Federal Register/Vol. 73, No. 51/Friday, March 14, 2008/Notices

Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 51 / Friday, March 14, 2008 / Notices 13829

Deletion which would be likely to significantly group criteria for the 2010 Census Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification frustrate implementation of a proposed remain unchanged from those used in agency action. (5 U.S.C. 552b.(c)(9)(B)) conjunction with the 2000 Decennial I certify that the following action will not have a significant impact on a substantial In addition, part of the discussion will Census, except as follows. First, the number of small entities. The major factors relate solely to the internal personnel same population and housing unit considered for this certification were: and organizational issues of the BBG or thresholds, a minimum of 600 people or 1. If approved, the action should not result the International Broadcasting Bureau. 240 housing units and a maximum of in additional reporting, recordkeeping or (5 U.S.C. 552b.(c)(2) and (6)). 3,000 people or 1,200 housing units, other compliance requirements for small CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: will apply to all types of populated entities. Persons interested in obtaining more block groups, including block groups 2. If approved, the action may result in delineated within American Indian authorizing small entities to furnish the information should contact Timi service to the Government. Nickerson Kenealy at (202) 203–4545. reservations and off-reservation trust lands, the Island Areas, and 3. There are no known regulatory Dated: March 11, 2008. encompassing group quarters, military alternatives which would accomplish the Timi Nickerson Kenealy, objectives of the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act (41 installations, and institutions. Second, U.S.C. 46–48c) in connection with the service Acting Legal Counsel. housing unit counts may be used proposed for deletion from the Procurement [FR Doc. 08–1031 Filed 3–11–08; 4:36 pm] instead of population counts in the List. BILLING CODE 8610–01–M delineation of block groups. Third, the Comments on this certification are invited. delineation of special land use tracts Commenters should identify the statement(s) underlying the certification on which they will be permitted, and encouraged, for are providing additional information. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE areas with special land uses (e.g., airports, military reservations, public End of Certification Bureau of the Census forests, public parks, and special places/ The following service is proposed for [Docket Number 070126022–8027–02] group quarters) with an official name. deletion from the Procurement List: Finally, a geographic framework of Services Census Block Group Program for the tribal block groups, separate from the Service Type/Location: Janitorial/Custodial, 2010 Decennial Census—Final Criteria standard block groups defined within counties, will be defined within U.S. Federal Building, Courthouse and AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, federally recognized American Indian Post Office, 301 West Main Street, Commerce. Benton, IL. reservations and/or off-reservation trust NPA: Franklin-Williamson Human Services, ACTION: Notice of final criteria and lands, subject to other population, Inc., West Frankfort, IL, program implementation. housing, and boundary criteria Contracting Activity: General Services contained in this document. Administration, SUMMARY: Block groups are statistical geographic divisions of a census tract, Upon publication of the final criteria Kimberly M. Zeich, defined for the tabulation and contained in this Notice, the Census Director, Program Operations. presentation of decennial census data. Bureau will offer governments, [FR Doc. E8–5155 Filed 3–13–08; 8:45 am] Block groups also will be used to organizations, and interested data users an opportunity to review and, if BILLING CODE 6353–01–P tabulate and present period estimates from the American Community Survey necessary, suggest updates to the (ACS) 1 after 2010. Block groups provide boundaries and attributes of the block groups in their geographic area under BROADCASTING BOARD OF the geographic framework within which the Participant Statistical Areas Program GOVERNORS the Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) defines census blocks. Each (PSAP). In addition to block groups, the Sunshine Act Meeting; (Canceled) block group comprises a reasonably PSAP also encompasses the review and compact and contiguous cluster of update of census tracts, census DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, March 12, census blocks; up to nine block groups designated places, and census county 2008 3 p.m.–3:45 p.m. can be contained within a single census divisions (in selected states). PLACE: Cohen Building, Room 3321, tract. DATES: This notice’s final criteria will be 330 Independence Ave., SW., This Notice announces the Census effective on March 14, 2008. Washington, DC 20237. Bureau’s final criteria for the Census FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The CLOSED MEETING: The members of the Block Group Program for the 2010 Geographic Standards and Criteria Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Decennial Census. In addition, this Branch, Geography Division, U.S. will meet in closed session to review Notice contains a summary of comments Census Bureau, via e-mail at and discuss a number of issues relating received to proposed criteria published [email protected] or telephone at to U.S. Government-funded non- in the April 6, 2007 Federal Register (72 (301) 763–3056. military international broadcasting. FR 17337), as well as the Census SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: They will address internal procedural, Bureau’s response to these comments. In budgetary, and personnel issues, as well response to comments received, the I. History of Block Groups as sensitive foreign policy issues Census Bureau has modified its The Census Bureau first delineated relating to potential options in the U.S. proposed criteria for the Census Block block groups as statistical geographic international broadcasting field. This Group Program for the 2010 Decennial divisions of census tracts for the 1970 meeting is closed because if open it Census. Most provisions of the block Census, comprising contiguous likely would either disclose matters that combinations of census blocks for data would be properly classified to be kept 1 The ACS is conducted in the United States and presentation purposes. At that time, secret in the interest of foreign policy in Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, the survey is called census block groups only existed in the Puerto Rico Community Survey. For ease of under the appropriate executive order (5 discussion, throughout this document the term ACS urbanized areas in which census blocks U.S.C. 552b.(c)(1)) or would disclose is used to represent both the survey that is were defined. Block groups were information the premature disclosure of conducted in the United States and in Puerto Rico. defined without regard to political and

