NSC PSAP Delineation Materials

PSAP NSC Delineation Materials 112818.pdf

2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program

NSC PSAP Delineation Materials

OMB: 0607-1003

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 0607-1003 can be found here:

2020-10-01 - No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection

Document [pdf]

Download: pdf | pdf

Request for Non-Substantive Change to the
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
OMB Control No. 0607-1003
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Census Bureau
Purpose
The U.S. Census Bureau offers a once-per-decade opportunity for regional planning agencies
(RPAs), councils of governments (COGs), tribal, state, county, and local governments (including
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) to review and update selected statistical areas planned
for the 2020 Census data tabulation. Attached for your approval are fifty-six delineation
materials of the 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) that the Census
Bureau will send to the participants in January 2019.
Background
The current PSAP OMB collection was approved on 02/05/2018 for three years with an
expiration date of 02/28/2021. This non-substantive change is a request to:
1. Submit the final three Respondent Guides.
2. Submit revised copies of twelve cover letters, two follow-up letters, fourteen Quick
Reference Guides, two Quick Program Guides, two Postcards, and two Information
Guides. There is an additional of seventeen Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk
(CD/DVD) readme.txt. files, an example of a 2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts
file, and an example of a 2020 Proposed Changes list.
3. Authorize communication with groups of partners by email and/or letter between
January and July 2019.
Previously, the Census Bureau has supplied the table of contents for the three Respondent
Guides as part of the package approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
These Respondent Guides, currently renamed for clarity, now exist in final form and need to
replace the table of contents included in the package. The Census Bureau made changes to all
the delineation materials to meet final program requirements.
In addition, the Census Bureau added new delineation materials for Puerto Rico respondents, a
CD/DVD readme.txt file that details all of the documents and files associated with the disc, and
two information letters for the technical PSAP assistant and a person interested in reviewing and
updating the statistical geographies, respectively.
The Census Bureau has also revised, updated, and refined the language, instructions and steps in
all the letters and the quick start guides to make the language more concise and descriptive. The
fifth column of the attached table (see Appendix A) contains a summary of the changes made
per material. Overall, the additional materials and revised language and instructions will
improve the respondent’s experience.
Lastly, the Census Bureau will need to contact groups of partners throughout the PSAP
delineation phase to notify them of issues and clarifications related to Census Bureau provided
materials and software that may impact their review. As the delineation phase is time limited,
the Census Bureau is requesting authorization to send emails and/or letters to groups of partners

to document issues and provide additional instruction. At the end of the delineation phase in
July 2019, the Census Bureau will supply documentation of all messages that were sent to
groups of partners related to these possible issues.
There is no substantive change to the program resulting from this change. The finalized
instructions, steps, or languages do not change the content or objective of the program. The
changes made were necessary to reflect the most current program information.
Burden
The burden of the 2020 Census PSAP is unchanged by this update.
Appendix A
Documents Included in the 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Package – Non-substantive
change request
#

20PSAP-L-460

20PSAP-C-820

20PSAP-C-821

Description or Title

New Description or
Title (if applicable)
Cover Letters
Letter sent to regional
NA
planning agencies
(RPAs), councils of
governments (COGs),
and county participants
choosing to download the
Geographic Update
Partnership Software
(GUPS) online during the
delineation phase.
Cover letter sent with the NA
respondent guides to a
federally recognized tribe
using paper maps to
delineate to delineate
Alaska Native village
statistical areas
(ANVSAs).
Cover letter sent with the
respondent guides to the
Alaska Native Regional
Associations (ANRAs)
using paper maps to
delineate to delineate
Alaska Native village
statistical areas
(ANVSAs.)

Summary of
Changes
Refining the
overall language.
The action steps
are more
elaborated to
increase
understanding.
The schedule is
added and the
website link is
updated.
The signature is
changed from
Director to the
Associate Director.
Removal of the
CC line to State
Data Center
contact.
Adding a new
letter. Previously,
the recipients were
going to receive
the same letter
(20PSAP-C-820),
but since each
letter will be
addressed to two
different

Description or Title

New Description or
Title (if applicable)

20PSAP-C-822

Cover letter sent with the
respondent guide to a
federally recognized tribe
using paper maps to
delineate tribal
designated statistical
areas (TDSA).
Cover letter sent with the
respondent guide to a
federally recognized tribe
using paper maps to
delineate an Oklahoma
tribal statistical area
(OTSA).
Cover letter sent with the
respondent guide to a
state tribal liaison using
paper maps during the
delineation phase.
Cover letter with GUPS
DVDs, online and paper
maps sent to RPAs,
COGs, and county
participants during the
delineation phase.
Cover letter with GUPS
DVD to Puerto Rico
participants
(Municipios).

Adding new
material for Puerto
Rico Participants
in Spanish.

Cover letter with GUPS
DVDs sent to tribal
participants during the
delineation phase.

The action steps
are more
elaborated to
increase
understanding.
The schedule is
added and the
website link is
updated.
The signature is
changed from
Director to the
Associate Director.

20PSAP-C-824

20PSAP-C-830

20PSAP-C-880

20PSAP-C880PR

20PSAP-C-890

Summary of
Changes
recipients, it was
necessary to add a
new letter.
Refining the
overall language.
The action steps
are more
elaborated to
increase
understanding.
The schedule is
added and the
website link is
updated.
The signature is
changed from
Director to the
Associate Director.
Removal of the
CC line to State
Data Center
contact.

Description or Title

New Description or
Title (if applicable)

20PSAP-C-891

Cover letter sent with the NA
respondent guide to a
federally recognized tribe
using paper maps to
delineate tribal statistical
areas.

20PSAP-C-895

20PSAP-C-896

Letter sent to PSAP
NA
technical assistants to
notify them that the
delineations materials
package were sent to the
Primary PSAP
participant.
Letter sent to inform a
NA
person interested in
providing input to the
statistical geographies
that the PSAP delineation
materials were sent to the
Primary PSAP
participant.

Summary of
Changes
Removal of the
CC line to State
Data Center
contact.
Adding a new
letter for federal
tribes.

Adding a new
material.

Follow-Up Letters
13

20PSAP-L-500

Delineation Follow Up
Letter to all participants.

20PSAP-L500PR

Delineation Follow-Up
Letter PR (Spanish).

Updating the date
Census Bureau
will send materials
for verification to
participants, from
December 2019 to
January 2020. The
signature is
changed from
Director to the
Associate Director.
Removal of the
CC line to State
Data Center
contact.
Adding a new
follow-up letter for
Puerto Rico
participants. The

Description or Title

New Description or
Title (if applicable)

Summary of
Changes
content is similar
to L-500.

Respondent Guides
15

20PSAP-G-690

GUPS respondent guide
for tribal participants
(table of contents only).

20PSAP-G-700

Paper respondent guide
for tribal participants
(table of contents only).

20PSAP-G-730

GUPS respondent guide
for RPAs, COGs, and
county participants (table
of contents only).

2020 Census
Participant Statistical
Areas Program
(PSAP) Tribal
Respondent Guide
Instructions for using
the Geographic
Update Partnership
Software (GUPS)
2020 Census
Participant Statistical
Areas Program
(PSAP) Tribal
Respondent Guide
Instructions for using
Paper Maps
2020 Census
Participant Statistical
Areas Program
(PSAP) Standard
Respondent Guide
Instructions for using
the Geographic
Update Partnership
Software (GUPS)

Submitting the full
respondent guides.
The title change
reflects better the
purpose of the
document.
Other changes
related to the table
of contents re
made to meet the
current program
and software
requirements.

PSAP Quick Reference Guides
18

20PSAP-G-600

20PSAP-G-610

20PSAP-G-615

20PSAP-G-620

20PSAP-G-621

20PSAP-G-622

Quick reference for tribal
block groups (TBGs).
Quick reference for tribal
census tracts (TCTs).
Quick reference on
census designated places
(CDPs) for all
participants.
Quick reference for tribal
designated statistical
areas (TDSAs).
Quick reference for state
designated tribal
statistical areas
(SDTSAs).
Quick reference for
ANVSAs.

NA
NA
NA

Refining the
overall language.

Description or Title

20PSAP-G-623

20PSAP-G-625

Quick reference for
OTSAs.
Quick Reference for
State American Indian
Reservations

20PSAP-G-640

20PSAP-G-650

20PSAP-G-660

New Description or
Title (if applicable)
NA

Summary of
Changes

Adding a new
material for State
American Indian
Reservations.
Refining the
overall language.

20PSAP-G615PR

Quick reference on block
groups for RPAs, COGs,
and county participants.
Quick reference on
census tracts for RPAs,
COGs, and county
participants.
Quick reference on
census county divisions
(CCDs) for RPAs,
COGs, and county
participants.
Quick Reference: Census
Designated Places

20PSAP-G640PR

Quick Reference: Block
Groups

20PSAP-G650PR

Quick Reference: Census
tracts

Adding a new
material for Puerto
Rico Respondents.
Adding a new
material for Puerto
Rico Respondents.
Adding a new
material for Puerto
Rico Respondents.

PSAP Quick Program Guides
32

20PSAP-Q-900

Quick start for GUPS
online download.

Quick Program Guide
for Digital Download
of the GUPS

20PSAP-Q-905

Quick start for GUPS
DVD download.

DVD Quick Program
Guide for GUPS

Changing the title
to reflect the
purpose of the
document. Adding
2020 Census to the
title. Adding,
rewriting, and/or
refining the
verbiage to clarify
the action steps.
The PSAP
schedule was
removed and
Contact
Information was
added.
Changing the title
to reflect the

Description or Title

New Description or
Title (if applicable)

Summary of
Changes
purpose of the
document. Adding
2020 Census to the
title. Adding,
rewriting, refining
the verbiage to
clarify action
steps. The PSAP
schedule was
removed and
Contact
Information added.

PSAP Information Guides
34

20PSAP-W-100

20PSAP-W100PR

2020 Census Participant
Statistical Areas
Program (PSAP)
Information Guide.
2020 Census Participant
Statistical Areas
Program (PSAP)
Information Guide for
Puerto Rico.

Adding a new
material for
Puerto-Rico’s
Respondents.

PSAP Postcards
36

20PSAP-P-300

20PSAP-P300PR

Yes or No change
delineation prepaid
postage postcard.
Delineation Phase
Response Postcard.

Adding a new
material for Puerto
Rico’s
Respondents.

PSAP Templates and CD/DVD ReadMe.txt Files
38

L-2020

L-2010

C-820_Readme

C-821_Readme

2020 Proposed Changes
List (template).
2010 Population and
Housing Unit Counts List
(template).
ReadMe_C820_PSAP_Disc_Conten
ts.txt.
ReadMe_C821_PSAP_Disc_Conten
ts.txt.

NA
NA

Adding a new
material.
Adding a new
material.
Adding new
materials.
These Compact
Disk/Digital Video
Disks (CD/DVD)
contain

Description or Title

C-822_Readme

C-824_Readme

C-830_Readme

C-880_Readme

C880_Readme_G
UPS_Disc
C-880ALT_Readme_
Data_Disc
C880PR_Readme
_Data_Disc
C880PR_Readme
_GUPS_Disc
C890_Readme_D
ata_Disc
C890_Readme_G
UPS_Disc
C-890ALT1_Readme
_Data_Disc
C-890ALT2_Readme
_Data_Disc
C-891_Readme

ReadMe_C822_PSAP_Disc_Conten
ts.txt.
ReadMe_C824_PSAP_Disc_Conten
ts.txt.
ReadMe_C830_PSAP_Disc_Conten
ts.txt.
ReadMe_C880_PSAP_Data_Disc_C
ontents.txt.
ReadMe_C880_PSAP_GUPS_Disc_
Contents.txt.
ReadMe_C-880ALT_PSAP_Data_Disc_
Contents.txt.
ReadMe_C880PR_PSAP_Data_Disc
_Contents.txt
ReadMe_C880PR_PSAP_GUPS_Di
sc_Contents.txt.
ReadMe_C890_PSAP_Data_Disc_C
ontents.txt.
ReadMe_C890_PSAP_GUPS_Disc_
Contents.txt.
ReadMe_C-890ALT1_PSAP_Data_Disc
_Contents.
ReadMe_C-890ALT2_PSAP_Data_Disc
_Contents.
ReadMe_C891_PSAP_Disc_Conten
ts.txt.
ReadMe_C-891ALT1_PSAP_Disc_Cont
ents.txt.
ReadMe_C-891ALT2_PSAP_Disc_Cont
ents.txt.

C-891ALT1_Readme

C-891ALT2_Readme

New Description or
Title (if applicable)
NA

Summary of
Changes
information
needed by PSAP
participants.

PSAP Cover Letters

L-460
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear PSAP Participant:
Your government/organization recently registered to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020
Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). You may now start to review and update the census
tracts, block groups, census designated places (CDPs), and if applicable, census county divisions (CCDs)
for the counties you agreed to review during the PSAP. Please follow the action steps and schedule
outlined in this letter to participate.
Action Steps:
1. Visit the 2020 Census PSAP website and download the following program materials:
a. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Program Guide for Digital Download of the Geographic Update
Partnership Software (GUPS) (Q-900).
b. 2020 Census PSAP Standard Respondent Guide: GUPS (G-730).
c. GUPS software: .
d. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census Designated Places (G-615).
e. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Block Groups (G-640).
f. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census Tracts (G-650).
g. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census County Divisions (G-660) – if applicable.
h. 2020 proposed changes list.
2. Visit the 2020 Census PSAP website for webinar information. (Optional):
.
3. Review the 2020 Census PSAP boundaries to determine if changes are needed. Refer to the
respondent guide for instructions on reviewing your boundaries.
a. Consult with other interested parties to determine if changes are necessary to meet analytical
and planning needs. The Census Bureau regularly receives requests to update census tract

census.gov

boundaries from organizations such as economic development agencies, planners, and local
government officials.
b. Use the enclosed postage-paid 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300)
to report if there will be changes to the statistical geographies.
c. Return the completed postcard to the Census Bureau within 30 days of receipt.
4. If you determine updates are necessary, complete statistical area updates using GUPS. Refer to the
respondent guide for instructions on updating statistical area boundaries.
5. Return your 2020 Census PSAP submission file(s) using the Census Bureau’s Secure Web Incoming
Module (SWIM).
a. Refer to the 2020 Census PSAP Quick Program Guide for Digital Download of the GUPS (Q-900)
for instructions to create a SWIM account if you do not already have one. New SWIM accounts
require a 12-digit SWIM token. Use the SWIM token below to create your account.
b. SWIM token: .
Please see Appendix A for the list of counties for which you are responsible for updating and delineating.
Please complete and submit your statistical area updates within 120 days. The information you submit
will ensure the accuracy and completeness of statistical area delineations for the 2020 Census. The
Census Bureau will review your statistical area updates and ensure all updates meet the established
criteria for the 2020 Census PSAP. We will contact you if there are questions regarding your submission.
2020 Census PSAP Schedule
Date
January 2019

Event
2020 Census PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 days to submit
updates.

January 2019

2020 Census PSAP training webinars begin.

July 2019

2020 Census PSAP participants notified of delineation phase closeout.

January 2020

2020 Census PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar dates to
review updates.

2020 Census PSAP Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Website:
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs
2

Enclosures

We estimate that completing this program will take a total of 40 hours on average, from 2018-2020. Send
comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to . This collection has been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB). The eight digit OMB approval number that appears at the upper left of the letter
confirms this approval. If this number were not displayed, we could not conduct this survey. The Census Bureau
conducts this program under the legal authority of the Title 13 U.S. Code, Section 6.

Appendix A:
Counties to delineate:

C-820
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear PSAP Participant:
Your tribal government recently registered to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Census
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). You may now start to review and update your Alaska Native
village statistical area (ANVSA). Please follow the action steps and schedule outlined in this letter to
participate.
Action Steps:
1. Review the program materials in your package.
a. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas (G-622).
b. 2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide (G-700).
c. 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300).
d. 2020 Census PSAP paper maps.
e. Supplemental disc(s) with pdf file(s) of paper maps, quick reference guide(s) and respondent
guide.
f. Postage-paid label.
2. Visit the 2020 Census PSAP website for webinar information. (Optional):
.
3. Review the 2020 Census PSAP boundaries to determine if changes are needed. Refer to the
respondent guide for instructions on reviewing your boundaries.
a. Use the postage-paid 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300) to report
if there will be changes to the statistical geographies.
b. Return the completed postcard to the Census Bureau within 30 days of receipt.
4. Use the 2020 Census PSAP paper maps to make boundary updates. The Census Bureau has enclosed
a supplemental disc(s) that includes PDF map(s) corresponding to the enclosed paper map materials.
This disc is a courtesy copy and for reference only. Refer to the respondent guide for instructions on
updating boundaries.

census.gov

5. Ship the updated 2020 Census PSAP paper maps to the Census Bureau in the original map tube or
envelope. Please affix the provided postage-paid label over the top of the original label before
returning the map tube.
Please complete and submit your tribal statistical area updates within 120 days. The information you
submit will ensure the accuracy and completeness of boundaries for the 2020 Census. The Census
Bureau will review your updates and ensure all updates meet the established criteria for the 2020
Census PSAP. We will contact you if there are questions regarding your submission.
2020 Census PSAP Schedule
Date
January 2019

Event
2020 Census PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 days to submit
updates.

January 2019

2020 Census PSAP training webinars begin.

July 2019

2020 Census PSAP participants notified of delineation phase closeout.

January 2020

2020 Census PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar dates to
review updates.

2020 Census PSAP Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Website:
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs
Enclosures

C-821
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear Representative:
The U.S. Census Bureau invites Alaska Native Regional Associations (ANRA) to delineate Alaska Native
Village Statistical Areas (ANVSAs) and Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRC). ANRAs may delineate
ANVSAs for those Alaska Native Villages (ANVs) that are not able to participate in the U.S. Census
Bureau’s 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). Please follow the action steps and
schedule outlined in this letter to participate.
Action Steps:
1. Review the program materials in your package.
a. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas (G-622).
b. 2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide (G-700).
c. 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300).
d. 2020 Census PSAP paper maps.
e. Supplemental disc(s) with pdf file(s) of paper maps, quick reference guide(s) and respondent
guide.
f. Postage-paid label.
2. Visit the 2020 Census PSAP website for webinar information. (Optional):
.
3. Review the 2020 Census PSAP boundaries to determine if changes are needed. Refer to the
respondent guide for instructions on reviewing your boundaries.
a. Use the postage-paid 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300) to report
if there will be changes to the statistical geographies.
b. Return the completed postcard to the Census Bureau within 30 days of receipt.
4. Use the 2020 Census PSAP paper maps to make boundary updates. The Census Bureau has enclosed
a supplemental disc(s) that includes PDF map(s) corresponding to the enclosed paper map materials.

census.gov

This disc is a courtesy copy and for reference only. Refer to the respondent guide for instructions on
updating boundaries.
5. Ship the updated 2020 Census PSAP paper maps to the Census Bureau in the original map tube or
envelope. Please affix the provided postage-paid label over the top of the original label before
returning the map tube.
Please see Appendix A for the list of ANVSAs for which you are responsible for updating and delineating.
Please complete and submit your updates within 120 days. The information you submit will ensure the
accuracy and completeness of boundaries for the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau will review your
updates and ensure all updates meet the established criteria for the 2020 Census PSAP. We will contact
you if there are questions regarding your submission.
2020 Census PSAP Schedule
Date
January 2019

Event
2020 Census PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 days to submit
updates.

January 2019

2020 Census PSAP training webinars begin.

July 2019

2020 Census PSAP participants notified of delineation phase closeout.

January 2020

2020 Census PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar dates to
review updates.

2020 Census PSAP Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Website:
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs
Enclosures

confirms this approval. If this number were not displayed, we could not conduct this survey. The Census Bureau
conducts this program under the legal authority of the Title 13 U.S. Code, Section 6.

Appendix A:
Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas (ANVSAs) to delineate:

C-822
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear PSAP Participant:
Your tribal government recently registered to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Census
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). You may now start to review and update your tribal
designated statistical area(s) (TDSAs). Please follow the action steps and schedule outlined in this letter
to participate.
Action Steps:
1. Review the program materials in your package.
a. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Tribal Designated Statistical Areas (G-620).
b. 2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide (G-700).
c. 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300).
d. 2020 Census PSAP paper maps.
e. Supplemental disc(s) with pdf file(s) of paper maps, quick reference guide(s) and respondent
guide.
f. Postage-paid label.
2. Visit the 2020 Census PSAP website for webinar information. (Optional):
.
3. Review the 2020 Census PSAP boundaries to determine if changes are needed. Refer to the
respondent guide for instructions on reviewing your boundaries.
a. Use the postage-paid 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300) to report
if there will be changes to the statistical geographies.
b. Return the completed postcard to the Census Bureau within 30 days of receipt.
4. Use the 2020 Census PSAP paper maps to make boundary updates. The Census Bureau has enclosed
a supplemental disc(s) that includes PDF map(s) corresponding to the enclosed paper map materials.
This disc is a courtesy copy and for reference only. Please refer to the respondent guide for
instructions on updating boundaries.

census.gov

5. Ship the updated paper maps to the Census Bureau in the original map tube or envelope. Please
affix the provided postage-paid label over top of the original label before returning the map tube.
Please complete and submit your updates within 120 days. The information you submit will ensure the
accuracy and completeness of boundaries for the 2020 Census. We will contact you if there are
questions regarding your submission.
2020 Census PSAP Schedule
Date
January 2019

Event
2020 Census PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 days to submit
updates.

January 2019

2020 Census PSAP training webinars begin.

July 2019

2020 Census PSAP participants notified of delineation phase closeout.

January 2020

2020 Census PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar dates to
review updates.

2020 Census PSAP Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Website:
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs
Enclosures

C-824
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear PSAP Participant:
Your tribal government recently registered to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Census
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). You may now start to review and update the Oklahoma
tribal statistical areas (OTSAs), tribal subdivisions of OTSAs, joint-use areas, and census designated
places (CDPs) for your community. Please follow the action steps and schedule outlined in this letter to
participate.
Action Steps:
1. Review the program materials in your package.
a. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Areas (G-623).
b. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census Designated Places (G-615).
c. 2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide (G-700).
d. 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300).
e. 2020 Census PSAP paper maps.
f. Supplemental disc(s) with pdf file(s) of paper maps, quick reference guide(s) and respondent
guide.
g. Postage-paid label.
2. Visit the 2020 Census PSAP website for webinar information. (Optional):
.
3. Review the 2020 Census PSAP boundaries to determine if changes are needed. Refer to the
respondent guide for instructions on reviewing your boundaries.
a. Use the postage-paid 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300) to report
if there will be changes to the statistical geographies.
b. Return the completed postcard to the Census Bureau within 30 days of receipt.
4. Use the 2020 Census PSAP paper maps to make boundary updates. The Census Bureau has enclosed
a supplemental disc(s) that includes PDF map(s) corresponding to the enclosed paper map materials.

census.gov

This disc is a courtesy copy and for reference only. Refer to the respondent guide for instructions on
updating boundaries.
5. Ship the updated paper maps to the Census Bureau in the original map tube or envelope. Please
affix the provided postage-paid label over the top of the original label before returning the map tube.
Please complete and submit your updates within 120 days. The information you submit will ensure the
accuracy and completeness of boundaries for the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau will review your
updates and ensure all updates meet the established criteria for the 2020 Census PSAP. We will contact
you if there are questions regarding your submission.
2020 Census PSAP Schedule
Date
January 2019

Event
2020 Census PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have until 120 days to
submit updates.

January 2019

2020 Census PSAP training webinars begin.

July 2019

2020 Census PSAP participants notified of delineation phase closeout.

January 2020

2020 Census PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar dates to
review updates.

2020 Census PSAP Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Website:
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs
Enclosures

C-830
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear PSAP State Tribal Liaison:
You recently registered to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Census Participant Statistical
Areas Program (PSAP) as a State Tribal Liaison. You may now start to review and update the State
American Indian reservation (SAIR) boundaries, and work with tribes to update the state designated
tribal statistical areas (SDTSAs). Please follow the action steps and schedule outlined in this letter to
participate.
Action Steps:
1. Review the program materials in your package.
a. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: State American Indian reservation boundaries
(G-625).
b. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: State Designated Tribal Statistical Areas (G-621).
c. 2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide (G-700).
d. 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300).
e. 2020 Census PSAP paper maps.
f. Supplemental disc(s) with pdf file(s) of paper maps, quick reference guide(s) and respondent
guide.
g. Postage-paid label.
2. Visit the 2020 Census PSAP website for webinar information. (Optional):
.
3. Review the 2020 Census PSAP boundaries to determine if changes are needed. Refer to the
respondent guide for instructions on reviewing your boundaries.
a. Use the postage-paid 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300) to report
if there will be changes to the statistical geographies.
b. Return the completed postcard to the Census Bureau within 30 days of receipt.

census.gov

4. Use the 2020 Census PSAP paper maps to make boundary updates. The Census Bureau has enclosed
a supplemental disc(s) that includes PDF map(s) corresponding to the enclosed paper map materials.
This disc is a courtesy copy and for reference only. Refer to the respondent guide for instructions on
updating boundaries.
5. Ship the updated paper maps to the Census Bureau in the original map tube or envelope. Please
affix the provided postage-paid label over the top of the original label before returning the map tube.
Please see Appendix A for the list of SAIRs and/or SDTSAs for which you are responsible for updating and
delineating.
Please complete and submit your updates within 120 days. The information you submit will ensure the
accuracy and completeness of boundaries for the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau will review your
updates and ensure all updates meet the established criteria for the 2020 Census PSAP. We will contact
you if there are questions regarding your submission.
Contact your Regional Census Center if you would like assistance with coordinating and/or facilitating
SDTSA delineation work with the tribes in your state .
2020 Census PSAP Schedule
Date
January 2019

Event
2020 Census PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 days to submit
updates.

January 2019

2020 Census PSAP training webinars begin.

July 2019

2020 Census PSAP participants notified of delineation phase closeout.

January 2020

2020 Census PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar dates to
review updates.

2020 Census PSAP Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Website:
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs
Enclosures
We estimate that completing this program will take a total of 40 hours on average, from 2018-2020. Send
comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including

suggestions for reducing this burden, to . This collection has been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB). The eight digit OMB approval number that appears at the upper left of the letter
confirms this approval. If this number were not displayed, we could not conduct this survey. The Census Bureau
conducts this program under the legal authority of the Title 13 U.S. Code, Section 6.

Appendix A:
State American Indian reservations (SAIRs) and/or state designated tribal statistical areas (SDTSAs) to
delineate:

C-880
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear PSAP Participant:
Your government/organization recently registered to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020
Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). You may now start to review and update the census
tracts, block groups, census designated places (CDPs), and if applicable, census county divisions (CCDs)
for the counties you agreed to respond for during the PSAP. Please follow the action steps and schedule
outlined in this letter to participate.
Action Steps:
1. Review the program materials in your package. This package includes two DVDs that contain your
2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase materials and a postcard.
a. Data disc:
i. 2020 Census PSAP DVD Quick Program Guide for Geographic Update Partnership Software
(GUPS) (Q-905).
i. 2020 Census PSAP Standard Respondent Guide: GUPS (G-730).
ii. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census Tracts (G-650).
iii. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Block Groups (G-640).
iv. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census Designated Places (G-615).
v. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census County Divisions (G-660) – if applicable.
vi. 2020 Census PSAP partnership shapefiles.
vii. 2020 proposed changes list.
b. GUPS disc:
i. GUPS software for installation. Refer to the 2020 Census PSAP DVD Quick Program Guide for
GUPS (Q-905) for installation instructions.
c. 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300). Refer to Action Step 3 below
for details on the postcard use.

census.gov

2. Visit the 2020 Census PSAP website for webinar information. (Optional):
.
3. Review the 2020 Census PSAP boundaries to determine if changes are necessary to report. Refer to
the respondent guide for instructions on reviewing your boundaries.
a. Consult with other interested parties to determine if changes are necessary for analytical and
planning needs. The Census Bureau regularly receives requests to update census tract
boundaries from organizations such as economic development agencies, planners, and local
government officials.
b. Use the postage-paid 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300) to report
if there will be changes to the statistical geographies.
c. Return the completed postcard to the Census Bureau within 30 days of receipt.
4. If you determine updates are necessary, complete statistical area updates using GUPS. Refer to the
respondent guide for instructions on updating statistical area boundaries.
5. Return your 2020 Census PSAP submission file(s) using the Census Bureau’s Secure Web Incoming
Module (SWIM).
a. Refer to the 2020 Census PSAP DVD Quick Program Guide for GUPS (Q-905) for instructions to
create a SWIM account if you do not already have one. New SWIM accounts require a 12-digit
SWIM token. Use the SWIM token below to create your account.
b. SWIM token: .
Please see Appendix A for the list of counties for which you are responsible for updating and delineating.
Please complete and submit your statistical area updates within 120 days. The information you submit
will ensure the accuracy and completeness of statistical area delineations for the 2020 Census. The
Census Bureau will review your statistical area updates and ensure all updates meet the established
criteria for the 2020 Census PSAP. We will contact you if there are questions regarding your submission.
2020 Census PSAP Schedule
Date
January 2019

Event
2020 Census PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 days to submit
updates.

January 2019

2020 Census PSAP training webinars begin.

July 2019

2020 Census PSAP participants notified of delineation phase closeout.

January 2020

2020 Census PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar dates to
review updates.

2020 Census PSAP Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Website:
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,
2

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs
Enclosures

We estimate that completing this program will take a total of 40 hours on average, from 2018-2020.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to . This collection has been
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The eight digit OMB approval number that
appears at the upper left of the letter confirms this approval. If this number were not displayed, we could
not conduct this survey. The Census Bureau conducts this program under the legal authority of the Title
13 U.S. Code, Section 6.

Appendix A:
Counties to delineate:

C-880PR
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear :
Your government/organization recently registered to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020
Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). You may now start to review and update the census
tracts, block groups, and census designated places (CDPs) for all of the municipios you agreed to
represent during the PSAP. Please follow the action steps and schedule outlined in this letter to
participate.
Action Steps:
1. Review the program materials in your package. This package includes two DVDs that contain your
2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase materials and a postcard.
a. Data disc:
i. 2020 Census PSAP DVD Quick Program Guide for Geographic Update Partnership Software
(GUPS) (Q-905).
ii. 2020 Census PSAP Standard Respondent Guide: GUPS (G-730).
iii. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census Tracts (G-650PR).
iv. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Block Groups (G-640PR).
v. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census Designated Places (G-615PR).
vi. 2020 Census PSAP partnership shapefiles.
vii. 2020 proposed changes list.
b. GUPS disc:
i. GUPS software for installation. Refer to the 2020 Census PSAP DVD Quick Program Guide for
GUPS (Q-905) for installation instructions.
c. 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300PR).
2. Review the 2020 Census PSAP boundaries to determine if changes are necessary to report. Refer to
the respondent guide for instructions on reviewing your boundaries.

census.gov

a. Consult with other interested parties to determine if changes are necessary to meet analytical
and planning needs. The Census Bureau regularly receives requests to update census tract
boundaries from organizations such as economic development agencies, planners, and local
government officials.
b. Use the postage-paid 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300PR) to
report if there will be changes to the statistical geographies.
c. Return the completed postcard to the Census Bureau within 30 days of receipt.
3. Complete statistical area updates using GUPS. Refer to the respondent guide for instructions on
updating statistical area boundaries.
4. Return your 2020 Census PSAP submission file(s) using the Census Bureau’s Secure Web Incoming
Module (SWIM).
a. Refer to the 2020 Census PSAP DVD Quick Program Guide for GUPS (Q-905) for instructions to
create a SWIM account if you do not already have one. New SWIM accounts require a 12-digit
SWIM token. Use the SWIM token below to create your account.
b. SWIM token: .
Please complete and submit your statistical area updates within 120 days. The information you submit
will ensure the accuracy and completeness of statistical area delineations for the 2020 Census. The
Census Bureau will review your statistical area updates and ensure all updates meet the established
criteria for the 2020 Census PSAP. We will contact you if there are questions regarding your submission.
2020 Census PSAP Schedule
Date
January 2019

Event
2020 Census PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 days to submit
updates.

January 2019

2020 Census PSAP training webinars begin.

July 2019

2020 Census PSAP participants notified of delineation phase closeout.

January 2020

2020 Census PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar dates to
review updates.

2020 Census PSAP Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Website:
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs
2

Enclosures

We estimate that completing this program will take a total of 40 hours on average, from 2018-2020.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to . This collection has been
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The eight digit OMB approval number that
appears at the upper left of the letter confirms this approval. If this number were not displayed, we could
not conduct this survey. The Census Bureau conducts this program under the legal authority of the Title
13 U.S. Code, Section 6.

C-890
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear PSAP Participant:
Your tribal government recently registered to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Census
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). You may now start to review and update your applicable
tribal statistical areas.
You have the option to use the enclosed DVDs to install and use the Geographic Update Partnership
Software (GUPS), download and use GUPS from the 2020 Census PSAP website, or use the provided
2020 Census PSAP paper maps to make your tribal statistical area updates. Please follow the action
steps and schedule outlined in this letter to participate.
Action Steps:
1. Review the program materials in your package.
a. GUPS/DVD option. This package includes two DVDs that contain your 2020 Census PSAP
Delineation Phase materials for the digital response method.
i. Data disc : (Documents G-600 and G-610 included if applicable).
1. 2020 Census PSAP DVD Quick Program Guide for Geographic Update Partnership
Software (GUPS) (Q-905).
2. 2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS (G-690).
3. 2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide (G-700).
4. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Tribal Block Groups (G-600).
5. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Tribal Census Tracts (G-610).
6. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census Designated Places (G-615).
7. 2020 Census PSAP partnership shapefiles.
8. Pdf file(s) of paper maps.
9. 2010 Census population and housing unit counts for tribal census tracts and tribal
block groups.
ii. GUPS disc:

census.gov

1. GUPS software for installation. Refer to the 2020 Census PSAP DVD Quick Program
Guide for GUPS (Q-905) for installation instructions.
b. GUPS download option.
i. Visit the 2020 Census PSAP website and download any relevant program materials: (Download
documents G-600 and G-610 if applicable).
1. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Program Guide for Digital Download of the Geographic Update
Partnership Software (GUPS) (Q-900).
2. 2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS (G-690).
3. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Tribal Block Groups (G-600).
4. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Tribal Census Tracts (G-610).
5. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census Designated Places (G-615).
6. 2010 Census population and housing unit counts for tribal census tracts and tribal
block groups.
c. Paper option. (Documents G-600 and G-610 included if applicable).
i. 2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide (G-700).
ii. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Tribal Block Groups (G-600).
iii. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Tribal Census Tracts (G-610).
iv. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census Designated Places (G-615).
v. 2020 Census paper maps.
vi. 2010 Census population and housing unit counts for tribal census tracts and tribal
block groups.
vii. Postage-paid label.
d. 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300). Refer to Action Step 3 below
for details on the postcard use.
2. Visit the 2020 Census PSAP website for webinar information. (Optional):
.
3. Review the 2020 Census PSAP boundaries to determine if changes are needed. Refer to the
respondent guide(s) for instructions on reviewing your boundaries.
a. Use the postage-paid 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300) to report
if there will be changes to the statistical geographies.
b. Return the completed postcard to the Census Bureau within 30 days of receipt.
4. Update and return submission files. Please select only one method for updating the tribal statistical
areas.
a. DVD option/GUPS download.
i. Complete tribal statistical area updates using GUPS. Refer to the respondent guide for
instructions on updating statistical area boundaries.
ii. Return your 2020 Census PSAP submission files using the Census Bureau’s Secure Web
Incoming Module (SWIM).
1. Refer to the 2020 Census PSAP DVD Quick Program Guide for GUPS (Q-905) for
instructions to create a SWIM account if you do not already have one. New SWIM
accounts require a 12-digit SWIM token. Use the SWIM token below to create your
account.
2. SWIM token: .
2

b. Paper maps option.
i. Use the 2020 Census PSAP paper maps to make tribal statistical area boundary updates. The
Census Bureau has enclosed a supplemental disc(s) that includes PDF map(s) corresponding
to the enclosed paper map materials. This disc is a courtesy copy and for reference only.
Refer to the respondent guide for instructions on updating tribal statistical area boundaries.
ii. Ship the updated 2020 Census paper maps to the Census Bureau in the original map tube or
envelope. Please affix the provided postage-paid label over the top of the original label
before returning the map tube.
Please complete and submit your tribal statistical area updates within 120 days. The information you
submit will ensure the accuracy and completeness of tribal statistical area delineations for the 2020
Census. The Census Bureau will review your tribal statistical area updates and ensure all updates meet
the established criteria for the 2020 Census PSAP. We will contact you if there are questions regarding
your submission.
2020 Census PSAP Schedule
Date
January 2019

Event
2020 Census PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 days to submit
updates.

