McCormick SRI: Going Deep with Census Demographic and Economic Data

The U.S. Bureau of the Census is the nation’s premier data-gathering and dissemination agency. The bureau, along with sister data agencies such as the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, collects and analyzes data on a wide range of demographic and economic topics. These include everything from the decennial census to tabulations and surveys covering employment, wages, government finances, housing, foreign trade, criminal justice and much more. But few reporters know about this cornucopia of information and how it can be used for stories. Thanks to a grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University brought together 17 journalism data power users and Census subject area specialists to do 40-minute how-to presentations on these topics.

The full presentations are offered in video format, organized by topic. You also can download accompanying slides from the presenters. If you want to jump to a particular point in a video presentation, refer to the time stamps at the bottom of the slides.

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The session videos require QuickTime, which is a free download from Apple.

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McCormick SRI: Going Deep with Census Demographic and Economic Data

Ron Nixon, correspondent, The New York Times

This overview of the 2010 census includes information on changes from previous censuses and what data is available now and how it can be used. The discussion also covers population counts, race and ethnicity definitions, redistricting data, public use microdata and other data sets.

D’Vera Cohn, senior writer, Pew Research Center

This how-to guide for using annually updated local, state and national numbers from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey covers topics and types of information provided by the ACS as well as how to use the data in stories across a range of beats.

Joe Germuska, news application developer, Chicago Tribune

An introduction to census geography and strategies for news applications, including online map-making. Topics covered include major census geography types, three approaches to online maps, an introduction to census.ire.org and suggestions on where to go for more information.

Ron Campbell, staff writer, The Orange County Register

Getting Census demographic and economic data in a useful format can be a challenge for reporters and other users. This presentation explains how to quickly use the redesigned version of American Fact Finder to download exactly what is needed.

Robert Gebeloff, database projects editor, The New York Times

Steve Doig, Knight Chair, Arizona State University

Wes Basel, production team leader, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates program, U.S. Census Bureau

This session provides concrete guidance on how to choose the best economic and demographic data for comparing regions of the country. Learn how to examine trends with past recessions and make comparisons between counties, age groups and demographic groups.

Katie Genadek, research assistant,Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota

Sarah Cohen, Knight Chair, Duke University

Tom Rex, associate director, Center for Competitivenessand Prosperity Research, Arizona State University

Unemployment rates are a critical measure of the economic health of the nation , states and metro areas. This expert presentation covers how detailed jobs and wages data is gathered from employers and how that data can be accessed and used by reporters.

Dennis Cauchon, reporter, USA Today

A little-known, easy-to-use data set provides detailed information on state, county and metro areas, income, taxes, government spending and industries. The data provides an economic history of regions that can help explain current realities and trends.

Paul Overberg, database editor, USA TODAY

Arthur Cresce, assistant division chief for housing characteristics, U.S. Census Bureau

Christopher Pece, senior technical adviser, U.S. Census Bureau

Timothy Winters, chief, Retail Indicators Branch,U.S. Census Bureau

Ron Farrar, chief, Health Care and Consumer Services Branch, U.S. Census Bureau

Joe Kafchinski, statistician, U.S. Census BureauForeign Trade Division

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Katie Genadek, research assistant,
Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota

Tom Rex, associate director, Center for Competitiveness
and Prosperity Research, Arizona State University

Timothy Winters, chief, Retail Indicators Branch,
U.S. Census Bureau

Joe Kafchinski, statistician, U.S. Census Bureau
Foreign Trade Division