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administrative boundaries, with an quarters, military installations, and reliability, the Census Bureau will not average population of 1,000, and to be institutions; (4) allowing the delineation change the minimum population approximately equal in area. of block groups for large water bodies threshold for block groups. The As use of census block, block group, with areas of approximately 100 square minimum block group threshold will and census tract data increased among miles or more, and special land uses remain at 600 people (240 housing data users, the Census Bureau expanded (e.g., large airports or public parks) with units) for the 2010 Census. Participants these programs to cover additional an official name; and (5) allowing for reviewing and delineating block groups geographic areas while redefining the geographic frameworks of tribal block for the 2010 Census and data users population threshold criteria to more groups (separate from the standard utilizing the sample-based data for block adequately suit data users’ needs. The block groups defined within counties groups must be aware of the sample data 1990 Census was the first in which and standard census tracts) to be reliability issues for geographies with census blocks and block groups were defined within federally recognized low populations and the appropriate defined throughout the entirety of the American Indian reservations and/or uses for sample data for low population United States, Puerto Rico, and the off-reservation trust lands. geographies. The Census Bureau will Island Areas. For Census 2000, as with The Census Bureau received letters provide additional information about census tracts, the Census Bureau (each containing comments on several sample data reliability and appropriate increased the number of geographic issues) from 33 organizations and uses of sample data for geographic areas areas whose boundaries could be used individuals on the proposed minimum with low populations in the PSAP as block group boundaries, and allowed population and housing unit thresholds guidelines. tribal governments of federally in the review and update of block 2. Using housing unit counts in the recognized American Indian tribes with groups, the proposed use of housing review and update of block groups. a reservation and/or off-reservation trust unit counts in the review and update of The Census Bureau received five lands to delineate block groups without block groups, and the permitted comments in response to the proposed regard to state and/or county delineation of census tracts for large use of housing unit counts in the review boundaries, provided the tribe had a water bodies and special land use tracts and update of block groups as an 1990 Census population of at least for which a single coextensive block alternative to population counts where 1,000. group would be delineated. Comments appropriate. Four commenters received are summarized below, as well supported the concept. Another II. Summary of Comments Received in as the Census Bureau’s response to these supported the proposal, but requested Response to Proposed Criteria for the comments. more guidance on when housing units, Census Block Group Program for the 1. Minimum population and housing instead of population, should be used to 2010 Census unit count thresholds in the review and define block groups. Given the support The April 6, 2007, Federal Register update of block groups. of using housing unit counts in the (72 FR 17337) requested comment on The Census Bureau received 32 review and update for census tracts, the the proposed criteria for delineating comments opposed to increasing the Census Bureau will retain the concept block groups for the 2010 Decennial minimum population threshold for in the final criteria for the 2010 Census. Census which contained the following block groups from 600 to 1,200. Only Guidance as to when housing unit changes to the criteria used in the 2000 one commenter favored the proposed counts should be used in place of Decennial Census: (1) Increasing the increase citing the need to maintain population counts in the review and minimum population and housing unit statistical reliability. Nearly all update of census tracts will be thresholds for block groups from 600 to commenters expressed strong concern discussed in this notice, and further 1,200 persons; (2) using housing unit about the resulting loss of geographic detailed in the PSAP guidelines. counts (as an alternative to population detail and the detrimental impact on 3. Permitting the delineation of counts) in the delineation review and demographic analysis for small census tracts, with coextensive block update of block groups; (3) applying the geographic areas should the minimum groups, for large water bodies and same population and housing unit population be increased to 1,200. special land uses. The Census Bureau received five thresholds to all types of populated Commenters opposed to an increased comments in response to the proposed block groups in the United States,2 minimum threshold included special land use tract and block group including block groups delineated on metropolitan planning organizations, proposal. Four commenters representing American Indian reservations and/or councils of governments, local various levels of local government, as off-reservation trust lands,3 the Island governmental agencies, private sector well as nongovernmental organizations Areas,4 and encompassing group data users, a state redistricting liaison, supported the concept. One commenter and members of the Census Advisory suggested that more discussion on the 2 For Census Bureau purposes, the United States Committee Professional Associations. includes the fifty states and the District of Additional research by the Census concept is needed to make an informed Columbia. Bureau indicated that coefficients of decision. Given the support of the 3 The proposed criteria for the tribal statistical variation for selected demographic special land use tract and coextensive areas program will be outlined in a separate Federal block group designation, the Census Register notice. In the tribal statistical areas characteristics did not improve program, federally recognized American Indian substantially for block groups of 1,200 Bureau will retain the concept in the tribes that have a reservation and/or off-reservation people compared to block groups of 600 final criteria for the 2010 Census. trust land may delineate census designated places The Census Bureau received three people. Given the comments opposed to and, if these areas have a population of 1,200 or comments in response to the proposed greater, may delineate tribal tracts and tribal block the proposed increased threshold, and large water body tract and block group groups for their reservation and off-reservation trust taking into consideration the loss of proposal. Two commenters supported land. geographic detail without substantive 4 For Census Bureau purposes, the Island Areas the concept. One commenter opposed improvement to data quality and includes American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the concept, citing increased confusion the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands. Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, and disorientation for data users with The U.S. Minor Outlying Islands is an aggregation Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and respect to what is commonly depicted of nine U.S. territories: Baker Island, Howland Wake Island. on non-census maps. Based on this

