Census 1990

Overview of Products

Summary Files
Microdata
Maps-Spatial Data
Other Products

Data Sources

Online Extraction
GIS Products
DVD/CDs
File for FTP

General Information

Census Bureau site
Comparing 2000-1990
Congressional District Data
Other Library Holdings

Overview of Products

Summary Tapes Files (STF)

Summary Tape Files report data tabulated to various geographic levels, referred as "summary levels." Files report data on either the short form, filled out by everyone, or the long form given to a sample.

Short form, 100% count- exact counts

STF1 - all persons and by race - Hispanic Origin
       A - States - BlockGroups
       B - Blocks
       C - Nation, MSA, cross-state geographies
       D - Congressional District

STF2 - 34 race and Hispanic Origin groups
       A - Hierarchy within states to tracts
       B - States to areas 1,000 or more
       C - Nation to areas of 10,000 or more
       D - Congressional District

Long form, sample coverage - estimates

STF3 - all persons and by race - Hispanic Origin
       A - States - BlockGroups
       B - Zip Codes
       C - Nation, MSA, to areas of 10,000+
       D - Congressional District

STF4 - 34 race and Hispanic Origin groups
       A - States to tracts
       B - Hierarchy in state to areas 2,500+
       C - Nation to counties

Public Law (P.L.) 94-171
Also called the Redistricting file, it was the first file published from the 1990 Census and was used for congressional reapportionment. Data is based on the short form and focuses on age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin.
Subject Summary Tape Files (SSTF)
Subject Summary Tape Files analyze a topic (like ancestry, elderly, education, etc.) or population (blacks, asians, etc). Tables are generally reported to the state level with cross-tabulations within these files are reported at the national level only.

Public Use Microdata (PUMS)
The design of the 1990 PUMS files is similar to that of 2000, so refer to Microdata Overview for an explanation, while relying on the links the next section of this page to obtain the data.

Maps and Spatial Data

TIGER/Line®
All the geographies supported by the Census Bureau were originally published in the TIGER Line Files product. These are the basis for the spatial data products described above.
Printed Maps
The Census Bureau distributed Census maps in print. The Map collection has the Tract Boundary Maps and the Puma maps for 1990.

Other Products
The Census Bureau publishes two special tabulations that it prepares under contract for other agencies: the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) File, and the Census Transportation Planning Package (CTTP) file.

Data Sources

Online Data Extraction
- Social Explorer (selected tables)
  Use Data & Tools then choose Browse Reports for years including SF1 and SF3 for 1990.
- National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
  Generate data tables for any of the Summary Files.
- InfoShare Online (for data on New York City)
  Access to STF1A, STF3A, and Public Use Microdata is available. For STF files, a single data table for a multiple locations can be downloaded.
- Longitudinal Tract Data Base (LTDB)
  Preselected 1990 population characteristics in Excel spreadsheets reported for tracts as defined in 1990 or as defined in 2010. LTDB also has a feature that allows you to adjust any data based on 1990 tracts to estimates based on 2010 tracts.
- Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS)
  At this site, custom extractions of public use microdata can be done. Coverage is for all census years since 1850 except 1930.
- 1990 Census Transportation Planning Package
  This subject-specific special series is available from the Department of Transportation.
GIS Products
- Cartographic Boundary Files
  Use this site for all geographic areas except New York City.
- NYC Numeric and Spatial Data
  Use this page for boundaries for New York City.
- National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
  Use NHGIS boundaries (link is to NHGIS Shape Finder) when the source for census data was also NHGIS.
CD-ROM Products Available in the DSSC Data Service
- CD-ROMs from the Federal Government
  Refer to 1990 Census - CD-ROMs for a list of these CD-ROMs. They include the Subject Summary Tape Files series that reported on special topics and population sub-groups.
Files for FTP
- ICPSR
  This link leads to the complete list of what ICPSR provides. Use this source if you do not find what you are looking for in CU Data Catalog.

General Information

1990 Census Web Site
This site brings together all the data products and documentation maintained by the Census Bureau.
Obtaining Data by Congressional District
Comparing 1990 and with other Census years
- Geographic Correspondence Engine
  An interactive Web site that will generate correlations among 1990 Census boundaries, Zip codes, and 1980 boundaries.
- Significant Changes to Counties: 1970-Present
  Summarizes the changes to boundaries for counties or county equivalent areas deemed to be significant because of either population affected or land area involved.
- Historical Metropolitan Area Definitions (1999 and earlier)
- Comparing 1990 and 2000
  Links to information about comparing subject and geographies between these two years.
1990 Census CU Libraries Holdings
This is a detailed list of Columbia's print and CD-ROM holdings plus links to useful websites and reference sources.

Assistance in using these or any other data resources is available on-site in the DSSC during reference hours or by emailing dssc.data@columbia.edu.