January 2019

2020 Census PSAP training webinars begin.

July 2019

2020 Census PSAP participants notified of delineation phase closeout.

January 2020

2020 Census PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar dates to
review updates.

2020 Census PSAP Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Website:
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs
Enclosures

Management and Budget (OMB). The eight digit OMB approval number that appears at the upper left of the letter
confirms this approval. If this number were not displayed, we could not conduct this survey. The Census Bureau
conducts this program under the legal authority of the Title 13 U.S. Code, Section 6.

C-891
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear PSAP Participant:
Your tribal government recently registered to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Census
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). You may now start to review and update your applicable
tribal statistical areas. Please follow the action steps and schedule outlined in this letter to participate.
Action Steps:
1. Review the program materials in your package. (Documents G-600 and G-610 included if
applicable).
a. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Tribal Block Groups (G-600).
b. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Tribal Census Tracts (G-610).
c. 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guide: Census Designated Places (G-615).
d. 2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide (G-700).
e. 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300).
f. 2020 Census PSAP paper maps.
g. 2010 Census population and housing unit counts for tribal census tracts and tribal
block groups.
h. Supplemental disc(s) with pdf file(s) of paper maps, quick reference guide(s), respondent guide
and 2010 Census population and housing unit counts for tribal census tracts and tribal
block groups.
i. Postage-paid label.
2. Visit the 2020 Census PSAP website for webinar information. (Optional):
.
3. Review the 2020 Census PSAP boundaries to determine if changes are needed. Refer to the
respondent guide for instructions on reviewing your boundaries.
a. Use the postage-paid 2020 Census PSAP Delineation Phase Response Postcard (P-300) to report
if there will be changes to the statistical geographies.

census.gov

b. Return the completed postcard to the Census Bureau within 30 days of receipt.
4. Use the 2020 Census PSAP paper maps to make tribal statistical area boundary updates. The Census
Bureau has enclosed a supplemental disc(s) that includes PDF map(s) corresponding to the enclosed
paper map materials. This disc is a courtesy copy and for reference only. Refer to the respondent
guide for instructions on updating tribal statistical area boundaries.
5. Ship the updated 2020 Census PSAP paper maps to the Census Bureau in the original map tube or
envelope. Please affix the provided postage-paid label over the top of the original label before
returning the map tube.
Please complete and submit your tribal statistical area updates within 120 days. The information you
submit will ensure the accuracy and completeness of tribal statistical area delineations for the 2020
Census. The Census Bureau will review your tribal statistical area updates and ensure all updates meet
the established criteria for the 2020 Census PSAP. We will contact you if there are questions regarding
your submission.
2020 Census PSAP Schedule
Date
January 2019

Event
2020 Census PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 days to submit
updates.

January 2019

2020 Census PSAP training webinars begin.

July 2019

2020 Census PSAP participants notified of delineation phase closeout.

January 2020

2020 Census PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar dates to
review updates.

2020 Census PSAP Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Website:
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs
Enclosures

C-895
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear PSAP Technical Participant:
Your government/organization recently registered to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020
Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP), and you were designated as the technical contact
for the PSAP review and update. The Census Bureau sent the delineation materials package to the
primary PSAP participant official in January 2019, and the work should be completed within 120 days
from the materials receipt.
If you need to obtain the delineation materials package, please contact the primary PSAP participant. If
you need information about the primary PSAP participant for your area, and/or you would like to sign up
for a training webinar, visit the 2020 Census PSAP website or contact the U.S. Census Bureau:
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Program

We estimate that completing this program will take a total of 40 hours on average, from 2018-2020.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,

census.gov

including suggestions for reducing this burden, to . This collection has been
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The eight digit OMB approval number that
appears at the upper left of the letter confirms this approval. If this number were not displayed, we could
not conduct this survey. The Census Bureau conducts this program under the legal authority of the Title
13 U.S. Code, Section 6.

C-896
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear PSAP Participant:
Your government/organization expressed interest in providing input to the statistical geographies
reviewed and updated as part of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas
Program (PSAP). The PSAP materials were sent to the primary PSAP participant in January 2019, and the
work should be completed within 120 days from materials receipt. Primary PSAP participants have been
asked to consult with other interested parties to determine if statistical area changes are necessary.
If you would like to provide input to the statistical areas plans for your area, please reach out to the
primary PSAP participant responsible for the review and update of statistical geographies for your area.
For information about the primary PSAP participant for your area, visit the 2020 Census PSAP website
or contact the U.S.
Census Bureau:
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs

census.gov

We estimate that completing this program will take a total of 40 hours on average, from 2018-2020.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to . This collection has been
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The eight digit OMB approval number that
appears at the upper left of the letter confirms this approval. If this number were not displayed, we could
not conduct this survey. The Census Bureau conducts this program under the legal authority of the Title
13 U.S. Code, Section 6.

PSAP Follow-up Letters

L-500
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear PSAP Participant:
The U.S. Census Bureau is now performing a final review of the statistical and legal area updates
submitted during the 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) to ensure all updates
meet the established criteria.
In January 2020, the Census Bureau will provide materials containing updated statistical areas to you for
your review. This will be your opportunity to verify that the Census Bureau correctly recorded the
statistical updates you provided. Additionally, the Census Bureau will be adding some new census
designated places (CDPs) and adjusting the boundaries and names of some existing CDPs. These CDP
updates will be reflected in the verification products for your review. You have 90 days from receipt of
your 2020 Census PSAP Verification materials to submit any corrections to the Census Bureau.
2020 Census PSAP Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Website:
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs

census.gov

We estimate that completing this program will take a total of 40 hours on average, from 2018-2020.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to . This collection has been
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The eight digit OMB approval number that
appears at the upper left of the letter confirms this approval. If this number were not displayed, we could
not conduct this survey. The Census Bureau conducts this program under the legal authority of the Title
13 U.S. Code, Section 6.

L-500PR
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
DECENNIAL CENSUS PROGRAMS
Dear :
The U.S. Census Bureau is now performing a final review of the statistical and legal area updates
submitted during the 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) to ensure all updates
meet the established criteria.
In January 2020, the Census Bureau will provide materials containing updated statistical areas to you for
your review. This will be your opportunity to verify that the Census Bureau correctly recorded the
statistical updates you provided. Additionally, the Census Bureau will be adding some new census
designated places (CDPs) and adjusting the boundaries and names of some existing CDPs. These CDP
updates will be reflected in the verification products for your review. You have 90 days from receipt of
your 2020 Census PSAP Verification materials to submit any corrections to the Census Bureau.
2020 Census PSAP Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Website:
Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.
Sincerely,

Albert E. Fontenot, Jr.
Associate Director for
Decennial Census Programs

census.gov

PSAP Respondent Guides

2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas
Program (PSAP) Tribal Respondent Guide
Instructions for Using the Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)

This Page Intentionally left blank

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... ix
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

General Information .................................................................................................................... ix
The 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) .................................................. ix
The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) .............................................................................. xii
2020 Census PSAP Schedule ....................................................................................................... xii
Training and Support ..................................................................................................................xiii
Respondent Guide Organization ................................................................................................xiii

Part One: Overview of 2020 Census PSAP Materials and the Tribal Statistical Geographies .. 1

Chapter 1. Delineation Phase Materials for 2020 Census PSAP .............................................. 2
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4

Informational and Instructional Materials ................................................................................... 2
Map Materials .............................................................................................................................. 3
DVD Materials ............................................................................................................................... 3
Delineation Phase Postcard .......................................................................................................... 4

Chapter 2. Tribal Census Tracts ............................................................................................. 5
2.1
2.2
2.3

Tribal Census Tract Threshold Requirements ............................................................................... 6
Tribal Census Tract Codes and Numeric Identification................................................................. 7
Tribal Census Tract Boundary Requirements ............................................................................... 7

Chapter 3. Tribal Block Groups ............................................................................................. 9
3.1
3.2
3.3

Tribal Block Group Threshold Requirements.............................................................................. 10
Tribal Block Group Codes and Identification .............................................................................. 10
Tribal Block Group Boundary Requirements .............................................................................. 11

Chapter 4. Census Designated Places (CDPs) ....................................................................... 12
Part Two: Introducing GUPS for 2020 Census PSAP ............................................................ 13
Chapter 5. System Requirements and Installation ............................................................... 14
5.1
5.2

System Requirements ................................................................................................................. 14
GUPS Installation ........................................................................................................................ 14

Chapter 6. Getting Started with GUPS................................................................................. 19
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4

Accessing the Shapefiles for 2020 Census PSAP ......................................................................... 19
Open GUPS and Start a New Project .......................................................................................... 19
Save a Project in GUPS................................................................................................................ 25
Open a Previous Project in GUPS................................................................................................ 26

Chapter 7. GUPS Menus and Toolbars................................................................................. 29
7.1
7.2
7.3

GUPS Page Layout....................................................................................................................... 29
Menu Bar .................................................................................................................................... 31
Map View and Table of Contents ............................................................................................... 34
7.3.1 Table of Contents Toolbar ..................................................................................................................34
7.3.2 Managing the Map View from the Table of Contents ........................................................................35
7.3.2.1
Manage Layer Visibility ................................................................................................................35

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

7.3.2.2
7.3.2.3
7.3.2.4
7.3.2.5

7.4

Reorder Data Layers.....................................................................................................................37
Expand/Condense Layers or Layer Groups ..................................................................................37
Add Labels to Layers ....................................................................................................................37
Change Layer Scale Visibility ........................................................................................................39

Toolbars ...................................................................................................................................... 40
7.4.1 Standard Toolbar ................................................................................................................................40
7.4.2 PSAP Toolbar ......................................................................................................................................50
7.4.2.1
Modify Area Feature Button ........................................................................................................57
7.4.2.2
Geography Review Tool Button ...................................................................................................64
7.4.2.3
Review Change Polygons Button .................................................................................................67
7.4.2.4
TSR Criteria Review Button ..........................................................................................................70
7.4.2.5
Import County Zip Button ............................................................................................................72
7.4.2.6
Export to Zip Button.....................................................................................................................74
7.4.2.7
Print Map to File Button ..............................................................................................................76
7.4.2.8
Add Imagery Button .....................................................................................................................77
7.4.3 Manage Layers Toolbar ......................................................................................................................78
7.4.3.1
Add Vector Layer Button ..............................................................................................................79
7.4.3.2
Add WMS/WTMS Layer Button ...................................................................................................80
7.4.3.3
Add Raster Layer Button ..............................................................................................................81

Part Three: Using GUPS for 2020 Census PSAP ..................................................................... 82
Chapter 8. Review and Update of PSAP Geographies .......................................................... 83
8.1
8.2

Review of PSAP Geographies ...................................................................................................... 83
Update of PSAP Geographies ..................................................................................................... 84
8.2.1 Modify Area Feature Tool ...................................................................................................................84

8.3

Tribal Census Tract Update Instructions..................................................................................... 85
8.3.1 Select Tribal Census Tracts .................................................................................................................86
8.3.2 Split Tribal Census Tracts by Tribal Block Group .................................................................................88
8.3.3 Split Tribal Census Tract by Face ........................................................................................................90
8.3.4 Merge Tribal Census Tracts ................................................................................................................94
8.3.5 Change Tribal Census Tract Boundaries .............................................................................................99
8.3.5.1
Add Linear Feature .....................................................................................................................104
8.3.5.2
Modify Linear Feature Attributes ..............................................................................................107
8.3.5.3
Delete/Restore Linear Feature ..................................................................................................107

8.4

Tribal Block Group Update Instructions ................................................................................... 109
8.4.1
8.4.2
8.4.3
8.4.4

8.5

Select Tribal Block Group ..................................................................................................................110
Split a Tribal Block Group .................................................................................................................110
Merge Tribal Block Groups ...............................................................................................................114
Change Tribal Block Group Boundaries ............................................................................................118

Census Designated Places (CDPs) Update Instructions ............................................................ 122
8.5.1
8.5.2
8.5.3
8.5.4
8.5.5
8.5.6

Select Census Designated Place (CDP) ..............................................................................................123
Boundary Change – Add Area (CDP) .................................................................................................123
Boundary Change – Remove Area (CDP) ..........................................................................................127
New District – Add Entity (Add a new CDP) ......................................................................................131
Boundary Change – Delete Area Feature (Delete an existing CDP) ..................................................135
Boundary Change – Change Attributes (CDP)...................................................................................138

Chapter 9. Validate Data and Prepare Files for Submission ............................................... 141
9.1
9.2

TSR Criteria Review Tool ........................................................................................................... 141
Review Change Polygons Tool .................................................................................................. 143

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

iii

9.3
9.4

Geography Review Tool ............................................................................................................ 145
Export to Zip Button ................................................................................................................. 148
9.4.1 Export to Zip – Share with Another Participant ................................................................................148
9.4.2 Export to Zip – Export for Census .....................................................................................................149

Chapter 10. Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM)............................................................. 151
10.1 SWIM Background and Requirements...................................................................................... 151
10.2 SWIM Submission Example ...................................................................................................... 152

Part Four: Next Steps for 2020 Census PSAP ..................................................................... 159
Appendix A.

Glossary...................................................................................................... A-1

Appendix B.

2020 Census PSAP Criteria........................................................................... B-1

Appendix C.

PSAP Historical Background ........................................................................ C-1

Appendix D.

History of American Indian Areas in the Decennial Census........................... D-1

Appendix E.

Supplemental Sources for PSAP Review ...................................................... E-1

Appendix F.

MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Codes ..................................................... F-1

Appendix G.

Acceptable Linear Features for Statistical Boundaries .................................. G-1

Appendix H.

Standard Street Type Abbreviations ............................................................ H-1

Appendix I.

Shapefile Names .......................................................................................... I-1

Appendix J.

Shapefile Layouts ......................................................................................... J-1

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: 2020 Census PSAP Schedule ............................................................................................ xii
Table 2: Tribal Statistical Areas Delineation Eligibility .................................................................... 1
Table 3: Quick Reference, Quick Program, and Respondent Guide Materials ............................... 2
Table 4: Tribal Census Tract Thresholds ......................................................................................... 6
Table 5: Acceptable Minor Civil Division (MCD) and Incorporated Place Boundaries ................... 7
Table 6: Tribal Block Group Thresholds ........................................................................................ 10
Table 7: GUPS Hardware and Software Requirements ................................................................ 14
Table 8: Installation of the GUPS Application ............................................................................... 15
Table 9: Open GUPS and Start a New Project ............................................................................... 20
Table 10: Save a GUPS Project ...................................................................................................... 26
Table 11: Open a Previous Project in GUPS .................................................................................. 26
Table 12: GUPS Main Page Elements ............................................................................................ 30
Table 13: Menu Bar Tabs, Drop-down Menus, and Function/Description................................... 31
Table 14: Table of Contents Toolbar Buttons ............................................................................... 34
Table 15: Standard Toolbar Buttons ............................................................................................. 41
Table 16: Select Features Using an Expression Button ................................................................. 45
Table 17: Measure Button ............................................................................................................ 48
Table 18: PSAP Toolbar Buttons, Names and Functions/Descriptions ......................................... 51
Table 19: Modify Area Feature Button ......................................................................................... 57
Table 20: Modify Area Feature Buttons Detail ............................................................................. 62
Table 21: Geography Review Tool Button .................................................................................... 64
Table 22: Review Change Polygons Button .................................................................................. 68
Table 23: TSR Criteria Review Button ........................................................................................... 70
Table 24: Import County Zip Button ............................................................................................. 73
Table 25: Export to Zip Button ...................................................................................................... 74
Table 26: Print Map to File Button................................................................................................ 76
Table 27: Add Imagery Button ...................................................................................................... 77
Table 28: Manage Layers Toolbar Buttons ................................................................................... 79
Table 29: Add Vector Layer Button ............................................................................................... 80
Table 30: Add WMS/WTMS Layer Button .................................................................................... 80
Table 31: Add Raster Layer Button ............................................................................................... 81
Table 32: Modify Area Feature Actions by Statistical Geography ................................................ 85
Table 33: Select Tribal Census Tracts ............................................................................................ 86
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 34: Split Tribal Census Tracts by Tribal Block Group ........................................................... 88
Table 35: Split Tribal Census Tract by Face ................................................................................... 91
Table 36: Merge Tribal Census Tracts ........................................................................................... 94
Table 37: Change Tribal Census Tract Boundaries ........................................................................ 99
Table 38: Add Linear Feature ...................................................................................................... 104
Table 39: Modify Linear Feature Attributes ............................................................................... 107
Table 40: Delete/Restore Linear Feature.................................................................................... 107
Table 41: Select Tribal Block Group ............................................................................................ 110
Table 42: Split Tribal Block Group ............................................................................................... 111
Table 43: Merge Tribal Block Group ........................................................................................... 115
Table 44: Change Tribal Block Group Boundaries ...................................................................... 118
Table 45: Select Census Designated Place .................................................................................. 123
Table 46: Boundary Change – Add Area (CDP) ........................................................................... 123
Table 47: Boundary Change – Remove Area (CDP) .................................................................... 127
Table 48: Add a new Census Designated Place (CDP)................................................................. 131
Table 49: Boundary Change – Delete Area Feature (Delete an existing CDP) ............................ 135
Table 50: Boundary Change – Change Attributes (CDP) ............................................................. 138
Table 51: TSR Criteria Review Tool Button ................................................................................. 141
Table 52: Review Change Polygon Tool Button .......................................................................... 143
Table 53: Geography Review Tool Button .................................................................................. 145
Table 54: Export a File to Share with Another Participant ......................................................... 148
Table 55: Export Files for Submission to the Census Bureau ..................................................... 149
Table 56: SWIM Submission........................................................................................................ 152
Table 57: Tribal Statistical Geographies and their Population and Housing Criteria .................. B-1
Table 58: Display the TIGERweb Online Map Viewer .................................................................. E-1
Table 59: TIGERweb Tools and Functions .................................................................................. E-4
Table 60: MTFCC and Descriptions .............................................................................................. F-1
Table 61: Acceptable Linear Features for Statistical Boundaries ................................................G-1
Table 62: Standard Street Type Abbreviations ............................................................................H-1
Table 63: State Shapefiles Names................................................................................................. I-1
Table 64: County Shapefiles Names ............................................................................................. I-2
Table 65: Edges Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_edges) ............................................................................ J-1
Table 66: Address Ranges Attribute File (PVS_18_v2_addr) ........................................................ J-2
Table 67: Tribal Block Group Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_tbg) ............................................................ J-2
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 68: Tribal Census Tract Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_tct) ............................................................ J-3
Table 69: Census Designated Place Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_cdp) ................................................. J-4
Table 70: American Indian Areas – Legal Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_aial) ......................................... J-5
Table 71: American Indian Areas – Statistical Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_aias) ................................. J-6
Table 72: County and Equivalent Areas Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_county) ..................................... J-7

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

vii

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Standard Hierarchy of Census Geographic Entities ......................................................... xi
Figure 2. Hierarchy of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Areas ..................... xi
Figure 3. GUPS Page Layout .......................................................................................................... 29
Figure 4. Table of Contents Toolbar ............................................................................................. 34
Figure 5. Check a Checkbox to Add a Layer .................................................................................. 36
Figure 6. Uncheck a Checkbox to Remove a Layer ....................................................................... 36
Figure 7. Highlight Layer and Right Click to Remove .................................................................... 37
Figure 8. Layer Properties Menu .................................................................................................. 38
Figure 9. Layer Properties Window – Labels Menu ...................................................................... 38
Figure 10. Layer Properties Window – Style Menu ...................................................................... 39
Figure 11. GUPS Toolbars.............................................................................................................. 40
Figure 12. GUPS PSAP Standard Toolbar Buttons ......................................................................... 40
Figure 13. Sub-Toolbar Markers ................................................................................................... 40
Figure 14. PSAP Toolbar ................................................................................................................ 50
Figure 15. Modify Area Feature Buttons: Tribal Census Tract – Merge ....................................... 62
Figure 16. Manage Layers Toolbar ................................................................................................ 78

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

viii

INTRODUCTION
A.

General Information

The 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)

For 2020, there are two categories of statistical geographies eligible for review and update
during PSAP: standard statistical geography and tribal statistical geography. Tribal statistical
geographies were part of the Tribal Statistical Areas Program (TSAP) for 2010, but are part of
PSAP for 2020.
Though all of the tribal statistical geographies are listed below, Part One: of this respondent
guide details the criteria for the tribal statistical geographies editable in the Geographic Update
Partnership Software (GUPS); e.g., tribal census tracts, tribal block groups, and census
designated places. The remaining tribal geographies are editable only with paper materials and
are not included in this material. They are included in the Tribal Paper Respondent Guide.
Standard statistical geography includes the following:





Census tracts.
Block groups.
Census designated places (CDPs).
Census county divisions (CCDs), in 21 states.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Tribal statistical geography includes the following:









Tribal census tracts.
Tribal block groups.
Census designated places (CDPs).
Alaska Native village statistical areas (ANVSAs).
Oklahoma tribal statistical areas (OTSAs) and OTSA tribal subdivisions.
Tribal Designated Statistical Areas (TDSAs).
State Designated Tribal Statistical Areas (SDTSAs).
Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRCs) and State American Indian Reservations (SAIRs).1

All tribal statistical participants receive paper maps for 2020 Census PSAP. Federally recognized
American Indian Areas (AIA) with a reservation and/or off-reservation trust land can use GUPS
or paper maps to make updates to tribal census tracts, tribal block groups, and census
designated places. Details on the use of GUPS to update those three geographies are included
in this Respondent Guide. Find details on the use of paper maps in the Tribal Paper Respondent
Guide.
IMPORTANT: AIA participants must use either GUPS or paper maps, but not both to complete their
2020 Census PSAP work. The Census Bureau only accepts one method of update per
tribal participant.

To gain a better understanding of how PSAP geographies relate to one another and to other
geographies, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2.

ANRCs and SAIRs are not statistical areas, but they are included in 2020 Census PSAP for administrative reasons.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Figure 1. Standard Hierarchy of Census Geographic Entities

Figure 2. Hierarchy of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Areas

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)

The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) is the annual Census Bureau survey of legal
geographic entities that includes federal American Indian reservations (AIRs), off-reservation
trust lands (ORTLs), and any associated tribal subdivisions. Whereas the PSAP provides the
process for reviewing and updating the AIAs that are statistical geographic entities, the BAS
provides the process for reviewing and updating AIAs that are legal federal geographic entities,
such as the reservation itself, legal tribal subdivisions and ORTLs. Its purpose is to determine,
solely for data collection and tabulation by the Census Bureau, the complete and current
inventory and the correct names, legal descriptions, official status, and official, legal boundaries
of the legal geographic entities with governmental authority over certain areas within the
United States, as of January 1 of the survey year. The BAS also collects specific information to
document the legal actions that established a boundary or imposed a boundary change. In
support of the government-to-government relationship with federally recognized American
Indian tribes, the Census Bureau works directly with tribal officials on the BAS. Through the
BAS, the Census Bureau also accepts updates to features such as roads or rivers, and address
range break information at the boundaries. To update the legal boundaries for a reservation,
off-reservation trust lands or legal tribal subdivisions, please participate in the BAS.
For information regarding the BAS, consult the Census Bureau’s BAS website at
. For questions, email
geo.bas@census.gov or call 1-800-972-5651.

2020 Census PSAP Schedule

Table 1 provides the PSAP program schedule and timeframe for completion of the various
tasks. Understanding the 2020 Census PSAP schedule is important for participants to prepare
for the delineation and verification phases.
Table 1: 2020 Census PSAP Schedule
Date
March-May 2018
July 2018
January 2019
January 2019
July 2019
January 2020
October 2020

Event
Census Bureau contacted 2010 Census TSAP participants to inquire about 2020
Census PSAP participation.
Census Bureau began sending 2020 Census PSAP invitation materials to
participants.
PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 calendar days to submit
updates.
PSAP webinar trainings begin.
Census Bureau sends official communication notifying closeout of PSAP
delineation phase.
PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar days to review
updates.
Census Bureau conducts closeout of the 2020 Census PSAP.

The PSAP delineation phase begins in January 2019 with the delivery of delineation materials.
Participants have a maximum of 120 days from the receipt of materials to complete and submit
any statistical geography updates to the Census Bureau. The closeout of the delineation phase
begins in the summer of 2019 prior to the start of the verification phase in January 2020. A final
closeout occurs after the conclusion of the verification phase in October 2020.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

xii

In March 2018, the Census Bureau began contacting previous participants from the 2010
program, regional multi-county organizations, local governments, state data centers, and other
interested individuals to solicit participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.2 The Census Bureau
began formally inviting the interested participants in July 2018.

Training and Support

The Census Bureau provides assistance by answering questions; clarifying criteria, guidelines,
and procedures; and providing information concerning specific situations that participants
encounter when reviewing, delineating, and submitting their statistical area plans. The Census
Bureau plans to conduct training webinars to provide instruction on participating in PSAP and
the use of the GUPS. The webinar schedule is available at . In addition, an electronic version of this guide is
available on that website. For questions concerning technical problems with the GUPS
application or specific programmatic questions, support is available via telephone at
1-844-788-4921 and email at geo.psap@census.gov.

Respondent Guide Organization

Federally recognized tribes with American Indian Reservations (AIRs) and/or off-reservation
trust lands (ORTLs) reviewing tribal statistical area geographies may use the GUPS to make
updates. In addition to providing the criteria and programmatic guidelines necessary to define
and update tribal statistical geographies, this guide provides participants with systematic
instructions of GUPS for use in PSAP. It also introduces the fundamental concepts of the
software as well as the major functionalities developed and contained in the software and
services. By using this guide and adhering to the PSAP guidelines and criteria, participants learn
to utilize GUPS to review and update a variety of statistical geographies and submit their final
updates to the Census Bureau. They also learn about the next steps for PSAP. This guide
contains four parts.
Part One: Overview of 2020 Census PSAP Materials and the Tribal Statistical Geographies3
This section provides an overview of the 2020 Census PSAP delineation materials and
summarizes the statistical geography criteria and guidelines for tribal census tracts, tribal block
groups and CDPs. Participants use the content within this section to familiarize themselves with
the materials provided by the Census Bureau and with the background of the three tribal
statistical geographies editable in GUPS.

For Census Bureau purposes, the term “county” includes parishes in Louisiana; boroughs, city and boroughs, municipalities, and census
areas in Alaska; independent cities in Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia; districts and islands in American Samoa, and districts in
the U.S. Virgin Islands; municipalities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; municipios in the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico; and the areas constituting the District of Columbia and Guam. Henceforth in this document, the term “counties” will refer to all of
these entities.
2

Within the document, bold, blue colored font denotes the presence of a cross-referenced hyperlink to other sections, figures, tables, or
appendices. Use the Ctrl key and click of left mouse button while hovering over these bold, blue words to skip directly to the linked item.
The “Part One” above is the first cross-reference hyperlink in this document.
3

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

xiii

Part Two: Introducing GUPS for 2020 Census PSAP
This section introduces GUPS and the basics of the software. Participants refer to this section
for the technical instructions to install GUPS, to learn how to get started, and to familiarize
themselves with menus, buttons, and tools within the software.
Part Three: Using GUPS for 2020 Census PSAP
This section describes the use of GUPS for 2020 Census PSAP. It discusses the review and
update of PSAP geographies. It provides instruction to validate a submission and to prepare it
for delivery to the Census Bureau using the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM). Participants
find information and detailed steps to review and modify the statistical geographies.
Part Four: Next Steps for 2020 Census PSAP
This section provides information on the next steps for 2020 Census PSAP. It includes
information for participants on the Census Bureau’s processing of submissions, the upcoming
verification phase, and the final closeout phase after verification.
IMPORTANT: Due to operational updates, some minor discrepancies may occur between the
appearance of individual screens within GUPS, especially concerning polygon colors and
symbology in the Map View and the appearance of specific buttons and warning
messages. Other small variations may also appear.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

xiv

PART ONE: OVERVIEW OF 2020 CENSUS PSAP MATERIALS AND THE
TRIBAL STATISTICAL GEOGRAPHIES
This portion of the Respondent Guide lays the programmatic foundation for the remainder of
the document and provides a reference for upcoming sections. It provides an overview of 2020
Census PSAP delineation materials and summarizes the statistical geography criteria and
specifications for each of the three tribal statistical geographies editable using GUPS.
The goal of PSAP is to produce meaningful statistical geographies for data users while
maintaining consistent statistical geography nationwide. It is the Census Bureau’s responsibility
to ensure nationwide uniformity in applying the statistical area criteria and guidelines. As a
result, we may require some changes in the boundaries or delineation of some statistical areas
to meet the national standard.
Federally recognized tribal participants may use paper materials or GUPS to perform their
review and make updates. By creating one, streamlined method of digital participation (i.e., the
GUPS), the Census Bureau provides an efficient and intuitive system to review and update
statistical boundaries and edit data layers while maintaining flexibility to retrieve and review
selected information. Digital participants must use the Census Bureau supplied GUPS and
shapefiles to participate in PSAP. The Census Bureau will not accept any submission delineated
outside of the GUPS or based on non-Census Bureau provided shapefiles.
To accompany the GUPS, the Census Bureau is providing a set of paper maps to tribal
participants that requested GUPS. In addition to the paper maps, the Census Bureau is
providing corresponding Adobe .pdf files of the paper maps. The Adobe .pdf files are for
reference only. For more information on these materials, refer to the Tribal Paper Respondent
Guide.
Refer to Table 2 to determine what level of tribal statistical geographies are eligible for review
and update. All AIRs and ORTLs have at least one tribal census tract and one tribal block group.
To obtain the 2010 Census population and housing counts for tribal census tracts and tribal
block groups, refer to the 2010 population and housing unit counts file included with the PSAP
materials. All federally recognized tribes with AIRs/ORTLs, regardless of population or housing
unit counts are eligible to delineate CDPs. Refer to Appendix E. for details on supplemental
sources that can assist participants during 2020 Census PSAP.
Table 2: Tribal Statistical Areas Delineation Eligibility
Tribal Participant
Federally recognized tribe with an American
Indian reservation (AIR) and/or off-reservation
trust land (ORTL) with population >= 2,400 or
housing units (HUs) >= 960.
Federally recognized tribe with an AIR and/
ORTL with population >= 1,200 and < 2,400 or
HUs >= 480 and <960.
Federally recognized tribe with an AIR and/
ORTL with population < 1,200 or HUs < 480.

U.S. Census Bureau

Tribal Statistical Areas Eligible for Delineation
Tribal census tracts, tribal block groups, and census
designated places (CDPs).

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 1. DELINEATION PHASE MATERIALS FOR 2020 CENSUS PSAP
This chapter focuses on identifying the materials participants receive for the delineation phase.

1.1

Informational and Instructional Materials

The Census Bureau provides this Respondent Guide for conducting 2020 Census PSAP work
using GUPS. To support tribal participants’ review and update of their statistical geographies for
the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau created Quick Reference and Quick Program Guides that
summarize each tribal statistical geography and the digital delivery methods of the delineation
materials. They created Microsoft Excel files of 2010 population and housing counts that
identify the counts for each tribal census tract and tribal block group. Files of the 2010 counts
exist for each federally recognized tribe with an AIR and/or ORTL. A separate Tribal Paper
Respondent Guide provides detailed instructions for conducting the 2020 Census PSAP work
using paper map materials.
Review Table 3 to identify each piece of informational and instructional material distributed by
the Census Bureau for tribal statistical geographies and to identify the tribal participants
receiving those materials.
Table 3: Quick Reference, Quick Program, and Respondent Guide Materials
Document
ID
G-600

Quick Reference: Tribal Block Groups

Federally recognized tribe with an American
Indian reservation (AIR) and/or offreservation trust land (ORTL).

G-610

Quick Reference: Tribal Census Tracts

G-615

Quick Reference: Census Designated Places

Q-900

Quick Program Guide for Digital Download of
GUPS

Q-905

Quick Program Guide for DVD delivery of
GUPS

G-690

Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

G-700

Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

Federally recognized tribe with an American
Indian reservation (AIR) and/or offreservation trust land (ORTL).
Federally recognized tribe with an American
Indian reservation (AIR) and/or offreservation trust land (ORTL).
Federally recognized tribe with an American
Indian reservation (AIR) and/or offreservation trust land (ORTL) participants
that prefer to download their materials
online.
Federally recognized tribe with an American
Indian reservation (AIR) and/or offreservation trust land (ORTL) participants
that prefer to use the DVDs for their
materials.
Federally recognized tribe with an American
Indian reservation (AIR) and/or offreservation trust land (ORTL).
All tribal participants.

Name of Material

Tribal Participant(s) Receiving Material

The 2010 population and housing counts file includes information for every tribal census tract
and tribal block group. This file may prove beneficial outside of the GUPS environment. The
naming convention for this file is “AIA_2010_Pop_and_Housing_counts.xlsx,”
where AIANNHCE is the four-digit Census area code for the tribal entity, where AI is American
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Indian, AN is Alaska Native, and NH is Native Hawaiian. The file includes the following fields of
information:










AIA_NAME is the common name of the American Indian area.
AIANNHCE is the four-digit Census AI/AN/NH area code.
TTRACTCE is the six-digit tribal census tract code (four-digit tribal census tract with two-digit
suffix), without the decimal point character. For the 2010 tribal census tracts, there were no
suffixes, so these appear as (T00100) in the file.
NAME is the common “name” of the tribal census tract. It is without the suffix information (T001).
TBLKGRPCE is the one-character tribal block group code.
TTRACTPOP is the 2010 population of the tribal census tract. It repeats if there is more than one
tribal block group in the tribal census tract.
TTRACTHOUSING is the 2010 housing count of the tribal census tract. It, like the TTRACTPOP,
repeats if there is more than one tribal block group in the tribal census tract.
TBGPOP is the 2010 population of the tribal block group.
TBGHOUSING is the 2010 housing count of the tribal block group.

Federally recognized tribes with an AIR and/or ORTL can use the information to identify tribal
census tracts and tribal block groups that fall outside of the population and housing thresholds
explained in Table 4 and Table 6, respectively. The tribal geographies falling outside the
thresholds need review for potential updates. Refer to Section 8.1 for ideas regarding its use
with reviewing the tribal census tracts and tribal block groups.
The Census Bureau provides all of these informational and instructional materials in printed and
digital formats. Locate the digitally formatted materials on the PSAP website as well as on the
“Data disc” described in Section 1.3.

1.2

Map Materials

For 2020 Census PSAP, the Census Bureau provides all tribal entities with paper map materials
and for reference only, Adobe .pdf files of the paper maps. Participants do not update the
Adobe .pdf files. If tribal statistical updates are necessary or requested, tribal participants use
GUPS or the paper maps. Refer to the Tribal Paper Respondent Guide for details of the paper
maps and the Adobe .pdf files and instructions for their use.

