APPENDIX A.
Area Classifications
CONTENTS
Alaska Native Regional Corporation (ANRC) (See American
Indian and Alaska Native Area)
Alaska Native Village (ANV) (See American Indian and Alaska
Native Area)
Alaska Native Village Statistical Area
(See American Indian and Alaska Native Area)
American Indian and Alaska Native Area A-1
American Indian Reservation (See American Indian and Alaska
Native Area, see County Subdivision)
American Indian Reservation and Trust Land
(See American Indian and Alaska Native Area)
American Samoa (See Outlying Areas of the United States, see State)
Area Measurement A-3
Assessment District (See County Subdivision)
Block A-3
Block Group (BG) A-4
Block Numbering Area (BNA) (See Census Tract and Block Numbering Area)
Borough (See County Subdivision, see Place)
Borough and Census Area (Alaska) (See County)
Boundary Changes A-4
Census Area (Alaska) (See County)
Census Block (See Block)
Census Code (See Geographic Code)
Census County Division (CCD) (See County Subdivision)
Census Designated Place (CDP) (See Place)
Census Division (See Census Region and Census Division)
Census Geographic Code (See Geographic Code)
Census Region and Census Division A-4
Census Subarea (Alaska) (See County Subdivision)
Census Tract and Block Numbering Area A-5
Central City (See Metropolitan Area)
Central Place (See Urbanized Area)
City (See Place)
Congressional District (CD) A-6
Consolidated City (See Place)
Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA)
(See Metropolitan Area)
County A-6
County Subdivision A-6
Crews of Vessels (See Area Measurement, see Block, see
Census Tract and Block Numbering Area)
Division (See Census Region and Division, see County Subdivision)
Election District (See County Subdivision, see Voting District)
Extended City (See Urban and Rural)
Farm (See Urban and Rural)
Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) Code
(See Geographic Code)
Geographic Block Group (See Block Group)
Geographic Code A-7
Geographic Presentation A-7
Gore (See County Subdivision)
Grant (See County Subdivision)
Guam (See Outlying Areas of the United States, see State)
Hierarchical Presentation (See Geographic Presentation)
Historic Areas of Oklahoma (See American Indian and
Alaska Native Area, Tribal Jurisdiction Statistical Area)
Historical Counts A-8
Incorporated Place (See Place)
Independent City (See County)
Internal Point A-8
Inventory Presentation (See Geographic Presentation)
Land Area (See Area Measurement)
Latitude (See Internal Point)
Longitude (See Internal Point)
Magisterial District (See County Subdivision)
Metropolitan Area (MA) A-8
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) (See Metropolitan Area)
Minor Civil Division (MCD) (See County Subdivision)
Northern Mariana Islands (See Outlying Areas of the United
States, see State)
Outlying Areas of the United StatesA-9
Palau (See Outlying Areas of the United States, see State)
Parish (Louisiana) (See County)
Parish Governing Authority District (See County Subdivision)
Place A-9
Plantation (See County Subdivision)
Population or Housing Unit Density A-10
Precinct (See County Subdivision, see Voting District)
Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA)
(See Metropolitan Area)
Puerto Rico (See Outlying Areas of the United States, see State)
Purchase (See County Subdivision)
Region (See Census Region and Census Division)
Rural (See Urban and Rural)
Selected States (See County Subdivision, see State)
State A-11
Supervisors' District (See County Subdivision)
Tabulation Block Group (See Block Group)
TIGER A-11
Town (See County Subdivision, see Place)
Township (See County Subdivision)
Tract (See Census Tract and Block Numbering Area)
Tribal Designated Statistical Area (TDSA)
(See American Indian and Alaska Native Area)
Tribal Jurisdiction Statistical Area (TJSA)
(See American Indian and Alaska Native Area)
Trust Land (See American Indian and Alaska Native Area)
United States A-11
Unorganized Territory (unorg.) (See County Subdivision)
Urban and Rural A-11
Urbanized Area (UA)A-12
Village (See Place)
Virgin Islands (See Outlying Areas of the United States, see State)
Voting District (VTD) A-12
Water Area (See Area Measurement)
ZIP Code\R A-13
These definitions are for all geographic entities and
concepts that the Census Bureau will include in its standard 1990
census data products. Not all entities and concepts are shown in any
one 1990 census data product. For a description of geographic areas
included in each data product, see appendix F.
AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE AREA
Alaska Native Regional Corporation (ANRC)
Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRC's) are corporate
entities established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of
1972, Public Law 92-203, as amended by Public Law 94-204, to conduct
both business and nonprofit affairs of Alaska Natives. Alaska is
divided into 12 ANRC's that cover the entire State, except for the
Annette Islands Reserve. The boundaries of the 12 ANRC's were
established by the Department of the Interior, in cooperation with
Alaska Natives. Each ANRC was designed to include, as far as
practicable, Alaska Natives with a common heritage and common
interests. The ANRC boundaries for the 1990 census were identified by
the Bureau of Land Management. A 13th region was established for Alaska
Natives who are not permanent residents and who chose not to enroll in
one of the 12 ANRC's; no census products are prepared for the 13th
region. ANRC's were first identified for the 1980 census.
Each ANRC is assigned a two-digit census code ranging from 07 through
84. These census codes are assigned in alphabetical order of the
ANRC's.
Alaska Native Village (ANV) Statistical Area
Alaska Native villages (ANV's) constitute tribes, bands, clans,
groups, villages, communities, or associations in Alaska that are
recognized pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1972,
Public Law 92-203. Because ANV's do not have legally designated
boundaries, the Census Bureau has established Alaska Native village
statistical areas (ANVSA's) for statistical purposes. For the 1990
census, the Census Bureau cooperated with officials of the nonprofit
corporation within each participating Alaska Native Regional
Corporation (ANRC), as well as other knowledgeable officials, to
delineate boundaries that encompass the settled area associated with
each ANV. ANVSA's are located within ANRC's and do not cross ANRC
boundaries. ANVSA's for the 1990 census replace the ANV's that the
Census Bureau recognized for the 1980 census.
Each ANVSA is assigned a four-digit census code ranging from 6001
through 8989. Each ANVSA also is assigned a five-digit FIPS code. Both
the census and FIPS codes are assigned in alphabetical order of
ANVSA's.
