LibGuides Home: Census Materials in the Connecticut State Library Guide: 2020

U.S. Census 2020 - Twenty-Fourth Decennial

Note: As more federal documents moved to online only, the Connecticut State Library (and other FDLP libraries) received fewer documents in print format. This trend increases over time.

Current Decennial Census - in the years leading up to and just following the current decennial census of population, the US Census Bureau updates its website often. We do our best to keep up with changes. Please contact us if you have troubles with the links below.

2020 Census
U.S. Census Bureau main page for 2020 Decennial Census
2020 Census : A Preliminary Analysis of U.S. and State-Level Results From the 2020 Census
U.S. Census Bureau: "This paper considers the 2020 Census national and state-level resident population counts in historical and evaluative contexts. By comparing the first results of the 2020 Census against benchmark data sources, we examine how the nation has changed at the highest levels and set the stage for the comprehensive analyses still to come."
State-by-State Visualizations of Key Demographic Trends From the 2020 Census
2020 Census : Research, Operational Plans, and Oversight
Archived page in WayBack Machine. Census site: "This site details how the Census Bureau plans to engage, educate, and ultimately count an increasingly diverse and growing population."
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Site: "Visit 2020census.gov to learn more about the 2020 Census – how to respond, and why it matters."
2020 Census : Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey
Site: "The contents of this handbook describe the subjects that will be asked on the 2020 Census and the American Community Survey (ACS)."
What is the 2020 Census?
Explanation of Census 2020, including videos
Census 2020 CTData Hub
State Data Center - CT Data Collaborative
2020 Census : Census 2020 Connecticut Complete Count Committee
Site: "On February 4, 2019 Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz launched the Connecticut Complete Count Committee (CCCC) to inform and help direct the State's efforts in the upcoming 2020 Census."
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Site: "The Connecticut Complete Count Committee is an advisory panel of community leaders who represent diverse populations from across the state including elected officials, faith leaders, community health centers, chambers of commerce, community activists and heads of housing authorities. The members will work to analyze previous census undercounts and recommend strategies to ensure a full count in Connecticut."
"The state-wide committee will also assist municipal governments with forming Local Complete Count Committees (LCCC) to promote and encourage response to the 2020 Census in their own communities."
2020 Census : ALA's page on 2020 Census
The American Library Association (ALA) has information and resources for libraries addressing the impact of the 2020 Census being online.

2020 Census : Libraries' Guide to the 2020 Census
American Library Association (ALA) publication to help libraries prepare for 2020 Census

Integrated 2020 Redistricting Data (PL94-171)
From Cornell Center for Social Sciences: "On August 12, 2021, the Census Bureau released the Public Law 94-171 data, also known as Redistricting Data, in four (4) parts per state. Users who want to have the complete redistricting dataset for a state in one file have to integrate these four parts of the Census Bureau files."
"We've integrated the four parts and made them available in convenient ready-to-use formats -- SAS, SPSS, STATA, and CSV. We've also made available SAS, STATA, and SPSS programs to read the CSV files, label the variables, and assign variables their correct type (as per the data dictionary)."

U.S. Census Bureau News

These are links to announcements regarding the 2020 U.S. Decennial Census. Please check their website for most accurate information.

2020 Census : Press Releases 2020 Census Research, Operational Plans, and Oversight
Site description: "Here you will find news related to the 2020 Census."
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Some are in languages besides English.
The Law Is Clear: Personal Information Cannot Be Shared
2020 Census : Questionnaire
Census site to "explore the questions" on the 2020 Decennial Census

Apportionment and 2020 Decennial Census

Towns, Municipalities, Smaller Census Geography

For 2020 Decennial Census, use the online data tools (linked above) to search for smaller census geographies (like towns, etc).

Also see the Census State Data Center.

Here are some additional links.

Connecticut Census State Data Center
Explore US Census Datasets for Connecticut
American Community Survey 2020 Data Hub
From the CT Data Collaborative, home of CT Census State Data Center.
Connecticut Town Equity Reports
Not from Census Bureau, but using their data.
From CTDataHaven.org: "Reports featuring disaggregated CT town data on social and economic well-being and equity"
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Site: "This series of reports is designed to inform local-level efforts to improve community well-being and racial equity. These reports disaggregate data from the 2020 Census, American Community Survey microdata files, DataHaven Community Wellbeing Survey record-level files, and other federal and state sources to create relevant town-level information that is not typically available from standard public databases."

Other Institutions

Research guides from other institutions - with a focus on librarian resources.

2020 Census : Census 2020 for New York Libraries
From Southeastern NY Library Resources Council.
While geared for New York libraries, many useful links on this research guide.

Census Questions & Instructions

Measuring America by Jason G. Gauthier "Discusses each decennial census conducted by the Census Bureau from 1790 to 2000, with reproductions and analyses of the questionnaires for each census. A wealth of material is discussed which gives insights into life in the U.S. at the time. Chapters: census questionnaires and instructions; availability of population schedules; availability of the 1930 censuses records; finding guides; state and territorial censuses; mortality schedules; population items on principal census questionnaires; a history of the decennial censuses; and individual histories of the U.S. censuses: 1790-2000. Appendixes: U.S. population and census cost; Nat. Archives and Records Admin. branches; availability of the 11th census; and bibliography. Comprehensive!!"
Call Number: Online and Fed Doc C 3.2:M 46/2
ISBN: 0756729750
Publication Date: 2002-12-01

Census Questionnaires
Census Bureau's pages with links to the questionnaires (often called "schedules") used for each census
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Site explanation: "Since the first census in 1790, the U.S. Census Bureau has collected data using a census 'schedule,' also called a 'questionnaire.' "
Census Instructions
It is important to know, for each census, what was asked and how terms were defined in order to understand the data. These changed from census to census, so this page is an important one when beginning research.
Links to copies of the actual instructions for each U.S. Decennial Census of Population. Includes a quick overview to changes to the instructions.
200 years of U.S. census taking : population and housing questions, 1790-1990
Shelved in GIS Reference . C 3.2:T 93
or at the U.S. Census Bureau
Online available through our library catalog
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https://www.census.gov/history/pdf/200years.pdf

Census Note on Language

From the U.S. Census Bureau site (posted on several pages for historic censuses):

"A Note on Language
Census statistics date back to 1790 and reflect the growth and change of the United States. Past census reports contain some terms that today’s readers may consider obsolete and inappropriate. As part of our goal to be open and transparent with the public, we are improving access to all Census Bureau original publications and statistics, which serve as a guide to the nation's history."

Census Materials in the Connecticut State Library Guide

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