Selecting Rural Data in American Factfinder

www.raconline.org

April 2015Rural Assistance Center

Finding Statistics and Data Related to Rural Health

Selecting Rural Data in

American Factfinder

Two Methods for Selecting Rural Data

Method 1: Geographic Comparison TablesThe simplest method for finding both rural and urban data.

Method 2: Choose Specific GeographiesUseful if you are seeking only rural statistics.

www.raconline.org

Method 1:Geographic Comparison

Tables

What are Geographic Comparison Tables (GCTs)?

GCTs provide statistics for a group of related geographic areas.

You can use GCTs to compare data for:• Urban/Rural• Metropolitan/Micropolitan/Noncore

Begin at http://factfinder.census.gov

Select “Advanced Search”

Select “Topics”

In “Topics”, select “Product Type”

Then select “Geographic Comparison Table”

Under “topic or table name”, enter “rural” and click Go

The list of tables will be updated to reflect your selections so far

From here, add additional topics of interest, for example -“Veterans”

If you select 5-year ACS estimates by state from the list:

You will see state level rural statistics for Alabama:

With the option to view the same data for other 5-year periods (end year shown):

As well as the option to view the same data for other states:

www.raconline.org

Method 2:Choose Specific

Geographies

Begin at http://factfinder.census.gov

Select “Advanced Search”

Select “Geographies”

Within Geographies, click on the “Name” Tab

On the Name Tab, scroll down to “Show Geographic Components”

Click the “Show Geographic Components” checkbox

Type “rural” in the search box and click “Go”

The list will update to show just those choices that include “rural”

Select the choices you want, such as “United States -- Rural”

You could also select a state, for example “Colorado -- Rural”

Once you’ve made your selections, click the “Add” button

The choices you added appear in “Your Selections”

Click the x to remove “rural” from “Your Geography Filters”

To add comparison data for the entire U.S. and all of Colorado:

“United States” will be at the top of the list. Select and click “Add”

Type “Colorado” in the search box and click “Go”

“Colorado” will be at the top of the list. Select and click “Add”

“Your Selections” now lists U.S. and Colorado, overall and rural

Now select the type of data you are interested in, such as “Topics”

For example, you might be seeking data on Veterans

If you select the 5-year ACS estimates for Veteran Status:

You will get detailed data for the geography and topic selected:

With the option to view the same data for other 5-year periods (end year shown):

www.raconline.org

For more information on rural data:

The Rural Assistance Center’s topic guide

Finding Statistics and Data Related to Rural Health

http://www.raconline.org/topics/statistics-and-data