Products Overview

A major change between 1980 and 1990 is that in 1980 not all areas were defined by blocks and tracts. Block numbering areas are the geographic substitute for tracts in untracted areas. Geographic areas below tract/bnas are either block groups (in blocked areas), block groups segments, or enumeration districts (ED).

• Summary Files
   
  As with later years, in 1980 the Bureau released data in a series of summary files which are organized based on their geographic coverage and on whether the data originated from the long form or short form of the Census questionnaire. STF1 and STF2 contain only long form count data (100%), while STF3 and STF4 contain mostly sample-based estimates. STF1 and STF3 report counts for the total population and for basic race/hispanic subgroups while ST2/4 report on subgroups based on detailed race and hispanic origin. Breakdowns within each of these files are shown below and are based on the geographic concept of "summary level." Summary level and other technical concepts pertaining to summary files are briefly described in the EDS guide, Census Summary Files: Technical Issues.
   
  

  STF1      A: States - Block Groups/EDs      B: States-Blocks/EDs      C: Nation-Counties      D: Congressional Districts (98th)

  STF3      A: States - Block Groups/EDs      B: States-Zip Codes      C: Nation-Counties      D - Congressional Districts (98th)

  STF2 - STF4      STF2 is similar to STF1 except to tract/bna level,      STF4 is similar to STF3 except to the tract/bna level,      Both report data for subpopulations based on detailed race/hispanic origin.

  Public Law (P.L.) 94-171 Also called the Redistricting file, it was the first file published from the 1980 Census and was used for congressional reapportionment. Data is based on the short form and focuses on age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin.

• Public Use Microdata
  Public Use Microdata are records drawn from the responses to the long-form questionnaire. There are two files: one a sample of 1% of households and the other a 5% sample. For general description of microdata refer to Census Microdata Overview. Although it references 2000 Census, the concepts, though not the links to sources, are the same. The sources for all 1980 data are listed on this page. The 1980 samples are split in to the following groupings:
   
  

  A Sample - 5% or 1% with states, counties, groups of counties, and large cities,
  B Sample - 1% only with some states, SMSAs, selected counties, and selected places,
  C Sample - 1% only with divisions, some States, selected places of 100,000 or more population, selected urban areas, and an urban/rural breakdown.
  D Sample - 1% only using a unique geography that groups counties based on the labor market.

• Maps and Spatial Data
  • Spatial Data
    Spatial Files were developed for 1980 boundaries sometime after the release of 1980
  • Maps
    Columbia's holdings for 1980 maps are described on the Government Documents 1980 Decennial Census Information web page.

Data Sources

• Files for FTP
  If using the ascii versions of the summary files, users should acquaint themselves with how certain Technical Issues are handled. Suppression and allocation are issues of particular interest to those dealing with tract level or smaller geographies.
  • ICPSR
    Provides the most complete archive of 1980 files. A subset of these, usually those dealing with local areas, are available in DataGate. DataGate also contains sample programs for reading SF3 and SF1.
  • DataGate
    Selected files (especially for New York City counties) converted to SAS and/or SPSS format are available. Search DataGate for study number 1980 to see what is available.
• Online Extraction Data
  • InfoShare Online
    Selected data from STF1A and STF3A for New York State, down to the tract level, are available. As well, geographies unique to New York City, like Community District are also reported.
  • National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
    provides an online extraction tool for selected summary file variables at the national, state, county, and tract/block numbering areas allowing for multiple locations at one level of geography to be downloaded at once. Downloads of a single area for other census geographies are available.
  • Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS)
    At this site custom extractions of public use microdata can be done. Coverage is for all census years since 1850 except 1930.
• CD-ROM Products from Geolytics
  These products come with easy-to-use software that extract data for use in statistical packages, for making thematic maps, or for importing in to GIS software. It is available on the DSSC machines in Data Apps folder within the Program Menu.
     -1980 CensusCD (data to the block group level, includes ZIP codes)
     -Neighborhood Change Database (1980 data using 2000 tract boundaries)
• Spatial Data
  
  • 1980 CensusCD (available on the DSSC machines)
    Spatial files can be exported with data from this product.
  • National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
    NHGIS is a project to create and freely disseminate a database incorporating all available aggregate census information for the United States between 1790 and 2000. You can download tract boundary files by state
  • nationalatlas.gov
    The 1989 county boundary files can be downloaded from this site in formats ready for GIS applications.

General Information

• Library's Collection
  This is a detailed list of Columbia's print and CD-ROM holdings plus links to useful Web sites and reference sources.
• Obtaining Data by Congressional District
• Historical Census Data Tables
  The Census Bureau has published a number of tables covering all census years. In addition to basic counts of people and housing, there are selected special topics included.
• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
  Together with listing of their electronic holdings (which are available at cost), the NARA provides descriptive information about each file.
• Comparing 1980 and with other Census years
  • Geographic Correspondence Engine
    An interactive Web site that will generate correlations among 1990 Census boundaries, Zip codes, and 1980 boundaries.
  • Significant Changes to Counties: 1970-Present
    Summarizes the changes to boundaries for counties or county equivalent areas deemed to be significant because of either population affected or land area involved.
  • Tract Comparison Tables, New York City
    Excel spreadsheets that cover the tract changes between 1970-1980-1990-2000.
• Related reference material
  • Geographic Areas Reference Manual
    Although focused on the 1990 Census this book provides a history of census geography and including information about areas like, MCDs, CCDs, outlying areas, Indian lands, and blocks. This book is also available in print in EDS and in CLIO.
  • Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses From 1790 to 2000
    Contains questionnaires and instructions, plus individual histories of each census as well as a chart listing topics covered in each census year. This book is also available in print in EDS and in CLIO.
  • Background Information About Census
    This site is part of the Historical Census Browser site and it provides a useful synopsis of the information found in the publication, 200 Years of Census Taking: Population and Housing Questions, 1790-1990. Washington, DC: Bureau of the Census, 1989 which is available in Lehman's U.S. government documents collection, call number, C 3.2:T 93.
  • Decennial Census Information General Census Monographs
    This is a list of other publication on the subject of the Decennial Census.