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Cornell Program on Applied Demographics

Webinars

Determining Significant Differences in ACS Estimates and MOE

March 10, 2016 - 10AM

Joe Francis, Program on Applied Demographics, Cornell University

ABSTRACT: For some years we have become used to working with the uncertainty of ACS estimates as well as the estimates themselves. In our own work, and hopefully in our reports to clients, we have dutifully reported both the ACS estimate and some measure of error indicating how well that estimate differs from the null condition. Whether presenting results in tables, graphs or maps, it has become generally agreed that informing the user of our research as to the uncertainty of our estimates is crucial to trustworthiness and useful interpretations of the estimates themselves.
With the recent release of the ACS_14_5YR period estimates we finally have a non-overlapping ACS dataset that we can compare changes over time for all geographies down to the tract and block group level of geography. Now seemed a good time to examine procedures for determining, and interpreting, differences in common ACS statistical estimates like means, medians, percentages and ratios. The two independent datasets we will examine are the ACS 2005-9 period versus the ACS 2010-14 period.
This webinar will walk through the process of computing and interpreting the significance of a differences of means, using change in household size as an illustration. Median household income will be employed to illustrate the change between these two periods, including adjusting for inflation in each set of estimates. To illustrate the comparison of difference in percentages across time, the percent below the poverty line will serve our purposes. Lastly, the webinar will investigate changes in a derived ratio—renter occupied to owner occupied housing units.

New features on the Cornell Program on Applied Demographics website

February 11, 2016 - 10AM

Jan Vink, Program on Applied Demographics, Cornell University

ABSTRACT: The Cornell Program on Applied Demographics maintains a website where people can find data on a variety of subjects. Most of the data is presented as trends in time, but users can also easily compare data between areas. Furthermore there are sections on the website for publications, maps, tools and other resources adding value to the data published on the website and data found elsewhere. This webinar takes a tour to the different sections of the website, shows some of the things you can find there and how to use some of the features, especially those features that where recently added.

2020 Census Redistricting Data Program

January 7, 2016

James Whitehorn, Chief Redistricting Data Office of the U.S. Census Bureau

ANNOUNCEMENT: The NYSDC Network Webinar for Thursday, January 7 features James Whitehorne, Chief of the Redistricting Data Office of the U.S. Census Bureau to make a presentation to our network on the Redistricting Data to be produced from the 2020 Census. Of immediate interest is the process by which the Blocks will be configured for delivery of the PL 94-171 and subsequent tabulations. Determination of the boundaries for the 2020 Census Blocks is underway in a program called the Block Boundary Suggestion Program. James will cover how the Census Bureau works with New York State throughout the process.

NHGIS Time Series Tables, Now Including 2000 Data for 2010 Census Areas

December 17, 2015

Jonathan Schroeder, Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota

ABSTRACT: The National Historical Geographic Information System (http://www.nhgis.org) provides free online access to summary tables and GIS boundary files for U.S. censuses from 1790 to the present. In recent years, NHGIS has begun releasing time series tables, which link together comparable statistics from multiple censuses in customized downloadable bundles. There are now thousands of time series available, organized into hundreds of tables, mainly covering statistics from the 1970-2010 censuses and the 2012 American Community Survey. The newest tables provide 2000 and 2010 statistics for 2010 census areas at 10 geographic levels, including census tracts, block groups, ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, and census places. These tables use an advanced interpolation method to produce high-quality 2000 estimates where boundaries changed between censuses. This webinar provides an overview of current and planned NHGIS time series features, highlighting how they can simplify the measurement and mapping of changes in census data.

Using DataFerrett to Create Custom Tables from ACS PUMS

July 14, 2014

Warren Brown, Program on Applied Demographics, Cornell University

ABSTRACT: This webinar walks through some examples of the use of DataFerret. DataFerrett is a data analysis and extraction tool at the U.S. Census Bureau to customize federal, state, and local data to suit your requirements. Using DataFerrett, you can develop an unlimited array of customized spreadsheets that are as versatile and complex as your usage demands then turn those spreadsheets into graphs and maps without any additional software.

Accessing & Interpreting Demographic Data

February 22, 2013

Robin Blakely-Armitage, Community and Regional Development Institute (CaRDI), Cornell University

ABSTRACT: This session builds on the prior one with a focus on accessing and interpreting demographic and socio-economic data for communities and regions. Participants will be introduced to three valuable on-line data resources, with an emphasis on how to examine data over time, across geographies, and how to reach statistically sound conclusions about patterns and trends. This session is critical for those seeking additional socio-demographic data for a variety of community development purposes.

County Population and Economic Characteristics

January 18, 2013

Joe Francis and Jan Vink, Program on Applied Demographics, Cornell University

ABSTRACT: Following the 1970, 1980 and 1990 Census of Population and Housing, the Department of Development Sociology (Rural Sociology then) produced a series of booklets, one for each county, in which selected key population and housing statistics were compiled along with some interpretive text. These booklets and materials were quite widely sought and used. The Program on Applied Demographics (PAD) has been commissioned by CCE Administration to produce profiles containing key population, housing and economic information for each county. The training will use the profile developed for Genesee County to highlight the information, the data sources, and interpretation of the numerous charts and diagrams.