What Role Does Geography Play in the Census? — Quiz

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. What does the term "spatial" refer to?
A) The population count of an area
B) Pertaining to space on Earth's surface
C) A legal boundary line
D) A type of census survey

2. How often is the Decennial Census conducted?
A) Every year
B) Every 5 years
C) Every 10 years
D) Every 20 years

3. Which of the following is the smallest geographic unit for which the Census Bureau tabulates decennial census data?
A) Census tract
B) Census block group
C) County
D) Census block

4. Which entity generally contains between 600 and 3,000 people?
A) Census block
B) Census block group
C) Census tract
D) County

5. A census tract ideally contains how many people and housing units?
A) 600 people and 1,000 housing units
B) 4,000 people and 1,600 housing units
C) 3,000 people and 2,000 housing units
D) 10,000 people and 5,000 housing units

6. Which type of geographic entity has legally defined boundaries created through charters, laws, or treaties (e.g., counties, cities, states)?
A) Statistical entity
B) Administrative entity
C) Legal entity
D) Geographic hierarchy

7. Which survey is conducted monthly and produces data on more than 35 categories such as education, income, and employment?
A) Decennial Census
B) American Community Survey
C) Geographic Areas Reference Manual
D) Standard Hierarchy Survey

8. A geographic entity whose boundaries are NOT legally defined and which has no governmental power is called a(n):
A) Legal entity
B) Administrative entity
C) Statistical entity
D) Boundary

Short-Answer Questions

9. In a geographic hierarchy, explain the relationship between states, counties, and county subdivisions. Use this example to describe what "geographic hierarchy" means.

10. Comparing census tracts, census block groups, and census blocks, which is largest in area and which is smallest? Explain why the smallest division might sometimes appear misleadingly large on a map.

11. Based on what you learned, why does the Census Bureau divide geographic space into different levels (like blocks, block groups, and tracts) rather than just collecting data for the whole country at once? What role does geography play in the census?

---

Answer Key

1. B — Pertaining to space on Earth's surface
2. C — Every 10 years
3. D — Census block
4. B — Census block group
5. B — 4,000 people and 1,600 housing units
6. C — Legal entity
7. B — American Community Survey
8. C — Statistical entity

1. A geographic hierarchy is a system in which each geographic entity (except the smallest) is divided into smaller units, which may be further divided. For example, states are divided into counties, which are divided into county subdivisions.

1. Census tracts are the largest in area, and census blocks are the smallest, with census block groups in the middle. The smallest division (census block) may look artificially bigger on a map because of an enlarged scale, so students must check the map's scale/key carefully.

1. Answers will vary but should reflect that dividing geographic space into smaller units (blocks, block groups, tracts) allows the Census Bureau to collect and present detailed, small-area data that can be used by different people/organizations for specific local purposes, while still fitting into a larger hierarchy for broader analysis. Geography allows census data to be organized, compared, and applied at different scales — from very local to national.