American Indian Reservation and Trust Land
American Indian Reservation--Federal American Indian reservations are areas
with boundaries established by treaty, statute, and/or executive or court
order, and recognized by the Federal Government as territory in which
American Indian tribes have jurisdiction. State reservations are lands held
in trust by State governments for the use and benefit of a given tribe.
The reservations and their boundaries were identified for the 1990
census by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Department of Interior
(for Federal reservations), and State governments (for State
reservations). The names of American Indian reservations recognized by
State governments, but not by the Federal Government, are followed by
"(State)." Areas composed of reservation lands that are
administered jointly and/or are claimed by two reservations, as
identified by the BIA, are called "joint areas," and are treated
as separate American Indian reservations for census purposes.
Federal reservations may cross State boundaries, and Federal and State
reservations may cross county, county subdivision, and place
boundaries. For reservations that cross State boundaries, only the
portion of the reservations in a given State are shown in the data
products for that State; the entire reservations are shown in data
products for the United States.
Each American Indian reservation is assigned a four-
digit census code ranging from 0001 through 4989. These census codes are
assigned in alphabetical order of American Indian reservations
nationwide, except that joint areas appear at the end of the code
range. Each American Indian reservation also is assigned a five-digit
FIPS code; because the FIPS codes are assigned in alphabetical sequence
of American Indian reservations within each State, the FIPS code is
different in each State for reservations in more than one State.
Trust Land--Trust lands are property associated with a particular American
Indian reservation or tribe, held in trust by the Federal Government. Trust
lands may be held in trust either for a tribe (tribal trust land) or
for an individual member of a tribe (individual trust land). Trust
lands recognized for the 1990 census comprise all tribal trust lands
and inhabited individual trust lands located outside of a reservation
boundary. As with other American Indian areas, trust lands may be
located in more than one State. Only the trust lands in a given State
are shown in the data products for that State; all trust lands
associated with a reservation or tribe are shown in data products for
the United States. The Census Bureau first reported data for tribal
trust lands for the 1980 census.
Trust lands are assigned a four-digit census code and a five-digit FIPS
code, the same as that for the reservation with which they are
associated. Trust lands not associated with a reservation are presented
by tribal name, interspersed alphabetically among the reservations.
Tribal Designated Statistical Area (TDSA)
Tribal designated statistical areas (TDSA's) are areas, delineated
outside Oklahoma by federally- and State-recognized tribes without a land
base or associated trust lands, to provide statistical areas for which the
Census Bureau tabulates data. TDSA's represent areas generally containing
the American Indian population over which federally-recognized tribes have
jurisdiction and areas in which State tribes provide benefits and services
to their members. The names of TDSA's delineated by State-recognized tribes
are followed by "(State)." The Census Bureau did not recognize TDSA's
before the 1990 census.
Each TDSA is assigned a four-digit census code ranging from 9001
through 9589. The census codes are assigned in alphabetical order of
TDSA's nationwide. Each TDSA also is assigned a five-digit FIPS code in
alphabetical order within State.
Tribal Jurisdiction Statistical Area (TJSA)
Tribal jurisdiction statistical areas (TJSA's) are areas,
delineated by federally-recognized tribes in Oklahoma without a
reservation, for which the Census Bureau tabulates data. TJSA's
represent areas generally containing the American Indian population
over which one or more tribal governments have jurisdiction; if tribal
officials delineated adjacent TJSA's so that they include some
duplicate territory, the overlap area is called a "joint use
area," which is treated as a separate TJSA for census purposes.
TJSA's replace the "Historic Areas of Oklahoma (excluding urbanized
areas)" shown in 1980 census data products. The Historic Areas of
Oklahoma comprised the territory located within reservations that had
legally established boundaries from 1900 to 1907; these reservations
were dissolved during the 2- to 3-year period preceding the statehood
of Oklahoma in 1907. The Historic Areas of Oklahoma (excluding
urbanized areas) were identified only for the 1980 census.
Each TJSA is assigned a four-digit census code ranging from 5001
through 5989. The census codes are assigned in alphabetical order of
TJSA's, except that joint areas appear at the end of the code range.
Each TJSA also is assigned a five-digit FIPS code in alphabetical order
within Oklahoma.
AREA MEASUREMENT
Area measurements provide the size, in square kilometers
(also in square miles in printed reports), recorded for each geographic
entity for which the Census Bureau tabulates data in general-purpose
data products (except crews-of-vessels entities and ZIP Codes). (Square
kilometers may be divided by 2.59 to convert an area measurement to
square miles.) Area was calculated from the specific set of boundaries
recorded for the entity in the Census Bureau's geographic data base
(see "TIGER"). On machine-readable files, area measurements are
shown to three decimal places; the decimal point is implied. In printed
reports and listings, area measurements are shown to one decimal.
The Census Bureau provides measurements for both land area and total
water area for the 1990 census; the water figure includes inland,
coastal, Great Lakes, and territorial water. (For the 1980 census, the
Census Bureau provided area measurements for land and inland water.)
The Census Bureau will provide measurements for the component types of
water for the affected entities in a separate file. "Inland
water" consists of any lake, reservoir, pond, or similar body of
water that is recorded in the Census Bureau's geographic data base. It
also includes any river, creek, canal, stream, or similar feature that
is recorded in that data base as a two-dimensional feature (rather than
as a single line). The portions of the oceans and related large
embayments (such as the Chesapeake Bay and Puget Sound), the Gulf of
Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea that belong to the United States and its
territories are considered to be "coastal" and
"territorial" waters; the Great Lakes are treated as a separate
water entity. Rivers and bays that empty into these bodies of water are
treated as "inland water" from the point beyond which they are
narrower than one nautical mile across. Identification of land and
inland, coastal, and territorial waters is for statistical purposes,
and does not necessarily reflect legal definitions thereof.
By definition, census blocks do not include water within their
boundaries; therefore, the water area of a block is always zero. Land
area measurements may disagree with the information displayed on census
maps and in the TIGER file because, for area measurement purposes,
features identified as "intermittent water" and "glacier"
are reported as land area. For this reason, it may not be possible to
derive the land area for an entity by summing the land area of its
component census blocks. In addition, the water area measurement
reported for some geographic entities includes water that is not
included in any lower-level geographic entity. Therefore, because water
is contained only in a higher-level geographic entity, summing the
water measurements for all the component lower-level geographic
entities will not yield the water area of that higher-level entity.
