County and tract level data
2004 county typology codes—This typology classifies metro and nonmetro counties based on primary economic activity and social characteristics. The six nonoverlapping economic types are farming-dependent, mining-dependent, manufacturing-dependent, Federal/State government-dependent, services-dependent, and nonspecialized. Also, counties are classified based on seven overlapping policy types: housing stress, low-education, low-employment, population loss, persistent poverty, nonmetro recreation, and retirement destination counties. For more information contact, Linda Ghelfi, (202) 694-5437.

1990 rural-urban commuting area code (RUCA)—The rural-urban commuting area code classifies U.S. census tracts using measures of urbanization, population density, and daily commuting from the 1990 decennial census. The classification contains two levels. Whole numbers (1-10) delineate metropolitan, large town, small town, and rural commuting areas based on the size and direction of the tracts' largest commuting flows. These 10 codes are further subdivided to permit stricter or looser delimitation of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan settlement, based on secondary commuting flows. The approach errs in the direction of more codes, so as to provide maximum flexibility for the selective combination of codes that will meet varying definitional needs and preferences. For more information, contact John Cromartie, (202) 694-5421.

• Detailed description and table listing codes
• Download a text file containing rural-urban commuting area codes for all U.S. census tracts or for census tracts in a selected State

2003 rural-urban continuum codes—The rural-urban continuum code classifies all U.S. counties by the degree of urbanization and adjacency to a metropolitan area. This code is used in determining eligibility for several Federal programs, and allows researchers to break county-level data into finer residential groups than the standard metro-nonmetro.

These codes are based on the June 2003 definition of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties as determined by the Office of Management and Budget.

For more information about the rural-urban continuum codes, contact Calvin Beale, (202) 694-5416, or see the Rural-urban Continuum Codes chapter in the Measuring Rurality Briefing Room.

2003 urban influence codes—This code is similar to the rural-urban continuum code, however, counties are classified by the population size of the cities within each county, rather than the degree of urbanization, and adjacency to a metropolitan or micropolitan area.

For more information about the urban influence codes see the Measuring Rurality Briefing Room or contact Linda Ghelfi, (202) 694-5437, or Tim Parker, (202) 694-5435.

1990 commuting zone and labor market area codes—Labor Market Areas and Commuting Zones are county aggregations that are intended to be used as spatial measures of local labor markets. Using 1990 county-to-county commuting flows, 741 commuting zones were delineated using a hierarchical cluster algorithm. In order to acquire a special 1990 Census Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS-L, see below), the commuting zones were then aggregated into 394 labor market areas that met the Bureau of the Census's criterion of a 100,000 population minimum.

Federal funds data—Data obtained from Federal Government agencies on Federal expenditures and obligations for grants, salaries and wages, procurements, direct payments, direct loans, guaranteed loans, and insurance. Dollar amounts represent either actual expenditures or obligations. Consists of 4 years of data, located in directories 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997. Data are presented by both county and State. Directories include 4 raw data files in ASCII format, 4 SAS sample data extraction program files, 4 ASCII documentation files (one for each raw file), 3 Lotus 1-2-3 worksheet (.wk3) data files and 2 Lotus documentation files. Documentation file is for all years. A readme.txt file has detailed description of the data. Documentation file is for both years. For more information contact Sam Calhoun, (202) 694-5339, or Faqir Bagi, (202) 694-5337.

County-level population data—Population data from the U.S. Census Bureau for 1990, 2000, and 2003. View maps showing population change and download data.

County-level poverty estimates—Poverty estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

County-level unemployment, and median household income estimates—Unemployment rates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and median household income estimates from U.S. Census Bureau.

Natural amenities scale—The natural amenities scale is a measure of the physical characteristics of a county area that enhance the location as a place to live. The scale was constructed by combining six measures of climate, typography, and water area that reflect environmental qualities most people prefer. These measures are warm winter, winter sun, temperate summer, low summer humidity, topographic variation, and water area. The data are available for counties in the lower 48 States. The file contains the original measures and standardized scores for each county as well as the amenities scale. For more information contact David McGranahan, (202) 694-5356.

Other data
1990 Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS-L) Data Delivery System—This system allows you to create and download custom extractions from the 1990 Census of Population PUMS-L sample.

Farm Program Data and Information—Data on various aspects of farm and commodity policy, such as farm program participation rates, Commodity Credit Corporation net outlays by commodity and function, and price support loan activity.

County courthouse photos—Calvin Beale, the Senior Demographer at ERS, has visited the majority of counties in the United States. He typically stops at the county seat and talks to USDA staff, extension service agents, or others about the county and current trends. During each visit he photographs the county courthouse, combining his interests in architecture and rural small town America. In Calvin's seminars, the courthouse slides provide a vehicle around which to discuss a county's history, what makes it unique, and issues affecting county residents. These courthouse photos will also lead you toward county-level data that we have.

for more information, contact: Tim Parker
web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov
page updated: August 30, 2004