1.3

DVD Materials

The Census Bureau supplies tribal entities that requested GUPS during the invitation phase two
DVDs. One DVD contains the GUPS software to install on the participant’s computers. The
second DVD is termed the “Data disc.” It contains the partnership shapefiles needed to conduct
2020 Census PSAP work using the GUPS software. The “Data disc” also contains digital copies of
the Quick Reference and Quick Program Guides, both Respondent Guides, the Adobe .pdf files,
and the Microsoft Excel file of the 2010 population and housing counts. Instructions for using
these DVDs to begin 2020 Census PSAP review are in Part Two:.
All informational and instructional materials provided on DVD are available on the PSAP
website for online download. The partnerships shapefiles are available directly within GUPS by
using the “Census Web” option discussed in Section 6.1. There is no need to download the
shapefiles from a Census Bureau website to load into GUPS. GUPS simplifies that step for
participants choosing the “Census Web” option.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

1.4

Delineation Phase Postcard

One very important item enclosed with the delineation materials is the delineation phase
postcard (e.g., Document ID P-300). After reviewing the tribal statistical geographies and
determining the update status of the materials, please complete the postcard indicating
whether changes are forthcoming. The return of this postcard assists the Census Bureau with
planning for incoming submissions and identifying participants that will not be providing
updates. The Census Bureau requests the return of this postcard within a month of receipt of
the delineation phase materials.
If a participant discovers changes are necessary to their 2020 Census PSAP materials after
returning the delineation postcard, please contact the Census Bureau PSAP staff by email at
geo.psap@census.gov, or phone them at 1-844-788-4921 to let them know a submission is
forthcoming.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 2. TRIBAL CENSUS TRACTS
Tribal census tracts are relatively permanent geographic divisions of an AIR and/or ORTL
defined for the tabulation and presentation of statistical data. They are conceptually similar and
equivalent to census tracts defined within the standard state-county-tract geographic hierarchy
used for tabulating and publishing statistical data. The Census Bureau defines tribal census
tracts with tribal officials to provide meaningful, relevant, and reliable data for small geographic
areas within the boundaries of federally recognized tribes with reservations or trust lands. As
such, they recognize the unique statistical data needs of federally recognized American Indian
tribes. The delineation of tribal census tracts allows for an unambiguous presentation of census
tract-level data specific to the federally recognized AIR and/or ORTL without the imposition of
state or county boundaries, which might artificially separate American Indian populations
located within a single AIR and/or ORTL. To this end, the tribal participants may define tribal
census tracts that cross county or state boundaries, or both.
Tribal census tracts submitted to the Census Bureau are subject to review to ensure compliance
with the published criteria. Detailed criteria pertaining to tribal census tracts exists in a
separate Federal Register notice pertaining to all American Indian areas, including statistical
areas defined through the PSAP. The Federal Register notices for both standard and tribal
geographies is available on the PSAP website. Appendix B. provides a summary of the
statistical geographies criteria thresholds.
IMPORTANT: All tribal census tracts must follow all of the final criteria and guidelines published for
standard census tracts, EXCEPT they do not have to nest within states or counties. They
must instead nest within an individual AIR and/or ORTL, and must include unique
identification to distinguish them from standard census tracts.

The following criteria apply to reviewing, updating, and delineating 2020 tribal census tracts:








Tribal census tracts may cross county or state boundaries.
Tribal census tracts must not cross AIR and/or ORTL boundaries.
Tribal census tracts must cover the entire land and water area of the AIR and/or ORTL.
Tribal census tracts utilize the letter “T” and a three-digit code and may have a two-digit suffix.
Find more detail on numbering of tribal census tracts in Section 2.2.
Tribal census tracts must meet specific population and housing unit thresholds outlined in
Table 4: Tribal Census Tract Thresholds.
Tribal census tracts must comprise a reasonably compact and contiguous land area, with a few
exceptions.4
Tribal census tract boundaries should follow visible and identifiable features.

The Census Bureau permits noncontiguous boundaries only where a contiguous area or inaccessible area would not meet population
or housing unit count requirements for a separate tribal census tract, in which case the noncontiguous or inaccessible area must be
combined with an adjacent or proximate tract. For example, combine an island that does not meet the minimum population threshold for
recognition as a separate tribal census tract with other proximate land to form a single, noncontiguous tribal census tract. The Census
Bureau reviews each instance of noncontiguous census tracts and uses their discretion to accept or reject.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide



Census tracts have three types for the 2020 Census, standard, tribal, and special use. Refer to
Table 4: Tribal Census Tract Thresholds for the definition and associated criteria for tribal
census tracts. The other two types do not appear in the table since they are out of scope for this
material.

2.1

Tribal census tracts
are statistical
subdivisions of AIRs
and/or ORTLs used
for tabulating and
publishing statistical
data.

Population
Thresholds

Housing Unit
Thresholds

Optimum: 4,000
Min: 1,200
Max: 8,000

Optimum: 1,600
Min: 480
Max: 3,200

Area
Measurement
Thresholds
None

Employment
Threshold
NA

Tribal Census Tract Threshold Requirements

Tribal census tracts must meet the population or housing unit thresholds outlined above in
Table 4: Tribal Census Tract Thresholds. This helps ensure a minimal level of reliability in the
sample data and minimized potential disclosures of sensitive information. PSAP participants
should aim to create tribal census tracts that meet the optimal population of 4,000 or 1,600
housing units and maintain the minimum thresholds with an AIR and/or ORTL with fewer than
1,200 people. The Census Bureau uses a housing unit criterion to accommodate seasonably
occupied areas in which the decennial census population count will be lower than the ACS
estimates.5
A tribal census tract that exceeds the maximum thresholds should be split into multiple tracts;
those that drop below the minimum thresholds should be merged with an adjacent tribal
census tract. If a participant chooses not to split or merge tribal census tracts that do not meet
approved thresholds, they must provide a justification for retaining the existing geography.
GUPS allows participants to add remarks or justifications to statistical geographies that are not
changed in the event that population growth (new housing development, typically) or decline
(following depopulation trends or scheduled housing demolition) is anticipated.
Participants should use the 2010 Census population and housing counts for tribal census tract
review in most cases. This information is part of the data within GUPS and included in the
Microsoft Excel file discussed in Section 1.1. Locally produced population and housing unit
estimates are permissible when reviewing and updating areas experiencing considerable
growth since the 2010 Census.
“Occupied seasonally” refers to seasonal communities in which residential populations are lower on Census Day, April 1, than at other
times of the year, and for which estimates may be reflected in the ACS. The ACS is designed to produce local area data for a 12-month
period estimate.
5

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

The housing unit thresholds use the national average of 2.5 persons per household. Because of
local and regional variations to this average, the Census Bureau will consider variation while
reviewing all tribal census tract revisions.

2.2

Tribal Census Tract Codes and Numeric Identification

2.3

Tribal Census Tract Boundary Requirements

Tribal census tract boundaries generally follow permanent, visible features that are identifiable
in the field. The following features are preferred as tribal census tract boundaries:








American Indian reservation and off-reservation trust land boundaries must always be tribal
census tract boundaries.
Visible, perennial natural and cultural features, such as roads, shorelines, rivers, perennial
streams and canals, railroad tracks, or aboveground high-tension power lines.
Boundaries of legal and administrative entities in selected states. See Table 5 for states with
acceptable minor civil division and incorporated place boundaries.
Alaska Native Regional Corporation boundaries in Alaska.6
Boundaries of large parks, forests, airports, penitentiaries/prisons, and or military installations if
the boundaries are clearly visible.
Some nonstandard visible features such as major ridgelines, aboveground pipelines,
intermittent streams, or fence lines.
Some nonstandard nonvisible features such as parcel boundaries, straight-line extensions and
other lines-of-sight between acceptable visible features.

Table 5: Acceptable Minor Civil Division (MCD) and Incorporated Place Boundaries
Boundaries of MCDs
Not Coincident with
Only Conjoint
the Boundaries of
All Incorporated
State
All MCD Boundaries
Incorporated Place
Incorporated Places
Place Boundaries
Boundaries
that themselves are
MCDs
Alabama
X
Alaska
X
Arizona
X
Arkansas
X
California
X
Colorado
X
Connecticut
X
X
Delaware
X
6

Insofar as such boundaries are unambiguous for allocating living quarters as part of 2020 Census activities.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

State

Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

7
8

All MCD Boundaries

Boundaries of MCDs
Not Coincident with
the Boundaries of
Incorporated Places
that themselves are
MCDs

All Incorporated
Place Boundaries

Only Conjoint
Incorporated Place
Boundaries
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X7
X8

X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X

Governmental townships only.
Townships only.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 3. TRIBAL BLOCK GROUPS
Tribal block groups are statistical geographic subdivisions of a tribal census tract. The Census
Bureau defines tribal block groups in cooperation with tribal officials to provide meaningful,
relevant, and reliable data for small geographic areas within the boundaries of federally
recognized AIRs and/or ORTLs. As such, they recognize the unique statistical data needs of
federally recognized American Indian tribes. The delineation of tribal block groups allows for an
unambiguous presentation of statistical data specific to the federally recognized AIR and/or
ORTL without the imposition of state or county boundaries, which might artificially separate
American Indian populations located within a single AIR and/or ORTL. To this end, the American
Indian tribal participant may define tribal block groups that cross county or state boundaries, or
both. For federally recognized American Indian tribes with AIRs and/or ORTLs that have fewer
than 1,200 residents, the Census Bureau defines one tribal census tract and one tribal block
group coextensive with the AIR and/or ORTL.
Tribal block groups submitted to the Census Bureau are subject to review to ensure compliance
with the published criteria. Detailed criteria pertaining to tribal block groups exists in a separate
Federal Register notice pertaining to all American Indian areas, including statistical areas
defined through the PSAP. The Federal Register notices for both standard and tribal
geographies are available on the PSAP website. Appendix B. provides a summary of the
statistical geographies criteria thresholds.
IMPORTANT: All tribal block groups must follow all of the final criteria and guidelines published for
standard block groups, EXCEPT they do not have to nest within states or counties. They
must instead nest within an individual AIR and/or ORTL, and must include unique
identification to distinguish them from standard block groups.

The following criteria and guidelines apply for use in reviewing, updating, and delineating 2020
tribal block groups:








Tribal block groups must not cross tribal census tract boundaries.
Tribal block groups must cover the entire land and water area of the tribal census tract.
Tribal block groups utilize capital letters “A” through “K,” with the exception of the letter “I,”
and must be unique within tribal census tracts. Find more detail on tribal block group numbering
in Section 3.2.
Tribal block groups must meet specific population and housing unit thresholds outlined in
Table 6: Tribal Block Group Thresholds.
Tribal block groups must comprise a reasonably compact and contiguous land area and would
only be noncontiguous in situations where the tribal census tract is noncontiguous.
Tribal block group boundaries should follow visible and identifiable features.
Block groups have three types, standard, tribal, and special use, for the 2020 Census. Refer to
Table 6: Tribal Block Group Thresholds for the definition and associated criteria for tribal block
groups. The other two types do not appear in the table since they are out of scope for this
material.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

The Census Bureau may modify and, if necessary, reject any proposals for tribal block groups
that do not meet the published criteria. In addition, the Census Bureau reserves the right to
modify the boundaries and attributes as needed to meet the published criteria. Modification
may also occur to maintain geographic relationships before or after the final tabulation
geography is set for the 2020 Census.
Table 6: Tribal Block Group Thresholds
Population
Thresholds

Description
Tribal Block
Groups

3.1

Tribal block groups
are divisions of tribal
census tracts used for
tabulating and
publishing statistical
data.

Min: 600
Max: 3,000

Housing Unit
Thresholds
Min: 240
Max: 1,200

Area
Measurement
Thresholds
None

Employment
Threshold
NA

Tribal Block Group Threshold Requirements

Tribal block groups have to meet certain population and housing unit thresholds as outlined
above in Table 6: Tribal Block Group Thresholds. This helps ensure a minimum level of
reliability in sample data and minimizes potential disclosures of sensitive information. Like tribal
census tracts, the Census Bureau uses housing unit criterion to accommodate seasonably
occupied areas that may have higher populations at times of the year other than on Census
Day, April 1.
A tribal block group that exceeds maximum thresholds should be split; those that drop below
the minimum thresholds should be merged with an adjacent tribal block group. If a participant
chooses not to change threshold errant tribal block groups, they must provide justification for
their retention. Tribal block groups may be completely redefined to meet population or housing
thresholds; however, in doing so, please consider the impact on analysis of tribal block group
level data across time.
In most cases, participants should use the 2010 Census population counts for tribal block group
review. Locally produced population and housing unit estimates are permissible when
reviewing and updating areas experiencing considerable growth since the 2010 Census.
The housing unit thresholds use the national average of 2.5 persons per household. Because of
local and regional variations to this average, the Census Bureau will consider variation while
reviewing all tribal block group revisions.

3.2

Tribal Block Group Codes and Identification

Tribal block groups begin with a single capital letter from “A” through “K,” excluding the letter
“I.” These identifiers must be unique within each tribal census tract. Though tribal block group
boundaries are census block boundaries, census blocks are numbered within standard, countybased block groups, not tribal block groups. There is no relationship between a tribal block
group identifier and the census block numbers. For example, a tribal block group may contain
census block numbers in a different “thousand” range (e.g., blocks 1001, 2011, and 3002),
whereas all blocks in the 1000 range would be in standard block group 1 while all blocks in the
2000 range would be in standard block group 2.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

3.3

Tribal Block Group Boundary Requirements

Like tribal census tracts, tribal block group boundaries generally follow permanent, visible
features that are identifiable in the field. The following features are preferred as tribal block
group boundaries:








Tribal census tract boundaries must always be block group boundaries. This criterion takes
precedence over all other criteria or requirements.
Visible, perennial natural and cultural features, such as roads, shorelines, rivers, perennial
streams and canals, railroad tracks, or aboveground high-tension power lines.
Boundaries of legal and administrative entities in selected states. See Table 5 for states with
acceptable minor civil division and incorporated place boundaries.
Alaska Native Regional Corporation boundaries in Alaska.
Boundaries of large parks, forests, airports, penitentiaries/prisons, and or military installations if
the boundaries are clearly visible.
Some nonstandard visible features such as major ridgelines, aboveground pipelines,
intermittent streams, or fence lines.
Some nonstandard nonvisible features such as parcel boundaries, straight-line extensions and
other lines-of-sight between acceptable visible features.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 4. CENSUS DESIGNATED PLACES (CDPS)
Census designated places (CDPs) are statistical geographic entities representing closely settled,
unincorporated communities that are locally recognized and identified by name. They are the
statistical equivalents of incorporated places, with the primary differences being the lack of
both a legally defined boundary and an active, functioning governmental structure, chartered
by the state and administered by elected officials. CDPs cannot be co-extensive with an entire
AIR, ORTL, or any other AIA.9 CDP boundaries may extend beyond the boundaries of AIRs
and/or ORTLs.
The Census Bureau published the 2020 Census PSAP CDP criteria in the Federal Register. It is
available on the PSAP website and in Appendix B. The following criteria apply to reviewing,
updating, and delineating census designated places:











CDPs constitute a single, named, closely settled center of population.
CDPs generally consist of a contiguous cluster of census blocks comprising a single piece of
territory with a mix of uses similar to that of an incorporated place of similar size.
CDPs cannot be located, partially or entirely, within an incorporated place or another CDP.
CDPs may cross county, AIR and/or ORTL boundaries, but must not cross state boundaries.
CDPs have no minimum population or housing unit thresholds, but must contain some
population, housing units, or both.
CDP boundaries should follow visible features, except in circumstances where the boundary is
coincident with the nonvisible boundary of a state, county, minor civil division, or incorporated
place.
CDP boundaries may follow other nonvisible features in instances where reliance upon visible
features would result in over bounding of the CDP in order to include housing units on both
sides of a road or street feature.
o Such boundaries might include parcel boundaries and Public Land Survey System (PLSS)
lines; fence lines; national, state, or local park boundaries; ridgelines; or drainage ditches.
CDP names should be recognizable and used in daily communication by the residents of the
community it represents.10
CDP names cannot have the same name as an adjacent or nearby incorporated place.

ANVSAs are an exception to this rule. The Tribal Paper Respondent Guide discusses the relationship of ANVSA and CDP statistical
geographies.
9

There should be features in the landscape that use the name, such that a non-resident would have a general sense of the location or
extent of the community; for example, signs indicating when one is entering the community; highway exit signs that use the name; or
businesses, schools, or other buildings that make use of the name.
10

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

PART TWO: INTRODUCING GUPS FOR 2020 CENSUS PSAP
This portion of the Respondent Guide includes detailed system requirement information
necessary to use GUPS. It offers an introduction to GUPS and its menus, and toolbars. It
provides specific instructions, through "Step - Action and Result" tables. In these tables, the
Action is usually a command or action to perform and the Result(s) of the action are in italics.
For example, if participants click the QGIS icon on the desktop, the software should begin to run
automatically.
GUPS allows participants to review and modify the statistical geographies in a more efficient
manner than previous decades. GUPS integrates the standardized PSAP requirements and
thresholds that define statistical geographies to eliminate the guesswork for participants.
GUPS runs in both a desktop PC and a network environment. It runs in QGIS, which is an open
source Geographic Information System (GIS), and contains all functionality required to make
updates, executes automated checks for program criteria compliance, and creates standardized
data output files for Census Bureau processing. Many of the menus and functionality are solely
part of QGIS functionality and not applicable to GUPS for PSAP. For more information about the
QGIS open-source platform, go to: .
The Census Bureau provides two DVDs to federally recognized tribal participants. One DVD
includes the GUPS software and the other DVD, known as the “Data disc,” includes shapefiles
necessary for GUPS to operate, the Adobe .pdf files of the paper map materials, the Quick
Reference materials, Respondent Guide(s), and the 2010 population and housing unit counts.
Participants can choose to navigate to the following website to download GUPS:
or can install from the GUPS DVD. Once installed,
the Census Bureau recommends using the "Census Web" choice within GUPS for accessing and
loading in the necessary shapefiles into GUPS. Use of this functionality eases participant burden
of installing directly from the DVD or from copying the data from the DVD to the local
computer.
The next three chapters cover the following topics:
Chapter 5. System Requirements and Installation



GUPS system requirements.
GUPS installation instructions.

Chapter 6. Getting Started with GUPS





Accessing the shapefiles for 2020 Census PSAP.
Open GUPS and start a new project.
Save a project.
Open a previous project.

Chapter 7. GUPS Menus and Toolbars




GUPS Page Layout.
GUPS interface, including the Menu bar, various toolbars, Table of Contents, and the Map View.
Instructions for using the tools available through the menu and toolbars.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 5. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND INSTALLATION
5.1

System Requirements

Before beginning the installation, check the computer to verify it has the capabilities needed to
run GUPS. Table 7 lists the hardware and software requirements to install and run GUPS and
the software requirements to submit files through the SWIM website.
Table 7: GUPS Hardware and Software Requirements
Hardware

Operating System

Browser

Disk Space Needed to Run
GUPS:
3.3 GB

Windows:
To run GUPS, Windows users need one of
the following operating systems:
 Windows 7
 Windows 8
 Windows 10

Minimum Browser Versions to
Use SWIM:

Disk Space Needed to Store
Shapefiles:
Shapefile sizes vary. To view
the size of the shapefiles, rightclick, and choose Properties in
the drop-down menu. The Files
Properties box opens and
displays the folder size. Select
multiple files/folders in the list
to view their properties via the
same method.
RAM:
4 GB minimum, 8 GB or more
recommended for optimal
performance.

SWIM supports the two most
recent version of each of the
major browsers (Internet
Explorer, Google Chrome,
Mozilla Firefox, and Apple
Safari.

IMPORTANT: Since Boot Camp requires a
restart of the computer to set up the
bridge, be sure to print the instructions
provided at the URL above before
beginning installation.

Depending on the Windows OS version, the GUPS dialog boxes may have a different
appearance than the screenshots contained in the respondent guide, although the content is
the same.

5.2

GUPS Installation

This section provides instructions for both methods, download and DVD, of GUPS installation.
Administrator privileges may be required to install GUPS. Please ensure use of the version
supplied for 2020 Census PSAP to conduct the review and update of tribal statistical
geographies. To complete the installation, follow the steps in Table 8.
Note: To check for the latest version, navigate to the GUPS tab and click the About GUPS option in the
drop-down menu to find the GUPS version number. If not running the latest version, download
and follow the setup instructions that will automatically uninstall the old version before it
installs the latest GUPS version.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 8: Installation of the GUPS Application
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click the direct download link or place the
installation DVD (GUPS disc) into the computer’s DVD drive. For some participants, a
Windows protected your PC warning may appear.

Step 2

To continue, click More info, and then select Run anyway?
Other participants may receive an account control warning that asks, “Do you want to run
this file?”, “Do you want to allow the following program from an unknown publisher to make
changes to this computer?”, or a similar query. See an example below.

U.S. Census Bureau

If the software does not run automatically, open Windows Explorer, navigate to the CD/DVD
drive where the GUPS disc is located, and double click on the file named Setup-9.0.x.bat.
Please be aware, the name of this file may vary slightly, but it will be the only setup .bat file
available. If the software still does not run properly, contact the local System Administrator
for assistance locally. If they cannot resolve the installation problem, contact the GUPS help
desk at 1-844-788-4921 or by email at geo.psap@census.gov.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

When the installer opens, the Welcome to the QGIS Setup Wizard screen appears.

Note: The version needed for PSAP is QGIS 2.18.15 Las Palmas. If another version of QGIS
exists on the computer, an instruction to uninstall appears prior to installing the Las Palmas
version. Allow the uninstall process to complete or problems with GUPS may occur.
Before proceeding, close all other open programs or applications. Once other programs and
applications are closed, click the Next button.
Step 5

The License Agreement screen appears.

Read the License Agreement and click the I Agree button to continue.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 6

The Choose Install Location screen opens. To prevent potential installation errors, allow the
software to install at the default location (usually C:\Program files\QGISGUPS).

To begin the installation, click Next to continue.
Step 7

The Choose Components screen opens.

‘QGIS’ in the Select components to install field is grayed out since it is the default. Click
Install to continue.
To review a previous screen or reread the license agreement, click the Back button (each
screen contains this button).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 8

The software should take between 5 and 10 minutes to install. When it finishes, the
Completing the QGIS GUPS Setup Wizard screen opens.

Click the Finish button.
Step 9

After choosing Finish button from the previous menu, the GUPS Install Setup: Completed
screen appears after showing the status of the installation.

Step 10

To complete the installation, click the Close button at the bottom of the GUPS Install Setup:
Completed Setup Wizard screen. Once the application installs, a QGIS icon appears on the
desktop. In addition, the All Programs menu list within the Start Menu includes a folder for
QGIS.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 6. GETTING STARTED WITH GUPS
After successfully installing GUPS, there are three ways to retrieve shapefiles when starting a
new project:




Census Web (Recommended. Loads directly into GUPS).
CD/DVD (i.e., the “Data disc”).
My Computer (If downloaded contents of “Data disc” onto local hard drive).

Note: The next chapter, Chapter 7. GUPS Menus and Toolbars, describes the menus, buttons, and
toolbars referenced throughout this chapter.

6.1

Accessing the Shapefiles for 2020 Census PSAP

Regardless of the product preference selected during the invitation phase, the shapefiles
necessary to conduct PSAP are available directly within the GUPS application. By choosing the
“Census Web” option when selecting the geography initially in GUPS, participants with internet
connectivity can load files as needed, or load multiple county files at once.
Note: The “Census Web” option is the recommended method for accessing the shapefiles for use in
2020 Census PSAP. Use of this option ensures the proper placement of the required files for the
GUPS application to access.

Participants that do not have internet connectivity, or those that have slow, unreliable internet
connectivity, can load the shapefiles directly into GUPS from the “Data disc” or from a location
on their computer where they saved the “Data disc” contents. Instructions on how to load
shapefiles are in Table 9.
The GUPS application unzips the files and places them into a pre-established folder created on
the computer’s home directory during the installation process (e.g., H:\GUPSGIS\gupsdata\...).
It then displays them in the application. GUPS manages the files for the participant. No further
action is necessary. Because of this GUPS functionality, participants must not make any changes
to the shapefile or folder names. The files and folders must have the exact names as provided
on the “Data disc” for GUPS to recognize and load them.
IMPORTANT: Census Bureau testing of the GUPS used for PSAP has shown that large entities may take
from 15 – 35 minutes for GUPS to create and build the PSAP project. Please be patient
while GUPS gathers all of the necessary files and calculates the population and housing
unit information.

6.2

Open GUPS and Start a New Project

To open GUPS and begin the PSAP review, follow the steps in Table 9 below. Before beginning,
GUPS needs at least 3.3 gigabytes of free space on the hard drive to begin.


To practice using GUPS without committing the changes, simply exit the system without saving.
Before the system closes, it will provide the option to discard the changes.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide



If comfortable with the GUPS, but completion of review and changes are not possible in one
session, simply save the changes and close the system. Participants can reopen saved projects
and continue working open GUPS later.
Table 9: Open GUPS and Start a New Project

Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Double click the QGIS icon on the desktop or navigate to QGIS from the Start Menu, All Programs
choice and select the QQIS Desktop 2.18.15. The QGIS splash screen appears.

Step 2

Wait until the application loads (An older computer may require a few minutes). When the GUPS
application has successfully loaded, the main page opens, and the QGIS Tips! window appears.

Since QGIS provided the open-source platform for building GUPS, participants may see
references to QGIS in several locations within the GUPS application.
To view QGIS system tips, click the Next button to read the first tip. Use the Previous and Next
buttons to navigate within tips. To skip the tips, click the checkbox in the bottom left-hand corner
that states, “I’ve had enough tips, don’t show this on start up any more!”

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

To begin a GUPS project, close the QGIS Tips! window by clicking the OK button. The tip box
closes and the Map Management dialog box opens, as shown below.
 Choose Participant Statistical Areas Program from the Program menu.
 Choose Tribal Statistical Review from the User Type menu.
 Choose Reservation / Trust Land from the Entity Type menu.
 Choose the tribal entity from the Entity Name menu.

At this point, the participant has not selected how to open these files, so the window populates
with all of the counties within the state. The unchecked, highlighted counties are the counties
adjacent to the tribal entity.
Note: Only participants opening data using Census Web can load adjacent county into the Map
View along with the tribal entity. This adjacent county functionality will not work for participants
using the “Data disc” DVD. They do not have access to the universe of counties for the entire
state. Participants can only update the tribal entity selected. It is not required to display the
adjacent counties, but sometimes helpful in reviewing legal boundaries and CDP boundaries of
those that cross county boundaries. For this review, participants do not need to load the
adjacent counties and doing so likely causes GUPS performance to decrease.
Click the Open button.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

After selecting the tribal entity, GUPS asks to specify the location from which to pull the county’s
(or county equivalent’s) shapefile. The Select Data Folder, Directory or Location dialog box
opens.

In the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location dialog box drop-down menu, select the location
from which to pull the tribal entity file. This example assumes the participant is pulling the data
from the CD/DVD in the drop-down menu. To download data directly into GUPS from the Census
Bureau, choose Census Web (recommended) or directly from the local hard drive, choose My
Computer (least recommended option).
GUPS only asks to specify a location of the data the first time a participant opens a tribal entity’s
shapefile. When returning to work, the shapefile automatically loads, even if there were no
changes in the first session.
Step 5

From the Select directory window, navigate to the location of the CD/DVD, click the shape folder
to populate the Directory field, and then click Select.

IMPORTANT: Participants must select the directory and not specific files within the directory.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 6

GUPS downloads all the shapefiles necessary for PSAP off the DVD and opens the requested
tribal entity project. GUPS displays a Map Management window that shows the progress of
building the project and calculates the population and housing units. Progress displays by a blue
status bar with the percentage of download completed shown to the right of the status bar.
Please be patient. Based on the size of the tribal entity, it might take some time to download the
data and appear on the screen. Once downloaded, the tribal entity appears in the Map View and
layers are visible within the Table of Contents.

If the shapefiles are missing from the directory location chosen in the Select Data Folder,
Directory or Location window drop-down menu, or the files are corrupted and cannot be loaded,
the following error message appears. Close GUPS and start the process again.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step 7

As mentioned in Step 3 of this table, participants using the Census Web option can add the
adjacent counties of the tribal entity by clicking the Map Management button in the Standard
toolbar. The Map Management window displays the counties associated with the tribal entity
selected from the previous steps in blue highlight. Adjacent counties highlight in yellow in the
Map Management window.

Click the boxes to the left of the highlighted counties list to select adjacent counties to download.
All counties with a checkmark will download and display in the Map View. Unchecking a county
excludes that county from the project. Note: Loading adjacent counties likely slows GUPS
performance.

Click Open. From the subsequent Map Management window, choose Census Web.

GUPS downloads all the selected adjacent counties layers and places them in the Table of
Contents within existing Tribal Layers.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 8

To view the newly added adjacent county, expand the existing non-tribal layers to activate and
display the chosen layer in the Map View. For this example, the BG_County and
CURTRACTS_County layers are expanded to show those respective layers for Cochise (04003).
It is important to note that the adjacent county is not part of the tribal layer because it does not
contain tribal geographies for the specific tribal entity. For this reason, the standard geographies
and county features are loaded into GUPS.

The limit for loading counties at once is 11. To load shapefiles for additional counties, after the
first 10 are loaded:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Leave the same tribal entity selected in the Entity Name field.
Uncheck the already loaded counties for the tribal entity in the Map Management dialog box list.
Check the checkboxes for the additional counties (up to 10) to add.
Click the Open button and after the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location box opens, use the
drop-down menu to select the source of the files.

Repeat this process as many times as needed. This is not recommended as the stability of GUPS
may be compromised.

6.3

Save a Project in GUPS

To save any PSAP updates, follow the steps in Table 10. Make sure to save the project prior to
exiting GUPS.
Note: The Census Bureau recommends saving often, but only after ensuring the changes are accurate.
Participants cannot perform the Undo action discussed in Table 13 and in Table 18 on a change
after performing a save action.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 10: Save a GUPS Project
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

After working on a project, be sure to Save before exiting. Otherwise, edits will be lost. To save,
participants select Project from the main menu and Save from the drop-down menu or click the
Save button on the Standard toolbar (as shown below).

Both choices result in the prompting of the Current edits confirmation dialog box.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.
To exclude changes, close the application (click the red X in the upper right-hand corner of the
main GUPS page). A Save? dialog box asking to save, discard, or cancel appears.

Click Discard to close the application without saving the project.

6.4

Open a Previous Project in GUPS

To open a previously saved PSAP project, follow the steps in Table 11 below.
Table 11: Open a Previous Project in GUPS
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

To open a previously saved project, in the Map Management dialog box, click the down arrow
next to the Open Recent button. The drop-down menu opens with one or more project(s) listed.
If the dialog box does not appear after opening GUPS, click the Map Management button in the
Standard toolbar to open the dialog box shown below.

Note: If the computer is shared, then the potential exists for multiple projects to appear in the
Open Recent list. To identify the proper project file, review the number string. This string
comprises the 11-digit tribal code that the Census Bureau uses to identify each tribal entity.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 2

Select the correct project file from the Open Recent list. The map for the project automatically
loads and the layers show in the Table of Contents.
Census Bureau-defined default layers and view settings are loaded with each new project in
GUPS. Changing and saving these settings for a project also saves any new settings. Thus, when
reopening the project, the Table of Contents and Map View display the layers and the map
according to the settings last used rather than returning to the Census Bureau default settings.
To restore the default settings for a layer, right-click the layer in the Table of Contents. A dropdown menu opens. In the drop-down menu, select GUPS Layer. A sub-menu opens. In the submenu, select Load default style (see illustration below).

To reset the default settings for all layers, select the second choice Load all default style.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

When reopening a previously saved project, note that any previously selected counties highlight
in cyan blue and remain checked. Adjacent counties, not previously selected, highlight in yellow.

Participants may check and load additional adjacent counties at this point if they use Census
Web. Participants working from DVD are not able to load adjacent counties.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 7. GUPS MENUS AND TOOLBARS
With the basics of GUPS outlined in Chapter 6. Getting Started with GUPS, this chapter serves
to introduce and provide specific details of the various GUPS menus and toolbars available for
use during PSAP.

7.1

GUPS Page Layout

The image below illustrates the GUPS page layout. The blue and white text boxes provide labels
for the page components including the Menu and Toolbars, the Map View, the Table of
Contents (labeled in GUPS as “Layers Panel”), and the Status Bar.
Note: To simplify the initial view, the Census Bureau recommends disabling, or unchecking, the
“BG_County” and “CCD_County” layers if they are present in the project. Participants can enable
these layers after they become familiar with GUPS and its layer symbology.

Figure 3. GUPS Page Layout

Table 12 explains the purpose for each element on the main GUPS page. Section 7.2 details the
individual components and specific functions of each element.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 12: GUPS Main Page Elements
Page
Element
Map View

General Function
The Map View displays the default data layers for the PSAP. GUPS automatically loads the layers
based on the program selected in Map Management. The Map View reflects symbology updates
(i.e. turn layers on/off, zoom or pan) as participants make those adjustments.

Menu bar

The Menu bar allows access to QGIS and some GUPS features using a standard hierarchical menu.
It offers basic features such as Settings and Help; tools to manage the Map View and import userprovided data; important calculation, measurement, and geoprocessing tools; and tools needed
to make shapefile updates. Almost all of the functions available from the Menu bar are also
available in the application’s conveniently located toolbars.

Standard
toolbar

The Standard toolbar provides navigation tools and other tools needed to interact with the Map
View and layers’ attribute tables, and data query and editing tools.

PSAP
toolbar

The PSAP toolbar provides software functions and the specific tools needed to make PSAP
updates, view linear feature attributes, review and validate changes, import and export zipped
files and print in support of PSAP.

Manage
Layers
toolbar

The Manage Layers toolbar offers tools to import participants own data. They may superimpose
map layers in GUPS to compare the features on their own maps with those on the Census
shapefiles. QGIS is the source of these tools, not GUPS. Refer to the QGIS documentation for
detailed definitions on their use.
Although shown horizontally here, this toolbar may appear aligned vertically to the left of the
Table of Contents in the GUPS application. Reposition it accordingly to meet your needs.

Table of
Contents
toolbar

U.S. Census Bureau

The Table of Contents shows the layers on the map for the tribal entity selected. The Table of
Contents toolbar, positioned at the top of the Table of Contents, beneath the Layer Panel, allows
participants to add or remove layers (or groups), manage layer visibility, and filter the legend by
map content.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Page
Element
Status bar

7.2

General Function
The Status bar displays information on the coordinates, map scale, magnification, rotation, and
projection and allows for the adjustment of the display.

Menu Bar

The Menu bar includes top-level, drop-down menus and allows navigation through GUPS using
a standard hierarchical menu. Most relate to QGIS functionality and not GUPS functionality.
Refer to the QGIS documentation cited in Part Two for details on the menu and sub-menu
functionality. Table 13 provides a glimpse into the menu bar and its sub-menus.
Table 13: Menu Bar Tabs, Drop-down Menus, and Function/Description
Tab

Drop-down Menu

Function/Description

Project

The Project tab allows participants to save
changes to the project layers, create image
files, import AutoCAD files, display project
properties, and exit the GUPS application.

