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Retrieving Detailed Information from the US Census

In case the FactSheet from American FactFinder does not have enough detail, or you need information for several geographic areas, you will need to go to the various detailed data sets to obtain the information you want. Each data set presents different types of information for different geographic levels. Since retrieving information from any of them can be rather involved, it would be a good idea to make sure the data set you are using has the information you want for the geographic areas you want before you start. The good news is that the method for retrieving information is the same for all data sets.

Please note that AFF works best with Internet Explorer and you must have your pop-up blocker turned off or at least set to accept pop-ups from the AFF domain. The Census Bureau provides more detailed technical help.

The instructions below provide the basic process for retrieving information. Specific instructions for each of the five methods below are provided on separate pages. In the instructions below, you can click on the L to see an example in a new window; you may need to re-size the window for better resolution.

  1. When you first enter the data sets main page, you will be given a choice of which data set to use, as well as an explanation of the table and map formats. Once you have created your table or map, you will have the ability to save the query and load it at another time. You can also clear all the selections you have made and start over. For this example, we will create a "Detailed Table." L

  2. The first screen will present you with five different methods for retrieving your information:
    • List - this is the default. The list method is good if you want data at a geographic level that has common names, such as "Syracuse," "California," or a zip code. It can be difficult for anything at the tract level and lower since these only have numbers, and you must know the numbers to make your selections! L

    • Name - The name search allows you to enter the name of a state, city, etc and retrieve information for all geographic levels associated with that name. This could be useful for comparing different aggregations of data for the Syracuse City - County Subdivision, Syracuse City - Place, Syracuse MSA and Syracuse Urbanized Area.L

    • Address Search - The address search method allows you to enter an address and retrieve all geographic levels of information associated with that address.L

    • Map - The map search method is very useful when you want several, but not all geographic areas within another, or need to create your own area, such as the "University Neighborhood." L

    • Geo within geo - This method is good for when you want all geographies with another geography, such as all tracts within the city of Syracuse. L

  3. Once you have selected the geographic areas for which you want information, you will then choose which information (tables) you want. Note that you will only be able to select up to 50 tables at once. L
    1. Using the drop-down box, you can select which tables you want. You can either click on a table, then the "Add" button repeatedly, or you can hold down the "Ctrl" key, select several tables at once, then click on the "Add" button.L

    2. When you are done selecting your tables, click on the "Show Result" button.

    3. You will then be presented with your results. Depending on how many tables and geographies you selected, there may be many pages of results, so you may want to download the information to use in a spreadsheet or statistics package.

  4. To download the tables, put your cursor over the "Print/Download" link in the upper right corner of the screen and select "Download."L

    1. You will be presented with several choices of how to download the information. Click on the Explain my choices link to determine which is best for your needs.

    2. When you have made your selection, click "OK" and proceed with your browser's typical method of saving files.

  5. With large or complex queries, you may want to save all of the selections you made so you can easily retrieve them at a later time. To do so, go to the "Print/Download" link and select "Save Query." You will then be presented with your browser's file save dialog. You can select where to save the file and change the filename - DO NOT change the extension (the .xql part)! This will save all of the geography and table selections you've made.

    1. To re-run the query at another time, go to the datasets main page and click in the "Load Query" link near the upper right corner. You will be prompted to enter the filename of the saved query.

    2. Once you have filled in the file name, click the "Go" button, and the results you created previously will be re-generated.

    3. You will then be able to navigate back and add or drop tables and geographic areas.

    4. If you make changes to your query, be sure to save it again!!
  
 
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