Census Data: National Historical GIS (NHGIS)
Resources that guide users in locating and using census data.
National Historical GIS Summary
"The National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS) provides, free of charge, aggregate census data and GIS-compatible boundary files for the United States between 1790 and 2000. NHGIS offers the following options to obtain data:
- The NHGIS Shape Finder provides access to boundary files for mapping data in a GIS software package.
- The NHGIS Data Finder provides access to aggregate census data.
- Social Explorer allows online mapping of NHGIS data
Funding for the NHGIS provided by the National Science Foundation and the National Insitutes of Health."
Download Formats
Tabular Formats
- Comma-separated values (.csv)
Image Formats
- None
GIS Formats
- Shapefile (.shp) in compressed format (.zip)
National Historical GIS User Guides
- NHGIS User's GuideIncludes using the NHGIS Data Finder, selecting features from NHGIS boundary files, and importing columns into a GIS.
- Using NHGIS: An IntroductionFunding provided by the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. Project support provided by the Minnesota Population Center at the University of Minnesota.
Web Address: library.rice.edu | Physical Address: 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005 | Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892 | Phone: 713-348-5698 | © 2014 Rice University