This occurs, for example, where water is associated with a county but
is not within the legal boundary of any minor civil division, or the
water is associated with a State but is not within the legal boundary
of any county. Crews-of-vessels entities (see "Census Tract and
Block Numbering Area" and "Block") do not encompass territory
and therefore have no area measurements. ZIP Codes do not have specific
boundaries, and therefore, also do not have area measurements.
The accuracy of any area measurement figure is limited by the
inaccuracy inherent in (1) the location and shape of the various
boundary features in the data base, and (2) rounding affecting the
last digit in all operations that compute and/or sum the area
measurements.
BLOCK
Census blocks are small areas bounded on all sides by visible
features such as streets, roads, streams, and railroad tracks, and by
invisible boundaries such as city, town, township, and county limits,
property lines, and short, imaginary extensions of streets and roads.
Tabulation blocks, used in census data products, are in most cases the
same as collection blocks, used in the census enumeration. In some
cases, collection blocks have been "split" into two or more parts
required for data tabulations. Tabulation blocks do not cross the
boundaries of counties, county subdivisions, places, census tracts or
block numbering areas, American Indian and Alaska Native areas,
congressional districts, voting districts, urban or rural areas, or
urbanized areas. The 1990 census is the first for which the entire
United States and its possessions are block-numbered.
Blocks are numbered uniquely within each census tract or BNA. A block
is identified by a three-digit number, sometimes with a single
alphabetical suffix. Block numbers with suffixes generally represent
collection blocks that were "split" in order to identify separate
geographic entities that divide the original block. For example, when a
city limit runs through data collection block 101, the data for the
portion inside the city is tabulated in block 101A and the portion
outside, in block 101B. A block number with the suffix "Z"
represents a "crews-of-vessels" entity for which the Census
Bureau tabulates data, but that does not represent a true geographic
area; such a block is shown on census maps associated with an anchor
symbol and a census tract or block numbering area with a .99 suffix.
BLOCK GROUP (BG)
Geographic Block Group
A geographic block group (BG) is a cluster of blocks having the same
first digit of their three-digit identifying numbers within a census
tract or block numbering area (BNA). For example, BG 3 within a census
tract or BNA includes all blocks numbered between 301 and 397. In most
cases, the numbering involves substantially fewer than 97 blocks.
Geographic BG's never cross census tract or BNA boundaries, but may
cross the boundaries of county subdivisions, places, American Indian
and Alaska Native areas, urbanized areas, voting districts, and
congressional districts. BG's generally contain between 250 and 550
housing units, with the ideal size being 400 housing units.
Tabulation Block Group
In the data tabulations, a geographic BG may be split to present
data for every unique combination of county subdivision, place,
American Indian and Alaska Native area, urbanized area, voting
district, urban/rural and congressional district shown in the data
product; for example, if BG 3 is partly in a city and partly outside
the city, there will be separate tabulated records for each portion of
BG 3. BG's are used in tabulating decennial census data nationwide in
the 1990 census, in all block-numbered areas in the 1980 census, and in
Tape Address Register (TAR) areas in the 1970 census. For purposes of
data presentation, BG's are a substitute for the enumeration districts
(ED's) used for reporting data in many parts of the United States for
the 1970 and 1980 censuses, and in all areas for pre-1970 censuses.
BOUNDARY CHANGES
The boundaries of some counties, county subdivisions, American
Indian and Alaska Native areas, and many incorporated places, changed
between those reported for the 1980 census and January 1, 1990.
Boundary changes to legal entities result from:
1. Annexations to or detachments from legally established governmental
units.
2. Mergers or consolidations of two or more governmental units.
3. Establishment of new governmental units.
4. Disincorporations or disorganizations of existing governmental units.
5. Changes in treaties and Executive Orders.
The historical counts shown for counties, county
subdivisions, and places are not updated for such changes, and thus
reflect the population and housing units in the area as delineated at
each census. Information on boundary changes reported between the 1980
and 1990 censuses for counties, county subdivisions, and incorporated
places is presented in the "User Notes" section of the technical
documentation of Summary Tape Files 1 and 3, and in the 1990 CPH-2,
Population and Housing Unit Counts printed reports. For
information on boundary changes for such areas in the decade preceding
other decennial censuses, see the Number of Inhabitants
reports for each census. Boundary changes are not reported for some
areas, such as census designated places and block groups.
CENSUS REGION AND CENSUS DIVISION
Census Division
Census divisions are groupings of States that are
subdivisions of the four census regions. There are nine divisions,
which the Census Bureau adopted in 1910 for the presentation of data.
The regions, divisions, and their constituent States are:
Northeast Region
New England Division:
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut
Middle Atlantic Division:
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Midwest Region
East North Central Division:
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin
West North Central Division:
Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas
South Region
South Atlantic Division:
Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia,
West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,Florida
East South Central Division:
Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi
West South Central Division:
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
West Region
Mountain Division:
Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada
Pacific Division:
Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii
Census Region
Census regions are groupings of States that subdivide the United
States for the presentation of data. There are four regions--Northeast,
Midwest, South, and West. Each of the four census regions is divided
into two or more census divisions. Prior to 1984, the Midwest region
was named the North Central region. From 1910, when census regions were
established, through the 1940's, there were three regions--North,
South, and West.
CENSUS TRACT AND BLOCK NUMBERING AREA
Block Numbering Area (BNA)
Block numbering areas (BNA's) are small statistical subdivisions of
a county for grouping and numbering blocks in nonmetropolitan counties
where local census statistical areas committees have not established
census tracts. State agencies and the Census Bureau delineated BNA's
for the 1990 census, using guidelines similar to those for the
delineation of census tracts. BNA's do not cross county boundaries.
BNA's are identified by a four-digit basic number and may have a
two-digit suffix; for example, 9901.07. The decimal point separating
the four-digit basic BNA number from the two-digit suffix is shown in
printed reports, in microfiche, and on census maps; in machine-readable
files, the decimal point is implied. Many BNA's do not have a suffix;
in such cases, the suffix field is left blank in all data products. BNA
numbers range from 9501 through 9989.99, and are unique within a county
(numbers in the range of 0001 through 9499.99 denote a census tract).
