Finally the detailed demographic data from the 1980 US Census is available in a convenient, easy to use format. GeoLytics has created CensusCD 1980, a single CD-ROM with detailed 1980 population statistics, housing data, and geographic boundaries combined with software for creating reports and displaying data as colorful thematic maps.

CensusCD 1980 provides an important baseline for analyzing present and future trends in census data.

Extensive Data

Finally you can find complete 1980 Census data, both the 100% count (STF-1) and long form (STF-3) data, down to the block group level in one convenient source. CensusCD 1980 gives you over 1,500 demographic variables for every Block Group, Tract, Place, Minor Civil Division (MCD), County, State, Division, and Region as well as for the Nation as a whole. Covers 1980 population and housing attributes with data on age, race, ancestry, gender, poverty, income, education, commuting, employment, rent, home ownership, housing value, size of housing, heating systems, and even bathrooms. Users can select one or several data items in customized reports or choose pre-formatted single topic reports with pre-selected data fields. All data can be exported (see below).

1980 Census Boundaries

CensusCD 1980 includes land and water boundaries for the entire country from the block group level up. Boundaries for 1980 are provided for all Block Groups, Tracts, Places, Minor Civil Divisions (MCD), Counties, States, Divisions, and Regions as there were defined by the Census. GeoLytics built up this boundary coverage from the most detailed level of census geography, the census block. The 1990 Census was the first census in which every part of the country was assigned to a census block with its features defined geographically. GeoLytics created a detailed set of 1980 boundaries by using the relationship of what 1980 tracts these 1990 block assignments were within, as determined by the Census Bureau. This provides an extremely detailed boundary set with a solid historical basis. The CD integrates boundary selection with its thematic mapping tool so users never have to even think about the boundaries when creating a map and viewing data. No desktop mapping or GIS experience is needed to use this product. Boundaries can be exported in popular GIS formats.

Thematic Mapping

CensusCD 1980 includes a Data Mapping Engine which USA TODAY called "Simple But Slick" Users can create customized geographic data selections and visualize the demographics as color shaded maps. This improves the perception of data trends and allows users to quickly find patterns in the data. The Map Viewer has tools for zooming in and out of the map display, hiding water boundaries, showing labels, and even allows customization of themes, colors, and ranges. Shows data information alongside of map display for quick reference or to change theme display on the fly.

Easy-to-Use Interface

Detailed data reports or thematic maps are generated with only three steps. CensusCD 1980 uses an interface similar to GeoLytics' previous products. In describing that interface the Technology Columnist for the Evansville Courier said it, "takes the government information we all need and puts it in a form that a chimp could work with." When combined with the convenience of one disk the product's simple interface eliminates the technological hurdles of working with 1980 US Census data. It is a perfect resource for anyone who needs a recent historical perspective of the United States' population and housing.

Export Capabilities

CensusCD 1980 exports data for use with other software such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, statistical, desktop mapping, and GIS packages. This dramatically increases the flexibility of the data by making it portable and provides considerable cost savings considering all the different formats for export. While this is a standard feature of GeoLytics' products some vendors actually charge more for versions of their products to allow exporting or only provide the data in a single format. Data reports can be created as .DBF or ASCII (comma or tab delimited, with or without headers) files and map boundaries can be exported in popular GIS formats (ArcView GIS's Shapefile or MapInfo's MID/MIF) with the data attributes already linked.

One Windows CD-ROM

Convenience of a single CD-ROM finally makes it easy for PC users to work with this historical demographic data. This is the first time such a complete set of 1980 Census data has ever been combined onto a single CD -ROM. CensusCD 1980 eliminates the need to download megabytes of data, swap multiple CDs, decompress unnecessary data files onto your hard drive, or in some cases. GeoLytics' unique compression technology decompresses data dynamically, or "on the fly", to quickly get results right from the CD. The CD runs under Windows 95, 98, or NT.

Integrated Package

CensusCD 1980 comes complete with all the data and software a user needs for getting results. It is a complete product for visualizing 1980 demographic data down to the tract level. While the CD exports data for use with other more specialized software packages, many users will find all they need to extract, analyze, and produce detailed color maps of the data. The software is simple enough for anyone familiar with Windows to use yet provides sophisticated tools for serious researchers.

Custom Geographic Selection

CensusCD 1980 makes it easy to select specific geographic areas of interest. Users can include any areas in a geographic level within a single report such as selecting specific tracts or counties in different states within the same report. CensusCD 1980 lets you customize results. If you need information on tracts for a county in Maine and one in California and another in New York, you can have them all in one report. More importantly the program will automatically break down one or more larger areas into component units. For instance getting New New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania reported by tract, place, or county is a snap. Compare this to data vendors who only provide raw data and want to sell you only one state or county at a time.

Custom Variable Calculator

The Map Viewer includes a calculator for performing mathematical operations on demographic data in the reports to create new variables or show relationships between variables. Automatically maps results as a new data theme. Provides enhanced statistical analysis capability within the product to expand the usefulness of the information. Includes comparative symbols (>,=, <) and logical operators ("and", "or", "not") along with mathematical symbols for more in depth analysis.

On-Line Help

Documentation is included directly on the CD. This lets users start creating reports in just minutes with an explanation of the simple interface and examples. A special help section explains controls and features of the Map Viewer to enable users create customized maps. Eliminates the problem of losing user documentation.