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comment and after additional internal notice as all changes are addressed in decennial census long form of previous review, the Census Bureau has the final criteria. censuses. As a general rule, estimates determined not to retain the large water 6. Section C, ‘‘Block Group Criteria for from programs providing sample data, block group concept in the final criteria the 2010 Census,’’ subsection 1: including the ACS, for geographic areas for the 2010 Census. Renumbered in this notice as subsection with smaller populations will be subject 3. We revised the order of the first few to higher variances than comparable Changes to the Proposed Criteria as a criteria for clarity. Section C in the April estimates for areas with larger Result of Public Comments 6, 2007 Federal Register (72 FR 17337) populations (i.e., the sample data for Changes made to the final criteria is now Section B in this Notice. smaller population geographies will (from the proposed criteria) in ‘‘Section 7. Section C, ‘‘Block Group Criteria for likely be less reliable than the sample III, General Principles and Criteria for the 2010 Census,’’ subsection 2: data for geographies with larger Block Groups for the 2010 Census’’ are Renumbered in this notice as subsection population). In addition, the Census as follows: 1, for clarity. We also changed the Bureau’s disclosure rules may have the 1. Section A, ‘‘General Principles,’’ population threshold referenced in the effect of restricting the availability and subsection 3: renumbered in this notice subsection from 1,200 to 600, to reflect amount of sample data published for as subsection 2. We moved this section the decision to retain the latter as the geographic areas with small to emphasize that block groups form the minimum population threshold for a populations. Aiming to create block geographic framework within which the block group. groups that fall between the minimum Census Bureau defines census blocks. 8. Section C, ‘‘Block Group Criteria for and maximum thresholds will improve the 2010 Census,’’ subsection 3: 2. Section A, ‘‘General Principles,’’ the reliability and availability of data, Renumbered in this notice as subsection subsection 2: renumbered in this notice and PSAP participants should consider 2, reflecting the decision to revise the as subsection 3. The first sentence in these factors when defining their block order of the first few criteria listed. this subsection has been reworded to groups. Removed the last sentence relating to provide greater specificity and clarity. Therefore, each block group must water body block groups since this We added the third sentence pertaining encompass at least 600 people or at least proposed criterion has not been adopted to the Census Bureau’s disclosure rules; 240 housing units unless it is in the final criteria. this sentence had appeared in Section coextensive with a flagged special land 9. Section C, ‘‘Block Group Criteria for use tract, or is coextensive with a B.1 of the previous notice. In the fourth the 2010 Census,’’ subsection 4: The sentence, we replaced ‘‘local county with fewer than 600 people. Any second sentence was moved to the third block group with a population or governments and planners’’ with ‘‘PSAP sentence in this notice and the word participants’’ because not all housing unit count less than the ‘‘permits’’ was changed to ‘‘requires’’ to minimum threshold should be updated participants in the 2010 PSAP will be clarify that state and county boundaries representatives of local governments or to meet or exceed the minimum must form block group boundaries. threshold. The Census Bureau will use will be professional planners. We also 10. Section C, ‘‘Block Group Criteria Census 2000 population and housing added sentences that clarify the for the 2010 Census,’’ subsection 5: unit counts, with allowance made for minimum population and housing unit Added the word ‘‘measurement’’ after growth since 2000, to assess whether thresholds, noting that any block group ‘‘area’’ in both the text and the tables in each submitted block group meets this with a population or housing unit count this subsection. In addition, in criterion. Program participants may less than the minimum threshold subsection 5.c, all text relating to water submit local estimates as a surrogate for should be updated, and clarifying that body block groups was removed since the Census 2000 population and the Census Bureau will use Census 2000 this proposed criterion has not been housing unit counts for a block group. population and housing unit counts to adopted in the final criteria. 4. With the advent of the ACS and the assess whether each block group 11. Section D, ‘‘Tribal Block Groups:’’ ‘‘continuous measurement’’ of submitted meets the minimum We revised wording throughout the characteristics of the population and threshold criterion. section to provide greater clarity. housing based on a five-year average, 3. Section A, ‘‘General Principles:’’ Discussion of tribal block groups is there are some new issues to consider in added subsection 4, which notes that contained in Section C of this Notice. the block group criteria. To housing unit counts may be used in the III. General Principles and Criteria for accommodate this change, either review and updating of block groups, Block Groups for the 2010 Census population or housing units may be particularly with regard to communities used in the review of block groups. The that may not have sufficient residential A. General Principles use of housing unit counts population present on the date of the 1. Block groups are statistical accommodates seasonal communities in decennial census, but will have larger geographic divisions of a census tract, which residents often are not present on populations at other times of the year defined by the Census Bureau in the date of the decennial census, but and for which estimates may be cooperation with local officials and will be present at other times of the year reflected in the ACS. organizations, for the tabulation and and for which estimates may be 4. Section A, ‘‘General Principles,’’ dissemination of decennial census data, reflected in the ACS. The ACS is subsection 4: renumbered in this notice as well as period estimates of designed to produce local area data as as section 5. This subsection was moved demographic and housing of a 12-month period estimate (or an because the new subsection 4 (see characteristics from the ACS. average); whereas, in the past local area above) is closely related to issues 2. Block groups form the geographic data were only represented as of the discussed in subsection 3. We removed framework within which the Census April 1 census day. the reference to water body block groups Bureau defines census blocks for use in 5. The Census Bureau recognizes that since this proposed criterion has not tabulating and presenting decennial there are geographic areas that are not been adopted in the final criteria. census data. Census blocks are characterized by a residential 5. Section B, ‘‘Changes to the Block numbered within block groups. population, and which local Group Criteria for the 2010 Census:’’ 3. The sample size for the ACS is participants may wish to separate from this section was omitted from this smaller than the sample from the populated block groups for analytical or