The suffix .99 identifies a BNA that was populated entirely by persons
aboard one or more civilian or military ships. A "crews-of-
vessels" BNA appears on census maps only as an anchor symbol with its
BNA number (and block numbers on maps showing block numbers); the BNA
relates to the ships associated with the onshore BNA's having the same
four-digit basic number. Suffixes in the range .80 through .98 usually
identify BNA's that either were revised or were created during the 1990
census data collection activities. Some of these revisions produced
BNA's that have extremely small land area and may have little or no
population or housing. For data analysis, such a BNA can be summarized
with an adjacent BNA.
Census Tract
Census tracts are small, relatively permanent statistical
subdivisions of a county. Census tracts are delineated for all
metropolitan areas (MA's) and other densely populated counties by local
census statistical areas committees following Census Bureau guidelines
(more than 3,000 census tracts have been established in 221 counties
outside MA's). Six States (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii,
New Jersey, and Rhode Island) and the District of Columbia are covered
entirely by census tracts. Census tracts usually have between 2,500 and
8,000 persons and, when first delineated, are designed to be
homogeneous with respect to population characteristics, economic
status, and living conditions. Census tracts do not cross county
boundaries. The spatial size of census tracts varies widely depending
on the density of settlement. Census tract boundaries are delineated
with the intention of being maintained over a long time so that
statistical comparisons can be made from census to census. However,
physical changes in street patterns caused by highway construction, new
development, etc., may require occasional revisions; census tracts
occasionally are split due to large population growth, or combined as a
result of substantial population decline. Census tracts are referred to
as "tracts" in all 1990 data products.
Census tracts are identified by a four-digit basic number and may have
a two-digit suffix; for example, 6059.02. The decimal point separating
the four-digit basic tract number from the two-digit suffix is shown in
printed reports, in microfiche, and on census maps; in machine-readable
files, the decimal point is implied. Many census tracts do not have a
suffix; in such cases, the suffix field is left blank in all data
products. Leading zeros in a census tract number (for example, 002502)
are shown only on machine-
readable files.
Census tract numbers range from 0001 through 9499.99 and are unique
within a county (numbers in the range of 9501 through 9989.99 denote a
block numbering area). The suffix .99 identifies a census tract that
was populated entirely by persons aboard one or more civilian or
military ships. A "crews-of-vessels" census tract appears on
census maps only as an anchor symbol with its census tract number (and
block numbers on maps showing block numbers). These census tracts
relate to the ships associated with the onshore census tract having the
same four-digit basic number. Suffixes in the range .80 through .98
usually identify census tracts that either were revised or were created
during the 1990 census data collection activities. Some of these
revisions may have resulted in census tracts that have extremely small
land area and may have little or no population or housing. For data
analysis, such a census tract can be summarized with an adjacent census
tract.
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT (CD)
Congressional districts (CD's) are the 435 areas from which persons
are elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. After the
apportionment of congressional seats among the States, based on census
population counts, each State is responsible for establishing CD's for
the purpose of electing representatives. Each CD is to be as equal in
population to all other CD's in the State as practicable, based on the
decennial census counts.
The CD's that were in effect on January 1, 1990 were those of the 101st
Congress. Data on the 101st Congress appear in an early 1990 census
data product (Summary Tape File 1A). The CD's of the 101st Congress are
the same as those in effect for the 102nd Congress. CD's of the 103rd
Congress, reflecting redistricting based on the 1990 census, are
summarized in later 1990 data products (STF's 1D and 3D, and 1990
CPH-4, Population and Housing Characteristics for Congressional
Districts of the 103rd Congress printed reports).
COUNTY
The primary political divisions of most States are termed
"counties." In Louisiana, these divisions are known as
"parishes." In Alaska, which has no counties, the county
equivalents are the organized "boroughs" and the "census
areas" that are delineated for statistical purposes by the State of
Alaska and the Census Bureau. In four States (Maryland, Missouri,
Nevada, and Virginia), there are one or more cities that are
independent of any county organization and thus constitute primary
divisions of their States. These cities are known as "independent
cities" and are treated as equivalent to counties for statistical
purposes. That part of Yellowstone National Park in Montana is treated
as a county equivalent. The District of Columbia has no primary
divisions, and the entire area is considered equivalent to a county for
statistical purposes.
Each county and county equivalent is assigned a three-
digit FIPS code that is unique within State. These codes are assigned in
alphabetical order of county or county equivalent within State, except
for the independent cities, which follow the listing of counties.
COUNTY SUBDIVISION
County subdivisions are the primary subdivisions of counties and
their equivalents for the reporting of decennial census data. They
include census county divisions, census subareas, minor civil
divisions, and unorganized territories.
Each county subdivision is assigned a three-digit census code in
alphabetical order within county and a five-digit FIPS code in
alphabetical order within State.
Census County Division (CCD)
Census county divisions (CCD's) are subdivisions of a county that
were delineated by the Census Bureau, in cooperation with State
officials and local census statistical areas committees, for
statistical purposes. CCD's were established in 21 States where there
are no legally established minor civil divisions (MCD's), where the
MCD's do not have governmental or administrative purposes, where the
boundaries of the MCD's change frequently, and/or where the MCD's are
not generally known to the public. CCD's have no legal functions, and
are not governmental units.
The boundaries of CCD's usually are delineated to follow visible
features, and in most cases coincide with census tract or block
numbering area boundaries. The name of each CCD is based on a place,
county, or well-known local name that identifies its location. CCD's
have been established in the following 21 States: Alabama, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho,
Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. For the 1980
census, the county subdivisions recognized for Nevada were MCD's.
Census Subarea (Alaska)
Census subareas are statistical subdivisions of boroughs and census
areas (county equivalents) in Alaska. Census subareas were delineated
cooperatively by the State of Alaska and the Census Bureau. The census
subareas, identified first in 1980, replaced the various types of
subdivisions used in the 1970 census.
Minor Civil Division (MCD)
Minor civil divisions (MCD's) are the primary political or
administrative divisions of a county. MCD's represent many different
kinds of legal entities with a wide variety of governmental and/or
administrative functions. MCD's are variously designated as American
Indian reservations, assessment districts, boroughs, election
districts, gores, grants, magisterial districts, parish governing
authority districts, plantations, precincts, purchases, supervisors'
districts, towns, and townships. In some States, all or some
incorporated places are not located in any MCD and thus serve as MCD's
in their own right. In other States, incorporated places are
subordinate to (part of) the MCD's in which they are located, or the
pattern is mixed--some incorporated places are independent of MCD's and
others are subordinate to one or more MCD's.