Edit

The Edit tab allows participants to undo or redo
vector-editing operations. The Undo and Redo
actions are dockable widgets. They activate in
the Edit menu and display with orange or green
icons on the Advanced Digitizing toolbar when
a split, merge, and boundary change action
occurs.
IMPORTANT: Click on the edited layer (e.g.,
curtracts_STCOU) to make it active before
performing undo or redo action.
Click the Undo button to cancel an action or
the Redo button to redo a recently canceled
action. Use these tools before saving the
change to the layer; otherwise, if the
participant saves the changes after an action
then the Undo and Redo functionality
deactivates and the associated icons gray-out.
Note: There is no PSAP use for the Add Circular
String or Add Circular String Radius functions.
These icons remain inactive in this menu.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Tab

Drop-down Menu

Function/Description

View

The View tab duplicates several actions
available on the Standard toolbar. Included are
options for navigating the map, identifying
feature attributes, measuring distance, and
creating spatial bookmarks to return to the
same Map View later. Refresh restores the
map to its original map extent. Panels changes
the layer order, browses to a location on the
computer to add additional layers, opens the
processing toolbox, and more. If not visible or
closed earlier, click Panels in the drop-down
menu, then click the right arrow, and click
Layers in the Layers drop-down-menu to
restore the Table of Contents. The Toggle Full
Screen Mode expands GUPS to fill the entire
screen. Selecting it again, removes the full
screen mode.

Layer

The Layer tab adds and removes layers from
the map, opens the layer attribute table, sets
the map projection or Coordinate Reference
System (CRS), displays or hides layers.
Note: Many of these same functions are
located on the Manage Layers toolbar and the
small toolbar at the top of the Table of
Contents. Some of these actions are available
from the Table of Contents toolbar.

Settings

The Settings tab allows participants to
customize the CRS and map display options and
set snapping tolerances (see instructions below
this table).
Note: Snapping tolerances in GUPS are
pre-defined by layer (e.g., the default tolerance
for edges is set to 15 pixels). When making
corrections, participants may want to adjust
the snapping tolerances for a layer or layers
within this same menu. Locate the definition of
edges in Appendix A. Glossary.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Tab

Drop-down Menu

Function/Description

Vector

The Vector tab provides access to several tools
that aid in the creation of buffers around
features; overlay areas to create an
intersection, union, or symmetrical difference;
merge features; and perform other common
geoprocessing actions.

Raster

The Raster tab provides access to a Raster
Calculator that allows for the calculation of
existing raster pixel values. The results of which
are written to a new raster layer with a GDALsupported format. The Align Rasters tool is
able to ingest several rasters as input and align
them perfectly by performing several actions
including reprojection, resampling, clipping,
and rescaling. It saves all rasters to a separate
file. These tools are QGIS based and not used
for PSAP work in GUPS.
The Web tab provides access to MetaSearch,
an easy and intuitive approach and userfriendly interface to searching metadata
catalogues within QGIS.

Web

Processing

The Processing tab includes several tools;
however, these are not required for Census
Bureau geographic program participation. The
sub-menus pertain to algorithms, creating
models, viewing the results of algorithms
executed, and history.

Help

The Help tab provides tools for understanding
QGIS (the open-source platform on which GUPS
was developed), the GUPS application itself and
allows participants to report an issue with the
software. The GUPS Help sub-menu, routes
participants to the PSAP website.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Tab

Drop-down Menu

Function/Description

GUPS

7.3

The GUPS tab provides quick access to the key
tools also available on the Standard toolbar
and PSAP toolbar, including those needed to
manage maps.
Click the About GUPS option in the drop-down
menu to find the GUPS version number. Callers
to technical support need to provide this
number.

Map View and Table of Contents

GUPS automatically loads a set of default data layers (and default layer groups) defined by the
Census Bureau for the program and geography selected in the Map Management dialog box. As
the map opens in the Map View, the list of the preset layers (already grouped) appears in the
Table of Contents.
Note: Participants may also see the Table of Contents labeled as the Layer Panel within GUPS. The
two are synonymous and reflect what others often call a Legend.

Participants use the Table of Contents and the Table of Contents toolbar to manage the Map
View. These two windows are interdependent. Selections made in the Table of Contents reflect
immediately in the Map View.
To close the Table of Contents, click the small ‘x’ in the upper right corner of the Layer Panel.
To restore the Table of Contents, click the View tab on the Menu bar, select Panels in the dropdown menu, click the arrow next to Panel to open the sub-menu, and click Layers Panel.
Toggling the Layer Panel on and off may be helpful for providing a larger Map View window.

7.3.1 Table of Contents Toolbar
Using the buttons on the toolbar located at the top of the Table of Contents, participants can
add and remove layers or groups, manage layer visibility, filter the legend by map content,
expand or condense all sections of the Table of Contents list at once, and group layers.

Figure 4. Table of Contents Toolbar

The Table of Contents toolbar contains the items shown above in Figure 4 with descriptions
provided below in Table 14.
Table 14: Table of Contents Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Function/Description

Open the Layer
Styling Dock

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Open the Layer Styling Dock button to toggle the
layer styling panel on and off.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

Add Group

Click the Add Group button to organize layers in the Table of
Contents into groups.

Manage Layer
Visibility

Click the Manage Layer Visibility button to preset views in the
Table of Contents.

Filter Legend by
Map Content

Click the Filter Legend by Map Content button to remove
layers from the Table of Contents that are not currently in the
Map View extent. This feature ensures that the Table of
Contents does not contain entries for items not currently in
the Map View.

Filter Legend by
Expression

Click the Filter Legend by Expression button to remove
features from the selected layer tree style that have no
features satisfying the condition. Used to highlight features
within a given area/feature of another layer. Drop-down list
allows participants to edit or clear the expression set.

Expand All

Click the Expand All button to expand the Table of Contents
menus (+) to display all layers under each group’s menu.

Collapse All

Click the Collapse All button to collapses the Table of
Contents menus (-) to show only groups.

Remove
Layer/Group

Click the Remove Layer/Groups button to remove a layer or
group from the Table of Contents.

7.3.2 Managing the Map View from the Table of Contents
Within the Table of Contents, participants can manage layer visibility (i.e., determine what
layers display on the map), reorder data layers, expand and condense the layers/layer groups,
add labels to layers, and change the layer scale visibility. The following five sub-sections explain
these topics. Though not recommended for the pre-loaded layers, participants can also set new
layer symbology within the Layer Properties, Style menu. This section does not detail this
process, but Figure 10 depicts the menu.
7.3.2.1 Manage Layer Visibility
To add or remove layers from the Map View, click the checkbox next to a layer to add it to
the Map View as shown in Figure 5. Uncheck the checkbox next to a layer to remove it from the
Map View as shown in Figure 6. Both illustrate the manipulation of the “edges” layer.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Figure 5. Check a Checkbox to Add a Layer

Figure 6. Uncheck a Checkbox to Remove a Layer

Participants can also right-click the name of the layer and select Remove in the drop-down
menu, as shown in Figure 7, to remove the entire layer from the project. Though shown for this
example to illustrate the presence of the button, the GUPS PSAP project includes all layers
necessary to conduct a review and update. Please use the checkbox to manage the visibility of
any preloaded layers rather than removing them from the project. The Remove action may be
helpful for removing external data added by the PSAP participant.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Figure 7. Highlight Layer and Right Click to Remove

7.3.2.2 Reorder Data Layers
In the Table of Contents, the layer order determines how the layers display on the map. The
top layers display on top of those below them. To change the display order:




Left-click on the layer name.
Hold down the mouse button and drag the layer to the desired position in the list.
Release the mouse button to place the layer in its new position. The map display reflects the
new layer order in the Table of Contents.

7.3.2.3 Expand/Condense Layers or Layer Groups
To expand or contract the menu for a layer or layer group, click on the ‘+’ sign to expand the
group and, once expanded, click the ‘-’ sign to condense the group. These individual functions
allow for a more specific management of layers than the Expand All/Collapse All buttons on
the Table of Contents toolbar.
7.3.2.4 Add Labels to Layers
Participants may notice that many of the standard geographies layers (e.g., census tracts and
block groups specifically) are labeled as part of the creating the project in GUPS. Other layers do
not automatically label. This section informs participants how to label the edges layer.
From the Table of Contents, right-click the name of the layer and select Properties in the dropdown menu, as shown in Figure 8 and left-click to open the layer properties window. This opens
the Layer Properties window shown in Figure 9.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Figure 8. Layer Properties Menu

Figure 9. Layer Properties Window – Labels Menu

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Click the Labels menu on the left side of the window. Choose Show labels for this layer from
the drop-down menu along the top of the window. From the Label with section, select the field
to use for labeling the layer’s features. In this example, choose FULLNAME. Participants can
customize the labels Font, Style, Size, Color, Transparency level, Type case, Spacing, Blend
mode, etc. and set formatting, buffers, backgrounds, shadows, placement, and rendering
options. Click Apply and then OK to exit the window.
7.3.2.5 Change Layer Scale Visibility
From the Table of Contents, right-click the name of the layer and select Properties in the dropdown menu, as shown in Figure 8 and left-click to open the layer properties window. This opens
the Layer Properties window shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10. Layer Properties Window – Style Menu

Click the Style menu on the left side of the window. Choose each row, or all rows, to change the
Min. Scale field to an appropriate scale. At the bottom left of the window, within the Style
drop-down, choose Set as Default. Click Apply and then OK to exit the window. Setting the
layer visibility means the layer will not display until reaching a scale below the set Min. Scale.
Note: Participants can also set the scale dependent visibility in the General menu within the Layer
Properties window by setting the Minimum (exclusive) value.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

7.4

Toolbars

There are two toolbars for GUPS, as shown below. The Standard toolbar and PSAP toolbar are
located at the top of the GUPS page. These toolbars offer general GIS and system tools and
allow participants to make specific program updates. The top toolbar is the Standard toolbar,
which provides map navigation, data query and manipulation tools. The PSAP toolbar provides
the functionality needed for the PSAP. Hover the mouse over any toolbar button to see the
name of the tool it represents.

Figure 11. GUPS Toolbars

Note: Participants may move the toolbars and re-dock them to their own preference. For example, if a
participant prefers that the Manage Layers toolbar, discussed in a later section, to appear at the
top of the page, they can drag it there. This allows for the expansion of the area available for the
Table of Contents and the Map View.

7.4.1 Standard Toolbar
The Standard toolbar, shown in Figure 12, provides the necessary tools to interact with the
map and layers. It includes three separate sub-toolbars, identified by the grouping bars or
marker on the toolbar, shown in Figure 13. The first sub-toolbar contains the buttons for saving
projects, changing map projects and conducting searches. This sub-toolbar is the Project
toolbar. The second sub-toolbar contains the buttons for navigation. This sub-toolbar is the
Map Navigation toolbar. The third sub-toolbar provides tools for selecting features, making
measurements, creating special bookmarks, and working with the layer’s attribute tables. It is
the Attributes toolbar.

Figure 12. GUPS PSAP Standard Toolbar Buttons

To rearrange the toolbars, left-click and hold the sub-toolbar marker (shown with blue below)
then drag it to the desired location. Release the mouse button to set the toolbar in the new
location.

Figure 13. Sub-Toolbar Markers

Table 15 defines the purpose of each button on the Standard toolbar. A few of the buttons
listed in the table include examples or links to additional tables for further explanation of the
button.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 15: Standard Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Project Toolbar Grouping
Save
Map Management

GUPS Data Settings

Function/Description
Click the Save button to save the current project, including any change to
the layer properties, projection, view extent, and layers.
Click the Map Management button to choose the participant program in
GUPS and the county to update. GUPS automatically loads a set of default
data layers for the chosen program.
Warning! This tool deletes files and folders permanently! Click the GUPS
Data Settings button to open the GUPS Data Settings window. Click the
Options drop-down menu and select Clean by Project.

From the list that returns, check the box to the left of the project name to
select it for deletion. Click OK to continue. GUPS displays a warning
message to confirm the action removes files and folders permanently.
Clean-ups of the current session (highlighted in red in the choices list) cause
GUPS to close.

Click OK to proceed with deletion.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

Search and Zoom

Click the Search and Zoom button to search the map by census tract, block
group, census designated place, census county division (if applicable), or
street name.

After selecting the Search by choice, a subsequent selection field appears
for the participant to choose the specific value to search for in the tribal
entity (e.g., Tribal Census Tract). Once selected, click the Find or Find and
Close button to zoom and center the Map View on the selection.
Map Navigation Toolbar Grouping
Touch Zoom and Pan Click the Touch and Zoom button to zoom and pan using finger gestures on
a touchscreen computer. This functionality also works with the roller ball
on the mouse.
Pan Map
Click the Pan button to re-center the map in the Map View at the location
clicked in the map while preserving the map scale.
Pan Map to
Selection

Click the Pan to Selection button after selecting a feature on the map (or in
the attribute table) to re-center the map based on the selected feature(s).

Zoom In

Click the Zoom In button to increase the map scale after clicking on the
map and to display the map in Map View at a larger scale.

Zoom Out

Click the Zoom Out button to decrease the map scale after clicking on the
map and to display the map in Map View at a smaller scale.

Zoom Full

Click the Zoom Full button to display the map at the full extent of the
county.

Zoom to Selection

Click the Zoom to Selection button after selecting a feature on the map (or
in the attribute table) to view the feature at the scale of the selected
feature.
Click the Zoom to Layer button after selecting a layer in the Table of
Contents to display the map at the extent of the selected layer.

Zoom to Layer

U.S. Census Bureau

Zoom Last

Click the Zoom Last button to return to the previous zoom extent.

Zoom Next

Click the Zoom Next button to move forward to the next zoom extent.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

New Bookmark

Click the New Bookmark button to create, name, and save geographic
locations in the Map View for future reference.
To create and save a geographic location, first zoom to the location to
bookmark and then select New Bookmark. The Geospatial Bookmarks
window opens.

Show Bookmarks

Click on a row named New bookmark, backspace over the name “New
bookmark” to delete the name, and enter a descriptive name for the
bookmark (255-character limit). Click the Close button to add the new
bookmark.
Click the Show Bookmarks button to view and manage the bookmarks. The
bookmark name or coordinates are not editable.

To zoom to a bookmark, click on a bookmark name in the Geospatial
Bookmarks dialog box and then click the Zoom to button.

The Map View zooms to the bookmark.

Refresh

U.S. Census Bureau

To delete a bookmark, click a bookmark name and click the Delete button.
Click the Refresh button to refresh the screen at its current extent.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Attributes Toolbar Grouping
Identify Features

Select Feature(s) by
Area or Single Click

Select Features
Using an Expression

Deselect Features
from All Layers
Measure

U.S. Census Bureau

Function/Description
Click the Identify Features button, followed by a click on a feature on the
map, to identify the feature. The selected feature appears in red in the Map
View and the results appear in the Identify Results window.

Click the Select Feature(s) by Area or Single Click button to select layer
features in the map window with a single click, dragging a box, or drawing
graphics on the screen.

To select a single feature, click the Select Features button, choose Select
Feature(s) from the drop-down menu, and click the feature on the map. To
select multiple features, hold down the Ctrl key while selecting more than
one feature. To remove one or more features from a selection of multiple
features, hold down the Ctrl key and click the feature(s) again. Participants
can also use Select Features by Polygon, Select Features by Freehand, and
Select Features by Radius tools to select multiple features using graphics
they draw on the screen.
Click the Select Features Using an Expression button to select features by
querying the attribute table based on table fields and/or values in the
fields. See Table 16 for an example of using the Select Features Using an
Expression tool to view the features in the edges layer that have an MTFCC
code of P0001.
Click the Deselect Features from all Layers button to deselect the selected
features in all layers in a single action.
Click the Measure button to measure the distance between two or more
points, an area, or an angle on a map. See Table 17 for examples of using
the Measure tool.
2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 1

Table 16: Select Features Using an Expression Button
Action and Result
With the edges layer selected in the Table of Contents, click the Select Features by Expression button
on the Standard toolbar.

Step 2

The Select by Expression dialog box opens. Click on the ‘+’ next to Fields and Values to expand it.

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Double click on a field name to add it to the Expression window. This example depicts the
selection of the MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) field and its field name
appearance in the Expression window.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 4

Step 5

Action and Result
Single click on an operator button to add it to the Expression window. In this example, the “=” was
chosen.
Note: There are more operators available than those shown above the Expression window. Click the
Operators menu in the center window of the dialog box to see additional options, including
commonly used expressions such as <, >, <=, >=.

For this screenshot, notice the Output preview: message below the window indicates the expression
is invalid because the value for the expression is missing.
Reselect MTFCC. Click the Load values - all unique button, which shows all of the values for the
chosen field name. Double click a value to add it to the Expression window.
For more information about MTFCC codes, please refer to Appendix F. MAF/TIGER Feature
Classification Codesor the following webpage:
.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 6

Step 7

Action and Result
For this example, double click the value “P0001” (Nonvisible Linear Legal/Statistical Boundary) in the
values window to add it to the Expression window.

To execute the expression, click the Select button.
The features meeting the expression, “MTFCC” = ‘P0001’, are highlighted on the map.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 17: Measure Button
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

To measure the distance between two points on the map, select the Measure button and then
Measure Line choice.

The Measure (OTF en) dialog box opens.

Step 2

Zoom to the desired map location to take the measurement. Left-click the beginning point on the map
and continue clicking points until reaching the final point. Right-click to show completion of point
selection. The length of each segment of the line, as well as the total length of the line between the
beginning point and the ending point, appear in the Measure box.

Click New to start another measurement or click Close to close the Measure tool.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

To measure the area on the map, select the Measure tool and then Measure Area choice.

The Measure (OTF en) dialog box opens.

Step 4

Step 5

Zoom to the desired map location to take the measurement. Left-click on the map to begin drawing a
polygon around the area to measure. Left-click at each vertex of the polygon. Right-click to show
completion of the polygon. The polygon’s area appears in the Total field. Use the drop-down to the
right to see the area in other units of measure. Meters, kilometers, feet, yards, miles, degrees, and
nautical miles are the unit of measure choices.

Click New to start another measurement or click Close to close the Measure tool.
To measure an angle on the map, select the Measure tool and then Measure Angle choice.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 6

Zoom to the desired map location to take the measurement. Left-click on the map to begin drawing
the angle. Drag the mouse to create the first side of the angle, then left-click, and drag the mouse
again to draw the second leg. The Angle box opens showing the angle measurement.

Click Close to close the Measure tool.

7.4.2 PSAP Toolbar
The PSAP toolbar, shown Figure 14, provides the software functionality to complete PSAP
review and update activities. It includes four separate sub-toolbars, identified by the grouping
bars described earlier in the Standard toolbar section.

Figure 14. PSAP Toolbar

The first sub-toolbar contains the buttons for adding and deleting linear features, modifying
linear feature attributes and areal features, displaying names and the legend, and renumbering
tribal block groups. The second sub-toolbar contains buttons for conducting geography and
criteria reviews. The third sub-toolbar contains buttons for importing shapefiles, exporting the
map to a zip file, and exporting a map to print. The fourth sub-toolbar contains buttons for
adding an internet map service and adding imagery.
An additional toolbar, the Manage Layers toolbar, allows participants to add vector and raster
data layers and import data tables. Table 18 and Table 28 describe the PSAP toolbar and the
Manage Layers toolbar respectively.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 18: PSAP Toolbar Buttons, Names and Functions/Descriptions
Button

Name

Function/Description

Add Linear Feature

Click the Add Linear Feature button to digitize a new linear feature.
To add a linear feature, click the mouse to begin the line and continue to
click at each vertex point of the line. Right-click the mouse to complete the
new line, shown in pink in the image below.

Upon completion of digitization, the Add Linear Feature dialog box opens.
Click the MTFCC drop-down menu to choose the appropriate feature
classification code. If named, type the name of the feature in the Name field.

Note: To locate information on the MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Codes
(MTFCC) codes, refer to Appendix F. Refer to Appendix H. for a list of
standardized street type abbreviations since the street type (i.e. St., Rd.,
Ave., Cir., etc.) is required to upload the feature correctly.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Delete/Restore
Linear Feature

Click the Delete/Restore Linear Feature button to delete a linear feature.
Participants can restore linear features if deleted in error.
To delete a linear feature, click the mouse on the feature to delete.

The Delete/Restore Linear Feature confirmation dialog box opens with a
question about certainty of the delete. Click OK to mark the feature for
deletion. The deleted feature appears on the map with a gray X’s on top of
the linear feature.

Note: When a feature is marked for deletion, GUPS assigns a delete flag to
the feature in the attribute table. The deletion occurs later if it remains
marked as such. Assigning a flag rather than immediately deleting the
feature allows for the restoration of the feature if deleted in error.
To restore a deleted linear feature, click on the Delete/Restore Linear
Feature button. Click the feature on the map previously marked for deletion
(highlights in light yellow).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

The Delete/Restore Linear Feature confirmation dialog box opens with
question restore the line. Click the OK button to remove the delete line flag
from the attribute table and restore the feature.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

Display All Names

Click the Display All Names button to display the primary and alternate
names for a street. It also shows the MTFCC for other linear features such as
streams, railroads, non-visible features.
To check for the name of a street feature, click the Display All Names button
and then click on the street on the map. The selected feature highlights in
light blue and the Display All Names dialog box opens showing the primary
name in the Prim. Name field and the alternate name, if one exists, in the
Alt. Name field. To see all alternate names, click the drop-down arrow to the
right of the Alt. Name field. If no alternate name exists, ‘NULL’ appears in
the Alt. Name field.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name
Modify Linear
Feature Attributes

Function/Description
Click the Modify Linear Feature Attributes button to edit attribute fields for
a selected linear feature.
To edit the attribution of a linear feature, click the Modify Linear Feature
Attributes button and then click the linear feature to edit.

The Modify Linear Feature Attributes dialog box opens with the TIGER/Line
Feature ID (TLID) of the feature selected. The MTFCC field displays the
assigned MTFCC. If the feature is unnamed, the FULLNAME field is blank. The
TLID field is not eligible for modification.
To update the MTFCC field, click the down-drop box and select the correct
MTFCC code. This field is required for all linear features.

To update the FULLNAME field, enter the name if the field is blank. If the
field contains an incorrect name, highlight the existing name and press the
Delete key from the keyboard or backspace over the existing name to clear
the field prior to entering the current/correct name.
Modify Area Feature

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Modify Area Feature button to choose the geography, filter, and
action for the statistical geographies in the given entity (county or tribal).
Applying a search filter to each geography helps locate the statistical
geographies that do not meet specified criteria. Refer to Table 19 for several
detailed examples of its use. This button is a major component used for
updating statistical geographies.
2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

Show/Hide Legend

Click the Show/Hide Legend button to hide the layer list. Click it again to
show the layer list.

Renumbering Tool

Click the Renumbering Tool button to renumber newly created or modified
tribal block groups resulting from merges or splits. Renumbering is not
required. Participants choosing to renumber should execute this tool after all
tribal block group work concludes. Save the project to make the changes
permanent.
Click the Geography Review Tool button to filter a layer based on field
values in the attribute table. Refer to Table 21 for details on its use.

Geography Review
Tool
Review Change
Polygons
TSR Criteria Review

Import County Zip

Export to Zip

Print Map to File
Internet Map Service

Add Imagery

Undo

Redo

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Review Change Polygons button to view the review the updated
polygons created from the edits made to tribal census tracts, tribal block
groups, and CDPs where applicable. Refer to Table 22 for details on its use.
Click the TSR Criteria Review button to generate a list of threshold failures
and to correct the failures or provide a justification for the failures. This
mandatory check is required before creating a data output file. Refer to
Section 9.1 and Table 23 for details on its use.
Click the Import County Zip button to import a participant’s “DataDirectory”
output .zip file into GUPS for further review and update. Refer to Table 24
for details on its use.
Note: GUPS generates this “DataDirectory” .zip file as part of the Export to
Zip  Share with Another Participant function described in Table 25.
Click the Export to Zip button to create the .zip file containing all required
data and shapefiles for submission to the Census Bureau or to share with
another participant. Refer to Table 25 for details on its use.
Click the Print Map to File button export a printable map in .pdf, png, .tif, or
jpeg format. Refer to Table 26 for details on its use.
Click the Internet Map Service button to load a GIS map service from the
internet into GUPS to assist with overlaying external source visuals/data.
Note: An internet connection is required for this button to function.
Click the Add Imagery button to add either USGS or Esri imagery to overlay
the tribal entity shapefiles. Remove imagery using the same button. Refer to
Table 27 for details on its use.
Click the Undo button to revert the last change made by the participant.
After making the layer where the change occurred active in the Table of
Contents, this button activates on the Advanced Digitizing toolbar and in
the Edit menu if the Undo action is permissible.
Note: This button (and action) is very important for a participant to utilize
prior to saving any changes. Participants should be confident with the
change they have made prior to saving. If not, they should perform the Undo
action.
Click the Redo button to restores the last change made by the participant.
This button activates on the Advanced Digitizing toolbar if a redo action is
permissible.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

7.4.2.1 Modify Area Feature Button
The Modify Area Feature button allows participants to review and update tribal census tracts,
tribal block groups, and census designated places (CDPs). Please refer to Chapter 8 Review and
Update of PSAP Geographiesfor detailed review and update instructions of each statistical area.
The following section discusses the mechanics of the tool itself, not the criteria for which to use
the tool.
Table 19: Modify Area Feature Button
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click the Modify Area Feature button.

Step 2

After selection of the editable layers, the Modify Area Feature dialog box opens. Click the Geography
drop-down menu to select the geography to review and update.

Geographies that appear in the Geography drop-down menu are editable with the tools located
above the information window; however, those tools change based upon the geography selected.
Note: The State Designated Tribal Areas (SDTSA) choice appears in the Geography drop-down menu
for Census Bureau use only.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Choose Tribal Census Tract from the Geography drop-down menu. The default filter, No filter,
displays all census tracts in the information window.

Step 4

Double click on a row in the list to select the tribal census tract. The map zooms to the selected tract.
The blue arrow tool activates allowing participants to tab through all pieces of T00100. See Table 20
for more information on its use.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

The Action drop-down menu activates four separate types of updates, Merge, Boundary Change,
Split by Block Group, or Split by Face.

Step 6

With Tribal Census Tract selected, click the Filter drop-down menu to view census tracts that do not
meet the population and housing unit criteria - (below minimum – numbers are below the minimum
population and housing thresholds and above maximum – numbers are above the maximum
population and housing thresholds). Refer to Table 4: Tribal Census Tract Thresholds for the 2020
population and housing unit criteria for tracts.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 7

Selection of Tribal Block Group from the Geography drop-down menu enables three actions in the
Action drop-down menu, Merge, Boundary Change, and Split.

Step 8

As described above for tribal census tracts, with Tribal Block Group selected, click the Filter dropdown menu to view the block groups that do not meet the population and housing unit criteria (below minimum – numbers are below the minimum population and housing thresholds and above
maximum – numbers are above the maximum population and housing thresholds). Refer to Table 6:
Tribal Block Group Thresholds for the 2020 population and housing unit criteria for block groups.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 9

Selection of Census Designated Place (CDP) from the Geography drop-down menu enables two
actions in the Action drop-down menu, Boundary Change and New District.

Step 10

With Census Designated Place (CDP) selected, leave the Filter drop-down menu set to No Filter to
view all of the CDPs in the county (or counties) that comprise the tribal entity with their population
and housing unit information. CDPs are not limited to just the ones located within the tribal entity.
Recall there are no minimum population and housing thresholds, but a CDP cannot have zero
population and zero housing units. Refer to Appendix B. for a summary of threshold criteria.

Within the Modify Area Feature dialog box is a section of additional buttons used to implement
changes to the various statistical geographies. Figure 15 highlights the section of additional
buttons while Table 20 describes these buttons and their functionality in detail.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Note: The buttons that appear in this toolbar change depending on the geography and action chosen
by the participant; therefore, Figure 15 does not depict all of the potential buttons, but only
those that appear with Tribal Census Tract and Merge selections. Table 20 discusses all the
buttons that appear at any point during a participant’s PSAP review.

Figure 15. Modify Area Feature Buttons: Tribal Census Tract – Merge
Table 20: Modify Area Feature Buttons Detail
Button

Name
Select Target
Area

Select Features

Merge

Function
Allows the participant to select the
geographic area (selected from the
Geography drop-down menu) by clicking on
the map.
Allows the participant to select/deselect
layer features in the map window with a
single click, dragging the cursor, or drawing
graphics on the screen.

Select Merge from the Action drop-down
menu to activate this button. The Merge
button combines multiple geographic
entities.
Note: Be aware this button is very similar in
appearance to the Add Area button activated by
the Boundary Change Action selection.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name
Add Area

Split by Block
Group or Split by
Face (Census
Tract) and Split
(Block Group)

Remove Area

Previous Noncontiguous Area

U.S. Census Bureau

Function
Select Boundary Change from the Action
drop-down menu to activate this button.
The Add Area button adds smaller
geographic entities (faces or block groups)
to the geographic area selected on the map.
To add more than one face, click on the first
face, hold down the Ctrl key, and continue
clicking on the other faces until complete.
Note: Be aware this button is very similar in
appearance to the Merge button activated by the
Merge Action selection. Locate the definition of
faces in Appendix A. .
Once selected, the selected geographic
entity is split by the entire block group or
individual faces of the geographic area
selected on the map.
Note: Be aware this button activates in both the
Tribal Census Tract and Tribal Block Group
geography drop-down menus. With Tribal Census
Tract geography chosen, select Split by Block
Group or Split by Face from the Action drop-down
menu to activate this button. From Tribal Block
Group geography, select Split from the Action
drop-down menu.
Select Boundary Change from the Action
drop-down menu. Remove smaller
geographic entities (Face and Block Group)
from the geographic entity selected on the
map by using this button. This button only
activates for CDPs.
Button activates if the selected statistical
geographic area is not contiguous and provides a
means to pan back to each noncontiguous piece.

Next Noncontiguous Area

Button activates if the selected statistical
geographic area is not contiguous and provides
a means to pan forward to each noncontiguous
piece.

Show / Hide
Boundary
Eligibility Theme

Displays the features on the map that have
questionable boundaries (dashed yellow line)
and not acceptable boundaries (dashed red line).

Add Entity

Select New District from the Action drop-down
menu of the Geography drop-down menu for
CDPs. Add select faces to create a new geographic
entity.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name
Change
Attributes

Delete Area
Feature

Function
Edit attributes of a selected geography. For tribal
census tracts, a participant may edit the Tribal Tract
Code (TTRACTCE). For tribal block groups, a
participant can edit the Tribal Block Group Code
(TBLKGRPCE).
Select Boundary Change from the Action dropdown menu. The Delete Area Feature button
deletes an area feature. This is used only for CDPs.

7.4.2.2 Geography Review Tool Button
The Geography Review Tool button provides access to the attribute tables of some of the
layers displayed in the Table of Contents. The layers of interest for PSAP are the tribal census
tracts, tribal block groups, and CDPs. This tool filters map layers based on field values in the
attribute table. It provides an overall review of the new or deleted entities, or the entities with
boundary changes. Section 8.1 discusses that process while Table 21 includes information for
executing this button. Section 9.3 provides detailed information and examples.
Table 21: Geography Review Tool Button
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click the Geography Review Tool button.

Step 2

The Geography Review Tool window opens.
Select the layer to review from the Layer Name drop-down menu.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 3

Step 4

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
After making layer selection, the attribute table for the layer opens, with the attributes for each of
the tribal census tracts.

To see a census tract on the map, click its row in the attribute table list and then click Zoom or
double click the row. The map automatically zooms to the selected tribal census tract.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

To view other tracts, use the Previous Zoom and Next Zoom buttons. The previous or next row
highlights and GUPS zooms to the map for that row.

Step 6

Use the Column Name drop-down menu at the bottom of the dialog box to filter the table layers by
specific attributes ( i.e., TTRACTCE, CHNG_TYPE, etc.). In this example, select TTRACTCE.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 7

Once TTRACTCE displays in the Column Name field, type in the tribal census tract code in the Search
box and then click on the Search button.

This filters the attribute table to display just the one tract.

Step 8

Selecting the one tract from the attribute table activates the Zoom menu that allows for quick zoom
to the selected tract. Clicking the Refresh button restores the attribute table to display all records for
the chosen layer name.

7.4.2.3 Review Change Polygons Button
The Review Change Polygons button reviews transaction, or change, polygons for tribal census
tracts, tribal block groups, and CDPs. This tool may be helpful for participants to use as part of
their quality check of the work they performed to modify the statistical geographies. The
execution of this tool is not required to make a submission to the Census Bureau. Information
for executing this button are in Table 22, while Section 9.2 provides detailed information and
examples.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 22: Review Change Polygons Button
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click the Review Change Polygons button.

Step 2

The Review Change Polygons window appears.

Step 3

Choose the statistical geography to review from the Geography drop-down menu, in this example
Tribal Census Tract.

The Review Change Polygons window populates with the geographies to review.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click on a row in the list. The Map View zooms to the selected entity.

Step 5

To correct a change, activate the Modify Area Feature tool and click on the Select Target Area
button to highlight the geography to edit. Dependent on the type of geography selected, the
Action menus; and therefore the update update potential, vary.

Note: These edits modify the entity selected in the Table of Contents, not the specific change
polygon. The change polygon simply provides a record of the action(s) taken on each entity and is
not editable.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

7.4.2.4 TSR Criteria Review Button
Click the TSR Criteria Review button to generate a list of threshold failures and correct the
failures or provide a justification for the failure. Participants must run this required check
before creating a data output file for submission to the Census Bureau. Table 23 includes
information for executing this button. Section 9.1 provides detailed information and examples.
Table 23: TSR Criteria Review Button
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click the TSR Criteria Review button.

After the TSR Criteria Review completes, a comprehensive list of the failed entities (i.e., those
entities that do not meet the established population and housing unit criteria) generates. The
errors to fix appear in red color while the warnings to fix or justify appear in orange.

Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

Select the geography to review from the Geography drop-down menu or leave set to All to
display both geographies at once. This list is dependent on the failing geographies in the tribal
entity. Participants can also filter the errors by selecting the error type from the Errors dropdown menu.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Click on an entity in the Criteria Fail list to zoom to that geography on the map.

Step 4

Click Fix to open the Modify Area Feature tool. Participants use the actions available in the
Modify Feature Area tool to modify and apply changes to the problematic geography or they
provide justification for the geography to remain as-is. Note: Clicking the Fix button in the Criteria
Fail list selects the same geography in the Modify Area Feature tool.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

Click the Justify drop-down menu to see the default justification choices. As mentioned in Part
One, if the tribal entity only has one tribal census tract and/or one tribal block group and those
geographies fail to meet the criteria thresholds, participants must provide a Justification in GUPS
prior to submitting their file to the Census Bureau. The second choice listed below, “AIR/ORTL
does not include enough population or housing units to meet the threshold,” is likely the
recommended justification in those situations. If none of the choices applies, or if justification
that is more detailed is available, participants can type their own justification. Character limit is
150.

Click Save Justifications button to save and remove the failure from the list. A save is necessary
after each justification.
Note: Attempting to perform another Fix before saving the justification invokes a confirmation
dialog box that warns participants of the loss of information. Click OK to proceed and lose the
justification information or click Cancel to return and save the last justification.

Step 6

Save all changes and execute the TSR Criteria Review tool again to ensure no threshold failures
remain without justification.

7.4.2.5 Import County Zip Button
The Import County Zip button imports a zipped PSAP project shared by another user. The file
exported for sharing with another participant, described in Section 7.4.2.6 is the file imported
with this button. The “DataDirectory.zip” file becomes the active tribal entity. This file contains
all the layers for the new project and includes the work performed by the other person in the
form of “change layers.” Participants use this tool if they intend to have more than one-person
review and update the same tribal entity or if the supervisor/manager wants to review all work
prior to making a submission to the Census Bureau. The functionality of the Import Project ZIP
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

file button mimics the functionality of the information below; it merely presents the start-up
process in a different manner, prior to opening a county. Table 24 includes information for
executing the button from the PSAP toolbar and shows an image of the Import Project ZIP file
button.
IMPORTANT: Using this tool for a participant’s initial review and update means that work must occur
sequentially, not concurrently. Parallel work (i.e., work performed independently by two
or more people in the same county) cannot be reconciled in GUPS. As a result, this
method of work may not be viable for the initial review and update. A decision on this
work method is required prior to beginning work on a county. It likely is most useful for
conducting quality checks after the tribal entity is complete, prior to submitting it to the
Census Bureau.
Table 24: Import County Zip Button
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click the Import County Zip button. Because the imported file becomes the active tribal entity,
the Census Bureau suggests no project be open within GUPS.

