6932 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 32 / Thursday, February 15, 2018 / Notices

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE states 1 where minor civil divisions A. General Principles (MCDs) either do not exist or have been 1. The primary goal of the CCD Bureau of the Census unsatisfactory for reporting census data. program is to establish and maintain a The Census Bureau’s CCD program set of subcounty units that have stable 2 [Docket Number 171002955–7972–01] maintains a set of subcounty units that boundaries and recognizable names. have stable boundaries and recognizable The boundaries of CCDs usually Census Divisions (CCDs) and names. Equivalent Entities for the 2020 coincide with visible features or stable, Census—Proposed Criteria Before CCDs were introduced with the significant legal boundaries, such as the 1950 Census, few alternatives were boundary of an American Indian AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, available for the provision of statistical reservation (AIR), federally managed Commerce. data related to relatively stable, land, or conjoint incorporated places. ACTION: Notice of proposed program and subcounty geographic units. Census CCDs have no legal status as statistical request for comments. tracts were defined in only a subset of geographic entities and are defined only metropolitan area counties. MCDs for the tabulation and presentation of SUMMARY: The Census Bureau is existed in all counties, but in some statistical data. publishing this notice in the Federal states MCD boundaries changed 2. A CCD usually represents a single Register to request comments from the frequently enough that they were not contiguous area consisting of one or public and other government agencies useful for comparing statistical data more communities, economic centers, on the general guidelines and criteria for from one decade to another. or, in some instances, major land uses identifying Census county divisions that are relatively compact in shape. For much of the period from the 1950 (CCDs). The Census Bureau will 3. A CCD shall have a relationship to Census through the 1980 Census, county respond to comments received in the existing census tracts, either subdivisions (MCDs and CCDs) Federal Register notice announcing the encompassing one or more census tracts final CCD criteria. After the final criteria provided the only subcounty unit of or having two or more CCDs nest within are published in the Federal Register, geography at which data users could a single . The boundaries of the Census Bureau will offer designated obtain statistical data for all counties a CCD, or combination of nested CCDs, governments or organizations an nationwide. The introduction of block align with census tract boundaries. Note opportunity to review and, if necessary, numbering areas (BNAs) in counties that a county with a population less suggest updates to the boundaries and without census tracts for the 1990 than the optimum population for a attributes of CCDs in their geographic Census offered an alternate subcounty census tract (less than 4,000 people) area under the Participant Statistical entity for which data could be tabulated. may contain more CCDs than census Areas Program (PSAP). In separate For the 2000 Census, the Census Bureau tracts. For example, McCone County, Federal Register notices, the PSAP introduced census tracts nationwide (in , which has a 2016 estimated program is seeking comment on the many counties, BNAs were simply population of 1,734, contains only one review and update of census tracts, relabeled as ‘‘census tracts’’), increasing census tract, but is divided into two block groups, and census designated the dissemination of, and ability to CCDs. places (CDPs). analyze, data at the census tract level 4. Since the 1950s, the Census Bureau and providing an alternative set of DATES: Written comments must be has worked with state and local officials subcounty statistical geographic areas in submitted on or before May 16, 2018. to replace MCDs with CCDs for the each county in addition to MCDs and collection, presentation, and analysis of ADDRESSES: Please direct all written CCDs. comments on this proposed program to Census Bureau data particularly in Vincent Osier, Geographic Standards, II. General Principles and Criteria for states in which MCDs do not provide Criteria, and Quality Branch, Geography CCDs for the 2020 Census governmental services and functions Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Room and in which MCD boundaries tend to 4H173, 4600 Silver Hill Road, The proposed criteria outlined herein change between decennial censuses. As 3 , DC 20233–7400. Email: apply to the United States, , of the 2020 Census, CCDs were defined 4 [email protected]. Phone: 301– and the Island Areas. in 21 states: , Alaska, , 763–3056 (PSAP Hotline). , , , , 1 , , , , FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: In Alaska, census subareas are county subdivisions equivalent to CCDs. For purposes of Montana, , , Requests for additional information on this notice, the term CCD also refers to census , , , this proposed program should be subareas in Alaska. , , Washington, and 2 For the Census Bureau’s purposes, the term directed to Vincent Osier, Geographic . adopted CCDs Standards, Criteria, and