The Census Bureau recognizes MCD's in the following 28 States:
Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North
Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota,
Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The District of
Columbia has no primary divisions, and the entire area is considered
equivalent to an MCD for statistical purposes.
The MCD's in 12 selected States (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin) also serve as general-purpose
local governments. The Census Bureau presents data for these MCD's in
all data products in which it provides data for places.
Unorganized Territory (unorg.)
In nine States (Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota,
North Carolina, North Dakota, and South Dakota), some counties contain
territory that is not included in an MCD recognized by the Census
Bureau. Each separate area of unorganized territory in these States is
recognized as one or more separate county subdivisions for census
purposes. Each unorganized territory is given a descriptive name,
followed by the designation "unorg."
GEOGRAPHIC CODE
Geographic codes are shown primarily on machine-
readable data products, such as computer tape and compact disc-read only
memory (CD-ROM), but also appear on other products such as microfiche;
they also are shown on some census maps. Codes are identified as
"census codes" only if there is also a Federal Information
Processing Standards (FIPS) code for the same geographic entity. A code
that is not identified as either "census" or "FIPS" is
usually a census code for which there is no FIPS equivalent, or for
which the Census Bureau does not use the FIPS code. The exceptions,
which use only the FIPS code in census products, are county,
congressional district, and metropolitan area (that is, metropolitan
statistical area, consolidated metropolitan statistical area, and
primary metropolitan statistical area).
Census Code
Census codes are assigned for a variety of geographic entities,
including American Indian and Alaska Native area, census division,
census region, county subdivision, place, State, urbanized area, and
voting district. The structure, format, and meaning of census codes
appear in the 1990 census Geographic Identification Code Scheme;
in the data dictionary portion of the technical documentation for
summary tape files, CD-ROM's, and microfiche.
Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) Code
Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) codes are assigned
for a variety of geographic entities, including American Indian and
Alaska Native area, congressional district, county, county subdivision,
metropolitan area, place, and State. The structure, format, and meaning
of FIPS codes used in the census are shown in the 1990 census
Geographic Identification Code Scheme; in the data
dictionary portion of the technical documentation for summary tape
files, CD-ROM's, and microfiche.
The objective of the FIPS codes is to improve the use of data resources
of the Federal Government and avoid unnecessary duplication and
incompatibilities in the collection, processing, and dissemination of
data. More information about FIPS and FIPS code documentation is
available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield,
VA 22161.
United States Postal Service (USPS) Code
United States Postal Service (USPS) codes for States are used in all
1990 data products. The codes are two-
character alphabetic abbreviations. These codes are the same as the FIPS
two-character alphabetic abbreviations.
GEOGRAPHIC PRESENTATION
Hierarchical Presentation
A hierarchical geographic presentation shows the geographic entities
in a superior/subordinate structure in census products. This structure
is derived from the legal, administrative, or areal relationships of
the entities. The hierarchical structure is depicted in report tables
by means of indentation, and is explained for machine-readable media in
the discussion of file structure in the geographic coverage portion of
the abstract in the technical documentation. An example of hierarchical
presentation is the "standard census geographic hierarchy":
block, within block group, within census tract or block numbering area,
within place, within county subdivision, within county, within State,
within division, within region, within the United States. Graphically,
this is shown as:
United States
Region
Division
State
County
County subdivision
Place (or part)
Census tract/block numbering area (or part)
Block group (or part)
Block
Inventory Presentation
An inventory presentation of geographic entities is one in which all
entities of the same type are shown in alphabetical or code sequence,
without reference to their hierarchical relationships. Generally, an
inventory presentation shows totals for entities that may be split in a
hierarchical presentation, such as place, census tract/
block numbering area, or block group. An example of a series of
inventory presentations is: State, followed by all the counties in that
State, followed by all the places in that State. Graphically, this is
shown as:
State
County "A"
County "B"
County "C"
Place "X"
Place "Y"
Place "Z"
HISTORICAL COUNTS
Historical counts for total population and total housing units are
shown in the 1990 CPH-2, Population and Housing Unit Counts
report series. As in past censuses, the general rule for presenting
historical data for States, counties, county subdivisions, and places
is to show historical counts only for single, continually existing
entities. Stated another way, if an entity existed for both the current
and preceding censuses, the tables show counts for the preceding
censuses. Included in this category are entities of the same type
(county, county subdivision, place) even if they had changed their
names. Also included are entities that merged, but only if the new
entity retained the name of one of the merged entities. The historical
counts shown are for each entity as it was bounded at each census.
In cases where an entity was formed since a preceding census, such as a
newly incorporated place or a newly organized township, the symbol
three dots "..." is shown for earlier censuses. The three-dot
symbol also is shown for those parts of a place that have extended into
an additional county or county subdivision through annexation or other
revision of boundaries since the preceding census.
In a few cases, changes in the boundaries of county subdivisions caused
a place to be split into two or more parts, or to be split differently
than in the preceding census. If historical counts for the parts of the
place as currently split did not appear in a preceding census,
"(NA)" is shown for the place in each county subdivision;
however, the historical population and housing unit counts of the place
appear in tables that show the entire place. For counties, county
subdivisions, and places formed since January 1, 1980, 1980 census
population and housing unit counts in the 1990 territory are reported
in the geographic change notes included in the "User Notes" text
section of 1990 CPH-2, Population and Housing Unit Counts,
and in the technical documentation of Summary Tape Files 1 and 3.
In some cases, population and housing unit counts for individual areas
were revised since publication of the 1980 reports (indicated by the
prefix "r"). In a number of tables of 1990 CPH-2,
Population and Housing Unit Counts, 1980 counts are shown
for aggregations of individual areas, such as the number, population,
and housing unit counts of places in size groups, or urban and rural
distributions. Revisions of population and housing unit counts for
individual areas were not applied to the various aggregations.
Therefore, it may not be possible to determine the individual areas in
a given aggregation using the historical counts; conversely, the sum of
the counts shown for individual areas may not agree with the
aggregation.
INTERNAL POINT
An internal point is a set of geographic coordinates (latitude and
longitude) that is located within a specified geographic entity. A
single point is identified for each entity; for many entities, this
point represents the approximate geographic center of that entity. If
the shape of the entity caused this point to be located outside the
boundaries of the entity, it is relocated from the center so that it is
within the entity. If the internal point for a block falls in a water
area, it is relocated to a land area within the block. On
machine-readable products, internal points are shown to six decimal
places; the decimal point is implied.