Step 2

If a project is open, a Map Management dialog box opens to either Save or Discard the current
project.

After saving or discarding the project, a file explorer window appears allowing participants to
navigate to the “output” directory where the .zip file to import is stored.

This is the file created by using the Export to Zip button, Share with Another Participant choice.
After importing, participants are able to see the work performed by the previous reviewer and
can begin their review and update.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result
This image depicts the Import Project ZIP file button in the Map Management window.

As mentioned in the introductory portion of this section, this button mimics the Import County
Zip button functionality on the PSAP toolbar. It is available upon initial start-up of a GUPS
session. This is the best way to import the shared .zip file rather than using the Import County Zip
button from within a tribal entity. Opening by this manner eliminates the Save/Discard window
that appears in Step 2.

7.4.2.6 Export to Zip Button
The Export to Zip button creates a .zip file containing all the required data and shapefiles for
submission to the Census Bureau or to share with other reviewers. Participants that intend to
make any change to the 2010 geographies must use this button to create the zip file for
submission or for sharing. Table 25 includes information for executing this button. Section 9.4
repeats much of the same information in Table 23, but serves to provide closure to the review
and update process at the end of the documentation.
Table 25: Export to Zip Button
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click the Export to Zip button.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 2

A Select Output Type dialog box opens with two options: Export for Census and Share with
Another Participant.

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

To share the final edits/changes with the Census Bureau, choose the Export for Census option.
To share with other reviewers, choose Share with Another Participant. The OK button activates
upon selection of either choice. The Cancel button activates with the Select Output Type
window.
A GUPS User Contact Information window opens with the Export for Census option. It requests
contact information from the participant. All fields denoted with a red star are required for
submission.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
Following the completion of the GUPS User Contact Information, the Export to Zip dialog box
opens. GUPS generates the .zip file and gives it a name that defines the name of the program
(psap20), the tribal entity ID (499000030050), and “return” to differentiate the final zip from the
zip created for sharing. GUPS automatically saves all exported data within the .zip file in the
output directory (e.g., C:\GUPSGIS\gupsdata\TSR20\output)
For participants choosing to Share with Another Participant, GUPS generates a .zip file, stores it
in the output directory, and gives it a name similar to the Export for Census file, but uses
“DataDirectory” rather than “return.” All of the project files necessary for GUPS to operate
correctly bundle together as a result of using this option, while the ‘Export to Census’ bundles
only a few layers necessary for processing. Participants must decide early whether they wish to
use this functionality, as it does not allow for a concurrent review of a tribal entity. Two or more
people cannot conduct independent reviews of the tribal entity because their parallel work
cannot be reconciled within GUPS.

7.4.2.7 Print Map to File Button
The Print Map to File button exports and saves a printable map in .pdf, .png, .tif, or jpeg
format. Table 26 includes information for executing this button.
Table 26: Print Map to File Button
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click the Print Map to File button

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 2

The Print Map to File dialog box opens.

Enter the Map Title and Map Sub-Title under Desired Map Titles: section.
Click the radio button for Portrait or Landscape under Page Orientation: section.
Set the map scale to Match Current Map Extent or Fixed Scale in the Map Scale: section.
Choose the page size in the Desired Page Size: section and the file format in the Export File
Format: section. Click Save to create a map or Cancel to close the window.
If choose to Save, a Windows Explorer window opens to specify a file name for the exported map.
As with the .zip file export described in the previous section, GUPS automatically saves all
exported map files in the same output directory (e.g., C:\GUPSGIS\gupsdata\TSR20\output), but
participants can change the destination folder to their preference.

7.4.2.8 Add Imagery Button
The Add Imagery button adds imagery to the GUPS map view. An internet connection is
required. Table 27 includes information for executing this button.
IMPORTANT:

The Census Bureau strongly encourages participants to utilize this tool in order to
visualize the boundaries of the statistical geographies and orient participants to the area
under review.
Table 27: Add Imagery Button

Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click the Add Imagery button.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 2

Participants choose to add USGS or Esri imagery.

Step 3

After selecting imagery, it appears in the Map View beneath the displayed geographies.

Note: The Census Bureau requests the use of imagery in order to provide the visual reference
necessary to orient participants and to initiate any changes to the statistical geographies.

7.4.3 Manage Layers Toolbar
The Manage Layers toolbar, shown below in Figure 16, supplements the Add Imagery button
within the PSAP toolbar. It offers additional QGIS functionality that allows participants to
import their own imagery, geodatabase, web mapping service, or other data layers into the
GUPS. Table 28 describes these buttons, but for exact detail on the functionality refer to the
QGIS website provided in Part Two.

Figure 16. Manage Layers Toolbar

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 28: Manage Layers Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Function / Description

Add Vector Layer

Click the Add Vector Layer button to add shapefile and geodatabase
files to the GUPS project.
Click the Add Raster Layer button to add raster datasets such as
imagery to the GUPS project.

Add Raster Layer
Add SpatialLite Layer

Click the Add SpatialLite Layer button to add data from a SpatialLite
database.

Add PostGIS Layers

Click the Add PostGIS Layers button to add data from a PostGIS layer,
a MSSQL spatial layer, a DB2 spatial layer, or an Oracle spatial layer.

Add WMS/WMTS
Layer

Click the Add WMS/WMTS Layer button to add data from Web
Mapping Services (WMS), Web Mapping Tile Services (WTMS), or
from ArcGIS MapServer. GUPS supports publicly accessible and
secured map services.
Click the Add WCS Layer button to add data from Web Coverage
Services, which provide access to raster data useful for client-side
map rendering.
Click the Add WFS Layer button to add data from Web Feature
Services or from ArcGIS FeatureServer.
Click the Add/Edit Virtual Layer button to add or edit a virtual layer.
It is not needed for PSAP.
Click the New Shapefile Layer button to create a new shapefile layer
or new temporary scratch layer. This button is inactive and not useful
for PSAP.

Add WCS Layer

Add WFS Layer
Add/Edit Virtual Layer
New Shapefile Layer

GUPS supports vector data in a number of formats, including those supported by the OGR
library data provider plugin, such as ESRI shapefiles, MapInfo MIF (interchange format), and
MapInfo TAB (native format). It also supports PostGIS layers in a PostgreSQL database and
SpatialLite layers. Additional data provider plugins provide the support for additional data types
(e.g., delimited text).
Participants may only upload one participant-provided data layer at a time. Participants with
multiple data layers to upload must work with one and close it before loading another. Below
are the steps to import the most commonly used data formats.
7.4.3.1 Add Vector Layer Button
The Add Vector Layer button described in Table 29 allows participants to add shapefile or
geodatabase data layers.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 29: Add Vector Layer Button
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the Add Vector Layer button on the Manage Layers toolbar.

The Add Vector Layer dialog box opens.

Step 2
Step 3
Step 4

In the Encoding drop-down menu, the default value is System. If receive an error message, use the
drop-down to select UTF-8.
Click the Browse button in the Source section to navigate to the folder and locate the shapefile or
geodatabase to select. Click the filename to populate the Dataset field.
Click the Open button to add the shapefile/geodatabase to the Table of Contents and to the Map
View window and Table of Contents.

7.4.3.2 Add WMS/WTMS Layer Button
The Add WMS/WTMS Layer button allows participants to load data from a web mapping
service, web mapping tile service, or ArcGIS MapServer. Table 30 describes the steps for using
the button below.
Table 30: Add WMS/WTMS Layer Button
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click the Add WMS/WMTS Layer button on the Manage Layers toolbar. Dependent on the service
selected, either the Add Layer(s) from a WM(T)S Server or the Add ArcGIS MapServer Layer dialog
box opens. This example depicts adding a WMS.
Select the WMS to add. Click the Layers tab and click the New button under the tab. The Create a
new WMS Connection dialog box opens.
In the Name field, type a name for the web mapping imagery service. In the URL field, type (or
copy/paste) the URL for the service. If the service requires a user name and password, type them in
the fields provided. Click OK. The service adds to the drop-down menu for web mapping services
appearing just below the Labels tab.

Step 2
Step 3

Step 4

U.S. Census Bureau

Note: If working inside a firewall, the system may prompt for a user name and password to obtain
resources from outside the firewall.
Select the imagery service from the drop-down menu. The available layers appear in the
ID/Name/Title/Abstract box.
2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

Click on the layer to display, then click the Add button to add the service to the Table of Contents and
to the Map View window.
Note: The WMS displays on top of the other layers selected in the Map View, but participants can
move it by clicking the WMS layer and, while holding down the mouse button, dragging it to the
bottom of the Table of Contents.

If participants do not have access to a web mapping service, have a poor Internet connection,
or work under a restrictive firewall, they can still add other types of imagery files to GUPS (e.g.,
a county or state imagery dataset). The Add Imagery button automatically links to the USGS
and Esri imagery. Table 27 discusses the use of this button.
7.4.3.3 Add Raster Layer Button
The Add Raster Layer button allows participants to add imagery files they may have on their
own system. Table 31 covers the few steps necessary to add raster data, i.e., imagery files.
Step
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 31: Add Raster Layer Button
Action and Result
Click the Add Raster Layer button on the Manage Layers toolbar. The Open a GDAL Supported Raster
Data Source dialog box opens.
Navigate to the folder on the computer (or network) where the imagery file is stored.
Select the file and click Open. The file loads into the GUPS.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

PART THREE:

USING GUPS FOR 2020 CENSUS PSAP

This portion of the Respondent Guide includes guidance for the use of GUPS to conduct PSAP
review from the 2010 geographies. It provides specific instructions for using the GUPS tools to
review and perform updates on the relevant geographies. The methods for reviewing and
updating boundaries for tribal census tracts and tribal block groups are the same.
If your tribal entity falls beneath the population and housing unit thresholds to sustain more
than one tribal census tract and/or tribal block group, then it is likely there are no updates to
provide to the Census Bureau. Please proceed with a review of the tribal statistical geography
and CDP boundaries, but once it is determined that no update is necessary, notify the Census
Bureau by completing and returning the P-300 postcard that accompanied the delineation
materials. Conversely, if updates are certain, complete and return the same postcard notifying
the Census Bureau of forthcoming updates.
IMPORTANT: The Census Bureau does not expect a submission from tribal entities that do not make
updates to the existing 2010 statistical geographies. Only tribal entities with changes to
their statistical geographies need to perform the validation checks and file preparation
outlined in Chapters 8 and 9.

The next three chapters cover the following content:
Chapter 8. Review and Update of PSAP Geographies



Guidance for the review PSAP geographies.
Instruction for the update of each of the three tribal PSAP geographies.
o Tribal census tracts.
o Tribal block groups.
o Census designated places (CDPs).

Chapter 9. Validate Data and Prepare Files for Submission




Instructions for using the GUPS review tools to validate data.
o TSR Criteria Review Tool.
o Geography Review Tool.
o Review Change Polygon Tool.
Instructions to prepare files for submission.
o Export .zip files to share.
o Export .zip files to submit.

Chapter 10. Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM)



Instructions to establish account.
Instructions to submit files.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 8. REVIEW AND UPDATE OF PSAP GEOGRAPHIES
The Census Bureau requests participants evaluate land use characteristics and settlement
patterns to make informed decisions to resolve any issues with existing statistical geographies.
The Census Bureau recommends using two primary datasets within GUPS to perform the PSAP
review: the edges layer to determine the type of linear features used for boundaries and aerial
imagery to clarify questions on land use and settlement patterns.
A linear feature in the edges layer can be visible, such as a road or a shoreline, or non-visible,
such as the legal limits of a city or a parcel property line. Linear features are coded by type in
the MAF/TIGER database with an ‘MTFCC’, a 5-digit alphanumeric string such as ‘S1400’ (Local
Road) or ‘H3010’ (Stream/River), and are named where applicable (e.g. ‘Harley Ave.’ or ‘Little
Bend River’). While review is subjective, normalizing the methods of evaluation and features for
consideration help provide a framework for a consistent review and lays the foundation for
consistently reviewed geographies.
Mentioned in Table 27, aerial imagery is a background layer that pulls tiles from either the
National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) or Esri into the extent of the tribal entity in GUPS.
The NAIP dataset originates from the USGS National Map Orthoimagery service. Both USGS and
Esri imagery loads dynamically at the viewable scale in the QGIS map canvas. These images are
typically one-meter resolution, with some areas having access to sub-foot resolution imagery
and a few very remote places (typically interior Alaska) having coarser or even no available
imagery. With each pixel in the image corresponding to one square meter of ground surface,
determining land use classification through the presence or absence of vegetation, the type and
distribution of structures through identification of roofs, and major landmarks such as stadiums
is possible. At this resolution, participants are also able to verify placement of visible linear
features in the edge layer in most cases.
As important as understanding the GUPS mechanics and the PSAP criteria, the basic concepts of
utilizing imagery and understanding the linear features that comprise the statistical
geographies is vital to a successful 2020 Census PSAP.

8.1

Review of PSAP Geographies

Tribal participants may begin their review of the 2010 tribal statistical geographies by using the
tools and symbology built into GUPS. They may also utilize the Microsoft Excel 2010 population
and housing unit counts file (e.g., AIA_2010_Pop_and_Housing_counts.xlsx)
provided with the delineation materials outside of the GUPS environment to determine if any
of the tribal statistical geographies within their tribal entity fall outside of the criteria
thresholds.
The file includes all of the tribal statistical geographies for each tribal entity, so review it closely
to identify the tribal census tracts and tribal block groups falling outside of the recommended
thresholds. If geographies exist that fail to meet the recommended thresholds, participants
conduct their review and update within the Modify Area Feature tool. Follow the information
provided regarding criteria, guidelines, and boundary requirements within the appropriate
chapter in Part One (e.g., chapters 2 – 4).
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

If the tribal entity only includes one tribal census tract and one tribal block group that fall
beneath the thresholds, no updates are possible since each tribal entity will have at least one
set of tribal statistical geographies regardless of their population and housing unit counts.
Participants with only one tribal census tract and one tribal block group, and those without
threshold failures are encouraged to utilize GUPS, the paper maps, or the Adobe .pdf files to
review the existing boundaries of the statistical geographies. After completing a review and
confirming no updates are required, complete the delineation phase postcard (P-300) and
return it to the Census Bureau denoting no changes are forthcoming. Doing so concludes the
delineation phase participation.
Participants with a tribal entity large enough to contain more than one tribal census tract and
tribal block group must resolve all threshold failures that exist within the tribal entity, or must
provide justifications for not correcting the failures. Clearing the thresholds failures (above
maximum thresholds and below minimum thresholds of each of the statistical geographies) is
the minimum required to participate in PSAP. If time permits, a review of all of the statistical
geographies is encouraged as a form of validation of the existing statistical geographies.
To begin a review of the 2010 geographies, the Census Bureau suggests participants use the
Modify Area Feature tool, described in Section 8.2.1, to review and update the statistical
geographies that do not meet the required thresholds (whether population and/or housing).





Begin the review with tribal census tracts. Review and update the failures that are above the
criteria thresholds and then those that are below thresholds. Conduct the same review for the
tribal block groups, and finish with a review and update the CDPs, if applicable to the tribal area.
Time permitting, review the boundaries of the statistical geographies.
Execute the same three validation tools described in Section 7.4.2 and detailed in Chapter 9 the
TSR Criteria Review tool, the Review Change Polygons tool, and the Geography Review Tool.
Once satisfied with the geographies, export the files for submission to the Census Bureau.

Section 8.2 details the various steps necessary for updating the three tribal statistical
geographies.

8.2

Update of PSAP Geographies

Although this section of the guide focuses on updating statistical geographies to meet criteria
thresholds, there are some scenarios where it is better to maintain the existing geography
regardless of any changes that may have occurred since the last decennial census. Some
situations where this may be appropriate include the following:




Areas of historical significance.
Areas of seasonal or vacation housing (usually with skewed population and housing ratios).
Underlying problem with legal boundaries used as statistical boundaries.

8.2.1 Modify Area Feature Tool
The Modify Area Feature tool introduced in Section 7.4.2.1 enables participants to apply a
search filter to each PSAP geography to locate the entities that do not meet specified criteria
such as below minimum, above maximum, water, special land use, and AIR/ORTL/Hawaiian
Home Lands (HHL). It enables participants to perform specified actions such as merge,
boundary change and split to entities to meet criteria and thresholds.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

IMPORTANT: The Modify Area Feature tool is the main tool participants use to make changes to the
statistical geographies. All of the upcoming sections in this chapter reference use of this
tool.

Table 32 summarizes the different actions that the GUPS participant will be able to apply to
each of the geographies as well as the filter options and definitions of the population and
housing unit criteria.
Table 32: Modify Area Feature Actions by Statistical Geography
Geography

Action

Filter Options

Tribal
census
tract

Merge, Boundary
Change, Split by
Block Group, Split by
Face, and Change
Attribute.

No filter, Below
Minimum, Above
Maximum, Water,
Special Land Use

Tribal
block
group

Merge, Boundary
Change, Split, and
Change Attribute

No filter, Below
Minimum, Above
Maximum

Census
designated
place
(CDP)

Boundary Change,
New District, and
Change Attribute

No filter, Below
Minimum

Population and Housing
Units Criteria
Census tract is BELOW
the minimum population
(<1,200) OR housing unit
(< 480) threshold. Census
tract is ABOVE the
maximum population (>
8,000) or housing unit (>
3,200) threshold.
Block group is BELOW
the minimum population
(<600) OR housing unit (<
240) threshold. Block
group is ABOVE the
maximum population (>
3,000) or housing unit (>
1,200) threshold.

None, but must contain
some population,
housing units, or both.

Change Types
M for Merge, B for
Boundary Change, E
for Split, and G for
Attribute Change.
These codes manifest
most notably in the
Review Change
Polygons tool.
M for Merge, B for
Boundary Change, E
for Split, and G for
Attribute Change.
These codes manifest
most notably in the
Review Change
Polygons tool.
B for Boundary
Change, E for New
District (CDP), G for
Attribute Change, and
X for Deleted CDP.
These codes manifest
most notably in the
Review Change
Polygons tool.

Note: The Change Attribute choice is not within the Action drop-down menu, but appears
within the Modify Area Feature tool window above the Information section after a
participant selects the Geography and Action.

8.3

Tribal Census Tract Update Instructions

For 2020 Census PSAP, participants can split tribal census tracts, either by using entire tribal
block groups or by using individual faces (areas). They can merge tribal census tracts and
change tribal census tract boundaries, where the boundary has become errant. The external
boundary of tribal census tracts must remain concurrent with the boundary of the tribal entity.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

8.3.1 Select Tribal Census Tracts
Participants can change and modify tribal census tracts, which modifies block groups
automatically. Steps to select census tracts are included in Table 33.
Table 33: Select Tribal Census Tracts
Step

Action and Result

Step 1
Step 2

Download and review the data as described in Section 6.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Once loaded, GUPS displays all the data layers on the Map View formatted with color, style
and labels. For this example, the “Tribal_Census_Tract” is the tribal census tract layer, has two
different categories: Below or Above Threshold (both based on the total population and
number of housing units) and Normal Tribal Census Tract.

GUPS uses assorted colors to classify the tribal census tracts (and tribal block groups) by housing
units and population counts.
The entities grouped within the Below or Above Threshold category require local knowledge of
the land use, housing units’ type and population characteristics. Participants are required to
further review and either apply the necessary actions to change entities using the Census
requirements and guidelines. If no action is applied, participants must provide a Justification
to maintain the entity.
Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Modify Area Feature button to start editing the layers within the selected county.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

The Modify Area Feature dialog box displays in the center of the screen.

Step 6

The Census Bureau suggests participants move the Modify Area Feature window to the upper left
corner of the Map View. Moving the window allows the participant to have a full view of the map.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Geography drop-down menu to select Tribal
Census Tract.

Participants should start reviewing and editing first, the Tribal Census Tracts layer with above
maximum population counts or housing units, then the tribal census tracts with below minimum
population counts or housing units. Next review the Tribal Block Groups layer with above maximum
population counts or housing units, then the tribal block groups with below minimum population
counts or housing units. If time permits, the participants can review the CDPs.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 7

As noted earlier in Section 7.4.2.8, the Census Bureau strongly encourages the use of imagery to
review and update the geographies. To enable imagery, click the Add Imagery button and choose
the imagery source to display in the Map View.

Once selected the imagery displays in the Map View.

8.3.2 Split Tribal Census Tracts by Tribal Block Group
To resolve the tribal census tracts above the maximum threshold, participants can split tribal
census tracts by tribal block group within the failing tribal census tract. Splitting by tribal block
group is the first preference for splitting a tribal census tract with more than one tribal block
groups because it retains the boundaries of the new tract on features already in use for
statistical geographies (i.e., the tribal block groups). If participants wish to forgo a split and
retain the above threshold tribal census tract, they must provide a justification in the TSR
Criteria Review tool. Table 34 explains the steps to split a tribal census tract by tribal block
group(s).
Table 34: Split Tribal Census Tracts by Tribal Block Group
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Follow steps from Table 33: Select Tribal Census Tracts to open the project and select a tribal
census tract for editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Filter drop-down menu to select Above
Maximum (POP > 8000 or HU > 3200). This selects all tribal census tracts that have more than the
maximum number of housing units or total population. Change the Action drop-down to Split by
Tribal Block Group. This allows participants to split the census tract by block group(s).

Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Click Select Target Area button and click on the map to select a tribal census tract OR double click to
select a tribal census tract from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature window. The Map
View zooms to the selected tribal census tract to review for potential splitting and highlights it in
light blue/green color.

The housing and population totals displays on the bottom of the Modify Area Feature tool.
Step 4

Click the Select Feature(s) button with a single click on the Map View to select a single tribal block
group. Hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard and then click to select additional block groups as
needed. Participants can also click the Map View and drag the mouse to select multiple block
groups. The selected tribal block group(s) highlight and the housing units and population numbers
change dynamically. All of the population and housing for this tribal census tract appears to be in
this tribal block group.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the census tract threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 1,200 – 8,000 Optimum: 4,000
Housing: 480 – 3,200 Optimum: 1,600

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result
Participants are only able to select tribal block group(s) within the highlighted tribal census tract.
Selecting tribal block group(s) outside the highlighted area will result in an error message.

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Click OK to dismiss the error and continue.
If the selected tribal block group generates a valid new tribal census tract, click the Split by Block
Group button to create two new census tracts.

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS created the new tribal census tracts with new tribal
census tract numbers. If completed successfully, the two new tribal census tracts have no shading
(no red or green) unless they fall outside the acceptable ranges of population or housing unit
counts.
IMPORTANT: To reverse the split, prior to saving use the Undo button. Refer to Table 13 and
Table 18 for instructions on the Undo functionality.
Click the Save button to save the edits and update the project. The Current edits confirmation
dialog box asks to save the changes for all layer(s). For more information on saving, please refer to
Section 6.3, Save a Project in GUPS.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

8.3.3 Split Tribal Census Tract by Face
To resolve the tribal census tracts above the maximum threshold, participants can split tribal
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

census tracts by faces within the failing tribal census tract instead of by entire tribal block
groups. Locate the definition of faces in Appendix A. . When there is only one tribal block
group in a tract or where the tribal block groups do not reflect distinct land use areas, selecting
a split by faces is preferred. If participants wish to forgo a split and retain the above threshold
tribal census tract, they must provide a justification in the TSR Criteria Review tool.
When using this method for splitting a tribal census tract, there are two considerations. First,
determine if there are clear land use distinctions within a tract (e.g., single-family homes on
one side of the tract and multi-family apartments on the other). Conversely, there may be no
significant difference in the land use or land use may not be the primary consideration because
of overriding historical or linear feature factors. Either way, identifying a significant, visible,
relatively permanent feature to use to split is important. See Appendix G. for information
regarding acceptable features for use in splitting tracts. Table 35 explains the steps to split a
tribal census tract by faces.
Table 35: Split Tribal Census Tract by Face
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Follow steps from Table 33: Select Tribal Census Tracts to open the project and select a tribal
census tract for editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Filter drop-down menu to select Above
Maximum (POP > 8000 or HU > 3200). This selects all census tracts that have more than the
maximum number of housing units or total population. Change the Action drop-down to Split by
Face. This allows participants to split the census tract by faces (areas).

Step 2

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Note: No tribal census tracts in this tribal entity fall outside of the thresholds, so the Filter dropdown remains set to “No filter.” The remaining steps proceed without regard to the threshold for
the purpose of illustrating the tools.
As with the Split by Tribal Block Group step, click Select Target Area button and click on the map to
select a tribal census tract OR double click to select a tribal census tract from the Info column within
the Modify Area Feature window. The Map View zooms to the selected tribal census tract to review
for potential splitting and highlights it in light blue/green color. In order to conduct an accurate split
additional zooming may be necessary.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click the Select Features by Freehand button to select the faces (areas) to split the tribal census
tract. Left click the mouse on the starting point and drag the chasing line around the targeted area
then right-click the mouse to end the review the selected area. The selected faces highlight with a
yellow/green shade. Use of Select Features by Polygon instead of by freehand may be useful as
well. This step depicts imagery and the standard block groups outlined in pink.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the census tract threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 1,200 – 8,000 Optimum: 4,000
Housing: 480 – 3,200 Optimum: 1,600
Participants are only able to select faces (areas) within the highlighted tribal census tract. Selecting
faces outside the highlighted area will result in an error message.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

If the selected faces generate a valid new tribal census tract, click the Split by Face button to create
two new census tracts.

Step 6

IMPORTANT: To reverse the split, prior to saving use the Undo button. Refer to Table 13 and
Table 18 for instructions on the Undo functionality.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 7

Click the Save button to save the edits and update the project. The Current edits confirmation
dialog box asks to save the changes for all layer(s). For more information on saving, please refer to
Section 6.3, Save a Project in GUPS.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

8.3.4 Merge Tribal Census Tracts
To resolve the tribal census tracts below the minimum threshold, participants perform a merge
action or provide justification for retaining the tribal census tract without modification in the
TSR Criteria Review tool. Table 36 explains the steps to merge a tribal census tract.
Consider the following priorities while reviewing the tribal census tracts that may require a
merge.






Merge two tracts of similar land use across a minor feature. This retains outer boundaries for
historical comparison and ideally maintains continuity of housing type and demographics.
Merge two tracts of dissimilar land use across a minor feature. This is less than ideal, but avoids
creating tribal census tracts that span major landscape features.
Merge two tracts of similar land use across a major feature. This is less than ideal, but may
group areas of similar housing and demographic characteristics.
Merge two tracts of dissimilar land use across a major feature. The main benefit is to maintain
the outer boundaries for historical comparison, but runs the high risk of compromising
comparability of housing and population data within the new tract.
Alter boundary of below threshold tract to include tribal block groups of neighboring tract(s).
This method is highly discouraged because it changes the outer, historic boundaries of census
tracts.
Table 36: Merge Tribal Census Tracts

Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Follow steps from Table 33: Select Tribal Census Tracts to open the project and select a tribal
census tract for editing.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 2

Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Filter drop-down menu to select Below
Minimum (POP < 1200 or HU < 480). This filters all tribal census tracts that have less than the
minimum number of housing units or total population. Change the Action drop-down to Merge. This
allows participants to merge (or combine) the tribal census tracts falling below the minimum
requirements.

Step 3

Double click to select a tribal census tract from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature
window. The Map View zooms to the selected tribal census tract to review for a potential merge and
highlights it in light blue/green color. Navigate the Map View to locate the best neighboring tribal
census tract(s) to merge. Verify the tribal census tracts for historic relationships when possible.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click the Select Feature(s) button to select the tribal census tract(s) to use to merge with the below
minimum census tract. The newly selected tribal census tract(s) highlight in yellow. Zoom into the
selected tribal census tract to confirm the entirety of its selection. In this example, there is only one
additional tribal census tract to choose. If the participant wants to retain both tribal census tracts,
they must provide justification in the TSR Review Criteria tool.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the census tract threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 1,200 – 8,000 Optimum: 4,000
Housing: 480 – 3,200 Optimum: 1,600

The housing and population totals change dynamically while selecting tracts to merge, allowing
participants to see the results of the merge, prior to actually merging the tracts.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

If the selected tract(s) generate a valid new tribal census tract, or one that comes closer to meeting
the criteria thresholds, click the Merge button to create a new census tract.

Step 6

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS created the new tribal census tract with new tribal
census tract number.

To reverse the merge, prior to saving use the Undo button. Refer to Table 13 and Table 18 for
instructions on the Undo functionality.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 7

Use the Change Attribute button to modify the merged tract number that GUPS automatically
assigned if needed.

In the Change Attribute window, enter all the requested information for the following fields with a
red asterisk. Required information varies based on the type of geography.

Click OK to save the attribute change or Cancel to return to close the window without saving.
Note: The Justify field exists in the Change Attribute tool. This field also exists in the TSR Criteria
Review tool described in a later section. Character limit is 150 for this field.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 8

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

8.3.5 Change Tribal Census Tract Boundaries
Participants apply boundary changes to tribal census tracts in instances when the boundaries
are errant and no longer accurately reflect the real boundary or when the boundary does not
follow any visible features. Participants cannot change the tribal census tract boundary where it
follows a reservation and/or off-reservation trust land boundary, as tribal census tracts must
cover the entire area of (and nest within) the reservation and/or off-reservation trust land. If
the boundary of the tribal entity is incorrect, please report the boundary correction through the
annual Tribal BAS program. Consult Part One: in the Introduction of this document for details
on the BAS program. Quality checks and comparisons of tribal census tracts to the tribal
boundaries occur yearly to ensure the tribal census tracts align with the boundary of the tribal
entity in the Census Bureau systems.
See Section 8.3.5.1 for instructions to add linear features for use as tribal census tract
boundaries and Section 8.3.5.3 for instructions to delete linear features. The Boundary Change
action uses the faces layer to modify tribal census tracts. Linear features create faces. Table 37
explains the steps to change tribal census tract boundaries.
Table 37: Change Tribal Census Tract Boundaries
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Follow steps from Table 33: Select Tribal Census Tracts to open your dataset and select a tribal
census tract for editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the drop-down Action menu to select Boundary
Change.

Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

100

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click the Select Features By Freehand button to select the faces to use for boundary change.

The selected faces highlight in yellow. This step depicts imagery.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the census tract threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 1,200 – 8,000 Optimum: 4,000
Housing: 480 – 3,200 Optimum: 1,600
The housing and population totals change dynamically while selecting faces to alter the tribal census
tract boundary, allowing participants to see the results of the change, prior to actually modifying the
boundary.
Selecting noncontiguous faces from the selected tribal census tract result in geographic errors.
Participants must correct contiguity errors or provide justification for retaining the pieces prior to
submitting their data to the Census Bureau.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

101

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

Click the Add Area button to apply boundary change to the selected tribal census tract. The housing
increased from 2,361 to 2,388 and population increased from 6,653 to 6,737.

A window displays requesting participants select the tribal block group to add the selected faces. The
Map View displays the potential tribal block group in the drop-down menu. After selecting the
appropriate tribal block group, click OK to add the selected faces to the selected tribal block group
highlighted on the map.

Note: GUPS highlights each tribal block group as selected, allowing the participant to choose the
adjacent one. Be mindful that this step can introduce contiguity errors.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

102

Step

Action and Result

Step 6

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS captured the boundary change properly for the tribal
census tract.

Step 7

To reverse the boundary change, simply add the area back to the original tribal census tract or
perform the Undo action prior to saving. Refer to Table 13 and Table 18 for instructions on the
Undo functionality.
Click the Save button to save the edits and update the project. The Current edits confirmation
dialog box asks to save the changes for all layer(s). For more information on saving, please refer to
Section 6.3, Save a Project in GUPS.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

103

8.3.5.1 Add Linear Feature
The addition of new or missing linear features may be necessary to form faces in order to
modify all of the statistical geographies. While it may be tempting to add all missing linear
features, with the time constraints of PSAP, focus first on adding only the linear features
necessary to split statistical geographies or form new statistical geographies. Participants must
utilize the Add Imagery button within GUPS for digitizing reference and may use the Internet
Map Service button to provide a secondary source/visual of the area. Table 18 describes the
use of both buttons. Review Table 38 for a detailed example.
IMPORTANT: Do not add linear features without the assistance of imagery.
Table 38: Add Linear Feature
Step

Action and Result

Step 1
Step 2

Download and review the data as described in Section 6.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Follow steps from Table 33: Select Tribal Census Tracts to open the existing project. Zoom to the
area to add linear features. Ensure imagery is enabled as described in Step 7 of that table.

Step 3

Click the Internet Map Service button.

An Internet Map Service window appears asking participants to select a point on the map to enable
Internet Map Service.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

104

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click a point in the Map View near the missing feature(s) to select the targeted area from which to
launch the internet service. Another Internet Map Service window appears to select either Google
Maps or Bing Maps.

After selected, click OK and a new internet tab or session opens to the targeted section chosen in
Step 4.

Step 5

Click the Add Linear Feature button from within the PSAP toolbar.

Step 6

Zoom in to a proper scale for adding the linear feature.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

105

Step

Action and Result

Step 7

In the Map View, left-click the mouse button to start adding the linear feature. Continue to left-click
to add nodes as necessary to add shape to the road. To complete the linear feature, right-click.
An Add Linear Feature window appears to enter the required MTFCC and a Name.

Step 8

From the MTFCC drop-down menu, select the proper code for the newly added feature. In this
example, choose S1400.

The Name field activates after choosing the MTFCC. Enter the name and click OK.

Step 9

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Save button to save the changes. Continue with the same steps to add any additional linear
features.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

106

8.3.5.2 Modify Linear Feature Attributes
Participants can modify the attributes of linear features by using the Modify Linear Feature
Attributes button within the PSAP toolbar. This may be necessary to correct errors in existing
feature names or correct errant MTFCC codes. See Table 39 for an example.
Table 39: Modify Linear Feature Attributes
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Locate the linear feature to modify. Select the Modify Linear Feature Attributes button in the PSAP
toolbar.

Step 2

In the Map View, left-click the linear feature to modify. A Modify Linear Feature Attributes window
appears.

Step 3

Change the MTFCC or the FULLNAME of the feature. Click the Save button to save the modification.

8.3.5.3 Delete/Restore Linear Feature
GUPS allows participants to delete linear features and/or restore recently deleted features
since the last save process by using the Delete/Restore Linear Feature button within the PSAP
toolbar. Review Table 40 for examples of both deleting and restoring a linear feature.
Table 40: Delete/Restore Linear Feature
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Locate the linear feature to delete. Select the Delete/Restore Linear Feature button in the PSAP
toolbar.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

107

Step

Action and Result

Step 2

In the Map View, left-click the linear feature to delete. A Delete/Restore Linear Feature window
appears.

Step 3

Click OK to proceed with deletion of the selected feature.
If the feature selected forms the boundary of an existing entity, GUPS displays the following
warning message.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

108

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

The feature is marked for deletion and displays in GUPS with the “X” character along the entire
feature. Imagery disabled in order to better view the “X” characters.

Step 5

GUPS uses the same tool to restore the deleted feature if the deletion was in error. Enable the
Delete/Restore Linear Feature button. Select the feature marked for deletion from the previous
step. A Delete/Restore Linear Feature window appears asking for confirmation to restore the
linear feature.

Click OK to restore the feature.
Click the Save button to save the changes.

