Census block
Encyclopedia
A census block is the smallest geographic unit used by the United States Census Bureau
for tabulation of 100-percent data (data collected from all houses, rather than a sample of houses). Several blocks make up block groups
, which again make up census tract
s. There are on average about 39 blocks per block group, but there are variations. Blocks typically have a four-digit number where the first number indicates which block group the block is in, for example Block 3019 would be in block group 3. The number of blocks in the United States
including Puerto Rico
is about 8,200,000.
Blocks are typically bounded by streets, roads or creeks. In cities, a census block may correspond to a city block
, but in rural areas where, roads are fewer, blocks may be limited by other features. The population of a census block varies greatly. There are about 2,700,000 blocks with a population of 0, while a block that is entirely occupied by an apartment
complex might have several hundred inhabitants.
Census blocks covering the entire country were introduced with the 1990 census
. Prior to this, back to the 1940 census
, only select areas were divided into blocks.
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
for tabulation of 100-percent data (data collected from all houses, rather than a sample of houses). Several blocks make up block groups
Census block group
A census block group is a geographical unit used by the United States Census Bureau which is between the census tract and the census block. It is the smallest geographical unit for which the bureau publishes sample data, i.e data which is only collected from a fraction of all households.Census...
, which again make up census tract
Census tract
A census tract, census area, or census district is a geographic region defined for the purpose of taking a census. Usually these coincide with the limits of cities, towns or other administrative areas and several tracts commonly exist within a county...
s. There are on average about 39 blocks per block group, but there are variations. Blocks typically have a four-digit number where the first number indicates which block group the block is in, for example Block 3019 would be in block group 3. The number of blocks in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
including Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
is about 8,200,000.
Blocks are typically bounded by streets, roads or creeks. In cities, a census block may correspond to a city block
City block
A city block, urban block or simply block is a central element of urban planning and urban design. A city block is the smallest area that is surrounded by streets. City blocks are the space for buildings within the street pattern of a city, they form the basic unit of a city's urban fabric...
, but in rural areas where, roads are fewer, blocks may be limited by other features. The population of a census block varies greatly. There are about 2,700,000 blocks with a population of 0, while a block that is entirely occupied by an apartment
Apartment
An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...
complex might have several hundred inhabitants.
Census blocks covering the entire country were introduced with the 1990 census
United States Census, 1990
The Twenty-first United States Census, conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 248,709,873, an increase of 9.8 percent over the 226,545,805 persons enumerated during the 1980 Census....
. Prior to this, back to the 1940 census
United States Census, 1940
The Sixteenth United States Census, conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 132,164,569, an increase of 7.3 percent over the 1930 population of 123,202,624 persons. The census date was April 1, 1940...
, only select areas were divided into blocks.