METROPOLITAN AREA (MA)
The general concept of a metropolitan area (MA) is one of a large
population nucleus, together with adjacent communities that have a high
degree of economic and social integration with that nucleus. Some MA's
are defined around two or more nuclei.
The MA classification is a statistical standard, developed for use by
Federal agencies in the production, analysis, and publication of data
on MA's. The MA's are designated and defined by the Federal Office of
Management and Budget, following a set of official published standards.
These standards were developed by the interagency Federal Executive
Committee on Metropolitan Areas, with the aim of producing definitions
that are as consistent as possible for all MA's nationwide.
Each MA must contain either a place with a minimum population of 50,000
or a Census Bureau-defined urbanized area and a total MA population of
at least 100,000 (75,000 in New England). An MA comprises one or more
central counties. An MA also may include one or more outlying counties
that have close economic and social relationships with the central
county. An outlying county must have a specified level of commuting to
the central counties and also must meet certain standards regarding
metropolitan character, such as population density, urban population,
and population growth. In New England, MA's are composed of cities and
towns rather than whole counties.
The territory, population, and housing units in MA's are referred to as
"metropolitan." The metropolitan category is subdivided into
"inside central city" and "outside central city." The
territory, population, and housing units located outside MA's are
referred to as "nonmetropolitan." The metropolitan and
nonmetropolitan classification cuts across the other hierarchies; for
example, there is generally both urban and rural territory within both
metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
To meet the needs of various users, the standards provide for a
flexible structure of metropolitan definitions that classify an MA
either as a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) or as a consolidated
metropolitan statistical area (CMSA) that is divided into primary
metropolitan statistical areas (PMSA's). Documentation of the MA
standards and how they are applied is available from the Secretary,
Federal Executive Committee on Metropolitan Areas, Population Division,
U.S. Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC 20233.
Central City
In each MSA and CMSA, the largest place and, in some cases,
additional places are designated as "central cities" under the
official standards. A few PMSA's do not have central cities. The
largest central city and, in some cases, up to two additional central
cities are included in the title of the MA; there also are central
cities that are not included in an MA title. An MA central city does
not include any part of that city that extends outside the MA boundary.
Consolidated and Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA and
PMSA)
If an area that qualifies as an MA has more than one million
persons, primary metropolitan statistical areas (PMSA's) may be defined
within it. PMSA's consist of a large urbanized county or cluster of
counties that demonstrates very strong internal economic and social
links, in addition to close ties to other portions of the larger area.
When PMSA's are established, the larger area of which they are
component parts is designated a consolidated metropolitan statistical
area (CMSA).
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
Metropolitan statistical areas (MSA's) are relatively freestanding
MA's and are not closely associated with other MA's. These areas
typically are surrounded by nonmetropolitan counties.
Metropolitan Area Title and Code
The title of an MSA contains the name of its largest central city
and up to two additional city names, provided that the additional
places meet specified levels of population, employment, and commuting.
Generally, a city with a population of 250,000 or more is in the title,
regardless of other criteria.
The title of a PMSA may contain up to three place names, as determined
above, or up to three county names, sequenced in order of population. A
CMSA title also may include up to three names, the first of which
generally is the most populous central city in the area. The second
name may be the first city or county name in the most populous
remaining PMSA; the third name may be the first city or county name in
the next most populous PMSA. A regional designation may be substituted
for the second and/or third names in a CMSA title if such a designation
is supported by local opinion and is deemed to be unambiguous and
suitable by the Office of Management and Budget.
The titles for all MA's also contain the name of each State in which
the area is located. Each metropolitan area is assigned a four-digit
FIPS code, in alphabetical order nationwide. If the fourth digit of the
code is a "2," it identifies a CMSA. Additionally, there is a
separate set of two-digit codes for CMSA's, also assigned
alphabetically.
OUTLYING AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES
The Census Bureau treats the outlying areas as the statistical
equivalents of States for the 1990 census. The outlying areas are
American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
(Northern Mariana Islands), Republic of Palau (Palau), Puerto Rico, and
the Virgin Islands of the United States (Virgin Islands). Geographic
definitions specific to each outlying area are shown in appendix A of
the text in the data products for each area.
PLACE
Places, for the reporting of decennial census data, include census
designated places and incorporated places. Each place is assigned a
four-digit census code that is unique within State. Each place is also
assigned a five-digit FIPS code that is unique within State. Both the
census and FIPS codes are assigned based on alphabetical order within
State. Consolidated cities (see below) are assigned a one-character
alphabetical census code that is unique nationwide and a five-digit
FIPS code that is unique within State.
Census Designated Place (CDP)
Census designated places (CDP's) are delineated for the decennial
census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places. CDP's
comprise densely settled concentrations of population that are
identifiable by name, but are not legally incorporated places. Their
boundaries, which usually coincide with visible features or the
boundary of an adjacent incorporated place, have no legal status, nor
do these places have officials elected to serve traditional municipal
functions. CDP boundaries may change with changes in the settlement
pattern; a CDP with the same name as in previous censuses does not
necessarily have the same boundaries.
Beginning with the 1950 census, the Census Bureau, in cooperation with
State agencies and local census statistical areas committees, has
identified and delineated boundaries for CDP's. In the 1990 census, the
name of each such place is followed by "CDP." In the 1980 census,
"(CDP)" was used; in 1970, 1960, and 1950 censuses, these places
were identified by "(U)," meaning "unincorporated place."
To qualify as a CDP for the 1990 census, an unincorporated community
must have met the following criteria:
1. In all States except Alaska and Hawaii, the Census Bureau uses three
population size criteria to designate a CDP. These criteria are:
a. 1,000 or more persons if outside the boundaries of an urbanized
area (UA) delineated for the 1980 census or a subsequent special
census.
b. 2,500 or more persons if inside the boundaries of a UA delineated
for the 1980 census or a subsequent special census.
c. 250 or more persons if outside the boundaries of a UA delineated
for the 1980 census or a subsequent special census, and within the
official boundaries of an American Indian reservation recognized
for the 1990 census.
2. In Alaska, 25 or more persons if outside a UA, and 2,500 or more
persons if inside a UA delineated for the 1980 census or a subsequent
special census.
