Cartographic Boundary Files

What Are They?

The cartographic boundary files are simplified representations of selected geographic areas from the Census Bureau’s MAF/TIGER geographic database.   These boundary files are specifically designed for small scale thematic mapping. 

Generalized boundary files are clipped to a simplified version of the U.S. outline.  As a result, some off-shore areas may be excluded from the generalized files.  A simplified U.S. outline is available for download for reference (500k, 5m, 20m).

For more details about these files, please see our Cartographic Boundary File Description page.

Download Files

Cartographic Boundary files are available in shapefile format for the 2010 Census, Census 2000, and selected geographies for other years.  File-based metadata will be coming soon.

• Nation-based Files
  • Congressional Districts
  • County
  • Division:  500k, 5m or 20m
  • Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas and Related Statistical Areas
  • Region:  500k, 5m or 20m
  • State
• State-based Files
  • Alaska Native Regional Corporation
  • Block Group
  • Census Tract
  • Congressional Districts
  • Consolidated City
  • County Subdivision
  • Place
  • State Legislative Districts - Upper and Lower
  • Subminor Civil Division (Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands only)
• All 2010 Census vintage files (from ftp site)
• Alternate access to previous versions of the cartographic boundary files

Other Mapping Files

• TIGER/Line Shapefiles - most comprehensive, detailed files
• KML Prototype files