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cartographic purposes or both. Such boundaries and attributes of block and accepted at the Census Bureau’s areas may be designated as special land groups as needed to meet the published discretion. use block groups to distinguish them criteria and/or maintain geographic 4. Block group boundaries should from populated block groups. Special relationships before the final tabulation follow visible and identifiable features. land use block groups must be geography is set for the 2010 Census. To make the location of block group designated as a specific type of land use The Census Bureau sets forth the boundaries less ambiguous, wherever (e.g., state park, municipal park) and following criteria for use in delineating possible, block group boundaries should have an official name, generally have 2010 census block groups: follow visible and identifiable features. 1. Block groups must not cross census little or no residential population or The use of visible features makes it housing units, and must not create a tract boundaries. This criterion takes precedence over easier to locate and identify block group noncontiguous block group. If located in boundaries over time as the locations of a densely populated urban area, a all other criteria or requirements. By definition, because census tracts cannot many visible features in the landscape special land use block group must have tend to change infrequently. The Census an area measurement of approximately cross county and state boundaries, neither can block groups. It is only Bureau also requires the use of state and one square mile or more. If delineated county boundaries in all states, and completely outside an urban area, a permissible to define a block group with fewer than 600 people in a county that permits the use of incorporated place special land use block group must have and minor civil division boundaries in an area of approximately 10 square has a population less than 600, or as coextensive with a special land use states where those boundaries tend to miles or more. The Census Bureau remain unchanged over time (see recognizes that some special land use tract. 2. Block groups must cover the entire Table 1). areas not intended for residential land and water area of each census tract. The following features are preferred population, such as parks, may contain Because census tracts must cover the as block group boundaries for the 2010 some population, such as caretakers or entire area of a county, by definition, Census: the homeless. Our intent is to allow for block groups also must cover the entire a. State, county, and census tract the delineation of parks and other area of each county. special land use areas as separate block boundaries must always be block group 3. A block group must comprise a boundaries. This criterion takes groups and therefore will accept such reasonable compact, contiguous land areas as block groups even if some precedence over all other boundary area. criteria or requirements. residential population is present. Noncontiguous boundaries are b. American Indian reservation and permitted only where a contiguous area B. Block Group Criteria for the 2010 off-reservation trust land boundaries. Census or inaccessible area would not meet population or housing unit count c. Visible, perennial natural and The criteria herein apply to the requirements for a separate block group, cultural features, such as roads, United States, including federally in which case the noncontiguous or shorelines, rivers, perennial streams and recognized American Indian inaccessible area must be combined canals, railroad tracks, or above-ground reservations and off-reservation trust within an adjacent or proximate block high-tension power lines. lands, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. group. For example, an island that does d. Boundaries of legal and The Census Bureau may modify and, if not meet the minimum population administrative entities in selected states. necessary, reject any proposals for block threshold for recognition as a separate Table 1 identifies by state which groups that do not meet these final block group should be combined with minor civil division (MCD) and criteria. In addition, the Census Bureau other proximate land to form a single incorporated place boundaries may be reserves the right to modify the block group. Each case will be reviewed used as block group boundaries.

