The Center for Social Science Computation and Research

U.S. Census 2020 Files

2020 Census Redistricting Data [Public Law 94-171]

The Redistricting data is derived from questions asked on the 2020 Census questionnaire and contains summary statistics on population and housing subjects for race, ethnicity (Hispanic or Latino origin), voting age, housing occupancy status and group quarters population down to the census block level. The redistricting data will be used to redraw legislative boundaries and boundaries of other jurisdictions that elect representatives using internal districts (counties, cities, schools, ports, and fire districts).

The files published here are from the 2020 Census Redistricting Data for both WA state and nation in several statistical software formats. Please check the Summary Level Hierarchy Chart for geographies included in the WA state and national files.  

 

2020 Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC)

The 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC) includes detailed data tables on the following:

  • Subjects: Age, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, household type, family type, relationship to householder, group quarters population, housing occupancy, and housing tenure
  • Lowest level of geography: Varies, with many tables at the census block level
  • Many of the DHC tables are also available for ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTA) generalized representations of U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code service routes.
  • Data Table Guide Includes the list of tables, lowest level of geography by table, and table shells.
  • The 2010 Census Summary File 1 is the closest equivalent to the DHC. For information about these differences between these products, visit the DHC webpage.

The files published here for DHC files are complete datasets for WA state and nation in several statistical software formats. Please check the Summary Level Hierarchy Chart for geographies included in the WA state and national files.  

 

2020 Census Privacy-Protected Microdata File (PPMF)

The 2020 Census Privacy-Protected Microdata File (PPMF) provides the complete set of privacy-protected records used to create the 2020 Census Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171) Summary File, Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC), and Demographic Profile. It is the successor to the Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) files released in previous decades, and is made possible by the new disclosure avoidance methodology used for the 2020 Census. Unlike the 2010 Census PUMS, the PPMF is a 100 percent microdata file for the 2020 Census and analyses of the data will only have to account for the controlled, limited uncertainty introduced by disclosure avoidance and not sampling error. The microdata records generated by the 2020 Census Disclosure Avoidance System (DAS), ensure respondent confidentiality through the application of differentially private statistical noise. For more information on the 2020 DAS, refer to “Chapter 4. Confidentiality of the Data.”

The 2020 PPMF records are provided in two protected microdata files: person and housing unit or household. The person file is used to create “person” tables including content on sex, age, Hispanic origin, race, relationship to householder, and group quarters. The housing unit or household file is used to create “housing” tables including content on tenure, vacancy, household type, family type, couple type, and other characteristics. Both files have all levels of geographies, including block geocode identifiers. For complete variable list, refer to “Chapter 3. Data Dictionary” in 2020 Census Privacy-Protected Microdata File.pdf in document files folder.