Introduction

Census tracts are small, permanent statistical subdivisions of a county used by the US Census Bureau to collect and analyze population and housing data. They are designed to be roughly comparable to neighborhoods, with populations typically between 1,500 and 8,000, and their boundaries are often defined by visible features like roads or rivers. Census tracts are vital for tracking demographics over time and are used by governments and organizations for planning public services, allocating resources, and understanding community needs.

Key characteristics

• Population: Typically contain between 1,500 and 8,000 people, with an average of about 4,000.
• Boundaries: Generally follow recognizable features like roads, rivers, or power lines to ensure consistency over time, although they can be updated due to significant population changes or new development.
• Stability: Boundaries are kept stable over time to allow for historical comparisons, but a tract is split if its population exceeds 8,000.
• Coverage: Together, census tracts cover the entire country.
• Identifiers: Each tract has a unique identifying number (FIPS code) within its county.

Uses and functions

• Demographic analysis: Track population characteristics and housing data over time.
• Public service planning: Inform decisions on where to build schools, hospitals, and transportation systems.
• Resource allocation: Help government agencies allocate resources and funding effectively.
• Community development: Used for specific programs, such as defining areas for historically underutilized business zones.
• Research: Widely used in public health, economics, and other fields for local-level analysis.

The map and table below give geographic data on the 1437 census tracts in Alabama. The land and water areas are given in square miles.

Map

In the map below, the counties can be added as an area layer using the layer control, and the census-designated central points can be added as a point layer. Click on a feature to view summary information about the feature.

Tables

Census Tracts

Click on a row to see the corresponding census tract highlighted in green in the map. For small census tracts, you may have to zoom to see the highlighting. Click on a row again to de-select.

Summary by County