Step 6

8.4

Tribal Block Group Update Instructions

Participants can split tribal block groups by face, merge tribal block groups, and change tribal
block group boundaries. Part One: outlines the criteria and background for updating tribal block
groups, while Part Two: introduced the tools for updating. This section provides detailed
examples for performing the aforementioned updates of splitting, merging, and changing
boundaries.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

109

IMPORTANT: Participants may renumber the tribal block groups using the Renumbering Tool in the
PSAP toolbar. If participants want to renumber to avoid any gaps in the numbering of
tribal block groups, execute the tool after all work on the tribal block group geography
concludes. Do not execute the tool, if participants wish to retain the existing tribal block
group numbering.

8.4.1 Select Tribal Block Group
Participants can change and modify tribal block groups. This is the second priority for
participants’ review after reviewing and updating tribal census tracts. However, there may be
instances where the tribal census tracts remain within specified thresholds, but tribal blocks
groups require updating due to population and housing changes. In those cases, participants
begin with a review of the tribal block groups. Steps to select a tribal block group to begin a
review are included in Table 41.
Table 41: Select Tribal Block Group
Step

Action and Result

Step 1
Step 2

Download and review the data as described in Section 6.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Follow steps from Table 33: Select Tribal Census Tracts to open the existing project. After
completing Steps 1 – 4 (step 5 only appears with the initial setup), modify Step 6 by clicking the
Modify Area Feature, Geography drop-down menu and selecting Tribal Block Group. Enable the
imagery as described in Step 7 in order to visualize and orient to the block group(s) under
review.

8.4.2 Split a Tribal Block Group
To resolve the tribal block groups above the maximum threshold, participants split block groups
by faces within the problematic block group, ideally into two equal parts. Participants are
encouraged to use one of two options when splitting tribal block groups. Either split the block
group into geometrically equal parts or split according to land use areas. Table 42 explains the
steps to split a block group.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

110

Table 42: Split Tribal Block Group
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Follow steps from Table 41: Select Tribal Block Group to open the project and select tribal block
groups for editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the drop-down Filter menu to select Above
Maximum (POP > 3000 or HU > 1200). This will select all tribal block groups that have more than
the maximum number of houses/people. Change the Action drop-down to Split. This allows
participants to split the block group by faces (areas).

Step 2

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Note: No tribal block groups in this tribal entity fall outside of the thresholds, so the Filter dropdown remains set to “No filter.” The remaining steps proceed without regard to the threshold for
the purpose of illustrating the tools.
Double click to select a tribal block group from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature
window. The Map View zooms to the selected tribal block group to review for potential splitting
and highlights it. An additional zoom level, performed by using the Zoom In button on the
Standard toolbar, is necessary to visualize the area to split.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

111

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click the Select Features by Freehand button to select the faces to use to split the tribal block
group. Left click the mouse on the starting point and drag the chasing line around the targeted
area then right-click the mouse to end the review the selected area. The selected faces highlight
with a yellow/green shade, likely distorted by the shading of a tribal block group or tribal census
tract.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

112

Step

Action and Result
Participants are only able to select faces (areas) within the highlighted tribal block group.
Selecting faces outside the highlighted area will result in an error message.

Step 6

U.S. Census Bureau

If the selected faces generate a valid new tribal block group, click the Split button to create two
new tribal block groups.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

113

Step

Action and Result

Step 7

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS created the new tribal block groups with new block
group labels (4610T00100E and 4610T00100F).

Step 8

To reverse the split, prior to saving use the Undo button. Refer to Table 13 and Table 18 for
instructions on the Undo functionality.
Click the Save button to save the edits and update the project. The Current edits confirmation
dialog box asks to save the changes for all layer(s). For more information on saving, please refer
to Section 6.3, Save a Project in GUPS.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

8.4.3 Merge Tribal Block Groups
To resolve the tribal block groups below the minimum threshold, participants perform a merge
action by merging neighboring tribal block groups or provide a justification in the TSR Criteria
Review tool for retaining the below threshold tribal block groups. If both the tribal block group
and its tribal census tract are outside of thresholds, resolve the tribal census tract first. Because
tribal block groups nest within tribal census tracts, the higher-level tribal census tract changes
affect how participants resolve tribal block group errors. The historical comparability is not a
concern for tribal block groups as it is for tribal census tracts, so participants have more
freedom to make boundary corrections and reorganize existing tribal block groups to meet
criteria thresholds. Table 43 explains the steps to merge a tribal block group.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

114

Table 43: Merge Tribal Block Group
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Follow steps from Table 41: Select Tribal Block Group to open the project and select a tribal
block group for editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Filter drop-down menu to select Below
Minimum (POP < 600 or HU < 240). This selects all tribal block groups that have less than the
minimum number of housing units or total population. Change the Action drop-down to Merge.
This allows participants to merge (or combine) the tribal block groups falling below the minimum
requirements.

Step 2

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Double click to select a tribal block group from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature
window. The Map View zooms to the selected tribal block group to review for potential merging
and highlights it.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

115

Step 4

Click the Select Feature(s) to select the tribal block group(s) to use to merge with the below
minimum tribal block group. The newly selected block group(s) highlight in yellow.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the block group threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 600 – 3,000
Housing: 240 – 1,200

The housing and population totals change dynamically while selecting tribal block groups to
merge, allowing participants to see the results of the merge, prior to actually completing the
merge.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

116

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

If the selected tribal block group(s) generate a valid new tribal block group, click the Merge
button to create a new tribal block group.

Step 6

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS created the new tribal block group with new block
group letter.

To reverse the merge, prior to saving use the Undo button. Refer to Table 13 and Table 18 for
instructions on the Undo functionality.

Step 7

Step 8
U.S. Census Bureau

Note: Execute the Renumbering Tool after all work on the tribal entity is complete. Do not
execute it after editing each tribal block group. If a tribal entity submission includes gaps in the
block group numbering, the Census Bureau will confirm with the participant whether they want
the tribal block groups renumbered or whether they forgot to execute the tool. Pending the
answer, the Census Bureau will renumber the tribal block groups prior to creation of the
verification products or they will retain the existing tribal block group numbering.
Consider using the Change Attribute button within the Modify Area Feature tool to edit the
tribal block group letter assigned by GUPS, or use the Renumbering Tool in the PSAP toolbar to
renumber all of the tribal block groups at the conclusion of all tribal block group updates.
Click the Save button to save the edits and update the project. The Current edits confirmation
2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

117

Step

Action and Result
dialog box asks to save the changes for all layer(s). For more information on saving, please refer
to Section 6.3, Save a Project in GUPS.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

8.4.4 Change Tribal Block Group Boundaries
Participants can apply boundary changes to tribal block group boundaries when the housing
units and or the populations are below the required thresholds, when the boundary does not
follow any visible features, or when the boundaries shown in GUPS are errant and no longer
accurately reflect the real boundary. The Census Bureau will likely accept small revisions to
tribal block group boundaries, but will likely deny boundary changes that affect a large amount
of population in the affected tribal block groups.
As with tribal census tracts, the boundary change action uses the faces layer to modify tribal
block groups. Table 44 explains the steps to change block group boundaries.
Table 44: Change Tribal Block Group Boundaries
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Follow steps from Table 41: Select Tribal Block Group to open your dataset and select a tribal block
group for editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the drop-down Action menu to select Boundary
Change.

Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

118

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Double click to select a tribal block group from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature
window. The Map View zooms to the selected tribal block group to review for a potential boundary
change.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

119

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click the Select Feature(s) button to select the faces to use for boundary change.

The selected faces from T00300D highlight in yellow.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the block group threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 600 – 3,000
Housing: 240 – 1,200
GUPS does not allow for the selection of faces outside of the active tribal census tract. This means
the faces must be within the same tribal census tract as the tribal block group.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

120

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

Click the Add Area button to apply boundary change to the selected tribal block group.

The housing and population numbers dynamically adjust prior to finalizing the boundary change
(change from 698 and 1,703 to 766 and 1,820 respectively).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

121

Step

Action and Result

Step 6

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS captured the boundary change properly for the tribal
block group.

To reverse the boundary change, simply add the area back to the original tribal block group or
perform the Undo action prior to saving. Refer to Table 13 and Table 18 for instructions on the
Undo functionality.
Click the Save button to save the edits and update the project. The Current edits confirmation
dialog box asks to save the changes for all layer(s). For more information on saving, please refer to
Section 6.3, Save a Project in GUPS.

Step 7

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

8.5

Census Designated Places (CDPs) Update Instructions

Tribal participants can perform boundary changes to existing CDPs that fall either on or off the
reservations and/or off-reservation trust lands. Performing a boundary change adds faces to, or
removes faces from, existing CDPs. Participants can add new CDPs, delete existing CDPs, and
they can perform attribute updates on existing CDPs. CDPs may exist on the tribal entity land or
may be located off the reservation and in the county in which the tribal entity exists.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

122

As a reminder from Part One: of this document, the Census Bureau recommends CDP
boundaries follow visible features, except in circumstances where the boundary is coincident
with the nonvisible boundary of a state, county, minor civil division, or incorporated place.

8.5.1 Select Census Designated Place (CDP)
Steps to select a CDP to begin a review are included in Table 45.
Table 45: Select Census Designated Place
Step

Action and Result

Step 1
Step 2

Download and review the data as described in Section 6.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Follow steps from Table 33: Select Tribal Census Tracts to open your dataset. After completing
Steps 1 – 4 (step 5 only appears with the initial setup), modify Step 6 by clicking the Modify Area
Feature, Geography drop-down menu and selecting Census Designated Place (CDP). Enable the
imagery as described in Step 7 in order to visualize and orient to the CDP(s) under review.

8.5.2 Boundary Change – Add Area (CDP)
Participants can perform boundary changes to CDPs by adding new area or removing an
existing area. The Boundary Change action uses the faces layer to modify CDPs. CDP boundaries
must follow physical boundaries (with some exceptions as mentioned in Chapter 4), so the use
of imagery when performing this action is vital. If the addition of area dictates an attribute
change, refer to the Change Attribute section for details on modifying the name of existing
CDPs. Table 46 explains the steps to add area to an existing CDP.
Table 46: Boundary Change – Add Area (CDP)
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Follow steps from Table 45: Select Census Designated Place to open the project and select Census
Designated Places for editing.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

123

Step

Action and Result

Step 2

Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Action drop-down menu to select Boundary
Change.

Step 3

Double click to select a CDP from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature window. The
Map View zooms to the selected CDP to review and highlights it.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

124

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click the Select Feature(s) button to select the faces to add to the CDP. Participants can choose any
of the four choices beneath the Select Feature(s) button to accomplish the modification to the CDP.

The housing and population numbers adjust dynamically with the removal of area. This changed
from 219 housing and 451 populations to 254 and 535 respectively. The selected faces highlight in
yellow.

Note: The selected faces are outside of the CDP boundary because this is an add action.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

125

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

Click the Add Area button to apply boundary change (addition of faces/areas) to the selected CDP.

Step 6

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS captured the boundary change properly for the CDP.
Zoom to the proper scale for viewing if the area added is small. If the boundary change is incorrect,
Section 8.5.3 explains the process for removing area from a CDP.

To reverse the boundary change, simply remove the area or perform the Undo action prior to
saving. Refer to Table 13 and Table 18 for instructions on the Undo functionality.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

126

Step

Action and Result

Step 7

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

8.5.3 Boundary Change – Remove Area (CDP)
Participants can perform boundary changes to CDPs by adding new area or removing an
existing area. The Boundary Change action uses the faces layer to modify CDPs. CDP boundaries
must follow physical boundaries (with some exceptions as mentioned in Chapter 4), so the use
of imagery when performing this action is vital. If the removal of area dictates an attribute
change, refer to the Change Attribute section for details on modifying the name of existing
CDPs.
This section covers removing area from an existing CDP. Table 47 explains the steps to remove
area from an existing CDP.
Table 47: Boundary Change – Remove Area (CDP)
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Follow steps from Table 45: Select Census Designated Place to open the project and select Census
Designated Places for editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Action drop-down menu to select Boundary
Change.

Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

127

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Double click to select a CDP from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature window. The
Map View zooms to the selected CDP to review and highlights it.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

128

Step

Action and Result

Step 6

Click the Select Feature(s) button to select the faces to remove from the CDP. Participants can
choose any of the four choices beneath the Select Features button to accomplish the modification
to the CDP.

The housing and population numbers adjust dynamically with the removal of area. This changed
from 254 housing and 535 populations to 219 and 451 respectively. The selected faces highlight in
green.

Note: The selected faces are inside of the CDP boundary because this is a remove action.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

129

Step

Action and Result

Step 7

Click the Remove Area button to apply boundary change (removal of faces/areas) from the selected
CDP.

Step 8

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS captured the boundary change properly for the CDP.
Zoom to the proper scale if the area is small. If the boundary change is incorrect, the previous
section on Boundary Change explains the process for adding area to a CDP.

To reverse the boundary change, simply add the area back to the CDP or perform the Undo action
prior to saving. Refer to Table 13 and Table 18 for instructions on the Undo functionality.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

130

Step

Action and Result

Step 9

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

8.5.4 New District – Add Entity (Add a new CDP)
Participants can add new CDPs as part of their PSAP work. As with adding area or removing area
from an existing CDP, the New District action uses the faces layer to add new CDPs. CDP
boundaries must follow physical boundaries (with some exceptions as mentioned in Chapter 4),
so the use of imagery when performing this action is vital.
This section covers adding a new CDP. Table 48 explains the steps to add new CDP using the
faces layer.
Table 48: Add a new Census Designated Place (CDP)
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Follow steps from Table 45: Select Census Designated Place to open the project and select
Census Designated Places for editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Action drop-down menu to select New
District.

Step 2

View the existing CDPs in the Map View window and determine if any are missing.
To determine if a CDP is missing, use the Zoom In button and the Pan button on the Standard
toolbar to zoom and pan around the tribal entity.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

131

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Click the Select Feature(s) button to select the faces to add to the new CDP. Participants can
choose any of the four choices beneath the Select Feature(s) button to accomplish the creation
of the new CDP.

The selected faces highlight in yellow. This step depicts imagery.

Note: Select faces that do not belong to an existing CDP area.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

132

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click the Add Entity button to create a new CDP.

Step 5

The Modify Area Feature window opens. Enter the Name of the newly created CDP and then click
the OK button.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

133

Step

Action and Result

Step 6

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS captured the new CDP properly. Zoom to the proper
scale to confirm the boundaries and area of the CDP. If CDP is incorrect, the previous two
sections on Boundary Change explain the process to use for modifying the newly created CDP.

Step 7

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

134

8.5.5 Boundary Change – Delete Area Feature (Delete an existing CDP)
Participants can delete existing CDPs as part of their PSAP work. Before deleting an existing
CDP, participants should ensure that none of the characteristics described in Chapter 4 exist for
the CDP under consideration for deletion. Presence of those characteristics leads to retention
of the existing CDP. Pending review of the submission, the Census Bureau may disapprove of
the deletion and retain CDPs proposed for deletion by participants.
This section covers deleting an existing CDP. Table 49 explains the steps to remove an existing
CDP.
Table 49: Boundary Change – Delete Area Feature (Delete an existing CDP)
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Follow steps from Table 45: Select Census Designated Place to open the project and select
Census Designated Places for editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Action drop-down menu to select Boundary
Change.

Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

135

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Double click to select the CDP to delete from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature
window. The Map View zooms to the selected CDP to review and highlights it. This step depicts
imagery.

Step 4

Click the Delete Area Feature button to delete the CDP from the list.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

136

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

The Modify Area Feature confirmation dialog box displays to verify the deletion of this area
feature. Click OK if satisfied with the deletion. Click Cancel to discard the deletion.

Step 6

Step 7

For this example, click the OK button to continue.
Refer to the Modify Area Feature tool to verify that GUPS deleted the CDP (Oak Creek CDP is not
listed below) and the Table of Contents to confirm the presence of the deleted CDP in the layer of
the same name. Zoom to the proper scale to confirm the deletion. If participants decide the CDP
deletion was incorrect, they should perform the Undo action prior to saving. If they save and then
realize a mistake, the previous section on New District – Add Entity (Add a new CDP) explains the
process to use for adding the deleted CDP back into the tribal entity.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

137

8.5.6 Boundary Change – Change Attributes (CDP)
Using the Boundary Change action, participants can perform attribute updates on existing
CDPs. Attributes that can be modified include the NAME, JUSTIFY, and JSTFY_NAME fields.
Refer to Chapter 4 for naming rules and recommendations. When a participant changes an
existing CDP name or creates a new CDP, then the JSTFY_NAME field becomes required. The
participant uses the field to provide reasoning for the chosen name. Participants may also use
the JUSTIFY field to provide additional reasoning for the name change to an existing CDP or
creating a new CDP. If participants make substantial changes to the boundaries of an existing
CDP, then the Census Bureau recommends the modification of the name or a strong
justification for retaining the name. Table 50 explains the steps to change the attributes an
existing CDP where no changes, other than the name, are necessary.
Table 50: Boundary Change – Change Attributes (CDP)
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Follow steps from Table 45: Select Census Designated Place to open the project and select
Census Designated Places for editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Action drop-down menu to select Boundary
Change.

Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

138

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Double click to select the CDP to modify from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature
window. The Map View zooms to the selected CDP and highlights it.

Step 4

Click the Change Attribute button to modify the CDPs attributes.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

139

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

The Modify Area Feature window displays. Enter the required data (fields with the red asterisks).
GUPS pre- populates the Name field with the selected CDP name and the LSAD field defaults to
the geography selected. In this case, CDP. The NAME, JUSTIFY, and JSTFY_NAME fields can be
updated.
When finished, press OK.

Note: To change the name of an existing CDP, follow the CDP naming criteria outline in
Chapter 4. Participants must provide justification such as the community has officially renamed
(e.g., Tyson’s Corner VA rebranded itself as Tysons VA). Signage and other proof should exist to
confirm the renaming.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

140

CHAPTER 9. VALIDATE DATA AND PREPARE FILES FOR SUBMISSION
As introduced in Part Two:, GUPS provides validation tools to help review and validate the
updates made to statistical geographies by participants. The next three sections describe the
three tools necessary to validate the PSAP data prior to submission to the Census Bureau: TSR
Criteria Review Tool, the Review Change Polygons Tool, and the Geography Review Tool. Each
of the three tools function differently to give participants the opportunity to verify, fix, justify,
and assure the quality of the final exported project. GUPS also provides the Export to Zip
Button, to prepare data for sharing with other reviewers and/or submitting to the Census
Bureau.
The Census Bureau recommends executing these tools in the order presented for the next
three sections. Run the TSR Criteria Review Tool first, then the Review Change Polygons Tool,
and finish with the Geography Review Tool.
IMPORTANT: If, after conducting a review, participants determine no updates are necessary, skip to
Part Four: to learn more about the next steps for 2020 Census PSAP.

9.1

TSR Criteria Review Tool

Participants use the TSR Criteria Review tool to generate a list of threshold failures and correct
(labeled as “fix” in the tool) the failures or provide a justification for the failure. GUPS colorcodes the list of failures: Participants must correct red errors in tribal census tracts and tribal
block groups. They must correct orange errors or justify them to remain as such. Participants
can correct the issues or provide a justification of their own to retain the geography based on
local knowledge. Run this required check before creating a data output file for submission to
the Census Bureau. Part Two, Section 7.4.2.4, introduced this tool.
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Table 51: TSR Criteria Review Tool Button
Action and Result
Download and Review the data as described in Section 6.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Click the TSR Criteria Review button.

A TSR Criteria Review dialog box opens to inform participants that it is actively reviewing the population
and housing unit criteria for all the Geographic entities in the tribal entity. Once the tool has run, the TSR
Criteria Review window displays the remaining issues. Participants can choose to display the list by
Geography type, error type, or display all the geographies. The list contains the geographic entities that
do not meet thresholds or missing other requirements such as noncontiguous entities.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

141

Step
Step 3

Step 4

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
If the exceedance of the threshold as displayed in the Criteria Fail is justified, select the justification
using the drop-down button in the Justify attribute field. Choose one of the pre-determined
justifications or enter something unique. There is a 150-character limit to this field. Be sure to save
frequently by clicking the Save Justifications button at the bottom of the window.

Note: Many of the tribal participants AIR/ORTL fall beneath the threshold criteria and there is no
geographic resolution that will correct the failure. Choosing the first justification is the best choice in
those instances, as there is no way to “fix” the geography. In other instances, growth or planned
growth is expected or the 2010 figures supplied by the Census Bureau are incorrect per the tribal
participant.
If the failure needs correction, click the Fix button for any of the geographic entities within the TSR
Criteria Review window list, GUPS zooms to the Map View of the selected geographic entity, opens the
Modify Area Feature tool, and then selects the entity within the Modify Area Feature window. From
here, choose an Action within the Modify Area Feature tool and perform the edits necessary to meet the
requirements and resolve the failure (merge or split). Refer to Section 7.4.2.1, the Modify Area Feature
tool section, for detail on its functionality.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

142

Step
Step 5

9.2

Action and Result
Once participants correct or justify all failures, participants can close the tool by clicking the “x” in the top
right hand corner of the window. Refreshing the window is beneficial as work is underway. Click the
Refresh button at the bottom of the window next to the Save Justifications button to refresh the results
of executing the tool.

Review Change Polygons Tool

The Review Change Polygons tool reviews transaction polygons for tribal census tracts, tribal
block groups, and CDPs. It provides a list of their applied changes (boundary changes, splits,
merges). Participants use this tool to check the general accuracy of the change polygons in the
Map View by clicking each change within the list. Part Two, Section 7.4.2.3, introduced this
tool.
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Table 52: Review Change Polygon Tool Button
Action and Result
Download and review the data as described in Section 6.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Click the Review Change Polygons button.

The Review Change Polygons dialog box opens just beneath the Table of Contents. The dialog box
can be moved anywhere, even out of the GUPS window onto a dual monitor. It does not have to
remain beneath the Table of Contents.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

143

Step
Step 3

Action and Result
Select the statistical geography to review from the Geography drop-down menu.

Step 4

The full list of geographies with modifications appear after selecting the geography to review. For
this example, Tribal Census Tract is the selected geography. The review change polygons list
includes only the “new entity” records for a tribal census tract split. The CDP geography choice
shows a boundary correction. The type of changes varies based on the geography selected. See
Table 32 for information on change types. The Change Type field shown below depicts a single
letter, where “E” denotes a split, “M” denotes a merge, “B” denotes a boundary change, and “G”
denotes an attribute change.

Refresh the change polygon list by switching geography types. Doing so repopulates the list with
the current list of polygon changes.
Step 5

U.S. Census Bureau

To view a change polygon on the map, click the row for the polygon in the Info list. The polygon
highlights and the map zooms to the location.
2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

144

Step
Step 6

Action and Result
To correct a mistake (e.g., correct a noncontiguous polygon or sliver missed during the
splitting/merging of a geography), or review changes made during the participant’s review (e.g.,
creation of a new CDP), click on the Modify Area Feature button on the PSAP toolbar and make
the correction. Refer to Section 8.2.1, Modify Area Feature Tool, for the instructions.
Click the Save button to save the edits and update the project. The Current edits confirmation
dialog box asks to save the current changes for all layers. For more information on saving, please
refer to Section 6.3, Save a Project in GUPS.

Step 7

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.
Upon completion of the review and update to the geographies, click the Close button in the Review
Change Polygons window to close the tool.

Step 8

9.3

Geography Review Tool

The Geography Review Tool provides access to the attribute tables of some of the layers
displayed in the Table of Contents. It filters the map layers based on field values in the attribute
table. This tool provides an overall review of the new or deleted entities, or the entities with
boundary changes. The Census Bureau recommends the use of this tool, rather than directly
editing the various statistical geographies attribute tables. Part Two, Section 7.4.2.2,
introduced this tool.
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Table 53: Geography Review Tool Button
Action and Result
Download and review the data as described in Section 6.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Click the Geography Review Tool button on the PSAP toolbar.

The Geography Review Tool dialog box opens.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

145

Step
Step 3

Action and Result
In the Layer Name: field drop-down menu, select the data layer to view.

The geography (e.g., layers) modified during PSAP that need to be reviewed are as follows (listed in
alpha order, not priority order):
 Census designated places (Census_Designated_Place, if they exist in the counties within
which the tribal entity falls).
 Tribal block groups (Tribal_Block_Groups)
 Tribal census tracts (Tribal_Census_Tract)
Once selected, the attribute table for the layer opens, with the individual geographies (each tribal
census tract for this example) in separate rows and specific attributes displayed in separate columns.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

146

Step

Action and Result
If columns are not visible in the attribute data table, drag the edge of the dialog box outward to
widen the view, or move the dialog box to another location by clicking inside the box and dragging it.

Step 4

Use the Search feature at the bottom of the dialog box to filter the table layers by specific attributes
(e.g., full name, MTFCC, change type, etc.). This example uses CHNG_TYPE.

Step 5

U.S. Census Bureau

Participants can run this tool with this specific column name selected to identify the changes made
during their review.
In the drop-down menu next to the Column Name, select the attribute value by which to filter and
click the Search button. This example uses E – New Entity / New District as the attribute value. Based
on the column name choice and attribute value chosen, the search filters the attribute table to show
the rows for the new tribal census tracts. Leaving the attribute value blank would return all records
with a value in the CHNG_TYPE field.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

147

Step
Step 6

Action and Result
Selecting the record from the attribute table activates the Zoom menu and quickly zooms the map view to the
selection.
To return to the attribute table to see the full (un-filtered) layer, click the Refresh button in the upper
right-hand corner of the dialog box.
Note: When filtering the table by some attributes (e.g., state and county FIPS code or MTFCC), no
drop-down menu appears from which to select.
Some attribute codes are too numerous to make scrolling through a list practical. Instead participants
receive a blank box in which they may type the search value. For example, if filtering the area
landmarks layer by MTFCC and want to see hospitals in the layer, type in the MTFCC for hospitals
(K1231), and then click Search.

Step 7
Step 8

9.4

Export to Zip Button

When creating export .zip files, participants have two options. They may export the file to share
with another reviewer or they may export the file for submission to the Census Bureau. In
either case, GUPS automatically names the output .zip file, packages all the files required by the
Census Bureau (including any documentation uploaded into GUPS) into the .zip file, and saves it
in a preset location created on the computer during the installation process. Part Two, Section
7.4.2.6, introduced this tool. This section repeats much of the information presented earlier,
but serves as a closure to Chapter 8.

9.4.1 Export to Zip – Share with Another Participant
To export a file to share with another participant, follow the steps in Table 54. A participant
might find this functionality useful if they split the review work of geographies among staff; i.e.,
someone reviews the tribal census tracts and tribal block groups, while someone else reviews
the CDPs or if a supervisor wishes to review work of their staff.
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Table 54: Export a File to Share with Another Participant
Action and Result
Download and review the data as described in Section 6.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Click the Export to Zip button.

The Select Output Type dialog box opens.

Click the Share with Another Participant radio button. Then click OK.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

148

Step
Step 3

Action and Result
The Export to Zip dialog box opens. GUPS generates a .zip file, stores it in the output directory
that the GUPS installer placed on the computer during the installation process, and gives it a
name that includes “DataDirectory.” Ignore the long path name for the file export. This is the
current Census Bureau setup.

Step 4

If participants click Yes, as shown in this example, GUPS automatically opens a windows explorer
to the output folder location on the computer. If they click No, the Export to Zip dialog box closes.

Step 5

Participants may now share the file with others who would then use the Import Project ZIP file
button in the Map Management window or the Import County Zip button on the PSAP
toolbar to open the shared .zip file as described in Section 7.4.2.5.

9.4.2 Export to Zip – Export for Census
To export a file to submit to the Census Bureau as the final submission for any tribal entity,
follow the steps in Table 55.
IMPORTANT: The Census Bureau accepts complete submissions for each tribal entity and will not
accept partial submissions. This means a participant cannot submit a .zip file when they
complete their review and update of tribal census tracts, then submit another .zip file to
include their review and update of the tribal block groups. A tribal entity must be totally
complete in order to be submitted for processing to the Census Bureau. If a participant
splits work among reviewers, ensure all the work is complete prior to executing this
button and submission of the .zip file to the Census Bureau. Additionally, participants
may not mix updates on paper maps and in GUPS.

Step

Table 55: Export Files for Submission to the Census Bureau
Action and Result

Step 1

Click the Export to Zip button.

The Select Output Type dialog box opens with two options, as shown in Table 54.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

149

Step

Action and Result

Step 2
Step 3

Select the Export for Census radio button. Click OK.
A GUPS User Contact Information window opens with the Export for Census option. It requests
contact information from the participant. All fields denoted with a red star are required for
submission. Completion of this information helps the Census Bureau communicate with the
participant should any questions or issues arise.

Step 4

Following the completion of the GUPS User Contact Information, the Export to Zip dialog box opens.
GUPS generates a .zip file, stores it in the output directory that the GUPS installer placed on the
computer during the installation process, and gives it a name that includes “return.”

Step 5

Step 6

U.S. Census Bureau

IMPORTANT: Make note of the location of the file listed in this dialog box because participants must
navigate to the directory to submit this file using SWIM.
As with the Share with Another Participant example, if participants click Yes, GUPS automatically
opens a windows explorer to the output folder location on the computer. This feature is useful for
participants ready to use SWIM to submit their file. If they click No, the Export to Zip dialog box
closes.

With the completion of this step, participants can proceed with uploading the file to the Census
Bureau. Refer to the next chapter, Chapter 10, for details on using SWIM.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

150

CHAPTER 10.

SECURE WEB INCOMING MODULE (SWIM)

If PSAP participants perform updates to their tribal statistical geographies that the geographies
in GUPS, they must utilize the Census Bureau’s Secure Web Incoming Module, or SWIM, to
submit their updated tribal entity .zip file for processing. Use the steps outlined in this chapter
to learn how to use SWIM to make a submission.

10.1 SWIM Background and Requirements
The Census Bureau provided one SWIM registration token per PSAP participant with their
delineation materials cover letter. We recommend either the primary contact or the technical
contact utilize the token to create an account once they determine updates are necessary.
Some PSAP participants may have established a SWIM account for other Census geography
programs. If so, there is no need to establish a new account just for PSAP. Participants without
a SWIM account need to utilize the 12-digit registration token to establish an account. To
determine whether an account exists, click “Forgot your password?” on the main SWIM page
and enter the email address to check for account existence. If SWIM does not locate an account
associated with the email address, it returns the following message, “No account registered for
this email. Go to Account Registration.” Choosing the Account Registration link opens a window
to establish a SWIM account.
Note: The components of the email and password of SWIM system accounts are case-sensitive. Make
note of the case-sensitive format used when establishing the SWIM account (e.g.,
jane@anytown.org or Jane@anytown.org or JANE@ANYTOWN.ORG). The Census Bureau
recommends the use of lowercase characters and recommends safe retention of this
information in a secure location for future reference.

In addition, SWIM allows four attempts to login before it temporarily locks the account for 15
minutes. After the 15-minute lock expires, participants may try to login again or reset their
password using the “Forgot your password?” link on the login page. Once selected, follow the
prompts to enter the case-sensitive email address and provide the security answer. If the
security answer is correct, the SWIM system sends a password reset link to the email account
for use in resetting the password. In addition, once logged into SWIM, users can modify their
password and security answer by selecting the ‘Change Security’ link at the top, right-hand side
of the page. Participants continuing to experience issues logging into SWIM can contact 1-844788-4921 for another SWIM token.
IMPORTANT: Do not use email to send the 2020 PSAP submission to the Census Bureau.

The following list contains the file requirements for using SWIM:




File to upload must be .zip file format.
The .zip file may not include another .zip file as a component.
The .zip file must not be larger than 250 megabytes in size.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

151

10.2 SWIM Submission Example
Refer to Error! Reference source not found. for instructions on utilizing the SWIM application to
submit PSAP updates.
Table 56: SWIM Submission
Step
Step 1

Step 2
Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result

Open a new browser window and enter the SWIM URL .
The SWIM Please Login screen open

For participants with an existing SWIM account, enter the email address and password and then
click the Login button. The Welcome screen opens. Go to Step 8.
For participants without a SWIM account, have the 12-digit registration token provided by the
Census Bureau ready for account registration. Choose the Register Account button after
accessing the SWIM URL. The Account Registration screen opens.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

152

Step

Action and Result

All fields on the Account Registration screen are required.

Step 4
Step 5

Enter the registration token, name, phone number, agency or organization, email address in the
appropriate fields.
Create a password using the following criteria:
1. Must be at least 8-characters in length.
2.

Must have at least one uppercase character.

Must have at least one lowercase character.

Must have at least one number.

Must have at least one special character. Valid choices are as follows: #, !, $, *, &,?, and
~.

Note: The comma shown in the previous list are for spacing purposes only. The comma is not a
valid special character for use in the password.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

153

Step
Step 6

Step 7
Step 8

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result

Establish a security question. Click arrow to the right of the Security Question field and select a
question from the drop-down menu. Enter an answer in the Answer field. Click the Submit
button when finished. A Success screen opens to confirm the successful creation of a SWIM
account.

On the Success screen, select Login to return to the SWIM Please Login screen (shown in Step 1)
to proceed with the login process.
Enter the email and password information and click the green Login button to log into SWIM. The
Welcome screen opens. If the account has uploaded other PSAP working counties or other files
for different geography programs administered by the Census Bureau, a list of files previously
uploaded by the SWIM user displays, as shown in the example below. The list includes the
creation date of the file upload, the name of the file, and the corresponding size of the .zip file.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

154

Step
Step 9

Action and Result

To begin a new upload, click the Start New Upload button at the bottom of the screen.

The “What Census program are you reporting data for?” screen opens. Choose the Participant
Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) radio button and click the Next button.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

155

Step
Step 10

Action and Result

The “What type of statistical area are you reporting for?” screen opens.

Click the radio button for the entity type to upload and click the Next button. Tribal statistical
geography participants choose Tribal Area. The choice of Tribal Area opens the Select a Tribal
Area screen.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

156

Step

Action and Result

Step 11

Following the selection of the statistical area to upload, the Select a .ZIP file to upload screen
opens. Click the +Add File button to launch the Choose File to Upload window and navigate to
the directory where the .zip file resides. Refer to Table 55 to identify the location of the .zip file
to upload. The .zip file resides in the “GUPSGIS\gupsdata\tsr20\output” folder on the default
drive selected during installation. This is likely the “C:” drive.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

157

Step
Step 12

Step 13

Step 14

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result

Once the file upload completes, the Status field shows “Success.” The name of the file appears in
the File(s) field. Participants can add comments to the Comment section if they choose. Click the
Next button to proceed with the upload.

The Thank You screen appears. It thanks the participant and indicates a forthcoming email once
transfer completes.

If complete with the upload process, choose Log Out.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

158

Step

Action and Result

It is important to mention that SWIM sessions deactivate after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Participants taking longer than 15 minutes to upload a file must log back into the system and
start again. They receive a message noting the period of inactivity on the Login screen.

