Census data aid communities

The release of Census 2000 information is right around the corner, good news for Iowa State University Extension and community development efforts.

According to Sandra Charvat Burke, an assistant scientist with the ISU Department of Sociology, state population figures nationwide should be ready by the end of the year because the U.S. Congress needs to deal with reapportionment issues. However, between February and April 2001, demographic and population data for individual communities and geographic areas should be ready; this would include age, sex, housing (e.g., ownership, number of households) and race. Socio-economic information, such as education levels, marital status, income, poverty levels and labor force numbers, won't be available until the early part of 2002.

 

For community developers and planners, the availability of this new information plays a critical role in their efforts to attract residents and businesses, as well as plan for service-related changes due to demographic shifts.

"Like any business, we need good data to work with," said Gary Blythe, executive director of the Sheldon Community Development Corporation. "When developing new programs, you can't go on a guess or a hunch, so it's reassuring to have sources I can rely on at ISU for expertise when it comes to analyzing census data."

ISU's Census Services Web site makes a full range of census data available (socserver.soc.iastate.edu/census/). Margie Hanson, an ISU Extension sociologist, said the Web site offers longitudinal data. "Much of our information goes back 20 to 30 years. Through this site you can examine historic trends in Iowa and compare them to other states, as well as gather specific information on towns and counties across the state."

Inquiries and requests for information come from across the state, Burke and Hanson said, but the areas of interest are consistent. Many communities are interested in reviewing housing data, poverty levels, minority populations and any information regarding labor force and general population issues, in particular elderly population numbers. 

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• Last update: Sept. 18, 2000