Quality Branch, ‘‘county’’ includes parishes in Louisiana; boroughs, cities, municipalities, and census areas in Alaska; for use in tabulating and presenting data Geography Division, U.S. Census independent cities in Maryland, , Nevada, from the 1970 Census. Following the Bureau, Room 4H173, 4600 Silver Hill and Virginia; districts and islands in American 1970 Census, North Dakota requested Samoa; districts in the U.S. Virgin Islands; Road, Washington, DC 20233–7400. that the Census Bureau again use MCDs Email: [email protected]. Phone: municipalities in the Commonwealth of the ; municipios in Puerto to tabulate and present statistical data. 301–763–3056 (PSAP hotline). Rico; and the areas constituting the District of For the 2010 Census, Tennessee SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Columbia and . These entities collectively are requested that the Census Bureau referred to as ‘‘counties’’ in this notice. I. History 3 For Census Bureau purposes, the United States replace its CCDs with county typically refers to only the fifty states and the commissioner districts, a type of legal, Census county divisions (CCDs) and District of Columbia, and does not include the U.S. administrative MCD. equivalent entities are statistical territories (Puerto Rico, the Island Areas, and the geographic entities established U.S. Minor Outlying Islands. B. Criteria cooperatively by the Bureau of the 4 The Island Areas include the U.S. territories , the Commonwealth of the CCDs must (1) have community Census (Census Bureau) and officials of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. orientation, (2) have visible and/or state and local governments in 21 Virgin Islands. stable boundaries, (3) conform to census

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tract boundaries, and (4) have streams, or fence lines. The Census Rainier, Washington) or a distinctive recognizable names. Bureau may also accept, on a case-by- region within the county (e.g., Death case basis, the boundaries of selected Valley, California; Everglades or Lower 1. Community Orientation nonstandard and potentially nonvisible Keys, Florida); and, Each CCD should center on one or features, such as the boundaries of f. If there is no clear cultural focus or more places and encompass additional cemeteries, golf courses, glaciers, or the topographic name that can be applied, surrounding territory that forms a straight-line extensions of visible a CCD name shall consist of the county cohesive community area. The features and other lines-of-sight. name and a compass direction to definition of community should take indicate the portion of the county in the into account production, marketing, 3. Census Tract Boundaries and CCD or a place name and a compass consumption, and local institutions. Population Size direction to give the CCD location The locality on which a CCD is Whenever possible, a CCD should relative to the place. The directional centered usually is an incorporated encompass one or more contiguous indicator precedes a county name (e.g., place or an unincorporated community, census tracts or multiple CCDs should Northeast Cobb, Georgia). If a place which might be identified as a CDP. In constitute a single census tract. name is used, the directional indicator some cases, the CCD may center on a Therefore, CCD boundaries should be follows it (e.g., Del Rio Northwest, major area of significantly different consistent with census tract boundaries. Texas). topography, land use, or ownership, Population size is not as important a In all cases, the objective is to clearly such as a large military installation or consideration with CCDs as it is with identify the extent of the CCD by means AIR. A CCD should always comprise a census tracts. For CCDs that do not meet of an area name since CCD names reasonably compact, continuous land the thresholds for a census tract, the should always should be meaningful to area, generally with road access to all Census Bureau encourages creating one data users. Any name used as a CCD areas within the CCD. or more block groups within a census name must also be recognized by the tract that encompass a CCD. Board on Geographic Names for federal 2. Visible and/or Stable Boundaries Historically, CCDs have ranged from a use and appear in the Geographic To make the location of CCD few hundred people (in selected Names Information System maintained boundaries less ambiguous, the situations) to more than one million by the U.S. Geological Survey. This boundaries should follow, wherever people. However, data quality and includes any individual names possible, visible and identifiable availability may be factors that local combined to make a hyphenated CCD features. The use of visible features governments and planners should name. makes it easier to locate and identify consider in defining statistical III. Definitions of Key Terms CCD boundaries over time, as the geographic areas. As a general rule, locations of most visible features in the period estimates of demographic American (AIR)— landscape change infrequently, making characteristics of small population areas An area of land with boundaries data collection easier and more reliable from the American Community Survey established by final treaty, statute, while reducing the