TABLE 1.—ACCEPTABLE MCD AND INCORPORATED PLACE BOUNDARIES

Boundaries of MCDs not co- incident with All incor- Only conjoint Boundaries All MCD the boundaries incorporated boundaries of incorporated porated place place bound- places that boundaries aries themselves are MCDs

Alabama ...... X Alaska ...... X Arizona ...... X Arkansas ...... X California ...... X Colorado ...... X Connecticut ...... X ...... X ...... Delaware ...... X Florida ...... X Georgia ...... X Hawaii ...... X Idaho ...... X Illinois ...... X a ...... X Indiana ...... X ...... X Iowa ...... X ...... X Kansas ...... X ...... X Kentucky ...... X Louisiana ...... X

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TABLE 1.—ACCEPTABLE MCD AND INCORPORATED PLACE BOUNDARIES—Continued

Boundaries of MCDs not co- incident with Only conjoint All MCD the boundaries All incor- incorporated Boundaries boundaries of incorporated porated place place bound- places that boundaries aries themselves are MCDs

Maine ...... X ...... X ...... Maryland ...... X Massachusetts ...... X ...... X ...... Michigan ...... X ...... X Minnesota ...... X ...... X Mississippi ...... X Missouri ...... X b ...... X Montana ...... X Nebraska ...... X a ...... X Nevada ...... X New Hampshire ...... X ...... X ...... New Jersey ...... X ...... X ...... New Mexico ...... X New York ...... X ...... X ...... North Carolina ...... X North Dakota ...... X ...... X Ohio ...... X ...... X Oklahoma ...... X Oregon ...... X Pennsylvania ...... X ...... X ...... Rhode Island ...... X ...... X ...... South Carolina ...... X South Dakota ...... X ...... X Tennessee ...... X Texas ...... X Utah ...... X Vermont ...... X ...... X ...... Virginia ...... X Washington ...... X West Virginia ...... X Wisconsin ...... X ...... X Wyoming ...... X a Townships only. b Governmental townships only.

e. Additionally, the following legally of the Census Bureau, insofar as such boundaries of military installations, defined, administrative boundaries are boundaries are unambiguous for National Parks, National Monuments, permitted as block group boundaries: allocating living quarters as part of 2010 National Forests, other types of parks or i. Barrio, barrio-pueblo, and subbarrio Census activities. forests, airports, marine ports, boundaries in Puerto Rico; cemeteries, golf courses, penitentiaries/ ii. Census subdistrict boundaries in f. When acceptable visible and governmental boundary features are not prisons, glaciers, or the straight-line the U.S. Virgin Islands; extensions of visible features and other iii. County and island boundaries available for use as block group lines-of-sight. (both MCD equivalents) in American boundaries, the Census Bureau may, at Samoa; its discretion, approve other 5. Population, Housing Unit, and Area nonstandard visible features, such as iv. Election district boundaries in Measurement Thresholds Guam; ridge lines, above-ground pipelines, v. Municipal district boundaries in intermittent streams, or fence lines. The The following are the population, the Commonwealth of the Northern Census Bureau may also accept, on a housing unit, and area measurement Mariana Islands; and case-by-case basis, the boundaries of threshold criteria for block groups (as vi. Alaska Native regional corporation selected nonstandard and potentially summarized in Table 2). boundaries in Alaska, at the discretion nonvisible features, such as the

TABLE 2.—BLOCK GROUP THRESHOLDS

Block group type Threshold type Minimum Maximum

Standard & tribal block groups ...... Population threshold ...... 600 ...... 3,000. Housing Unit threshold ...... 240 ...... 1,200. Special land use block groups...... Area measurement threshold within an urban area 1.0 ...... none. (square miles).

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TABLE 2.—BLOCK GROUP THRESHOLDS—Continued

Block group type Threshold type Minimum Maximum

Area measurement threshold outside an urban area 10 ...... none. (square miles). Population thresholds ...... (1) Little or none, or within standard block group thresholds.

