts, American Indian areas, and metropolitan areas.
  
  
• Summary File 3 (sample data)
  Contains population items similar to those in Summary File 1, as well as data pertaining to school enrollment and educational attainment, marital status, disability status, residence in 1995, nativity and ancestry, language spoken, place of work and journey to work, employment status, industry and occupation of workers, income, and poverty status. Also contains housing-related items similar to those in Summary File 1, as well as data pertaining to units in structure, year structure built, status of heating and plumbing and kitchen facilities, vehicles available, number of bedrooms, value and rent, and housing costs relative to household income.
  
  Geographic areas include states, counties, cities, villages, towns, tracts, block groups, American Indian areas, metropolitan areas, urbanized areas, and zip code areas. Roughly half of the data is summarized down to the block group level, while the remainder, consisting of more detailed cross-tabulations of various subjects, is summarized down to the tract level.
  

Accessing Census Data on the Internet
The following websites can be used to access Census data:

American FactFinder
This Census Bureau website offers easy access to Census 2000 data, the 1990 census of population and housing, and the latest economic census. The point-and-click format allows the user to select from a list of available topics and geographic areas and retrieve the desired data tables for on-screen viewing, downloading, or printing.

Census Bureau Website
This website contains all available census data. There are links to American FactFinder, the Demographic Profiles, and QuickFacts on states and counties. The experienced user of census data, compressed files, and spreadsheet/database software can download raw data into a database for the most detailed census data.

Wisconsin Department of Administration
This website offers a link to some of the Census 2000 data, including the demographic profiles for all communities in Wisconsin, as well as the Department of Administration’s own population and housing estimates and projections.

Accessing Census Maps on the Internet
Census 2000 map products, including block, tract, and voting district boundaries by county, are available for online viewing, downloading, or printing.

Other Access to Census Data
In addition to viewing census data online, data on CD-ROM and other electronic media, printed maps, and publications can be obtained by request to the Census Bureau Product Catalog.

Schedule for Additional Releases
The planned release dates of additional Census 2000 data products can be viewed at the Census Release Schedule.

Additional Assistance
For SEWRPC staff assistance in accessing Census 2000 data, contact us at or 262-547-6721.

Page updated November 12, 2002