Newsroom

Census Bureau Tip Sheet

A product of the U.S. Census Bureau's Public Information Office

Upcoming

American Community Survey

American Community Survey 2005-2007 PUMS Data Release — The Census Bureau releases 2005-2007 Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) files. The files are an extract of the full data set, released in a manner that avoids disclosure of information about households or individuals. PUMS files allow advanced data users to create customized tabulations beyond the standard tables. (Tentatively scheduled for release in mid-January.)

Foreign-Born Characteristics: 2007 — There were an estimated 38 million people in 2007 living in the United States who were born outside of the country. A new data product released with the 2007 data shows educational attainment, income, year of entry, occupations and more based on a group's country of birth. (Tentatively scheduled for release in mid-January.)

Demographic

Profile of Older Workers: 2004 — The Census Bureau has been releasing a series of state reports on workers 55 and older. California's report is expected in early January. Previously released reports are available at <http://lehd.did.census.gov/led/library/profiles_2007.html>.

Educational Attainment in the United States: 2007 — This report provides a portrait of academic achievement by demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, race and Hispanic origin at the regional and state level. It also specifies data for the native-born and foreign-born. Workers' median earnings by educational attainment are shown, broken out by sex, race and Hispanic origin. (Scheduled for release Jan. 7.)

School Enrollment in the United States: 2007 — Annual update at the national level on the demographics of Americans age 3 and older enrolled in classes — from nursery school through graduate studies — as well as those in vocational training. (Tentatively scheduled for release in mid-January.)

USA Counties — This information resource contains more than 6,000 data items for 3,141 counties, 50 states and the nation. Many new items are included this year, including 2008 data on the number of offices and total deposits for commercial banks and savings institutions, as well as 2007 data on federal government expenditures, Department of Defense expenditures and direct payments for individuals (retirement and disability). USA Counties is available at <http://censtats.census.gov/usa/usa.shtml>. (Scheduled for release in mid-January.)

Economic

2007 Service Annual Survey: Truck Transportation, Couriers and Messengers, and Warehousing and Storage Services — This industry series tracks business activity and revenues for firms that haul, warehouse and deliver America's freight. (Scheduled for release Jan. 8.)

2007 Service Annual Survey: Health Care and Social Assistance — From kidney dialysis to community food services, from chiropractors to optometrists, this sector focuses on care providers for individuals, whether medical care or social assistance. Users can track revenue by dollar figures or percent change. (Scheduled for release Jan. 13.)

2007 Service Annual Survey: Securities, Commodity Contracts and Other Financial Investments — Revenues for the financial industry are tracked yearly. Whether underwriting securities, managing portfolio assets or brokering commodities, these data track the change in revenue for firms that make up the securities section of the financial industry. (Scheduled for release Jan. 15.)

2007 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey — These data provide statistics on business spending for new and used structures and equipment, including all domestic, private, nonfarm businesses. These figures are critical to evaluate productivity growth, the ability of U.S. business to compete with foreign business, changes in industrial capacity and measures of overall economic performance. (Scheduled for release Jan. 22.)

2007 Service Annual Survey: Information Sector Services — These data show revenues for establishments typically engaged in activities associated with transforming information into a commodity. From cultural products, such as motion pictures, to the distribution of information through different media, such as wireless signals for cell phones, this sector covers everything from production and processing to distribution of information. (Scheduled for release Jan. 22.)

Facts for Features

Irish-American Heritage Month (March) and St. Patrick's Day (March 17) — May the "luck o' the Irish" be with you as you peruse this edition of the Facts for Features. It is filled with statistical information from the Census Bureau's demographic and economic subject areas on the nation's Irish-American population and other facets of this celebration of all things Irish. (Scheduled for release Jan. 5.)

Women's History Month (March) — In commemoration of this annual observance highlighting and celebrating the varied and historic accomplishments of women, this edition provides statistical information on topics such as earnings, education, business ownership, voting, occupations, military service and marriage. (Scheduled for release Jan. 5.)