The same population and housing regional variations to this average, and approximately one square mile or more. unit thresholds apply to all types of will take this into consideration when If the special land use tract/block group populated block groups, including block reviewing all census block group is delineated completely outside an groups delineated within American proposals. urban area, the tract/block group must Indian reservations and off-reservation c. For the 2010 Census, the Census have an area of approximately 10 square trust lands, the Island Areas, and Bureau will allow the delineation of miles or more. encompassing group quarters, military special land use census tracts, and installations, and institutions. This 6. Identification of Block Groups special land use block groups will be should improve the availability and created coextensive with these special a. A block group encompasses a reliability of data for block groups that land use tracts. A special land use tract, cluster of census blocks. Each standard had a lower threshold for the 2000 and hence a special land use block block group is identified using a single- Decennial Census, and will create a group, must be designated as a specific digit number that will correspond to the single national standard. first digit in the number of each block a. Census 2000 population counts land use type (e.g., state park), must have an official name (e.g., Jay Cooke encompassed by the block group. For should be used in census block group example, block group 3 includes all review in most cases. Housing unit State Park), have little or no residential population or meet population or census blocks numbered in the 3000 counts should be used for block groups range within a single census tract. in seasonal communities that have no or housing unit thresholds, and must not low population on census day (April 1). create a noncontiguous tract/block b. The range of acceptable standard Locally produced population and group. In some instances, multiple areas block group numbers is 1 through 9. housing unit estimates can be used can be combined to form a single special Block group numbers must always be when reviewing and updating block land use tract/block group if the land unique within a census tract. groups, especially in areas that have management characteristics are similar, 7. Block Group Types experienced considerable growth since such as a special land use tract/block Census 2000. group comprising adjacent federal and Table 3 below contains a summary of b. The housing unit thresholds are state parks. If the special land use tract/ the types of block groups (with their based on a national average of 2.5 block group is delineated in a densely respective population, housing unit and people per household. The Census populated, urban area, the tract/block area measurement thresholds) that will Bureau recognizes that there are group must have an area of be used for the 2010 Census.

TABLE 3.—SUMMARY OF BLOCK GROUP TYPES

Population thresh- Housing unit Area measurement How distinct from standard block groups olds thresholds thresholds

Standard & tribal Tribal block groups are conceptually similar and equiva- Minimum: 600; Minimum: 240; none. block groups. lent to census block groups defined within the standard Maximum: 3,000. Maximum: 1,200. State-county-tract-block group geographic hierarchy used for tabulating and publishing statistical data. Special land use A block group coextensive with a special land use tract, Little or none, or Little or none, or 1.0 square mile block groups. encompassing a large airport, public park, or public for- within the stand- within the stand- within an urban est with little or no population or housing units. In a ard block group ard block group area/10 square densely populated, urban area, a special land use thresholds. thresholds. miles outside an block group must be approximately 1.0 square mile in urban area. area or greater. If delineated completely outside an urban area, a special land use block group must have an area of 10 square miles or greater.

C. Tribal Block Groups unique statistical data needs of federally located within a single reservation and/ recognized American Indian tribes. The or off-reservation trust land. To this end, Tribal block groups are statistical delineation of tribal block groups allows the American Indian tribal participant 5 geographic entities defined by the Census Bureau in cooperation with for an unambiguous presentation of statistical data specific to a federally 5 For federally recognized American Indian tribes tribal officials to provide meaningful, with reservations and/or off-reservation trust lands relevant, and reliable data for small recognized reservation and/or off- that have more than 1,200 residents, the Census geographic areas within the boundaries reservation trust land without the Bureau will offer the tribal government the of federally recognized American Indian imposition of state or county opportunity to delineate tribal block groups and boundaries, which might artificially other tribal statistical geography on their reservations and/or off-reservation trust reservation and/or off-reservation trust land. For lands. As such, they recognize the separate American Indian populations federally recognized tribes with an American Indian

