Get Census Tract Demographics in Microsoft Excel

We now have a new database for CDXZipStream that provides an extensive variety of demographic data for census tracts in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. CDXZipStream is our Excel-based zip code software that performs address, zip code, and geographic analysis, including route optimization, geocoding, zip code radius calculations, address verification, and demographics import.

Demographics based on census tract offers significant advantages over zip code data. Since census tracts are about half the population of zip code areas, the smaller size provides a more accurate demographic snapshot.  Also, zip code census data is actually based on ZCTA's, or Zip Code Tabulation Areas, which the Census Bureau use to approximate zip codes. Census tracts, which are precisely defined by the Census Bureau, do not include the possible error associated with using ZCTA's.

The CDXTract feed provides a variety of data from the on-going American Community Survey.  Topics are:

- Age

- Individual Earnings

- Educational Attainment

- Household Size

- Household Income

- Housing Value and Rent

- Marital Status

- Population

- Race

- School Enrollment

- Land, Water Area

For a complete listing and description of each demographic variable, you can download an Excel file which describes each CDXZipStream data feed in detail, including CDXTract.

To access the data, census tract codes (also referred to as FIPS codes), must be provided as input in an Excel worksheet. CDX Technologies now offers a free Excel template that can identify census tract codes for an address list – please see our blog posting Get Census Tract FIPS Codes in an Excel Template.  You can also view a short tutorial on how to use the template:

Or view it on Youtube: Get Census Tract FIPS Codes in Microsoft Excel.

Once you have the list of FIPS codes for each location, use your cursor to select the first code in your list, then click on the CDXZipStream icon on the main toolbar. You’ll see a dialog like this:

We’ve selected the CDXTract data feed (under the Select Data Feed option), and have also added the data fields we need to the list on the right, in this case covering median age data and earnings levels.

Click "Get Data", and the selected data will now be automatically returned to the worksheet (only part of the returned data is shown here):

For a short tutorial on how to use the CDXTract data feed, please see the video below:

or view it on YouTube: Census Tract Demographics for an Address List.

Between the recent 2010 Census and the ongoing American Community Survey, there is now an unprecedented level of extensive, up-to-date demographics data available for the U.S. market.  Please note that census tract data is an additional purchase, and is compatible with all demographic versions of CDXZipStream.  For pricing information and access to the CDXTract database, please contact us at 1-877-CDX-TEC1 (1-877-239-8321) or support@CDXTech.com.

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