Census Mapping Files

The U.S. Census Bureau provides Census Mapping Files, which are essential for anyone seeking to incorporate detailed geographical information into their projects. These files serve as a fundamental resource for researchers, planners, and the public to visualize and analyze demographic and economic data across the United States. The collection includes a variety of formats designed to be compatible with standard Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and mapping applications.

Key data formats offered include Shapefiles, which are widely used for storing geometric location and attribute information. Specifically, users can find Partnership Shapefiles, TIGER/Line Shapefiles, and Cartographic Boundary Shapefiles, each serving distinct purposes for different levels of geographic detail and accuracy. Additionally, the bureau provides KML (Keyhole Markup Language) files, ideal for use with applications like Google Earth, and File Geodatabase files, which offer a robust data model for managing complex spatial data.

These mapping files are instrumental for tasks such as creating custom maps, performing spatial analysis, and understanding the geographic distribution of census data. By offering these diverse file types, the U.S. Census Bureau ensures broad accessibility and utility of its comprehensive geographic information, supporting a wide range of analytical and cartographic endeavors.