About Census Summary Levels

The U.S. Census Bureau keeps track of geographic boundaries for tabulation purposes. In addition to political boundaries such as states and counties, the Census Bureau also creates smaller levels of geography so that data can be tabulated to smaller units. The smallest units are census blocks, followed by block groups and census tracts. The diagram illustrates the hierarchical relationship of these smaller census summary levels.

are more detailed descriptions for all of the summary levels for which the Census Bureau tabulates data. All of these census summary levels are available for Caliper mapping software products and include 2020 Census data and most include the latest American Community Survey (ACS) data. Caliper also offers 1990 Census data, 2000 Census data, and 2010 Census data.

Census Summary Levels Diagram

The following summary levels have a hierarchical relationship (reflected in their summary level codes) and are listed from smallest to largest:

Census Block Summary Level Sample MapWhat Are Blocks?

Blocks are the smallest entity for which the Census Bureau collects and tabulates census information. There are about 8 million census blocks nationwide as of the 2020 Census. In cities, a census block is typically equivalent to a city block bounded by streets on all sides. In rural areas, however, a census block may be larger and bounded by streets, streams, railroad tracks, city limits, or county boundaries.
Available separately from Caliper

Census Block Group Summary Level Sample MapWhat Are Block Groups?

The Block Groups layer contains a nationwide area database with 242,180 Census Block Groups with Census and American Community Survey (ACS) demographic data. Block Groups are a combination of Census Blocks and are also a subdivision of Census Tracts. Block Groups generally contain between 600 and 3000 people and are made up of on average 40 Census Blocks.
Available separately from Caliper

Census Tract Summary Level Sample MapWhat Are Tracts?

Tracts are a small, relatively permanent statistical subdivision of a county delineated by a local committee of census data users for the purpose of presenting census data. Census tract boundaries normally follow visible features, but may follow governmental unit boundaries and other non-visible features, and they always nest within counties. Census tracts are designed to be relatively homogenous units with respect to population characteristics, economic status, and living conditions at the time the users established them. They usually contain 1,200 to 8,000 people and are made up of on average about four block groups. There are about 85,193 tracts nationwide as of the 2020 Census. The census tract layer included with Maptitude is ideal for demographic mapping and for estimating the demographics of territories or around sites.
Included with Maptitude and TransCAD

County Subdivision Sample MapWhat Are County Subdivisions?

County subdivisions are the primary divisions of counties for the reporting of decennial census data. They include minor civil divisions (MCDs are the primary governmental or administrative divisions of a county such as boroughs, towns, and townships), census county divisions (CCDs were established by the Census Bureau in 21 states where there are no legally established MCDs), census subareas, and unorganized territories.
Included with Maptitude and TransCAD

County Sample MapWhat Are Counties?

Counties are the primary legal divisions of most states. In Louisiana, these divisions are known as "parishes." In Alaska, which has no counties, the statistically equivalent entities are census areas, city and boroughs (Juneau City and Borough), a municipality (Anchorage), and organized boroughs. In Connecticut, which has had no county governments since 1959, the statistically equivalent entities are Council of Government (COGs)/planning regions. The entire District of Columbia is considered equivalent to a county for statistical purposes. The primary legal divisions of Puerto Rico are termed "municipios" and are treated by the U.S. Census Bureau, for statistical purposes, as the equivalent of a county in the United States. The County layer included with Maptitude is ideal for demographic mapping of county data.
Included with Maptitude and TransCAD

Sample State MapWhat Are States?

States are the primary governmental divisions of the United States. The District of Columbia is treated as a statistical equivalent of a state for decennial census purposes, as are Puerto Rico and the Island Areas: American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth if the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands of the United States. 
Included with Maptitude and TransCAD

In addition to the hierarchical summary levels listed above, there are a number of additional summary levels for which the Census Bureau tabulates data. These include:

Census Place Summary Level Sample MapWhat Are Census Places?

Places include census designated places, consolidated cities, and incorporated places. A Census designated place is a settled concentration of population that are identifiable by name but are not legally incorporated under the laws of the state in which they are located. Consolidated cities are where an incorporated place and its county or minor civil division (MCD) have merged. Incorporated places are those reported to the U.S. Census Bureau as legally in existence on January 1, 2020, under the laws of their respective states, as cities, boroughs, towns, and villages, with the following exceptions: the towns in the New England states, New York, and Wisconsin, and the boroughs in New York are recognized as minor civil divisions for statistical purposes; the boroughs in Alaska are county equivalents for decennial census statistical presentation purposes. In four states (Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia), there are one or more incorporated places known as "independent cities" that are primary divisions of a state and legally not part of any county. For statistical purposes, the U.S. Census Bureau may treat an independent city as a county equivalent, county subdivision, and place. 
Included with Maptitude and TransCAD

Census Place Sample MapWhat Are Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Micropolitan Statistical Areas?

Caliper's Core Based Statistical Areas layer contains Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) are geographical relatively high population density geographic regions with close economic ties throughout the area. Caliper's Core Based Micropolitan Statistical Areas layer contains Micropolitan Statistical Areas. Micropolitan Statistical Areas are around urban areas with a population of 10,000 to 49,999. MSAs and Micropolitan Statistical Areas are not legally incorporated nor are they legal administrative divisions.
Included with Maptitude and TransCAD

Sample Congressional Districts MapWhat Are Congressional Districts?

Congressional districts are the 435 areas from which members are elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Available Separately from Caliper

Sample State Legislative District MapWhat Are State Legislative Districts?

State legislative districts are the areas from which members are elected to upper (senate) or lower (house/assembly) chambers of the state legislatures.  
Available Separately from Caliper

Sample Voting Districts Level MapWhat Are Voting Districts?

Voting districts are areas, such as precincts, wards, and election districts, established by state, local, and tribal governments for the purpose of conducting elections.
Available Separately from Caliper

School Level MapWhat Are School Districts?

School Districts School districts are geographic entities within which state, county, or local government officials provide public educational services for the area's residents.
Available Separately from Caliper

What Are Urbanized Areas and Urban Clusters?

An urbanized area consists of densely settled territory that contains 50,000 or more people. An urbanized area may contain both place and non-place territory. The U.S. Census Bureau delineates urbanized areas to provide a better separation of urban and rural territory, population, and housing in the vicinity of large places.
Included with TransCAD

What Are Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs)?

Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs) A traffic analysis zone is a special area delineated by state and/or local transportation officials for tabulating traffic-related data and usually consists of one or more census blocks, block groups, or census tracts.
Included with TransCAD