Making Cents of All Those Numbers: Using Census Data Effectively

Transcription

1 Making Cents of All Those Numbers: Using Census Data Effectively Gary Krob, State Data Center Program Iowa Library Services/State Library

2 Goals for Today To have a general discussion about the use of Census Bureau data in grant writing and community planning. Create an understanding on how using data can help you paint a clearer picture of your community While this is not a grant writing workshop, I hope to make this a useful starting point for grant writers and libraries to begin their own exploration of census data. State Data Center

3 Successful Grants, Strategic Plans, and Advocacy goals all have things in common: Well Organized Thoughtfully Planned Concisely Packaged Backed With Supportive Data State Data Center

4 Data gives strength by adding: Context Credibility Measurability Describes the population that will benefit or the target population to be served. Defines the community problem to be addressed. Describes the situation in factual terms. State Data Center 4

5 Data can help your community answer questions like How many people live here? How has the number of people changed? How old or young are the people? What race and ethnicity are they? How well educated are the people? What languages do they speak? How many single parents? How many households are low-income? State Data Center

6 Censuses, Surveys and Estimates Decennial Census counts people & housing units American Community Survey estimates demographic, social, economic characteristics of people & housing stock Annual Population estimates estimates number of people State Data Center 6

7 2010 Census and American Community Survey 2010 Census shows the number of people in the U. S. ACS shows how people live All ACS data are survey estimates--to help you interpret the reliability of the estimate, the Census Bureau publishes a margin of error (MOE). 7 State Data Center

8 2010 Census Content Demographic Characteristics Sex Age Race Hispanic Origin Household Relationship Tenure State Data Center

9 American Community Survey Data State Data Center

10 How to effectively use data Emphasize the geographic area you are designated to serve Add perspective to the data Use accurate, current, and impartial data sources Document your data sources State Data Center 10

11 Perceived issue: The elderly population in Hardin county has been increasing and the libraries in the county want to be proactive in services and outreach to this growing population. Proposed solution: The libraries in Hardin county want to start a county-wide initiative to collaborate with community agencies and groups serving older adults. State Data Center 11

12 How to effectively use data Emphasize the geographic area you are designated to serve Add perspective to the data Use accurate, current, and impartial data sources Document your data sources State Data Center 12

13 Emphasize the geographic area you are designated to serve Census Geography Political Areas: States, Counties, Cities, American Indian Reservations, School Districts Statistical Areas: Census Tracts, Census Blocks, Census Designated Places, Zip Codes

14 How to effectively use data Emphasize the geographic area you are designated to serve Add perspective to the data Use accurate, current, and impartial data sources Document your data sources State Data Center 14

15 Add perspective: Provide raw numbers and percentages In 2010, there were 3,675 people age 65 and over living in Hardin County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau s 2010 Census. State Data Center 15

16 Add perspective: Provide raw numbers and percentages, continued In 2010, there were 3,675 people age 65 and over living in Hardin County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau s 2010 Census or 21.0% of the county s total population. State Data Center 16

17 Add perspective: Geographic comparisons - State and national rates People age 65 and over comprised 21.0% of the county s total population. This compares to 13.0% for the U.S. and 14.9% for the state of Iowa, according to the 2010 Census from the U.S. Census Bureau. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census State Data Center 17

18 Add perspective: Geographic comparisons - Similar types of areas Population 65 years and over Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census State Data Center 18

19 Add perspective: Geographic comparisons - Similar size areas Hardin, Percent 65 years and over in selected Iowa Counties with Population 16,000-18,000: Clayton Tama Delaware Crawford Jefferson Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census, Percent State Data Center 19

20 Add perspective: Geographic comparisons - Rankings According to the 2010 Census from the U.S. Census Bureau, Hardin County ranked: 35 th among all counties in median age (43.7) 16 th among all Iowa counties in percentage of population age 65 and over Measure Value Rank Median age 43.7 years 35 Percentage of population age % 16 State Data Center 20

21 Add perspective: Use trends over time More than one data point Percent 50.0 Median Age in Hardin County: Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Censuses Year State Data Center 21

22 Add perspective: Use trends over time More than one data point, continued Percent 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% Percentage of Population Age 65 and Over: Hardin County % Year Data source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2012 State Data Center 22

23 Add perspective: Use trends over time More than one data point and comparison Percent 40 Percentage of Population Age 65 and over: Hardin County and State of Iowa Hardin State of Iowa Year Data source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2012 State Data Center 23

24 Add credibility: Use more than one data source Percent of Medicare beneficiaries with benefits aged 65 or older in Hardin County: Percent Year Source: Social Security Administration publication OASDI Beneficiaries by State and County State Data Center 24

25 How to effectively use data Emphasize the geographic area you are designated to serve Add perspective to the data Use accurate, current, and impartial data sources Document your data sources State Data Center 25

26 Use accurate, current, and impartial data sources Search out reputable sources Use the most recent data available State Data Center 26

27 Search out reputable sources Government agencies Nonprofit, non-political associations Academic or peer-reviewed journals (available on EbscoHost and FirstSearch) State Data Center 27

28 Use the most recent data available Decennial census American Community Survey (ACS) Annual estimates and projections State Data Center 28

29 How to effectively use data Emphasize the geographic area you are designated to serve Add perspective to the data Use accurate, current, and impartial data sources Document your data sources State Data Center 29

30 Document your data sources Adds credibility to your proposal Facilitates data verification Makes it easier to update reports State Data Center 30

31 Where to start Comprehensive Iowa data finder spreadsheet ( State Data Center Web site ( American FactFinder ( State Data Center 31

32 Iowa Data Finder State Data Center 32

33 State Data Center Web site: State Data Center 33

34 State Data Center Web site: State Data Center 34

35 American FactFinder State Data Center 35

36 Ask for help State Data Center services Quick answers Custom data tabulations Radius studies Thematic maps Consultations on data use Referrals to quality data sources State Data Center 36

37 Contact information: Gary Krob State Data Center Coordinator (515) Telephone: (800) or (515) Fax: (515) Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, except holidays State Data Center 37

38 Questions and Answers... State Data Center