possibility for data will be subject to higher variances than executive order, and/or court order and allocation errors. The Census Bureau comparable period estimates for areas over which a federally recognized requires that CCDs follow state and with larger populations. In addition, the American Indian tribal government has county boundaries, conform to census Census Bureau’s disclosure rules may governmental authority. Along with tract boundaries. CCDs are allowed to restrict the availability and amount of ‘‘reservation,’’ designations such as follow the boundaries of federally data for areas with small populations. colonies, communities, pueblos, recognized AIRs, and federal, state, or rancherias, and reserves apply to AIRs. locally managed land. 4. Name Identification Block group—A statistical subdivision The following features are acceptable: a. The names of existing CCDs shall of a census tract consisting of all census a. County boundaries (always a CCD not be changed unless a compelling blocks whose numbers begin with the boundary); reason is provided, such as when the same digit in a census tract. A block b. Census tract boundaries, which name from which the CCD was derived group is the smallest geographic entity usually follow visible, perennial, has changed, as in the case of for which the Census Bureau normally natural, and cultural features, such as Bainbridge Island, Washington, when tabulates sample data. roads, rivers, canals, railroads, or above- the name of the city (Winslow) changed; —A geographic area ground, high-tension power lines; b. A new CCD usually is named after bounded by visible and/or invisible c. Legally defined, federally the largest population center or features shown on a map prepared by recognized AIR boundaries; historically central place within it (e.g., the Census Bureau. A block is the d. The boundaries of federal, state, or Taos, Hobbs, or Zuni Pueblo, New smallest geographic entity for which the locally managed land, such as national Mexico); Census Bureau tabulates and publishes parks, national monuments, national c. Where a CCD contains multiple decennial census data. forests, other types of large parks or centers with relatively equal (CCD)—Areas forests, airports, marine ports, prisons, importance, a CCD name may represent delineated by the Census Bureau in military installations, or other large the two or three centers (e.g., Mount cooperation with state, tribal, and local facilities; Pleasant-Moroni, Utah); officials for statistical purposes. CCDs e. Conjoint city limits (in certain d. A CCD may be named after the AIR have no legal function and are not situations, such as city limits that (e.g., Hualapai, Arizona or Nez Perce, governmental units. CCD boundaries change infrequently); and, Idaho) or a prominent land use area usually follow visible features and f. When the above types of features (e.g., Federal Reservation, Washington usually coincide with census tract are not available for use as CCD or Yellowstone National Park, boundaries. The name of each CCD is boundaries, the Census Bureau may, at Wyoming) in which it is significantly or based on a place, county, or well-known its discretion, approve other wholly located; local name that identifies its location. nonstandard, visible features, such as e. A CCD may be named after a Census designated place (CDP)—A ridge lines, above-ground pipelines, prominent physical feature (e.g., Mount statistical geographic entity equivalent

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to an incorporated place with a verification that nonstandard features Email: [email protected]. Phone: concentration of population, housing, used as boundaries for the PSAP 301–763–3056 (PSAP hotline). and commercial and nonresidential geographic areas pose no problem in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: structures that is identifiable by name, their location during field work. I. History but is not within an incorporated place. Dated: January 22, 2018. Census tract—A small, relatively Census designated places (CDPs) 1 are Ron S. Jarmin, permanent statistical geographic statistical geographic entities division of a county defined for the Associate Director for Economic Programs, representing closely settled, tabulation and publication of Census Performing the Non-Exclusive Functions, and Duties of the Director, Bureau of the Census. unincorporated communities that are Bureau data. The primary goal of census locally recognized and identified by tracts is to provide a set of nationally [FR Doc. 2018–02622 Filed 2–14–18; 8:45 am] name. They are the statistical consistent, relatively small, statistical BILLING CODE 3510–07–P equivalents of incorporated places, with geographic units, with stable boundaries the primary differences being the lack of that facilitate analysis of data across both a legally defined boundary and an DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE time and between decennial censuses. active, functioning governmental Conjoint—A description of a Bureau of the Census structure, chartered by the state and boundary line shared by two adjacent administered by elected officials. CDPs geographic entities. defined for the 2020 Census will also be [Docket Number 171002956–7974–01] Contiguous—A description of areas used to tabulate