Super Bowl XLIII (Feb. 1) — An array of statistics from the Census Bureau's demographic subject areas relating to the 43rd edition of our nation's most celebrated sporting event. The game has evolved into the nation's most-watched television broadcast of the year and the day on which it occurs, Super Bowl Sunday, into a de facto national observance. Includes data for Tampa, Fla., site of the big game, as well as cities represented by the two participating NFL teams. (Tentatively scheduled for release Jan. 21.)

Broadcast/Photo/Multimedia/Television

Radio

Profile America and Al Día (Spanish) for January — Profile America is a daily, 60-second feature that uses interesting vignettes from key events, observances or commemorations for that day to highlight information collected by the Census Bureau. Upcoming segments include the anniversary of statehood for our northernmost outpost in "Alaska's 50th " (Jan. 3 ) and the anniversary of a commercial aviation breakthrough in "First Scheduled Coast-to-Coast Flight " (Jan. 25 ). The January daily features are available at <http://www.census.gov/multimedia/www/radio/>.

The URL for MP3 downloads, WAV files and subscription podcast access is <http://www.census.gov/multimedia/www/radio/profile_america/>. Profile America and Al Día daily features can be downloaded individually and for the entire month via zip files at <http://www.census.gov/multimedia/www/radio/>.

Recently Released

(Since Dec. 19, 2008)

American Community Survey

The American Community Survey: What the Media Needs to Know — This is a new handbook that describes how the ACS is designed, key concepts and how to get the most out of the survey data. It explains the various ways to find and access ACS data and the best ways for novice and experienced journalists to use the estimates. Step-by-step articles are included on how journalists have used the ACS to find and improve their published work. ACS Compass products are available at <http://www.census.gov/acs/www/UseData/Compass/compass_series.html>.

Demographic

New Year's Day Population — Dec. 29 — As our nation rings in the new year, the U.S. Census Bureau projected the Jan. 1, 2009, total U.S. population to be 305,529,237 - up 2,743,429, or 0.9 percent, from New Year's Day 2008. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb08-191.html>.

Profile of Older Workers: 2004: Kansas — Dec. 23 — The Census Bureau has been releasing a series of state reports on workers 55 and older. Kansas’ report is the latest release and is available at <http://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/ledow04ks.pdf>. Previously released reports are available at <http://lehd.did.census.gov/led/library/profiles_2007.html>.

State Population Estimates: July 1, 2008 — Dec. 22 — Utah was the nation’s fastest-growing state between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, as its population climbed 2.5 percent to 2.7 million. California remained the most populous state, with about 36.8 million people. Internet tables show population estimates and components of change for the nation, states and Puerto Rico. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb08-187.html>.

Economic

2007 State and Local Government Public Employee-Retirement Systems — Dec. 29 — State and local government defined-benefit employee retirement systems paid $168 billion to 7.5 million retirees and survivors in fiscal year 2007. Data are shown for individual retirement systems as well as aggregately at the national, state and local levels. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/governments/cb08-189.html>.

2008 3rd Quarter Summary of State and Local Government Tax Revenue — Dec. 23 — Quarterly tax revenue data on property, sales, license, income and other taxes. Data are shown for individual state governments as well as national-level estimates of total state and local taxes, including 12-month calculations. This quarterly survey has been conducted continuously since 1962. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/govs/qtax/>.

Broadcast/Photo/Multimedia/Television

Video

2010 Census: A New Portrait of America — This informational video explains how communities benefit from Census Bureau data collection efforts. Testimonials describe the importance of a complete and accurate count and why the 2010 Census will be the most important count in our nation's history. It shows data collection operations in action. Running time is 3:10. Internet address: <http://2010.census.gov/mediacenter/>.

Radio

Profile America and Al Día (Spanish) for December — Profile America segments included a breakthrough cartoon in “‘Snow White’ Debuts” (Dec. 22) and the founding of one of our most beautiful national treasures in “Shenandoah Park” (Dec. 27). Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/multimedia/www/radio/>.