Geographies
We are able to provide you with demographic variables on the following geographies:
Census Geographies
United States � The largest single geography available for analysis using the SBDCNet GIServices. The United States includes all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to conduct GIS research for Guam, Puerto Rico or other United States Territories or Protectorates.
States � The largest geopolitical subdivisions of the United States. For purpose of our GIServices, the District of Columbia functions as a state.
Counties � Counties are the largest administrative subdivisions of the individual states. Although counties vary widely in population and size, because equivalent data has been collected for each county nationwide, they are frequently used when doing market and demographics analysis (Alaska�s and Pennsylvania�s Boroughs are included here as well as Louisiana�s Parishes)
Places � A place is defined as a population concentration that does not necessarily have specifically defined boundaries or legal recognition. It must, however, be named, locally recognized and not included in any other place.
CBSAs (Core-Based Statistical Area) � A more recent geographical construct, CBSAs include counties with incorporated cites of at least 10,000 residents and those adjacent counties that supply a significant number of their residents for employment. There are two CBSA designations: Metropolitan, or those counties with a core-population of more than 50,000 and Micropolitan, or those counties with a core-population between 10,000 and 50,000.
Census Tracts � Permanent subdivisions of counties residents within a Census Tract generally share similar population characteristics and living conditions.
Block Groups � Subdivisions of Census Tracts made up of individual blocks each with an optimum population of 1,500 persons.
DMAs (Designated Market Areas) � Also known as television or broadcast markets, DMAs are defined by Nielsen Media Research for the purposes of broadcast media research. DMA boundaries are roughly equivalent to the range television signals can reach and are named according to the largest population center in the area.
MSAs (Metropolitan Statistical Areas) � MSAs are regions designated as a significant population center and other nearby communities each with a high degree of integration to the population nucleus.
Non-census Geographies
ZIP Codes � Zip Codes are administrative areas originally established by the United States Postal service to facilitate the rapid delivery of mail. ZIP Codes do not generally conform to other political boundaries and are subject to periodic change by the Postal Service.
For more definitions, including technical discussions see the U.S. Census Bureau's Glossary of Basic Geographic terms.