3. In Hawaii, 300 or more persons, regardless of whether the community
is inside or outside a UA.
For the 1990 census, CDP's qualified on the basis of the population
counts prepared for the 1990 Postcensus Local Review Program. Because
these counts were subject to change, a few CDP's may have final
population counts lower than the minimums shown above.
Hawaii is the only State with no incorporated places recognized by the
Bureau of the Census. All places shown for Hawaii in the data products
are CDP's. By agreement with the State of Hawaii, the Census Bureau
does not show data separately for the city of Honolulu, which is
coextensive with Honolulu County.
Consolidated City
A consolidated government is a unit of local government for which
the functions of an incorporated place and its county or minor civil
division (MCD) have merged. The legal aspects of this action may result
in both the primary incorporated place and the county or MCD continuing
to exist as legal entities, even though the county or MCD performs few
or no governmental functions and has few or no elected officials. Where
this occurs, and where one or more other incorporated places in the
county or MCD continue to function as separate governments, even though
they have been included in the consolidated government, the primary
incorporated place is referred to as a "consolidated city."
The data presentation for consolidated cities varies depending upon the
geographic presentation. In hierarchical presentations, consolidated
cities are not shown. These presentations include the semi-independent
places and the "consolidated city (remainder)." Where the
consolidated city is coextensive with a county or county subdivision,
the data shown for those areas in hierarchical presentations are
equivalent to those for the consolidated government.
For inventory geographic presentations, the consolidated city appears
at the end of the listing of places. The data for the consolidated city
include places that are part of the consolidated city. The
"consolidated city (remainder)" is the portion of the
consolidated government minus the semi-independent places, and is shown
in alphabetical sequence with other places.
In summary presentations by size of place, the consolidated city is not
included. The places semi-independent of consolidated cities are
categorized by their size, as is the "consolidated city
(remainder)."
Each consolidated city is assigned a one-character alphabetic census
code. Each consolidated city also is assigned a five-digit FIPS code
that is unique within State. The semi-independent places and the
"consolidated city (remainder)" are assigned a four-digit census
code and a five-digit FIPS place code that are unique within State.
Both the census and FIPS codes are assigned based on alphabetical order
within State.
Incorporated Place
Incorporated places recognized in 1990 census data products are
those reported to the Census Bureau as legally in existence on January
1, 1990 under the laws of their respective States as cities, boroughs,
towns, and villages, with the following exceptions: the towns in the
New England States, New York, and Wisconsin, and the boroughs in New
York are recognized as minor civil divisions for census purposes; the
boroughs in Alaska are county equivalents.
POPULATION or housing unit DENSITY
Population or housing unit density is computed by dividing the total
population or housing units of a geographic unit (for example, United
States, State, county, place) by its land area measured in square
kilometers or square miles. Density is expressed as both "persons
(or housing units) per square kilometer" and "persons (or housing
units) per square mile" of land area in 1990 census printed reports.
STATE
States are the primary governmental divisions of the United States.
The District of Columbia is treated as a statistical equivalent of a
State for census purposes. The four census regions, nine census
divisions, and their component States are shown under "CENSUS REGION
AND CENSUS DIVISION" in this appendix.
The Census Bureau treats the outlying areas as State equivalents for
the 1990 census. The outlying areas are American Samoa, Guam, the
Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of
the United States. Geographic definitions specific to each outlying
area are shown in appendix A in the data products for each area.
Each State and equivalent is assigned a two-digit numeric Federal
Information Processing Standards (FIPS) code in alphabetical order by
State name, followed by the outlying area names. Each State and
equivalent area also is assigned a two-digit census code. This code is
assigned on the basis of the geographic sequence of each State within
each census division; the first digit of the code is the code for the
respective division. Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the outlying
areas of the Pacific are assigned "0" as the division code. Each
State and equivalent area also is assigned the two-letter FIPS/United
States Postal Service (USPS) code.
In 12 selected States (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin), the minor civil divisions also serve
as general-
purpose local governments. The Census Bureau presents data for these
minor civil divisions in all data products in which it provides data
for places.
TIGER
TIGER is an acronym for the new digital (computer-
readable) geographic data base that automates the mapping and related
geographic activities required to support the Census Bureau's census
and survey programs. The Census Bureau developed the Topologically
Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) System to
automate the geographic support processes needed to meet the major
geographic needs of the 1990 census: producing the cartographic
products to support data collection and map publication, providing the
geographic structure for tabulation and publication of the collected
data, assigning residential and employer addresses to their geographic
location and relating those locations to the Census Bureau's geographic
units, and so forth. The content of the TIGER data base is made
available to the public through a variety of "TIGER Extract"
files that may be obtained from the Data User Services Division, U.S.
Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC 20233.
UNITED STATES
The United States comprises the 50 States and the District of
Columbia. In addition, the Census Bureau treats the outlying areas as
statistical equivalents of States for the 1990 census. The outlying
areas include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands,
Palau, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
URBAN AND RURAL
The Census Bureau defines "urban" for the 1990 census as
comprising all territory, population, and housing units in urbanized
areas and in places of 2,500 or more persons outside urbanized areas.
More specifically, "urban" consists of territory, persons, and
housing units in:
1. Places of 2,500 or more persons incorporated as cities, villages,
boroughs (except in Alaska and New York), and towns (except in the six
New England States, New York, and Wisconsin), but excluding the rural
portions of "extended cities."
2. Census designated places of 2,500 or more persons.
3. Other territory, incorporated or unincorporated, included in
urbanized areas.
Territory, population, and housing units not classified as urban
constitute "rural." In the 100-percent data products,
"rural" is divided into "places of less than 2,500" and
"not in places." The "not in places" category comprises
"rural" outside incorporated and census designated places and the
rural portions of extended cities. In many data products, the term
"other rural" is used; "other rural" is a residual category
specific to the classification of the rural in each data product.
In the sample data products, rural population and housing units are
subdivided into "rural farm" and "rural nonfarm." "Rural
farm" comprises all rural households and housing units on farms
(places from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were sold in
1989); "rural nonfarm" comprises the remaining rural.
