ACS Data Users Group

Hello. I am using the census-tract level ACS data, and I would like to know if there is a corresponding map to visualize the census tract geographies. Thank you!

If you have GIS software, you can download shapefiles from the Census TIGER site: https://www.census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-series/geo/tiger-line-file.html

Note that the year of TIGER file you'd use corresponds with the last year of the 5-year ACS range (so, for 2016-2020 ACS, you'd use 2020 TIGER census tracts).

If you don't have GIS software, you could try a web-based mapping tool like PolicyMap, which lets you map boundaries like census tracts for free (as well as map ACS data on them, which it sounds like you're trying to do).

State tract reference maps are available at www.census.gov/.../2020-census-tract.html

hi Gwendolyn--

If you're asking for a map that just shows Census Tract boundaries, try the map viewer at Census TIGER: https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerweb2020/

If you're asking for interactive webmaps that map the ACS data, you have choices!

1. The Census American Community Survey interactive map from Colorado State Demographer is here https://gis.dola.colorado.gov/CensusAPI_Map_2020/?lat=45&lng=-93&z=9&s=50&v=mhi&sn=jenks&cs=mh1&cl=7

• There should be theme change & display tools along the left side of the screen.

Many state government agencies offer interactive webmaps. I like Colorado's map here because they went the extra distance and deployed a map with ALL the data from ALL the states.

2. Also very comprehensive and easy to uss are interactive maps at censusreporter. So here is a tract-level map: share of commuters who have long commutes (>60 minutes) https://censusreporter.org/data/map/?table=B08134&geo_ids=140|04000US27&primary_geo_id=04000US27#column|B08134010,sumlev|140

Hope that helps!

--Todd Graham

Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities

If you are looking for a quick geography viewer without data try TIGERweb:

https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerweb/

For maps with data, The Census has a new Community Explorer app that has some data though the app is a bit clunky to use right now. ESRI has also been putting a lot of ACS data online through their Living Atlas which you can use with a free ArcGIS Online account.

Thanks Mara! Yes, I have been involved in maintaining and updating the Living Atlas layers. We also have a blog post and swipe app to help visualize the new tract changes:

blog post: https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-living-atlas/mapping/acs-2016-2020-updated-boundaries/

swipe app: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/StorytellingSwipe/index.html?appid=a6a6636753ef48f6b7b8167cdb590e21

The information you all provide is helpful and simply perfect. THANK YOU!