When they reach the Welcome screen, a record listed with a Status of “In progress, Continue?”
appears with that day’s date in the Created On field. Participants can choose the “Continue?” link
to continue uploading or they can delete the item by choosing the Delete button to the far right
of the row.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

159

PART FOUR: NEXT STEPS FOR 2020 CENSUS PSAP
Congratulations on the completion of the delineation phase of 2020 Census PSAP. While this is
a major step, it does not conclude participation in 2020 Census PSAP. The final part to this
document describes the next steps for 2020 Census PSAP. These steps include a high-level
description of the processing of participants’ submissions conducted by the Census Bureau that
must occur prior to the verification phase. The document concludes by highlighting the plans
for the verification and closeout phases of 2020 Census PSAP.
Once received through the SWIM process, the Census Bureau begins its review. This process
includes running the same validation checks in GUPS described in Part Three: and conducting
basic quality assessments to ensure the specific criteria for each tribal statistical geography is
enforced.
After completing the review of the updated delineation materials, the Census Bureau uses the
newly suggested geographies to generate the final version of the proposed plan, reviewed by
participants in the verification phase. The verification phase begins January 2020 with
participants having 90 days to review the verification materials for accuracy of the updates they
provided during the delineation phase and respond with suggested corrections. Participants
receive a prepaid, verification phase postcard asking them to verify, accept, or reject the final
version of the proposed plan. The Census Bureau plans to conduct follow-up with nonresponding participants in order to ensure receipt of a response from each that participated
during the delineation phase. Once the Census Bureau receives the verification phase postcard
with the approval or acceptance of the verification plan or after they receive the suggested
corrections, they can finalize the 2020 Census statistical boundaries.
In October 2020, the Census Bureau begins the closeout phase of the 2020 Census PSAP to
ensure there are no outstanding changes submitted by participants or to communicate the
reasoning for not making participant suggested changes. The timing of this phase begins after
allowing time for processing any updates from the verification phase.
More details on both the verification and closeout phases will appear on the PSAP website as
they become available. In addition, further communication occurs in advance of each of the last
two phases. This concludes the instructional content for the delineation phase for 2020 Census
PSAP.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

160

APPENDICES

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

161

APPENDIX A. GLOSSARY
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) – Federal legislation (Pub. L. 92-203, 85 Stat. 688
(1971); 43 U.S.C. 1602 et seq. (2000)) enacted in 1971 that recognized Native villages and
Native groups, and established ANRCs and their regional boundaries
Alaska Native Regional Corporation (ANRC) – A corporate geographic area established under
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (Pub. L. 92–203, 85 Stat. 688 (1971)) to conduct both
the business and nonprofit affairs of Alaska Natives. Twelve ANRCs cover the entire State of
Alaska except for the Annette Island Reserve.
Alaska Native – For purposes of PSAP, Alaska Native refers to anyone who self-identifies as an
American Indian and/or an Alaska Native (AIAN) alone or in combination with one or more
other races and resides in Alaska.
Alaska Native village (ANV) – A local governmental unit in Alaska that constitutes an
association, band, clan, community, group, tribe, or village recognized by and eligible to receive
services from the BIA and/or in accordance with the ANCSA as a Native village or Native group.
Alaska Native Village Corporation (ANVC) – A corporation created pursuant to the ANCSA and
organized under the laws of the state of Alaska as a for-profit or non-profit business to hold,
invest, manage, and/or distribute lands, property, funds, and assets for or on behalf of a Native
village.
Alaska Native village statistical area (ANVSA) – A statistical geographic entity that represents
the residences, permanent and/or seasonal, for Alaska Natives who are members of or
receiving government services from the defining ANV that are located within the region and
vicinity of the ANV’s historic and/or traditional location. ANVSAs are intended to represent the
relatively densely settled portion of each ANV and should include only an area where Alaska
Natives, especially members of the defining ANV, represent a significant proportion of the
population during at least one season of the year (at least three consecutive months).
American Community Survey (ACS) – A survey conducted by the Census Bureau that uses a
series of monthly samples to produce annually updated data for the same small areas (census
tract and block groups) as the decennial census long-form sample previously surveyed. The
Census Bureau last utilized the long-form during Census 2000.
American Indian Area (AIA) – A Census Bureau term that refers to any or all of the following
entities: American Indian reservation, American Indian off-reservation trust land, Oklahoma
tribal statistical area, joint use area, American Indian tribal subdivision, tribal designated
statistical area, and state designated American Indian statistical area.
American Indian off-reservation trust land (ORTL) – An area of land located outside the
boundaries of an AIR, whose boundaries are established by deed, and which are held in trust by
the U.S. federal government for a federally recognized American Indian tribe or members of
that tribe.
American Indian reservation (AIR) – An area of land with boundaries established by final
treaty, statute, executive order, and/or court order and over which a federally recognized,
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

A-1

American Indian tribal government has governmental authority. Along with ‘‘reservation’’
primary governmental or administrative division of a county in 28 states and the ‘‘reservation’’
designations such as colonies, communities, pueblos, rancherias, and reserves apply to AIRs.
American Indian tribal subdivision – A legal subdivision of a federally recognized American
Indian reservation, off-reservation trust land, or a statistical subdivision of Oklahoma tribal
statistical areas. These entities are internal units of self-government or administration that
serve social, cultural, and/or economic purposes for American Indians.
Borough – A legal geographic entity within the state of Alaska. For purposes of PSAP, the
Census Bureau treats boroughs equivalent to county in other states for data collection,
tabulation, and presentation purposes.
Boundary – A line, either invisible or coincident with a visible feature that identifies the extent
of a geographic entity, such as a census tract, city, county, state, or reservation. A boundary
marks the limits of an area.
Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) – An annual survey to collect information about
selected legally defined geographic areas. The Census Bureau uses BAS as a means to update
information about the legal boundaries and names of all governmental units in the United
States.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) – The primary agency of the federal government, located within
the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), charged with the trust and responsibility between
the federal government and federally recognized AIAN tribal governments and communities,
including BIA-recognized ANVs.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – The primary agency of the federal government, located
within the DOI, charged with carrying out the ANCSA.
Census block – A census block is an area bounded by visible and/or invisible features shown on
Census Bureau maps. A census block is the smallest geographic area created by the Census
Bureau for which it collects and tabulates decennial census data. Census blocks are numbered
within block groups and are uniquely numbered within census tracts.
Census block group – Block groups are statistical geographic divisions of a census tract, defined
for the tabulation and dissemination of census data from the decennial censuses, the ACS, and
other select surveys.
Census block number – Census block numbers contain a 4-digit number. Census blocks are
numbered uniquely within each census tract.
Census Bureau – An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Census Bureau is the
country's preeminent statistical collection and dissemination agency. It publishes a wide variety
of statistical data about people and the economy of the nation. The Census Bureau conducts
approximately 200 annual surveys and conducts the decennial census of the United States
population.
Census Bureau map – Any map produced by the Census Bureau. A Census Bureau map displays
geographic entities used in a Census Bureau sponsored census or survey for which the Census
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

A-2

Bureau tabulates data.
Census county division (CCD) – Statistical geographic entities in 21 states where minor civil
divisions either do not exist or have been unsatisfactory for reporting statistical data. The
Census Bureau, in cooperation with state, tribal, and local officials, delineate these areas solely
for statistical purposes. CCDs have no legal function and are not legal governmental units. The
primary goal of CCDs is to establish and maintain a set of sub-county geographies with stable
boundaries and recognizable names. Naming of each CCD is based on a place, county, or wellknown local name that identifies its location. In most cases, census tracts nest within CCDs, but
in less populated counties CCDs nest within census tracts.
Census designated place (CDP) – Statistical geographic entities representing closely settled,
unincorporated communities that are locally recognized and identified by name. CDPs are the
statistical equivalent of incorporated places, with the primary differences being the lack of both
a legally defined boundary and an active, functioning governmental structure chartered by the
state and administered by elected official.
Census tract – A small, relatively permanent statistical subdivision of a county or statistically
equivalent entity delineated for data presentation. Designed to be relatively homogeneous
units with respect to population characteristics, economic status, and living conditions at the
time of establishment, census tracts generally contain between 1,000 and 8,000 people, with
an optimum size of 4,000 people. Delineated with the intention of being stable over many
decades, census tract boundaries generally follow relatively permanent visible features.
However, they may follow governmental unit boundaries and other invisible features in some
instances; the boundary of a state or county (or statistically equivalent entity) is always a
census tract boundary.
Census tract number – Unique numbers to identify census tracts within a county or statistically
equivalent entity. Census tract numbers contain up to a 4-digit number followed by a decimal
point and a 2-digit number for suffixed tracts, e.g., 1234.01. For census tracts without a suffix,
the number will contain a period with zero fill, e.g., 4567.00. Leading zeros for census tracts,
e.g., 0001.00, are not shown on Census Bureau maps. This tract would appear as “1” on maps.
City-style address – The Census Bureau’s definition of a city style address is an address
consisting of a house number and street or road name. For example, 201 Main Street is a city
style address. The address may or may not be used for the delivery of mail and may include
apartment numbers/designations or similar identifiers.
Coextensive – The Census Bureau defines coextensive as two or more geographic entities that
cover exactly the same area, with all boundaries shared.
Conjoint – The Census Bureau defines conjoint as a boundary line shared by two adjacent
geographic entities.
Contiguous – The Census Bureau defines contiguous as areas sharing common boundary lines,
more than a single point, such that the areas, when combined, form a single piece of territory.
Non-contiguous areas form disjoint pieces.
County – The primary legal division of most states. Most are governmental units with powers
defined by state law.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

A-3

Edges – All linear features contained in the MAF/TIGER database.
Edges shapefile – All linear features in the MAF/TIGER database are contained in the edges
shapefile. Participants use the edges shapefile to add, delete, or change linear feature
attributes.
Faces – Topological areas in the MAF/TIGER database formed by edges.
Feature – Any part of the landscape, whether natural (a stream or ridge) or artificial (a road or
power line). In a geographic context, features are any part of the landscape portrayed on a
map, including nonvisible boundaries of legal entities, such as, city limits or county lines.
Federal Information Processing Series (FIPS)—These are codes formerly known as Federal
Information Processing Standards codes, until the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) announced its decision in 2005 to remove geographic entity codes from its
oversight. The Census Bureau continues to maintain and issue codes for geographic entities
covered under FIPS oversight, albeit with a revised meaning for the FIPS acronym. Geographic
entities covered under FIPS include states, counties, congressional districts, core based
statistical areas, places, county subdivisions, sub-minor civil divisions, consolidated cities, and
all types of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian areas. FIPS codes are assigned
alphabetically according to the name of the geographic entity and may change to maintain
alphabetic sort when new entities are created or names change. FIPS codes for specific
geographic entity types are usually unique within the next highest level of geographic entity
with which a nesting relationship exists. For example, FIPS state, congressional district, and core
based statistical area codes are unique within nation; FIPS county, place, county subdivision,
and sub-minor civil division codes are unique within state. The codes for American Indian,
Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian areas also are unique within state; those areas in multiple
states will have different codes for each state.
Geocodes – Codes that place an individual address in its correct geographic location, which
includes the correct state, county, census tract, and census block codes. Because the Census
Bureau counts people where they live, geocodes provide information to Census enumerators
for locating an address. Accurate geocoding also ensures the Census Bureau counts housing
units, and the people associated with them, in the correct census geography.
Geographic Information System (GIS) – A computer system for the storage, retrieval, and
maintenance of information about the points, lines, and areas that represent the streets and
roads, rivers, railroads, geographic entities, and other features on the surface of the Earthinformation that previously was available only on paper maps.
Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) – A self-contained GIS update and processing
package provided by the Census Bureau for participation in a variety of Census geography
programs, including 2020 Census PSAP. Pre-packaged to include all of the components for 2020
PSAP, the GUPS contains the Census Bureau’s TIGER partnership shapefiles necessary to
participate. GUPS allows the participant to add external geospatial data (shapefiles,
geodatabases, and imagery) for comparison and update purposes.
Group quarters – The Census Bureau defines group quarters as a location where people live or
stay in a group living arrangement that is owned or managed by an entity or organization
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

A-4

providing housing and/or services for the residents. This is not a typical household-type living
arrangement. These services may include custodial or medical care as well as other types of
assistance, and residency is commonly restricted to those receiving these services. People living
in group quarters are usually not related to each other. Group quarters include such places as
college residence halls, residential treatment centers, skilled nursing facilities, group homes,
military barracks, correctional facilities, and workers’ dormitories.
Housing unit – The Census Bureau defines a housing unit as a house, an apartment, a mobile
home or trailer, or a group of rooms or a single room occupied as a separate living quarter or, if
vacant, intended for occupancy as a separate living quarter. Separate living quarters are those
in which the occupants live and eat separately from any other residents of the building and
which have direct access from outside the building or through a common hall.
Incorporated place —A type of governmental unit, incorporated under state law as a city, town
(except in New England, New York, and Wisconsin), borough (except in Alaska and New York),
or village, generally to provide governmental services for a concentration of people within
legally prescribed boundaries.
Legal boundary – The legally defined boundary of a governmental unit, usually referring to a
county, minor civil division, or incorporated place. The legal boundary identifies the area within
a tribal government's jurisdiction, and thus bounds the area of PSAP responsibility.
Master Address File (MAF) – The Census Bureau’s nationwide database of all addresses and
physical/location descriptions known to the Census Bureau used to support many of the Census
Bureau’s operations. Besides containing mailing addresses and ZIP Codes, a MAF record also
contains geographic information about the location of addresses. The Census Bureau’s
Geography Division regularly updates the MAF/TIGER Database from various sources, including
the United States Postal Service (USPS) Delivery Sequence File (DSF) and other sources of
updates such as current surveys and locally provided sources.
MAF/TIGER database (MTDB) – The Census Bureau’s nationwide geographic database, which
integrates the Master Address File (MAF) and Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding
and Referencing (TIGER) files.
MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) – A 5-digit code assigned by the Census
Bureau to classify and describe geographic objects or features in the MAF/TIGER database and
its output products.
Metadata – describes the data content, coordinate system/projection, author, source, and
other characteristics of GIS files.
Minor civil division (MCD) – The primary governmental or administrative division of a county in
29 states and the Island Areas having legal boundaries, names, and descriptions. The MCDs
represent many different types of legal entities with a wide variety of characteristics, powers,
and functions depending on the state and type of MCD. In some states, some or all of the
incorporated places also constitute MCDs. MCDs are identified by a variety of terms, such as
town (in eight states), township, and/or district. They include both functioning and
nonfunctioning government entities.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

A-5

Municipio —A type of governmental unit that is the primary legal subdivision of Puerto Rico.
The Census Bureau treats the municipio as the statistical equivalent of a county.
Non-city style address – The Census Bureau’s definition of a non-city style address is one that
does not have a house number and/or street name or may not include a complete house
number and street name address. This includes rural route and box number address and
highway contract route addresses, etc., which may include a box number, post office boxes and
drawers, and general delivery.
Nonvisible feature – The Census Bureau defines a nonvisible feature as one that is not visible
on the ground and/or in imagery such as a city or county boundary through space, a property
line, or line-of-sight extension of a road.
Off-Reservation Trust Land (ORTL) – A type of legal geographic entity that is a recognized
American Indian land area for which the United States federal government holds fee title in
trust for the benefit of a tribe (tribal trust land) or for an individual American Indian (individual
trust land). Trust lands can be alienated or encumbered only by the owner with the approval of
the Secretary of the Interior or his/her authorized representative. Trust lands may be located
on or off an AIR. The Census Bureau recognizes and tabulates data for AIRS and ORTLs because
the tribe has governmental authority over these lands. Primary tribal governmental authority
generally is not attached to tribal lands located off the AIR until the lands are placed in trust. In
Census Bureau data tabulations, ORTLs are always associated with a specific federal AIR and/or
tribal government.
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) – A Census Bureau program offered every 10
years that allows identified participants, following established criteria and guidelines, to review
and update existing statistical geographies and delineate new statistical geographies as
appropriate. The standard statistical geographies include census tracts, block groups, census
designated places, and census county divisions.
Place – A concentration of population either legally bound as an incorporated place or
identified by the Census Bureau as a census designated place.
PSAP official liaison – A person at the PSAP participating government or organization identified
to serve as the primary point of contact for PSAP.
PSAP technical contact – A person serving as the technical point of contact for a PSAP
participant that likely conducts the actual program work using the Census Bureau’s Geographic
Update Partnership Software (GUPS) or paper maps (for tribal participants).
Regional Census Center (RCC) – Temporary offices set up approximately two years prior to the
decennial census. The geographic staff from the Regional Offices are assigned to their
respective RCC and assist with the execution of various geographic operations as well as
provide support for the field operations conducted during the decennial.
Regional Office (RO) – One of the permanent Census Bureau offices responsible for the Census
Bureau’s office and field operations within its region.
Retracting – The Census Bureau defines retracting as substantially changing the boundaries of a
census tract so that comparability over decades is lost.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

A-6

Shapefile – Digital representations of geographic features, such as roads and boundaries used
to create maps. A shapefile stores non-topological geometry and attribute information for the
spatial features in a dataset. The Census Bureau provides county-based shapefiles in Esri
shapefile format.
Special use census tract/block group – A type of census tract or block group designated as a
specific use type (e.g., state park or large lake) and has an official name (e.g. Cleburne State
Park or Lake Minnetonka). Special use geographies should contain no (or very little) population
or housing, and must not create a noncontiguous census tract/block group.
Standard statistical geographic entity (standard statistical geographies) – A geographic entity
specifically defined and delineated (census tract, block group, census designated place, census
county division) so that the Census Bureau may tabulate data for it. Designation as a statistical
entity neither conveys nor confers legal ownership, entitlement, or jurisdictional authority.
Street segment – The portion of a street or road between two features that intersect that
street or road, such as, other streets or roads, railroad tracks, streams, and governmental unit
boundaries. The Census Bureau records the known address ranges for every street segment
with city-style addresses.
Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER)—The Census Bureau’s
digital map, including the geographic coordinates and names of streets, water features, other
linear features, and boundaries for all jurisdictions and statistical areas that provide the
geospatial framework for collecting and tabulating census data. TIGER also contains the
structure coordinates of address records in the Master Address File (MAF) and address ranges
along street features used for geocoding MAF records to census geography.
Visible feature – The Census Bureau defines a visible feature as one that can be seen on the
ground and/or in imagery. Visible features include a street, railroad tract, major above ground
transmission line or pipeline, stream, shoreline, fence, distinctly defined mountain ridge, or
cliff. A non-standard visible feature is a visible feature that may not be clearly defined on the
ground (such as a ridgeline), may be seasonal (such as an intermittent stream), or may be
relatively impermanent (such as a fence). The Census Bureau generally requests verification
that nonstandard visible features used for statistical geographies pose no problem during
fieldwork necessary to conduct a census or survey.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

A-7

APPENDIX B. 2020 CENSUS PSAP CRITERIA
In Part One: of the Respondent Guide, individual tables reflect each of the geographies
separately. This table shows the three statistical geographies eligible for update by federally
recognized tribal entities along with their associated population and housing criteria.
Table 57: Tribal Statistical Geographies and their Population and Housing Criteria
Tribal statistical
Nests Within
Population Criteria
Housing Unit Criteria
geography
Tribal census tracts
AIR and/or
Optimum
4,000
Optimum
1,600
ORTL
Minimum
1,200
Minimum
480
Maximum
Tribal block groups

Tribal census
tract

Census designated
places (CDPs)

State

U.S. Census Bureau

8,000

Optimum
1,500
Minimum
600
Maximum
3,000
A CDP cannot have zero
population and zero housing
units.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Maximum

3,200

Optimum
None
Minimum
240
Maximum
1,200
A CDP cannot have zero
population and zero housing
units.

B-1

APPENDIX C. PSAP HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
History of Census Tracts
In 1905, Dr. Walter Laidlaw originated the concept of permanent, small geographic areas as a
framework for studying change from one decennial census to another in neighborhoods within
New York City. For the 1910 Census, eight cities—New York, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago,
Cleveland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis—delineated census tracts (then termed
“districts”) for the first time. No additional jurisdictions delineated census tracts until just prior
to the 1930 Census, when an additional ten cities chose to do so. The increased interest in
census tracts for the 1930 Census is attributed to the promotional efforts of Howard Whipple
Green, who was a statistician in Cleveland, Ohio, and later the chairman of the American
Statistical Association's Committee on Census Enumeration Areas. For more than twenty-five
years, Mr. Green strongly encouraged local citizens, via committees, to establish census tracts
and other census statistical geographic areas. The committees created by local citizens were
known as Census Tract Committees, later called Census Statistical Areas Committees.
After 1930, the Census Bureau saw the need to standardize the delineation, review, and
updating of census tracts and published the first set of census tract criteria in 1934. The goal of
the criteria has remained unchanged; that is, to assure comparability and data reliability
through the standardization of the population thresholds for census tracts, as well as requiring
that their boundaries follow specific types of geographic features that do not change
frequently. The Census Bureau began publishing census tract data as part of its standard
tabulations beginning with the 1940 Census. Prior to that time, census tract data were
published as special tabulations.
For the 1940 Census, the Census Bureau began publishing census block data for all cities with
50,000 or more people. Census block numbers were assigned, where possible, by census tract,
but for those cities that had not yet delineated census tracts, “block areas” (called “block
numbering areas” [BNAs] in later censuses) were created to assign census block numbers.
Starting with the 1960 Census, the Census Bureau assumed a greater role in promoting and
coordinating the delineation, review, and update of census tracts. For the 1980 Census, criteria
for BNAs were changed to make them more comparable in size and shape to census tracts. For
the 1990 Census, all counties contained either census tracts or BNAs.
Census 2000 was the first decade in which census tracts were defined in all counties. In
addition, the Census Bureau increased the number of geographic areas whose boundaries could
be used as census tract boundaries. It also allowed tribal governments of federally recognized
American Indian tribes with a reservation and/or off-reservation trust lands to delineate tracts
without regard to state and/or county boundaries, provided the tribe had a 1990 Census
population of at least 1,000.
For the 2010 Census, the Census Bureau adopted changes to census tract criteria that
recognized their utility as a framework of small geographic areas for presenting and analyzing
statistical and other data for a variety of communities, settlement patterns, and landscapes.
The Census Bureau augmented its minimum, maximum, and optimum population threshold
with housing unit thresholds for use in defining census tracts for seasonal communities that
have no or low population on census day (April 1). In addition, the Census Bureau formalized
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

C-1

criteria for census tracts defined for employment centers, airports, parks, large water bodies,
and other special land uses that had been permitted in previous decades, but never specified
within the criteria. The Census Bureau also established tribal census tracts as a geographic
framework defined within federally recognized American Indian reservations and offreservation trust lands that is fully separate from the standard census tracts defined within
counties.

History of Block Groups
The Census Bureau first delineated block groups as statistical geographic divisions of census
tracts for the 1970 Census, comprising contiguous combinations of census blocks for data
presentation purposes. At that time, census block groups only existed in urbanized areas in with
census blocks. Defined without regard to political and administrative boundaries, block groups
contained an average population of 1,000, and were approximately equal in area.
As use of census block, block group, and census tract data increased among data users, the
Census Bureau expanded these programs to cover additional geographic areas while redefining
the population threshold criteria to more adequately suit data users’ needs. The 1990 Census
was the first decennial census in which census blocks and block groups were defined
throughout the entirety of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. For the 2000
Census, the Census Bureau increased the number of geographic areas whose boundaries could
be used as block group boundaries, and allowed tribal governments of federally recognized
American Indian tribes with a reservation and/or off-reservation trust lands to delineate tribal
block groups without regard to state and/or county boundaries, provided the tribe had a 1990
Census population of at least 1,000.
For the 2010 Census, the Census Bureau adopted changes to block group criteria that
recognized their utility as a framework of small geographic areas for presenting and analyzing
statistical and other data for a variety of communities, settlement patterns, and landscapes.
The Census Bureau augmented its minimum and maximum population threshold with housing
unit thresholds for use in defining block groups for seasonal communities that have no or low
population on census day (April 1). In addition, the Census Bureau formalized criteria for block
groups defined for employment centers, airports, parks, large water bodies, and other special
land uses permitted in previous decades, but never specified within the criteria. The Census
Bureau also established tribal block groups as a geographic framework defined within federally
recognized American Indian reservations and off-reservation trust lands that is fully separate
from the standard block groups defined within counties.

History of Census Designated Places (CDPs)
In response to data user needs for place-level data, the CDP concept and delineation criteria
have evolved over the past seven decades. This evolution has taken into account differences in
the way in which places were perceived, and the propensity for places to incorporate in various
states. Over time, the result has been an increase in the number and types of unincorporated
communities identified as CDPs, as well as an increasing consistency in the relationship
between the CDP concept and the kinds of places encompassed by the incorporated place
category, or a compromise between localized perceptions of place and a concept that would be
familiar to data users throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

C-2

Although not as numerous as incorporated places, CDPs have been important geographic
entities since their introduction for the 1950 Census (CDPs were referred to as “unincorporated
places” from 1950 through the 1970 decennial censuses). For the 1950 Census, CDPs were
defined only outside urbanized areas and were required to have at least 1,000 residents. For
the 1960 Census, CDPs could also be identified inside urbanized areas outside of New England,
but these were required to have at least 10,000 residents. The Census Bureau modified the
population threshold within urbanized areas to 5,000 residents in 1970, allowed for CDPs in
urbanized areas in New England in 1980, and lowered the threshold for CDPs within urbanized
areas to 2,500 in 1990. In time, other population thresholds were adopted for identification of
CDPs in Alaska, Puerto Rico, the Island Areas, and on American Indian reservations (AIRs). The
Census Bureau eliminated all population threshold requirements for Census 2000, achieving
consistency between CDPs and incorporated places, for which the Census Bureau historically
has published data without regard to population size.
According to the 2010 Census, more than 38.7 million people in the United States, Puerto Rico,
and the Island Areas lived in CDPs. The relative importance of CDPs varies from state to state
depending on laws governing municipal incorporation and annexation, but also depending on
local preferences and attitudes regarding the identification of places.

History of Census County Divisions (CCDs)
When CCDs were introduced prior to the 1950 Census, few alternatives were available for the
provision of statistical data related to relatively stable, subcounty geographic units. Census
tracts were defined in only a subset of metropolitan area counties. MCDs existed in all counties,
but in some states, MCD boundaries changed frequently enough that they were not useful for
comparing statistical data from one decade to another.
For much of the period from the 1950 Census through the 1980 Census, county subdivisions
(MCDs and CCDs) provided the only subcounty unit of geography at which data users could
obtain statistical data for complete coverage of counties nationwide. The introduction of block
numbering areas (BNAs) in counties without census tracts for the 1990 Census offered an
alternate subcounty entity for which data could be tabulated. For Census 2000, the Census
Bureau introduced census tracts nationwide (in many counties, BNAs were simply relabeled as
“census tracts”), increasing the dissemination of, and ability to analyze, data at the census tract
level, and providing an alternative set of subcounty statistical geographic areas in each county
in addition to MCDs and CCDs. Nevertheless, CCDs and MCDs remain useful for presenting
subcounty statistics and, in less populous counties containing only one or two census tracts, can
provide greater spatial resolution when analyzing the distribution of population and
characteristics.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

C-3

APPENDIX D. HISTORY OF AMERICAN INDIAN AREAS IN THE
DECENNIAL CENSUS
The first constitutionally mandated population census in the United States was conducted in
1790. During the period 1790 through 1850, American Indians were enumerated during the
decennial censuses only if living among the general population. It was not until 1860 that
American Indians living on tribal lands in the western half of the United States were
enumerated as a unique population group, but tabulations were not made available for tribal
territories or geographic entities. An effort was made for the 1880 Census to enumerate and
present data for American Indians living on specific, federally recognized AIRs, but this effort
was not completed, and data were available only for tribes in the state of California, as well as
parts of Dakota Territory and Washington Territory. The 1890 Census was the first in which
American Indian data were collected and presented for individual AIRs, including the nowformer AIRs in Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma); this practice continued through the
1910 Census. American Indian geographic entities were not recognized for the 1920 through
1960 censuses; thus, while American Indians were identified and enumerated, data were not
available for the AIRs in which many lived. This decision was reversed with the 1970 Census for
which the Census Bureau presented data for 115 AIRs. Still, there was no systematic program
for the collection and reporting of all AIR boundaries.
The Census Bureau began to report data systematically for a variety of AIAs starting with the
1980 Census, when it identified and presented data for a more complete inventory of AIRs. The
Census Bureau worked with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) within the U.S. Department of the
Interior (DOI) to identify boundaries for AIRs for federally recognized tribes, and with state
government officials to identify boundaries for AIRs for state-recognized tribes, by obtaining
maps depicting their legally established boundaries. Tribal ORTLs and American Indian
subreservation areas (the latter now called tribal subdivisions) were both identified for the first
time as geographic entities for the decennial census. To provide data for federally recognized
tribes in Oklahoma that formerly had AIRs, the Census Bureau identified a single geographic
entity called the Historic Areas of Oklahoma.
The American Indian geographic programs implemented for the 1980 Census were continued
with some improvements and additions for the 1990 Census. The Census Bureau began
collecting boundaries and reporting data for individual ORTLs (i.e., allotments) in addition to
tribal ORTLs, as long as the lands were under a tribe or tribes’ governmental authority, or were
clearly identified with a particular tribe, tribal government, and/or AIR. The Census Bureau
introduced the Tribal Review Program prior to the 1990 Census, which gave the affected
federally recognized tribes the opportunity to review, and update if needed, the boundaries of
their AIRs and/or ORTLs. The Census Bureau also replaced the single entity Historic Areas of
Oklahoma with tribal jurisdiction statistical areas (TJSAs—now called OTSAs) whose boundaries
were intended to correspond with those of the individual former AIRs in Oklahoma. In addition,
as part of the continuing effort to improve the presentation of data for American Indians, the
Census Bureau adopted the TDSA concept to identify lands associated with federally or state
recognized tribes that did not have an AIR or ORTL. American Indian subreservation areas (now
called tribal subdivisions) were not defined for the 1990 Census. The Census Bureau also
offered tribal officials with an AIR and/ or ORTL the opportunity to provide suggestions for 1990
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

D-1

Census tabulation block boundaries on their AIR and ORTL through the Block Definition Project
(BDP), similar to the Block Boundary Suggestion Project portion of the Redistricting Data
Program.
In preparation for Census 2000, the Census Bureau continued to work with tribal governments
and federal and state agencies, as well as the Census Race and Ethnic Advisory Committee
(REAC) of the American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations (referred to hereafter as
AIAN REAC), to improve the identification of AIAs. For federally recognized tribes, the Census
Bureau offered programs to collect updated AIR and ORTL boundaries directly from the tribal
governments using the 1990 Census boundaries as a baseline. The Tribal Review Program was
offered a second time in 1997 and again enabled officials of all federally recognized American
Indian tribes with an AIR or ORTL to review and, if necessary, update the Census Bureau’s maps
of their AIRs and/or ORTLs before Census 2000. The Tribal Review Program also included
updating and correcting the roads and other geographic features shown on the Census
Bureau’s maps, and providing suggestions for Census 2000 block boundaries in the BDP. The
Tribal Review Program, prior to Census 2000, also gave tribes in Oklahoma the opportunity to
review the delineation of their 1990 Census TJSAs. Census 2000 was the first decennial census
for which census tracts were defined throughout the United States. American Indian tribes
benefited from this change as the Census Bureau allowed tribal governments of federally
recognized American Indian tribes with an AIR or ORTL to delineate census tracts without
regard to state or county boundaries, provided the AIR/ORTL had a 1990 Census population of
at least 1,000.
Beginning in 1998, the Census Bureau included federally recognized American Indian tribes with
an AIR and/or ORTL in its annual BAS, thus replacing the once a decade Tribal Review Program.
All AIRs and ORTLs included in the 2000 BAS were also included in the Census 2000 Boundary
Validation Program (BVP). The BVP offered a final opportunity for tribal leaders to review the
Census Bureau’s depiction of their AIR/ORTL boundaries prior to Census 2000 and provide any
updates to ensure those boundaries were shown correctly as of January 1, 2000 (the reference
date of the boundaries used for Census 2000 data tabulations). To support tribal requests for
data by administrative subdivisions, the Census Bureau again offered tribal officials the
opportunity to delineate American Indian tribal subdivisions (similar to the 1980 Census subreservation areas).
For Census 2000, on the recommendation of the AIAN REAC, the Census Bureau adopted the
state-designated American Indian statistical area (SDAISA) to represent geographic areas for
state-designated tribes that lacked AIRs and ORTLs, thus distinguishing these areas from TDSAs,
which continued to represent geographic areas associated with federally recognized tribes that
lacked AIRs and ORTLs. The designation TJSA was changed to OTSA to more accurately reflect
that these entities were defined solely to present statistical information, and did not represent
areas in which legal jurisdiction was conferred or inferred by the federal government.
The 2010 Census provided an opportunity to enhance the Census Bureau’s ability to provide
meaningful, statistically relevant data about federal and state-recognized tribes. Two statistical
entities, tribal tracts and tribal block groups, were redefined to provide federally recognized
tribes with AIRs greater control and flexibility in delineating such areas. The final criteria and
guidelines for TDSAs and SDTSAs (formerly known as SDAISAs) encouraged tribes without an
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

D-2

AIR and/or ORTL to delineate geographic areas that more effectively present the important
data for their populations. SDAISAs were renamed to SDTSAs to create a more consistent
naming convention for Census Bureau tribal entities. SDTSAs, TDSAs, OTSAs, tribal subdivisions
defined within OTSAs, tribal block groups, and tribal tracts were referred to collectively as
‘‘tribal statistical areas’’ as they are not legally defined geographic entities. These entities were
included in the new TSAP, a more inclusive term to refer to the delineation process for all the
tribal statistical areas for the decennial census. This program facilitated the definition and
delineation of tribal statistical areas, and enhanced the ability of tribes to acquire meaningful
data about their tribal members.
For the 2020 Census, the TSAP program integrates back into PSAP. The same criteria
established in 2010 are in effect for 2020 Census PSAP.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

D-3

APPENDIX E. SUPPLEMENTAL SOURCES FOR PSAP REVIEW
This section describes four supplemental sources to consider using while performing PSAP
review: paper maps and Adobe .pdf files, TIGERweb, American Indian Areas layer, and parcel
boundaries. Not all of these sources may be available or applicable to each participant.
Paper maps and Adobe .pdf files
The Census Bureau determined it beneficial to all PSAP tribal participants to provide a set of
large format paper maps depicting the entirety of the tribal entity and associated tribal
statistical geographies, regardless of the product preference selected during the invitation
phase. By providing the paper maps, if a participant determines they cannot use GUPS, they do
not have to wait for the Census Bureau to change the product preference and ship the paper
map materials. This eliminates any delay that would affect their 120-day review timeframe. The
paper maps provide an additional resource, outside of the GUPS environment, for participants
to use while conducting their review. Refer to the Tribal Paper Respondent Guide enclosed with
the delineation materials for instructions on updating the paper map materials.
In addition to the paper maps, the Census Bureau is providing the Adobe .pdf files of the paper
maps on the “Data disc.” Participants use Adobe Reader software to view these files on their
computer, outside of GUPS. These files are for reference only and are not editable. Participants
do not use the Adobe .pdf files for update.
TIGERweb
The Census Bureau’s TIGERweb online map viewer, located at
, allows participants to view the Census Bureau's
2010 census geographies layers outside of the GUPS environment. TIGERweb allows viewing, at
street level detail, features such as roads, waterways, and county, place/city, CDP, tribal census
tracts and tribal block groups, census tracts and block groups, and satellite imagery.
Participants may find this additional tool beneficial to visualize the 2010 tribal census tracts and
tribal block groups. Because it resides outside of GUPS, participants can open TIGERweb in a
separate window or on a second, dual monitor for a side-by-side visual comparison. Follow the
steps in Table 58 for instructions on accessing and using TIGERweb.
Table 58: Display the TIGERweb Online Map Viewer
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Navigate to the TIGERweb web site located at: . TIGERweb
currently supports Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Google Chrome
internet browsers.

Step 2

Click the TIGERweb Applications tab.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

E-1

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Click the TIGERweb link under the orange TIGERweb Applications tab on the left side of the
screen. Do not click the TIGERweb Decennial link. The built-in user guide is located by clicking
the “Help/About” icon in the upper right corner of the TIGERweb window.

Step 4

After opening TIGERweb the map display, navigation tools, the Layers panel, a legend, and map
vintage becomes visible.

