The main input files for production of U.S. Decennial Censuses on 2010 Geographies were:
- Decennial Census Data (Census 1970, Census 1980, Census 1990, Census 2000). U.S. Decennial Census datasets are readily available through Social Explorer reporting system. Following U.S. Decennial Census Count and Summary Files were used for producing U.S. Decennial Censuses on 2010 Geographies:
-
Census 2000: Summary File 1 (100% Data) and Summary File 3 (Sample Data)
-
Census 1990: Summary Tape File 1 and Summary Tape File 3
-
Census 1980: Summary Tape File 1 and Summary Tape File 3
-
Census 1970: Count 4
-
Longitudinal Tract Data Base (LTDB) provides estimated weights for interpolation of historical data to 2010 boundaries for a standard set of variables from decennial census from 1970 through 2000. The LTDB offers researchers a versatile, open-source approach to study census tract data in a longitudinal framework. For 2000-2010 the estimation methods are similar to those that have proved useful in the past, and they can be combined with input data from Neighborhood Change Data Base (NCDB) from 1970-1990 to update those estimates to 2010 boundaries. LTDB harmonized data facilitates studies of neighborhood change, such as population growth and decline, shifts in racial and ethnic composition, home ownership, and socioeconomic status. The long time series, extending over four decades, may make possible estimation of more complex models, such as reciprocal causation or varying time lags. The comparison of areal only and area population interpolation may not prove to be the same in other contexts, but the more general finding - that spatial dependence of characteristics measured as rates or percentages tends to minimize errors in interpolation even when actual counts are over or under estimated - may be widely applicable. LTDB can be acessed through the official website
