“How Many Facts Online?”Using American Factfinder

Kaleena T. Woodard

LIS 704

March 23, 2015

American Factfinder Introduction

American Factfinder allows users to asked questions such as, “How many people live in

Washington, IL?” or “What does the economy outlook in Kane County, IL?” This

instructional guide is targeted toward students who are in middle and high school who are just

learning how to efficiently evaluate and research information online. Adults can also use this

online resource to research a certain city, state or town for business and relocation purposes.

American Factfinder is a trusted, free and open governmental site controlled by the United

States Census Bureau and the United States Department of Commerce.

This site has four different types of search options that will allow the user to research

statistical data based on a state, town or county’s population, income, housing, governments,

poverty and “business and industry” growth. The user will need to know how to use navigate

through one or all of the search options to obtain statistical information. The user will also

need to know how to rely on the “HELP” section of the site for guidance. American

Factfinder also relies on several surveys such as the American Housing Survey, the Annual

Economic Census, and the Census of Governments for statistics.

What is American Factfinder ?

American FactFinder is the primary way to access data from the

Decennial Census, the American Community Survey, the Puerto Rico

Community Survey, the Economic Census, the Population Estimates

Program and Annual Economic Surveys. American FactFinder allows the

user to, choose search paths, see results based on your search and view and

analyze data.

What is American Factfinder ?

American FactFinder is owned and operated by the United States

Census Bureau Department. The Census Bureau makes sure that online

forms and other public documents on their site is accessible to all.

Currently the Census Bureau website is reviewing their website to make

sure that all modifications of their pages are updated and in compliance

with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Users can easily access American

FactFinder at http://factfinder2.census.gov. This website is free to use. This

website is updated every year.

Data Paths

American FactFinder allows users to conduct statistical search by

using four census data paths.

Community Facts

Guided Search

Advanced Search

Download Center

Community Facts

Community Facts allows the user to easily find popular facts

and estimates, or frequently viewed tables about your city or town.

Find basic population, income, poverty, education, commuting,

employment, race, ancestry, language spoken and housing data.

Guided Search

Guided Search helps you find Census data by specifying search criteria step-

by-step. This stepwise approach differs from Advanced Search because in

Advanced Search the user can specify your search criteria by using American

Factfinder's search options in any order, whereas Guided Search prompts the user

criteria by presenting the search options one after another.

Advance Search

In Advanced Search, users can search for all data using all features within

American Factfinder. Users can use this search to find data by text or keyword

search or using pre-defined topics, geographies, race/ethnic groups, industry

codes, or EEO occupation codes.

Download CenterThe Download Center allows the user to quickly select and download large

amounts of data. This process allows the user to selecting up to 40 tables for a set

of geographies. Users are also allowed to download 'prepackaged products' that

are available on the Census Bureau's FTP sites that have been indexed by

American Factfinder.

Getting Statistical With Illinois State Counties

Getting StatisticalWith Illinois State Counties

The state of Illinois has a total of 102 counties. Individuals, government officials and companies depend on the statistical information of each county in order to determine if individuals wants to live, start a business or request additional funds to help service that county. Each student must pick a county of their choice and research statistical information based on that county. The list of all 102 counties can be found at this web address http://www.alphalists.com/list/alphabetical-list-illinois-counties.

Getting Statistical With Illinois State Counties

Students must answer the following questions by using American

Factfinder.

1. How many African, “Hispanic or Latino” and “Two or more Races”

American’s live in the county in question?

2. How many companies and other businesses are located in county in

question? Out of the number of companies with in the county, what is the

percentage of males’ verses females that work in the field of “education,

training, and library occupation”?

3. What is the average household income for the county in question?

4. What is the percentage of individuals who attend public high school

verses private high school?

5. What is the whole statistical governmental breakdown of any county in

Illinois?

Getting Statistical With Illinois State Counties

We will start off with answering question number five together as a group

5. What is the whole statistical governmental breakdown of any county in

Illinois?

Students must find the “Local Governments in Counties” information based

on the county of their choice. Question number five will allow students to chose a

county that they can research. Here is an example of how this search should be

conducted. Students cannot research any statistical information based on Cook

County due to the fact that Cook County will be used as an example in this

instructional guide. After the collection of data, students will compare their

statistical findings of their county based on the finds of other student’s counties.

Students have a week to finish this assignment in class.

1. Enter the web address, factfinder.census.gov into the web address space bar.

2. Go to the “Community Facts” section on the screen and type in the name of

the county in the spacebar. Then click on the “GO” grey button to conduct the

search.

3. On the left side on the screen, there’s a list of light blue tabs that will allow the

user to research community facts about statistical information based on the county in

question. The user is searching for statistical information based on the “Local

Governments in Counties”. Click on the light blue “Governments” tab.

4. Click on the title, “Local Governments in Counties” highlighted in blue

under the subsection, “Census of Governments”.

5. This page displays a “Table View” about all the statistical information on the

“Local Governments in Counties”.

6. Click the “Back To Community” grey button to return to the main

“Community Facts” page to obtain additional information based on the county in

question.

Additional Information

Use the “HELP”, “GLOSSARY” or “FAQ’s” (Frequent Ask Questions)

section located on the top right corner of each page. The “HELP” section

is for additional insight of how to navigate the online resource. The

“GLOSSARY” is use to look up the meaning of a term. “FAQ’s” are

questions frequently asked about the usage of this site.

Additional Information

Ask other students who sit near you

OR

Ask the “Super” Librarian !!

Reference

United State Census Bureau (2015). American Factfinder. Retrieved on March 10, 2015 at

factfinder.census.gov.