U.S. Department of Commerce

Geography

You are here: Census.govGeographyMaps & DataTIGER Products
Skip top of page navigation
Skip top of page navigation

TIGER Products

TIGER = Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing

The Census Bureau offers several file types and an application for mapping census geographic data based on data found in our MAF/TIGER database. Our products are:

Which product should I use?

Product Best For... File Format Type of Data Level of Detail Descriptive Attributes Vintages Available
TIGER/Line Shapefiles Most mapping projects--this is our most comprehensive dataset. Designed for use with GIS (geographic information systems). Shapefiles (.shp) and database files (.dbf) Boundaries, roads, address information, water features, and more Full detail (not generalized) Extensive 2006 - 2012, CD 113
TIGER/Line Shapefiles & Geodatabases with Demographic Data Demographic analysis from selected attributes from the 2010 Census. Designed for use with GIS. Shapefiles (.shp) and Geodatabases Boundaries, Population Counts, Housing Unit Counts, 2010 Census Demographic Profile 1 attributes and geography Full detail (not generalized) Limited 2010
Cartographic Boundary Files Small scale (limited detail) mapping projects clipped to shoreline. Designed for thematic mapping using GIS. Shapefiles (.shp) Selected boundaries Less detail (generalized) Limited 2010, 2000, 1990
KML Prototype Files

Viewing data or creating maps using Google Earth, Google Maps, or other platforms that use KML. KML (.kml) Selected boundaries Less detail (generalized) Limited 2010
TIGERweb

Viewing maps online or streaming to your mapping application. interactive viewer and WMS Boundaries, roads, address information, water features, and more Detailed and generalized Extensive 2010


Source: U.S. Census Bureau | Geography | (301) 763-1128 |  Last Revised: January 15, 2013