American Community sharing common boundary lines, more Census Designated Places (CDPs) for Survey, Puerto Rico Community Survey, than a single point, such that the areas, the 2020 Census—Proposed Criteria and Economic Census data after 2020, when combined, form a single piece of and potentially data from other Bureau territory. Noncontiguous areas form AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, of the Census (Census Bureau) censuses disjoint pieces. Commerce. and surveys. Federally managed land—Territory ACTION: Notice of proposed program and The CDP concept and delineation that is federally owned and/or request for comments. criteria have evolved over the past six administered by an agency of the U.S. decades in response to data user needs federal government, such as the SUMMARY: The Census Bureau is for place-level data. This evolution has National Park Service, Bureau of Land publishing this notice in the Federal taken into account differences in the Management, or Department of Defense. Register to request comments from the way in which places were perceived, Incorporated place—A type of public and other government agencies and the propensity for places to governmental unit, incorporated under on the criteria and guidelines for incorporate in various states. The result, state law as a city, (except in New identifying Census designated places over time, has been an increase in the England, , and ), (CDPs). The Census Bureau will respond number and types of unincorporated borough (except in Alaska and New to the comments in the Federal Register communities identified as CDPs, as well York), or village, generally to provide notice announcing the final criteria. as increasing consistency in the governmental services for a After the final criteria are published in relationship between the CDP concept concentration of people within legally the Federal Register, the Census Bureau and the kinds of places encompassed by prescribed boundaries. will offer designated governments or the incorporated place category, or a (MCD)—The organizations an opportunity to review compromise between localized primary governmental or administrative and, if necessary, suggest updates to the perceptions of place and a concept that division of a county in 28 states and the boundaries and attributes of the CDPs in would be familiar to data users Island Areas having legal boundaries, their geographic area under the throughout the United States, Puerto names, and descriptions. The MCDs Participant Statistical Areas Program Rico, and the Island Areas. represent many different types of legal (PSAP). In separate Federal Register Although not as numerous as entities with a wide variety of notices, the PSAP program is seeking incorporated places or municipalities,2 characteristics, powers, and functions comment on the review and update of CDPs have been important geographic depending on the state and type of census tracts, block groups, and census entities since their introduction for the MCD. In some states, some or all of the county divisions. 1950 Census (CDPs were referred to as incorporated places also constitute ‘‘unincorporated places’’ in the 1950, DATES: Written comments must be 1960 and 1970 decennial censuses). For MCDs. submitted on or before May 14, 2018. Nonvisible feature—A map feature the 1950 Census, CDPs were defined that is not visible on the ground and in ADDRESSES: Please direct all written only outside urbanized areas and were imagery such as a city or county comments on this proposed program to required to have at least 1,000 residents. boundary through space, a property Vincent Osier, Geographic Standards, For the 1960 Census, CDPs could also be line, or line-of-sight extension of a road. Criteria, and Quality Branch, Geography identified inside urbanized areas Visible feature—A map feature that Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Room outside of , but these were can be seen on the ground and in 4H173, 4600 Silver Hill Road, required to have at least 10,000 imagery, such as a road, railroad track, Washington, DC 20233–7400. Email: residents. The Census Bureau modified major above-ground transmission line or [email protected]. Phone: 301– the population threshold within pipeline, river, stream, shoreline, fence, 763–3056 (PSAP Hotline). urbanized areas to 5,000 residents in sharply defined mountain ridge, or cliff. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 1970, allowed for CDPs in urbanized A nonstandard visible feature is a Requests for additional information on areas in New England in 1980, and feature that may not be clearly defined this proposed program should be on the ground (such as a ridge), may be directed to Vincent Osier, Geographic 1 The term CDP includes comunidades and zonas seasonal (such as an intermittent Standards, Criteria, and Quality Branch, urbanas in Puerto Rico. 2 stream), or may be relatively Geography Division, U.S. Census Known by various terms throughout the United States: Cities, (except in the six New England impermanent (such as a fence). The Bureau, Room 4H173, 4600 Silver Hill states, New York, and Wisconsin), villages, and Census Bureau generally requests Road, Washington, DC 20233–7400. boroughs (except in New York and Alaska).

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