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may define tribal block groups that cross completely separate set of geography restricted to those receiving these county or state boundaries, or both. from standard block groups in both services. People living in GQs are Tribal block groups must be delineated geographic and data presentation usually not related to each other. GQs to meet all other census block group purposes, eliminates, in part, these data include such places as college residence criteria, and must be identified uniquely issues from Census 2000. halls, residential treatment centers, so as to clearly distinguish them from As with standard block groups skilled nursing facilities, group homes, county-based block groups. The Census submitted through the program, the military barracks, correctional facilities, Bureau will address the type of tribal block groups would be submitted and workers’ dormitories. identifiers required for tribal block to the Census Bureau, and would be Incorporated place—A type of groups in more detail in a separate subject to review to ensure compliance governmental unit, incorporated under Federal Register notice pertaining to with the final published criteria. Tribal State law as a city, town (except in New American Indian statistical areas. Tribal block groups will be defined as part of England, New York, and Wisconsin), block group boundaries will be held as a separate Tribal Statistical Areas borough (except in Alaska and New census block boundaries. Census blocks, Program (TSAP) for the 2010 Census. York), or village, generally to provide however, will be numbered uniquely Detailed criteria pertaining to tribal governmental services for a within county-based block groups, and block groups will be published in a concentration of people within legally thus there will not be a direct separate Federal Register notice prescribed boundaries. relationship between a tribal block pertaining to all American Indian Minor civil division (MCD)—The group identifier and census block statistical areas defined through the primary governmental or administrative numbers. Tribal block groups are TSAP. division of a county in 28 states and the conceptually similar and equivalent to Island Areas having legal boundaries, IV. Definitions of Key Terms census block groups defined within the names, and descriptions. MCDs standard state-county-tract-block group Alaska Native regional corporation represent many different types of legal geographic hierarchy used for tabulating (ANRC)—A corporate geographic area entities with a wide variety of and publishing statistical data. established under the Alaska Native characteristics, powers, and functions In order to provide meaningful Claims Settlement Act (Pub. L. 92–203, depending on the state and type of statistical geographic areas within the 85 Stat. 688 (1971)), to conduct both, the MCD. In some states, some or all of the reservation and/or off-reservation trust business and nonprofit affairs of Alaska incorporated places also constitute land, as well as make meaningful and Natives. Twelve ANRCs cover the entire MCDs. reliable data available for these areas State of Alaska except for the Annette Nonvisible feature—A map feature and their populations, for the 2010 Island Reserve. that is not visible on the ground, such Census, tribal block group geography American Indian off-reservation trust as a city or county boundary through will be maintained separately from land (ORTL)—A federally recognized space, a property line, line-of-sight standard county-based block groups, American Indian land area located extension of a road. and will be defined through a separate outside the boundaries of an American Special land use block group—Block program designed specifically for tribal Indian reservation whose boundaries are group delineated coextensive with, or statistical geography. This differs from established by deed and over which a covering the same area as, the special the procedure for Census 2000 in which federally recognized American Indian land use tract. tribal block groups were defined for tribal government has governmental Special land use tract—Type of federally recognized American Indian authority. census tract that must be designated as reservations and/or off-reservation trust American Indian reservation (AIR)—A a specific land use type (e.g., state park) lands, and standard block groups were federally recognized American Indian and have an official name (e.g., Jay identified by superimposing county and land area with boundaries established Cooke State Park), must have little or no state boundaries onto the Census 2000 by final treaty, statute, executive order, residential population or housing units, tribal block groups. and/or court order and over which a and must not create a noncontiguous For Census 2000 products in which federally recognized American Indian census tract. If delineated in a densely data were presented by state and tribal government has governmental populated, urban area, a special land county, the standard state-county-tract- authority. Along with reservation, use tract must have an area of block group hierarchy was maintained, designations such as colonies, approximately one square mile or more. even for territory contained within an communities, pueblos, rancherias, and If delineated completely outside an American Indian reservation and/or off- reserves apply to AIRs. urban area, a special land use tract must reservation trust land. In such instances, Conjoint—A description of a have an area of approximately ten the state/county portions of tribal block boundary shared by two adjacent square miles or more. groups were identified as individual geographic entities. TIGER—Topologically Integrated block groups, and these standard block Contiguous—A description of areas Geographic Encoding and Referencing groups may not have met the minimum sharing common boundaries, such that database developed by the Census population or housing unit thresholds, the areas, when combined, form a single Bureau to support its mapping needs for potentially limiting sample data piece of territory. Noncontiguous areas the decennial census and other Census reliability or availability for both the form disjoint pieces. Bureau programs. The topological tribal block group and the derived Group quarters (GQ)—A place where structure of the TIGER database defines standard block groups. The change for people live or stay, in a group living the location and relationship of the 2010 Census, creating standard arrangement, that is owned or managed boundaries, streets, rivers, railroads, and block groups nationwide and by an entity or organization providing other features to each other and to the maintaining tribal block groups as a housing and/or services for the numerous geographic areas for which residents. This is not a typical the Census Bureau tabulates data from reservation and/or off-reservation trust land that household-type living arrangement. its censuses and surveys. have fewer than 1,200 residents, the Census Bureau These services may include custodial or Visible feature—A map feature that will define one tribal tract and one tribal block group coextensive with the American Indian medical care, as well as other types of can be seen on the ground, such as a reservation and/or off-reservation trust land. assistance, and residency is commonly road, railroad track, major above-ground