The urban and rural classification cuts across the other hierarchies;
for example, there is generally both urban and rural territory within
both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
In censuses prior to 1950, "urban" comprised all territory,
persons, and housing units in incorporated places of 2,500 or more
persons, and in areas (usually minor civil divisions) classified as
urban under special rules relating to population size and density. The
definition of urban that restricted itself to incorporated places
having 2,500 or more persons excluded many large, densely settled areas
merely because they were not incorporated. Prior to the 1950 census,
the Census Bureau attempted to avoid some of the more obvious omissions
by classifying selected areas as "urban under special rules."
Even with these rules, however, many large, closely built-up areas were
excluded from the urban category.
To improve its measure of urban territory, population, and housing
units, the Census Bureau adopted the concept of the urbanized area and
delineated boundaries for unincorporated places (now, census designated
places) for the 1950 census. Urban was defined as territory, persons,
and housing units in urbanized areas and, outside urbanized areas, in
all places, incorporated or unincorporated, that had 2,500 or more
persons. With the following three exceptions, the 1950 census
definition of urban has continued substantially unchanged. First, in
the 1960 census (but not in the 1970, 1980, or 1990 censuses), certain
towns in the New England States, townships in New Jersey and
Pennsylvania, and Arlington County, Virginia, were designated as urban.
However, most of these "special rule" areas would have been
classified as urban anyway because they were included in an urbanized
area or in an unincorporated place of 2,500 or more persons. Second,
"extended cities" were identified for the 1970, 1980, and 1990
censuses. Extended cities primarily affect the figures for urban and
rural territory (area), but have very little effect on the urban and
rural population and housing units at the national and State levels--
although for some individual counties and urbanized areas, the effects
have been more evident. Third, changes since the 1970 census in the
criteria for defining urbanized areas have permitted these areas to be
defined around smaller centers.
Documentation of the urbanized area and extended city criteria is
available from the Chief, Geography Division, U.S. Bureau of the
Census, Washington, DC 20233.
Extended City
Since the 1960 census, there has been a trend in some States toward
the extension of city boundaries to include territory that is
essentially rural in character. The classification of all the
population and living quarters of such places as urban would include in
the urban designation territory, persons, and housing units whose
environment is primarily rural. For the 1970, 1980, and 1990 censuses,
the Census Bureau identified as rural such territory and its population
and housing units for each extended city whose closely settled area was
located in an urbanized area. For the 1990 census, this classification
also has been applied to certain places outside urbanized areas.
In summary presentations by size of place, the urban portion of an
extended city is classified by the population of the entire place; the
rural portion is included in "other rural."
URBANIZED AREA (UA)
The Census Bureau delineates urbanized areas (UA's) to provide a
better separation of urban and rural territory, population, and housing
in the vicinity of large places. A UA comprises one or more places
("central place") and the adjacent densely settled surrounding
territory ("urban fringe") that together have a minimum of 50,000
persons. The urban fringe generally consists of contiguous territory
having a density of least 1,000 persons per square mile. The urban
fringe also includes outlying territory of such density if it was
connected to the core of the contiguous area by road and is within 1
1/2 road miles of that core, or within 5 road miles of the core but
separated by water or other undevelopable territory. Other territory
with a population density of fewer than 1,000 people per square mile is
included in the urban fringe if it eliminates an enclave or closes an
indentation in the boundary of the urbanized area. The population
density is determined by (1) outside of a place, one or more contiguous
census blocks with a population density of at least 1,000 persons per
square mile or (2) inclusion of a place containing census blocks that
have at least 50 percent of the population of the place and a density
of at least 1,000 persons per square mile. The complete criteria are
available from the Chief, Geography Division, U.S. Bureau of the
Census, Washington, DC 20233.
Urbanized Area Central Place
One or more central places function as the dominant centers of each
UA. The identification of a UA central place permits the comparison of
this dominant center with the remaining territory in the UA. There is
no limit on the number of central places, and not all central places
are necessarily included in the UA title. UA central places include:
Each place entirely (or partially, if the place is an extended
city) within the UA that is a central city of a metropolitan area (MA).
If the UA does not contain an MA central city or is located outside
of an MA, the central place(s) is determined by population size.
Urbanized Area Title and Code
The title of a UA identifies those places that are most important
within the UA; it links the UA to the encompassing MA, where
appropriate. If a single MA includes most of the UA, the title and code
of the UA generally are the same as the title and code of the MA. If
the UA is not mostly included in a single MA, if it does not include
any place that is a central city of the encompassing MA, or if it is
not located in an MA, the Census Bureau uses the population size of the
included places, with a preference for incorporated places, to
determine the UA title. The name of each State in which the UA is
located also is in each UA title.
The numeric code used to identify each UA is the same as the code for
the mostly encompassing MA (including CMSA and PMSA). If MA title
cities represent multiple UA's, or the UA title city does not
correspond to the first name of an MA title, the Census Bureau assigns
a code based on the alphabetical sequence of the UA title in
relationship to the other UA and MA titles.
VOTING DISTRICT (VTD)
A voting district (VTD) is any of a variety of types of areas (for
example, election districts, precincts, wards, legislative districts)
established by State and local governments for purposes of elections.
For census purposes, each State participating in Phase 2 of the 1990
Census Redistricting Data Program outlined the boundaries of VTD's
around groups of whole census blocks on census maps. The entities
identified as VTD's are not necessarily those legally or currently
established. Also, to meet the "whole block" criterion, a State
may have had to adjust VTD boundaries to nearby block boundaries.
Therefore, the VTD's shown on the 1990 census tapes, listings, and maps
may not represent the actual VTD's in effect at the time of the census.
In the 1980 census, VTD's were referred to as "election
precincts."
Each VTD is assigned a four-character alphanumeric code that is unique
within each county. The code "ZZZZ" is assigned to
nonparticipating areas; the Census Bureau reports data for areas coded
"ZZZZ."
ZIP CODE\R
ZIP Codes are administrative units established by the United States
Postal Service (USPS) for the distribution of mail. ZIP Codes serve
addresses for the most efficient delivery of mail, and therefore
generally do not respect political or census statistical area
boundaries. ZIP Codes usually do not have clearly identifiable
boundaries, often serve a continually changing area, are changed
periodically to meet postal requirements, and do not cover all the land
area of the United States. ZIP Codes are identified by five-digit codes
assigned by the USPS. The first three digits identify a major city or
sectional distribution center, and the last two digits generally
signify a specific post office's delivery area or point. For the 1990
census, ZIP Code data are tabulated for the five-digit codes in STF 3B.