The Planning Database: Decennial Census Data for Historical, Real-Time, and Prospective Analysis

• Activity Number: 368
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 1, 2007 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Social Statistics Section
• Author(s): J. Gregory Robinson*+ and Carrie L. Johanson and Antonio Bruce
• Companies: U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau
• Keywords: Database ; Census 2000 ; demographic variables ; targeting ; non-response

Abstract

The Planning Database (PDB) developed for Census 2000 assembled a range of housing, demographic, and socioeconomic variables at the tract level that are correlated with nonresponse and undercounting. The database provided a systematic way to identify potentially difficult-to-enumerate areas to flag for special attention in Census 2000. It was also successfully used for other Census 2000 planning, operational and evaluation activities. This paper reviews the development of the PDB, describes key uses in Census 2000, and outlines more integrated uses of the PDB for 2010 census activities and for ongoing surveys. Some enhancements include a mapping interface, additional data sources, levels of Census geography in addition to the tract level and interactive reporting. We give a case study example of the use of the PDB to target areas with potential low mail response rates in 2010.