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transmission line or pipeline, river or The primary goal of the census tract encouraged local citizens, via stream, shoreline, fence, sharply defined program is to provide a set of nationally committees, to establish census tracts mountain ridge, or cliff. A nonstandard consistent small, statistical geographic and other census statistical geographic visible feature is a feature that may not units, with stable boundaries, that areas. The committees created by local be clearly defined on the ground (such facilitate analysis of data across time. citizens were known as Census Tract as a ridge), may be seasonal (such as an This Notice announces the Bureau of Committees, later called Census intermittent stream), or may be the Census’ (Census Bureau’s) final Statistical Areas Committees. relatively impermanent (such as a criteria for the Census Tract Program for After 1930, the Census Bureau saw fence). The Census Bureau generally the 2010 Decennial Census. In addition, the need to standardize the delineation, requests verification that nonstandard this Notice contains a summary of review, and updating of census tracts features used as boundaries for the comments received to proposed criteria and published the first set of census PSAP geographic areas pose no problem published in the April 6, 2007, Federal tract criteria in 1934. The goal of the in their location during field work. Register (72 FR 17329), as well as the criteria has remained unchanged; that Census Bureau’s response to those is, to assure comparability and data Executive Order 12866 comments. In response to comments reliability through the standardization This notice has been determined to be received, the Census Bureau has of the population thresholds for census not significant under Executive Order modified its proposed criteria for the tracts, as well as requiring that their 12866. Census Tract Program for the 2010 boundaries follow specific types of geographic features that do not change Paperwork Reduction Act Decennial Census. Upon publication of the final census frequently. The Census Bureau began This program notice does not contain tract criteria contained in this Notice, publishing census tract data as part of a collection of information subject to the the Census Bureau will offer its standard tabulations beginning with requirements of the Paperwork governments, organizations, and the 1940 Census. Prior to that time, Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35. interested data users the opportunity to census tract data were published as Dated: March 10, 2008. review and, if necessary, suggest special tabulations. Steve H. Murdock, updates to the boundaries and attributes For the 1940 Census, the Census Bureau began publishing census block Director, Bureau of the Census. (e.g., tract code) of the census tracts in their geographic area as part of the data for all cities with 50,000 or more [FR Doc. E8–5075 Filed 3–13–08; 8:45 am] people. Census block numbers were BILLING CODE 3510–07–P Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). In addition, to census tracts, the assigned, where possible, by census PSAP also encompasses the review and tract, but for those cities that had not yet DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE update of block groups, census delineated census tracts, ‘‘block areas’’ designated places, and census county (called ‘‘block numbering areas’’ [BNAs] Bureau of the Census divisions (in selected states). in later censuses) were created to assign census block numbers. DATES: [Docket Number 070321065–7903–02] This notice’s final criteria will be Starting with the 1960 Census, the effective on March 14, 2008. Census Bureau assumed a greater role in Census Tract Program for the 2010 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The promoting and coordinating the Decennial Census—Final Criteria Geographic Standards and Criteria delineation, review, and update of AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Branch, Geography Division, U.S. census tracts. For the 1980 Census, Commerce. Census Bureau, via e-mail at criteria for BNAs were changed to make [email protected] or telephone at ACTION: Notice of Final Criteria and them more comparable in size and (301) 763–3056. Program Implementation. shape to census tracts. For the 1990 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Census, all counties contained either SUMMARY: Census tracts are relatively I. History of Census Tracts census tracts or BNAs. permanent small-area geographic Census 2000 was the first decade in divisions of a county or statistically In 1905, Dr. Walter Laidlaw originated which census tracts were defined in all equivalent entity 1 defined for the the concept of permanent, small counties. In addition, the Census Bureau tabulation and presentation of data from geographic areas as a framework for increased the number of geographic the decennial census and selected other studying change from one decennial areas whose boundaries could be used statistical programs. Census tracts will census to another in neighborhoods as census tract boundaries. It also also be used to tabulate and publish within New York City. For the 1910 allowed tribal governments of federally estimates from the American Census, eight cities—New York, recognized American Indian tribes with Community Survey (ACS) 2 after 2010. Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, a reservation and/or off-reservation trust Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and St. lands to delineate tracts without regard 1 For the Census Bureau’s purposes, the term Louis—delineated census tracts (then to State and/or county boundaries, ‘‘county’’ includes parishes in Louisiana; boroughs, termed ‘‘districts’’) for the first time. No provided the tribe had a 1990 Census city and boroughs, municipalities, and census areas additional jurisdictions delineated in Alaska; independent cities in Maryland, population of at least 1,000. census tracts until just prior to the 1930 Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia; districts and II. Summary of Comments Received in islands in American Samoa; districts in the U.S. Census, when an additional ten cities Virgin Islands; municipalities in the chose to do so. The increased interest in Response to the Proposed Criteria for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; census tracts for the 1930 Census is the Census Tract Program for the 2010 municipios in Puerto Rico; the areas constituting Decennial Census the District of Columbia and Guam. This notice will attributed to the promotional efforts of refer to all these entities collectively as ‘‘counties.’’ Howard Whipple Green, who was a The April 6, 2007, Federal Register 2 The ACS is conducted in the United States and statistician in Cleveland, Ohio, and later (72 FR 17329) requested comment on in Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico the survey is called the chairman of the American Statistical the proposed census tract criteria for the the Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS). For ease of discussion, throughout this document the Association’s Committee on Census 2010 Decennial Census which contained term ACS is used to represent the surveys Enumeration Areas. For more than the following changes to the criteria conducted in the United States and in Puerto Rico. twenty-five years, Mr. Green strongly used in the 2000 Decennial Census: (1)

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