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News & Updates

Mayor Menino Announces: Free Census Data Trainings

Oct 16, 2012

The BRA and the U.S. Census Bureau are partnering to offer free trainings of interactive Census data tools that share Boston’s most current demographic and economic data.  This data can be useful for grant applications, planning and business development, fundraising, analyzing potential barriers in implementing programs, research, and marketing strategies.

Nonprofit organizations, for profit organizations, neighborhood groups, and media outlets can request a free hands-on workshop to learn how to use interactive web tools created by the BRA and the Census Bureau to access 2010 Census and American Community Survey data.  To request a “Your Community By the Numbers” Workshop, please contact Alexandra Barker, U.S. Census Bureau Data Dissemination Specialist, at [email protected] or 617-519-1099.

The workshops will focus on accessing 2010 Census and American Community Survey data via:
“Educating the public on how to use innovative tools to access census data is a key to ensuring that these constituencies have the best available information at their fingertips,” Mayor Menino said.
“The Census Bureau is constantly working to enhance our customer experience in accessing our data products online. For instance, through the American Fact Finder anyone can access data from the American Community Survey, which is the sole source of important socioeconomic estimates for small-areas,” emphasized Mario Matthews, Regional Director of the Census Bureau Boston Regional Office.
Attendees will learn what demographic and socioeconomic data are available for their communities and how to retrieve it online. The workshop is divided in 3 parts:
  • Overview of available Census data.
  • Hands-on data access with the American FactFinder using example datasets and products.
  • Overview and hands-on activities utilizing My Neighborhood Census Viewer.
Representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau and the BRA will conduct the 2.5 hour workshop at a location arranged by the requesting organization.  The organization must provide a computer with internet access.

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