Gathering Detailed Demographics

Demographic characteristics such as age, sex, race, educational attainment, occupations, and income all affect health status and resource needs. Having a clear picture of the characteristics of the county population will help planners determine the need for specific health resources. The most detailed demographics are published by the Census Bureau and come from the decennial censuses.

Print volumes of all editions of the U.S. Census (starting with the first census in 1790) are available in the Social Sciences Library Census Collection, 2nd Floor Paterno Library.

Online versions of census information are available at the Census Bureau (1790-1890, 1970-2000) and at the University of Virginia Library Geostat Center (1790-1960).

Other helpful resources:

• Statistical Abstract of the United States ia a great place to start your search for demographic information.
  Call number: HA202.A385, Third Floor Paterno Library Stacks, Latest 10 years in the Social Sciences Library Reference Collection, 2nd Floor Paterno Library
  Also available online.
• U.S. Census Bureau website will have the most detailed demographic information. This site includes statistics from the economic censuses as well as other special reports prepared by the Census Bureau.
• CenStats databases produced by the U.S. Census Bureau's Electronic Products Development Branch.
• Pennsylvania State Data Center