The Layers panel shows the list of available features and geographic areas. Several display upon
startup organized into separate groups, called map services. The geographic type forms the basis
of the groupings. Expand each map service by clicking on the ‘+’ symbol to see all of the available
layers that include physical features such as roads and water features, as well as legal and
statistical boundaries, census blocks and incorporated places. Limit the amount of data on the
map by selecting only the applicable types of linear features and geographic entities. Click on the
‘+’ sign to expand a map layer and view the ‘Slider’ tool to make the layer more or less
transparent.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

E-2

Step
Step 5

Action and Result
The Select Vintage from the drop-down menu in the Layers panel shows the vintages of
TIGERweb geographies that are available for display in the application. Select Census 2010 to
view the 2010 geographies. Click on the ‘+’ sign next to each map service in the Layers panel to
expand the map service and view the layers within it. This example shows the selection of the
Transportation, Tribal Census Tracts and Block Groups, American India, Alaska Native, and Native
Hawaiian Areas, and Hydrography map layers.

The features and geographic areas contained in the map services do not immediately appear
because each layer has a range of zoom levels at which it will display. In other words, visibility of
layers is scale dependent. More details appear when zooming in on the map. Table 59 Error!
Reference source not found.provides a summary of many of TIGERweb tools and functionality.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

E-3

Table 59: TIGERweb Tools and Functions
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

The vertical Zoom In Scale Bar, shown on the left. Click on the ‘+’ to zoom in for more detail or
click on the ‘-’ to zoom out for less detail. By rolling the wheel on the computer’s mouse,
participants can zoom in or zoom out from the current scale.
Note: At Zoom level 6, counties appear; at zoom level 9, Census Tracts and Places appear, at
zoom level 10, Roads and Railroads appear, and at zoom level 13, Block Groups appear.

Step 2

Click the Legend tool at the top of the screen to view the Detailed Legend and layers
symbology.

Step 3

Click the Detailed Legend to see at what zoom level the layer and labels appear.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

E-4

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click off the Legend and back in the Layers panel to turn them on or off to display boundaries
for only active layers. The example shows the Census Block Groups and Census Blocks
unchecked.

Step 5

One of the easiest ways to determine the Census Code for each tribal entity (needed for the
next step) is to use the Identify button along the top right of the TIGERweb window.

After zooming into the area of interest, click the Identify button and then click anywhere
inside of the tribal entity displayed on the screen. The Task Results window populates with
Identify Results with all of the information about the exact area clicked.

Click the name listed beneath the Federal American Indian Reservations link to open a
separate window of detailed information.
Tohono O’odham Nation has an AIANNH Census Code of 4200. Use this information in the
next step.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

E-5

Step

Action and Result

Step 6

TIGERweb allows PSAP participants to quickly locate an entity visually using the Zoom In tool
or by using the Query button to search for a tribal census tract or tribal block group by the
geographic ID, also known as GEOID of the tribal entity and geography.
To locate a 2010 Tribal Census Tract:
Select the Query button along the top right of the TIGERweb window.

From the Select Map drop-down menu, select Tribal Census Tracts and Block Groups.

Select to highlight the Tribal Census Tracts from the Select Layer(s) list.
Enter the tribal entity’s four-digit GEOID number (4200 for tribal entity Tohono O’odham
Nation) and enter the tribal census tract code beneath the AND/OR section (T001). Locate
the four-digit tribal entity code from the earlier Identify action in Step 5. Locate the tribal
census tract code from the 2010 population and housing unit list or from the Identify Results
window shown in Step 5.

Click Submit.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

E-6

Step

Action and Result
To locate a 2010 Tribal Block Group, execute the same steps described above, except from the
Tribal Census Tracts and Block Groups menu select the Tribal Block Groups from the Select
Layer(s) list. Enter the tribal entity’s four digit GEOID number (4200 for tribal entity Tohono
O’odham Nation) and enter the tribal block group code beneath the AND/OR section (A). Click
Submit. This returns all of the “A” tribal block groups in the tribal entity.

Step 6

Similar to the Identify Results action, the Task Results serves up the Query Results. Click the
Query Results tab within the Task Results menu. TIGERweb displays the result(s) of the query.

Step 7

Click the value within the Query Result section, TIGERweb displays the Info panel containing
attribute data for the queried entity.

Step 8

U.S. Census Bureau

Minimize or close the Info panel by clicking on the ‘-‘ or ‘x’ symbols in the top right of the Info
panel, respectively. Clicking on the Query Result makes TIGERweb display the selected entity
(tribal census tract T001) highlighted in the center of the map.
Change the transparency of each layer within the Layers panel by moving the sliding bar below
the layer name to the left or right.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

E-7

Step

Action and Result

Step 9

TIGERweb allows users to select landmass, satellite imagery, or terrain as a background of the
map display from the upper right corner of the map view. The Landmass displays by default
when opening TIGERweb. To change options click the button to toggle through all three
choices. Select the Satellite button to display satellite imagery.

Step10

Click the Print button when using TIGERweb to print and save a map. The PRINT window
displays.

From the PRINT window, select a Map Title, Map Layout, Map Format, then Click the
Generate Map to create a map and print.

This functionality allows participants to generate their own hardcopy of any area of interest.

With the tools and functionality described above, participants can navigate their PSAP tribal
entity outside of GUPS and may find this easier for comparison sake.
American Indian Area Layer
The American Indian Area layer within GUPS provides a supplemental source for understanding
what entities cause regular census tracts to code in the 94XX range and can serve as a very
strong legal feature for establishing and correcting census tract and block group boundaries.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

E-8

Note: This layer will not exist within GUPS for counties without an American Indian Area.

The Census Bureau reserves the 94XX code series for standard census tracts that are delineated
within, or primarily to cover, an American Indian Reservation or off-reservation trust land while
also adhering to the standard census tract criteria. Some areas of the country, primarily in the
Southwest, have counties with the majority of tracts coded to the 94XX range. Major changes
to reservation areas happen infrequently, so the Census Bureau does not anticipate that PSAP
will produce any new 94XX coded tracts.
Parcel Boundaries
In some situations, non-visible, legal, linear features can be preferred as boundaries for tribal
census tracts and tribal block groups. At the smallest scale, participants can use parcel
boundaries for reference to developments or contiguous personal plots if no other solution for
splitting an area is present. Parcel boundaries are particularly useful when working tribal census
tracts that contain neighborhoods characterized by cul-de-sacs that form ‘dangling’ edges in the
database, meaning that there is frequently not a closed circuit of visible features available to
connect all of the housing units associated with the development.
Participants with access to digital map data for parcels can utilize the Manage Layers toolbar to
add external data. Review Section 7.4.3 for details on using the specific buttons with respect to
the local data type.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

E-9

APPENDIX F. MAF/TIGER FEATURE CLASSIFICATION CODES
The MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) is a 5-digit code assigned by the Census
Bureau to classify and describe geographic objects or features in Census Bureau MAF/TIGER
products. Participants may need these codes if they edit existing or add new linear features for
creating new statistical boundaries.
An electronic list is located within the technical documentation for the TIGER/Line Shapefiles on
the Census Bureau’s website .
Within that specific documentation, it is Appendix E.
MTFCC
C3022
C3023

C3024
C3026
C3027
C3061

C3062
C3066
C3067
C3071
C3074

C3075

C3076
C3077
C3078
C3079
C3080

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 60: MTFCC and Descriptions
Feature Class
Description
Mountain Peak or
A prominent elevation rising above the surrounding level of the
Summit
Earth’s surface.
Island
An area of dry or relatively dry land surrounded by water or low
wetland [including archipelago, atoll, cay, hammock, hummock, isla,
isle, key, moku and rock].
Levee
An embankment flanking a stream or other flowing water feature to
prevent overflow.
Quarry (not water-filled), An area from which commercial minerals are or were removed from
Open Pit Mine or Mine
the Earth; not including an oilfield or gas field.
Dam
A barrier built across the course of a stream to impound water
and/or control water flow.
Cul-de-sac
An expanded paved area at the end of a street used by vehicles for
turning around. For mapping purposes, the Census Bureau maps it
only as a point feature.
Traffic Circle
A circular intersection allowing for continuous movement of traffic at
the meeting of roadways.
Gate
A movable barrier across a road.
Toll Booth
A structure or barrier where a fee is collected for using a road.
Lookout Tower
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
observation.
Lighthouse Beacon
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
transmission of light and possibly sound generally to aid in
navigation.
Tank/Tank Farm
One or more manmade structures, each higher than its diameter,
used for liquid (other than water) or gas storage or for distribution
activities.
Windmill Farm
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from the
wind.
Solar Farm
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from the
sun.
Monument or Memorial
A manmade structure to educate, commemorate, or memorialize an
event, person, or feature.
Boundary Monument
A material object placed on or near a boundary line to preserve and
Point
identify the location of the boundary line on the ground.
Survey Control Point
A point on the ground whose position (horizontal or vertical) is
known and can be used as a base for additional survey work.
2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

F-1

MTFCC
C3081

Feature Class
Locality Point

C3085

Alaska Native Village
Official Point
American Indian Area

G2100

G2120
G2130

Hawaiian Home Land
Alaska Native Village
Statistical Area

G2140

Oklahoma Tribal
Statistical Area

G2150

State-designated Tribal
Statistical Area

G2160

Tribal Designated
Statistical Area

G2170

American Indian Joint Use
Area
Alaska Native Regional
Corporation

G2200

G2300

Tribal Subdivision

G2400

Tribal Census Tract

G2410

Tribal Block Group

G3100

Combined Statistical Area

G3110

Metropolitan and

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
A point that identifies the location and name of an unbounded
locality (e.g., crossroad, community, populated place or locale).
A point that serves as the core of an Alaska Native village and is used
in defining Alaska Native village statistical areas.
A legally defined state- or federally recognized reservation and/or
off-reservation trust land (excludes statistical American Indian
Areas).
A legal area held in trust for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.
A statistical geographic entity that represents the residences,
permanent and/or seasonal, for Alaska Natives who are members of
or receiving governmental services from the defining legal Alaska
Native Village corporation.
A statistical entity identified and delineated by the Census Bureau in
consultation with federally recognized American Indian tribes that
have no current reservation, but had a former reservation in
Oklahoma.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the
Census Bureau by a state-appointed liaison for a state-recognized
American Indian tribe that does not currently have a reservation
and/or lands in trust.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the
Census Bureau by a federally recognized American Indian tribe that
does not currently have a reservation and/or off-reservation trust
land.
An area administered jointly and/or claimed by two or more
American Indian tribes.
Corporate entities established to conduct both business and
nonprofit affairs of Alaska Natives pursuant to the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-203). There are twelve
geographically defined ANRCs and they are all within and cover most
of the State of Alaska (the Annette Island Reserve-an American
Indian reservation-is excluded from any ANRC). The boundaries of
ANRCs have been legally established.
Administrative subdivisions of federally recognized American Indian
reservations, off-reservation trust lands, or Oklahoma tribal
statistical areas (OTSAs). These entities are internal units of selfgovernment or administration that serve social, cultural, and/or
economic purposes for the American Indians on the reservations,
off-reservation trust lands, or OTSAs.
A relatively small and permanent statistical subdivision of a federally
recognized American Indian reservation and/or off-reservation trust
land, delineated by American Indian tribal participants or the Census
Bureau for the purpose of presenting demographic data.
A cluster of census blocks within a single tribal census tract
delineated by American Indian tribal participants or the Census
Bureau for presenting demographic data.
A grouping of adjacent metropolitan and/or micropolitan statistical
areas that have a degree of economic and social integration, as
measured by commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus together with

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

F-2

MTFCC

Feature Class
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

G3120

Metropolitan Division

G3200

Combined New England
City and Town Area

G3210

New England City and
Town Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area
New England City and
Town Division

G3220

G3500

Urban Area

G4000

State or Equivalent
Feature

G4020

County or Equivalent
Feature

G4040

County Subdivision

G4050

Estate

G4060
G4110

Subbarrio (Subminor Civil
Division)
Incorporated Place

G4120

Consolidated City

G4210

Census Designated Place

G4300

Economic Census Place

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
adjacent communities having a high degree of economic and social
integration with that core, as measured by commuting. Defined
using whole counties and equivalents.
A county or grouping of counties that is a subdivision of a
Metropolitan Statistical Area containing an urbanized area with a
population of 2.5 million or more.
A grouping of adjacent New England city and town areas that have a
degree of economic and social integration, as measured by
commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus together with
adjacent communities having a high degree of economic and social
integration with that core, as measured by commuting. Defined
using Minor Civil Divisions (MCDs) in New England.
A grouping of cities and towns in New England that is a subdivision of
a New England City and Town Area containing an urbanized area
with a population of 2.5 million or more.
Densely settled territory that contains at least 2,500 people. The
subtypes of this feature are Urbanized Area (UA), which consists of
50,000 + people and Urban Cluster, which ranges between 2,500 and
49,999 people.
The primary governmental divisions of the United States. The District
of Columbia is treated as a statistical equivalent of a state for census
purposes, as is Puerto Rico.
The primary division of a state or state equivalent area. The primary
divisions of 48 states are termed County, but other terms are used
such as Borough in Alaska, Parish in Louisiana, and Municipio in
Puerto Rico. This feature includes independent cities, which are
incorporated places that are not part of any county.
The primary divisions of counties and equivalent features for the
reporting of Census Bureau data. The subtypes of this feature are
Minor Civil Division, Census County Division/Census Subarea, and
Unorganized Territory. This feature includes independent places,
which are incorporated places that are not part of any county
subdivision.
Estates are subdivisions of the three major islands in the United
States Virgin Islands (USVI).
Legally defined divisions (subbarrios) of minor civil divisions (barriospueblo and barrios) in Puerto Rico.
A legal entity incorporated under state law to provide generalpurpose governmental services to a concentration of population.
Incorporated places are generally designated as a city, borough,
municipality, town, village, or, in a few instances, have no legal
description.
An incorporated place that has merged governmentally with a
county or minor civil division, but one or more of the incorporated
places continues to function within the consolidation. It is a place
that contains additional separately incorporated places.
A statistical area defined for a named concentration of population
and the statistical counterpart of an incorporated place.
The lowest level of geographic area for presentation of some types

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

F-3

MTFCC

Feature Class

G5020

Census Tract

G5030

Block Group

G5035

Block Area Grouping

G5040

Tabulation Block

G5200

Congressional District

G5210

State Legislative District
(Upper Chamber

G5220

State Legislative District
(Lower Chamber)

G5240

Voting District

G5400
G5410

Elementary School
District
Secondary School District

G5420

Unified School District

G6120

Public-Use Microdata
Area

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
of Economic Census data. It includes incorporated places,
consolidated cities, census designated places (CDPs), minor civil
divisions (MCDs) in selected states, and balances of MCDs or
counties. An incorporated place, CDP, MCD, or balance of MCD
qualifies as an economic census place if it contains 5,000 or more
residents, or 5,000 or more jobs, according to the most current data
available.
Relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a County or
equivalent feature delineated by local participants as part of the
Census Bureau’s Participant Statistical Areas Program.
A cluster of census blocks having the same first digit of their fourdigit identifying numbers within a Census Tract. For example, block
group 3 (BG 3) within a Census Tract includes all blocks numbered
from 3000 to 3999.
A user-defined group of islands forming a single census tabulation
block. A BAG must: (1) consist of two or more islands, (2) have a
perimeter entirely over water, (3) not overlap, and (4) not cross the
boundary of other tabulation geographies, such as county or
incorporated place boundaries.
The lowest-order census defined statistical area. It is an area, such as
a city block, bounded primarily by physical features but sometimes
by invisible city or property boundaries. A tabulation block boundary
does not cross the boundary of any other geographic area for which
the Census Bureau tabulates data. The subtypes of this feature are
Count Question Resolution (CQR), current, and census.
The 435 areas from which people are elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives. Additional equivalent features exist for state
equivalents with nonvoting delegates or no representative. The
subtypes of this feature are 106th, 107th, 108th, 109th, and 111th
Congressional Districts, plus subsequent Congresses.
Areas established by a state or equivalent government from which
members are elected to the upper or unicameral chamber of a state
governing body. The upper chamber is the senate in a bicameral
legislature, and the unicameral case is a single house legislature
(Nebraska).
Areas established by a state or equivalent government from which
members are elected to the lower chamber of a state governing
body. The lower chamber is the House of Representatives in a
bicameral legislature.
The generic name for the geographic features, such as precincts,
wards, and election districts, established by state, local, and tribal
governments for the purpose of conducting elections.
A geographic area within which officials provide public elementary
grade-level educational services for residents.
A geographic area within which officials provide public secondary
grade-level educational services for residents.
A geographic area within which officials provide public educational
services for all grade levels for residents.
A decennial census area with a population of at least 100,000 or
more persons for which the Census Bureau provides selected
extracts of household-level data that are screened to protect

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

F-4

MTFCC

Feature Class

Description
confidentiality.

G6300

Traffic Analysis District

G6320

Traffic Analysis Zone

G6330

Urban Growth Area

G6350
G6400

ZIP Code Tabulation Area
(Five-Digit)
Commercial Region

H1100

Connector

H2025

Swamp/Marsh

H2030
H2040
H2041
H2051

Lake/Pond
Reservoir
Treatment Pond
Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound

H2053
H2060
H2081

Ocean/Sea
Gravel Pit/Quarry filled
with water
Glacier

H3010

Stream/River

H3013

Braided Stream

H3020

Canal, Ditch or Aqueduct

K1225

Crew-of-Vessel Location

K1231

Hospital/Hospice/Urgent
Care Facility
Juvenile Institution

An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)
and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for tabulating
journey-to-work and place-of-work data. A Traffic Analysis District
(TAD) consists of one or more Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs).
An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)
and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for tabulating
journey-to-work and place-of-work data.
An area defined under state authority to manage urbanization that
the Census Bureau includes in the MAF/TIGER® System in agreement
with the state.
An approximate statistical-area representation of a U.S. Postal
Service (USPS) 5-digit ZIP Code service area.
For presenting economic statistical data, municipios in Puerto Rico
are grouped into commercial regions.
A known, but nonspecific, hydrographic connection between two
nonadjacent water features.
A poorly drained wetland, fresh or saltwater, wooded or grassy,
possibly covered with open water [includes bog, cienega, marais and
pocosin].
A standing body of water that is surrounded by land.
An artificially impounded body of water.
An artificial body of water built to treat fouled water.
A body of water partly surrounded by land [includes arm, bight, cove
and inlet].
The great body of salt water that covers much of the earth.
A body of water in a place or area from which commercial minerals
were removed from the Earth.
A body of ice moving outward and down slope from an area of
accumulation. An area of relatively permanent snow or ice on the
top or side of a mountain or mountainous area [includes ice field and
ice patch].
A natural flowing waterway [includes anabranch, awawa, branch,
brook, creek, distributary, fork, kill, pup, rio, and run].
A natural flowing waterway with an intricate network of interlacing
channels.
An artificial waterway constructed to transport water, to irrigate or
drain land, to connect two or more bodies of water, or to serve as a
waterway for watercraft [includes lateral].
A point or area in which the population of military or merchant
marine vessels at sea are assigned, usually being at or near the home
port pier.
One or more structures where the sick or injured may receive
medical or surgical attention [including infirmary].
A facility (correctional and non-correctional) where groups of
juveniles reside; this includes training schools, detention centers,
residential treatment centers and orphanages.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the confinement of
adult persons in lawful detention, administered by a local (county,

K1235

K1236
U.S. Census Bureau

Local Jail or Detention
Center

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

F-5

MTFCC

Feature Class

K1237

Federal Penitentiary,
State Prison, or Prison
Farm
Other Correctional
Institution

K1238

K1239

K1246
K2110

Convent, Monastery,
Rectory, Other Religious
Group Quarters
Community Center
Military Installation

K2165

Government Center

K2167

Convention Center

K2180

Park

K2181

National Park Service
Land
National Forest or Other
Federal Land

K2182

K2183

Tribal Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2184

State Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2185

Regional Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2186

County Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2187

County Subdivision Park,
Forest, or Recreation
Area
Incorporated Place Park,
Forest, or Recreation
Area
Private Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area
Other Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area (quasipublic, independent park,

K2188

K2189
K2190

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
municipal, etc.) government.
An institution that serves as a place for the confinement of adult
persons in lawful detention, administered by the federal government
or a state government.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the confinement of
adult persons in lawful detention, not elsewhere classified or
administered by a government of unknown jurisdiction.
One or more structures intended for use as a residence for those
having a religious vocation.
Community Center.
An area owned and/or occupied by the Department of Defense for
use by a branch of the armed forces (such as the Army, Navy, Air
Force, Marines, or Coast Guard), or a state owned area for the use of
the National Guard.
A place used by members of government (either federal, state, local,
or tribal) for administration and public business.
An exhibition hall or conference center with enough open space to
host public and private business and social events.
Parkland defined and administered by federal, state, and local
governments.
Area—National parks, National Monuments, and so forth—under the
jurisdiction of the National Park Service.
Land under the management and jurisdiction of the federal
government, specifically including areas designated as National
Forest, and excluding areas under the jurisdiction of the National
Park Service.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of an American
Indian tribe.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of a state
government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of a regional
government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of a county
government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of a minor civil
division (town/township) government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of a municipal
government.
A privately owned place or area set aside for recreation or
preservation of a cultural or natural resource.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of some other type
of government or agency such as an independent park authority or

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

F-6

MTFCC
K2191

Feature Class
commission, etc.)
Post Office

K2193
K2194
K2195
K2196
K2400

Fire Department
Police Station
Library
City/Town Hall
Transportation Terminal

K2424
K2432

Marina
Pier/Dock

K2451

Airport or Airfield

K2452
K2453

Train Station, Trolley or
Mass Transit Rail Station
Bus Terminal

K2454

Marine Terminal

K2455

Seaplane Anchorage

K2456

K2459

Airport—Intermodal
Transportation
Hub/Terminal
Airport—Statistical
Representation
Park and Ride
Facility/Parking Lot
Runway/Taxiway

K2460

Helicopter Landing Pad

K2540

University or College

K2543

School or Academy

K2545

Museum, Visitor Center,
Cultural Center, or Tourist
Attraction
Golf Course
Cemetery

K2457
K2458

K2561
K2582
U.S. Census Bureau

Description
commission.
An official facility of the U.S. Postal Service used for processing and
distributing mail and other postal material.
Fire Department.
Police Station.
Library.
City/Town Hall.
A facility where one or more modes of transportation can be
accessed by people or for the shipment of goods; examples of such a
facility include marine terminal, bus station, train station, airport and
truck warehouse.
A place where privately owned, light-craft are moored.
A platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by
piles. This platform may provide access to ships and boats, or it may
be used for recreational purposes.
A manmade facility maintained for the use of aircraft [including
airstrip, landing field and landing strip].
A place where travelers can board and exit rail transit lines, including
associated ticketing, freight, and other commercial offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit mass motor vehicle
transit, including associated ticketing, freight, and other commercial
offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit water transit or where
cargo is handled, including associated ticketing, freight, and other
commercial offices.
A place where an airplane equipped with floats for landing on or
taking off from a body of water can debark and load.
A major air transportation facility where travelers can board and exit
airplanes and connect with other (i.e. non-air) modes of
transportation.
The area of an airport adjusted to include whole 2000 census blocks
used for the delineation of urban areas
A place where motorists can park their cars and transfer to other
modes of transportation.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by airplanes for taking
off and landing at an airport.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by helicopters for
taking off and landing.
A building or group of buildings used as an institution for postsecondary study, teaching, and learning [including seminary].
A building or group of buildings used as an institution for preschool,
elementary or secondary study, teaching, and learning [including
elementary school and high school].
An attraction of historical, cultural, educational or other interest that
provides information or displays artifacts.
A place designed for playing golf.
A place or area for burying the dead [including burying ground and

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

F-7

MTFCC

Feature Class

K2586

Zoo

K3544

Place of Worship

L4010

Pipeline

L4020

Powerline

L4031

Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift

L4110

Fence Line

L4121
L4125

Ridge Line
Cliff/Escarpment

L4130

Point-to-Point Line

L4140

Property/Parcel Line
(Including PLSS)

L4150

Coastline

L4165

Ferry Crossing

P0001
P0002

Nonvisible Linear
Legal/Statistical Boundary
Perennial Shoreline

P0003

Intermittent Shoreline

P0004

Other non-visible
bounding Edge (e.g.,
Census water boundary,
boundary of an aerial
feature)
Railroad Feature (Main,
Spur, or Yard)
Carline, Streetcar Track,
Monorail, Other Mass
Transit

R1011
R1051

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
memorial garden].
A facility in which terrestrial and/or marine animals are confined
within enclosures and displayed to the public for educational,
preservation, and research purposes.
A sanctified place or structure where people gather for religious
worship; examples include church, synagogue, temple, and mosque.
A long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground, with
pumps and valves for flow control, used to transport fluid (e.g.,
crude oil, natural gas), especially over great distances.
One or more wires, often on elevated towers, used for conducting
high-voltage electric power.
A conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers
suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers.
A manmade barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc., usually
made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent entrance, to
confine, or to mark a boundary.
The line of highest elevation along a ridge.
A very steep or vertical slope [including bluff, crag, head, headland,
nose, palisades, precipice, promontory, rim and rimrock].
A line defined as beginning at one location point and ending at
another, both of which are in sight.
This feature class may denote a nonvisible boundary of either public
or private lands (e.g., a park boundary) or it may denote a Public
Land Survey System or equivalent survey line.
The line that separates either land or Inland water from Coastal,
Territorial or Great Lakes water. Where land directly borders Coastal,
Territorial or Great Lakes water, the shoreline represents the
Coastline. Where Inland water (such as a river) flows into Coastal,
Territorial or Great Lakes water, the closure line separating the
Inland water from the other class of water represents the Coastline.
The route used to carry or convey people or cargo back and forth
over a waterbody in a boat.
A legal/statistical boundary line that does not correspond to a
shoreline or other visible feature on the ground.
The more-or-less permanent boundary between land and water for a
water feature that exists year-round.
The boundary between land and water (when water is present) for a
water feature that does not exist year-round.
A bounding Edge that does not represent a legal/statistical
boundary, and does not correspond to a shoreline or other visible
feature on the ground. Many such Edges bound area landmarks,
while many others separate water features from each other (e.g.,
where a bay meets the ocean).
A line of fixed rails or tracks that carries mainstream railroad traffic.
Such a rail line can be a main line or spur line, or part of a rail yard.
Mass transit rail lines (including lines for rapid transit, monorails,
streetcars, light rail, etc.) that are typically inaccessible to
mainstream railroad traffic and whose tracks are not part of a road
right-of-way.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

F-8

MTFCC
R1052

Feature Class
Cog Rail Line, Incline Rail
Line, Tram

S1100

Primary Road

S1200

Secondary Road

S1400

Local Neighborhood
Road, Rural Road, City
Street

S1500

Vehicular Trail (4WD)

S1630

Ramp

S1640

S1710

Service Drive usually
along a limited access
highway
Walkway/Pedestrian Trail

S1720

Stairway

S1730

Alley

S1740

S1780
S1820

Private Road for service
vehicles (logging, oil
fields, ranches, etc.)
Internal U.S. Census
Bureau use
Parking Lot Road
Bike Path or Trail

S1830

Bridle Path

S2000

Road Median

S1750

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
A special purpose rail line for climbing steep grades that is typically
inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic. Note that aerial
tramways and streetcars (which may also be called “trams”) are
accounted for by other MTFCCs and do not belong in R1052.
Primary roads are generally divided, limited-access highways within
the interstate highway system or under state management, and are
distinguished by the presence of interchanges. These highways are
accessible by ramps and may include some toll highways.
Secondary roads are main arteries, usually in the U.S. Highway, State
Highway or County Highway system. These roads have one or more
lanes of traffic in each direction, may or may not be divided, and
usually have at-grade intersections with many other roads and
driveways. They often have both a local name and a route number.
Generally, a paved non-arterial street, road, or byway that usually
has a single lane of traffic in each direction. Roads in this feature
class may be privately or publicly maintained. Scenic park roads
would be included in this feature class, as would (depending on the
region of the country) some unpaved roads.
An unpaved dirt trail where a four-wheel drive vehicle is required.
These vehicular trails are found almost exclusively in very rural areas.
Minor, unpaved roads usable by ordinary cars and trucks belong in
the S1400 category.
A road that allows controlled access from adjacent roads onto a
limited access highway, often in the form of a cloverleaf interchange.
These roads are unaddressable and do not carry a name in the
MAF/TIGER System.
A road, usually paralleling a limited access highway, which provides
access to structures along the highway. These roads can be named
and may intersect with other roads.
A path that is used for walking, being either too narrow for or legally
restricted from vehicular traffic.
A pedestrian passageway from one level to another by a series of
steps.
A service road that does not generally have associated addressed
structures and is usually unnamed. It is located at the rear of
buildings and properties and is used for deliveries.
A road within private property that is privately maintained for
service, extractive, or other purposes. These roads are often
unnamed.
Internal U.S. Census Bureau use.
The main travel route for vehicles through a paved parking area.
A path that is used for manual or small, motorized bicycles, being
either too narrow for or legally restricted from vehicular traffic.
A path that is used for horses, being either too narrow for or legally
restricted from vehicular traffic.
The unpaved area or barrier between the carriageways of a divided
road.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

F-9

APPENDIX G. ACCEPTABLE LINEAR FEATURES FOR STATISTICAL
BOUNDARIES
Below is a list of linear features that make acceptable or questionable statistical geography
boundaries. Refer to this list while reviewing existing boundaries, but also when creating new
geographies or modifying existing boundaries. Except in instances described in Table 5 for nonvisible boundaries, this appendix is the source for the Census Bureau during their review of
participant submissions. A complete list of MAF/TIGER Classification Codes (MTFCCs) is located
on the Census Bureau’s geography reference website:
.
Table 61: Acceptable Linear Features for Statistical Boundaries
Feature Name
MTFCC
Acceptable Questionable
Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift
L4031
X
Alley
S1730
X
Bike Path or Trail
S1820
X
Braided Stream
H3013
X
Bridle Path/Horse Trail
S1830
X
Canal, Ditch, or Aqueduct
H3020
X
(intermittent)
Canal, Ditch, or Aqueduct
H3020
X
(perennial)
Carline, Streetcar Track,
R1051
X
Monorail, Other Mass Transit Rail
Cliff/Escarpment
L4125
X
Cog Rail Line, Incline Rail Line,
R1052
X
Tram
Dam
C3027
X
Fence Line
L4110
X
Ferry Crossing
L4165
X
Intermittent Shoreline
P0003
X
Interstate Highway or Primary
S1100
X
Road with limited access
Levee
C3024
X
Local Neighborhood Road, Rural
S1400
X
Road, City Street
Parking Lot Road
S1780
X
Perennial Shoreline
P0002
X
Pier/Dock
K2432
X
Pipeline (above ground)
L4010
X
Point-to-Point Line
L4130
X
Power line (above ground, high
L4020
X
tension)
Primary Road without limited
S1200
X
access, US Highway, State
Highway, or County Highway,
Secondary and connecting roads
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

G-1

Feature Name
Private Driveway
Private Road for service vehicles
(logging, oil fields, ranches, etc.)
Property/Parcel Line (PLSS,
airport, airfield, military
installation or other)
Railroad Feature (Main, Spur, or
Yard)
Ridge Line
Runway/Taxiway
Service Drive/Service Road
(usually along limited access
highway)
Stairway
Stream/River (intermittent)
Stream/River (perennial)
Vehicular Trail (4WD)
Walkway/Pedestrian Trail

U.S. Census Bureau

MTFCC
S1750
S1740

Acceptable

L4140

R1011

L4121
K2459
S1640

X
X
X

S1720
H3010
H3010
S1500
S1710

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Questionable
X
X

X
X
X
X
X

G-2

APPENDIX H. STANDARD STREET TYPE ABBREVIATIONS
The street name types and their abbreviations shown below provide background to PSAP
participants that may need to add linear features in order to split statistical geographies. Use
the standard street type abbreviations to assign the street type to any newly added linear
features that are streets.
Table 62: Standard Street Type Abbreviations
Street Type
Standard Abbreviation
ALLEY
ANEX
ARCADE
AVENUE
BAYOU
BEACH
BEND
BLUFF
BLUFFS
BOTTOM
BOULEVARD
BRANCH
BRIDGE
BROOK
BROOKS
BURG
BURGS
BYPASS
CAMP
CANYON
CAPE
CAUSEWAY
CENTER
CENTERS
CIRCLE
CIRCLES
CLIFF
CLIFFS
CLUB
COMMON
COMMONS
CORNER
CORNERS
COURSE
COURT
COURTS
COVE
COVES
CREEK
CRESCENT
CREST
CROSSING
U.S. Census Bureau

ALY
ANX
ARC
AVE
BYU
BCH
BND
BLF
BLFS
BTM
BLVD
BR
BRG
BRK
BRKS
BG
BGS
BYP
CP
CYN
CPE
CSWY
CTR
CTRS
CIR
CIRS
CLF
CLFS
CLB
CMN
CMNS
COR
CORS
CRSE
CT
CTS
CV
CVS
CRK
CRES
CRST
XING

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

H-1

U.S. Census Bureau

Street Type

Standard Abbreviation

CROSSROAD
CROSSROADS
CURVE
DALE
DAM
DIVIDE
DRIVE
DRIVES
ESTATE
ESTATES
EXPRESSWAY
EXTENSION
EXTENSIONS
FALL
FALLS
FERRY
FIELD
FIELDS
FLAT
FLATS
FORD
FORDS
FOREST
FORGE
FORGES
FORK
FORKS
FORT
FREEWAY
GARDEN
GARDENS
GATEWAY
GLEN
GLENS
GREEN
GREENS
GROVE
GROVES
HARBOR
HARBORS
HAVEN
HEIGHTS
HIGHWAY
HILL
HILLS
HOLLOW
INLET
ISLAND
ISLANDS
ISLE
JUNCTION

XRD
XRDS
CURV
DL
DM
DV
DR
DRS
EST
ESTS
EXPY
EXT
EXTS
FALL
FLS
FRY
FLD
FLDS
FLT
FLTS
FRD
FRDS
FRST
FRG
FRGS
FRK
FRKS
FT
FWY
GDN
GDNS
GTWY
GLN
GLNS
GRN
GRNS
GRV
GRVS
HBR
HBRS
HVN
HTS
HWY
HL
HLS
HOLW
INLT
IS
ISS
ISLE
JCT

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

H-2

U.S. Census Bureau

Street Type

Standard Abbreviation

JUNCTIONS
KEY
KEYS
KNOLL
KNOLLS
LAKE
LAKES
LAND
LANDING
LANE
LIGHT
LIGHTS
LOAF
LOCK
LOCKS
LODGE
LOOP
MALL
MANOR
MANORS
MEADOW
MEADOWS
MEWS
MILL
MILLS
MISSION
MOTORWAY
MOUNT
MOUNTAIN
MOUNTAINS
NECK
ORCHARD
OVAL
OVERPASS
PARK
PARKS
PARKWAY
PARKWAYS
PASS
PASSAGE
PATH
PIKE
PINE
PINES
PLACE
PLAIN
PLAINS
PLAZA
POINT
POINTS
PORT

JCTS
KY
KYS
KNL
KNLS
LK
LKS
LAND
LNDG
LN
LGT
LGTS
LF
LCK
LCKS
LDG
LOOP
MALL
MNR
MNRS
MDW
MDWS
MEWS
ML
MLS
MSN
MTWY
MT
MTN
MTNS
NCK
ORCH
OVAL
OPAS
PARK
PARK
PKWY
PKWY
PASS
PSGE
PATH
PIKE
PNE
PNES
PL
PLN
PLNS
PLZ
PT
PTS
PRT

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

H-3

U.S. Census Bureau

Street Type

Standard Abbreviation

PORTS
PRAIRIE
RADIAL
RAMP
RANCH
RAPID
RAPIDS
REST
RIDGE
RIDGES
RIVER
ROAD
ROADS
ROUTE
ROW
RUE
RUN
SHOAL
SHOALS
SHORE
SHORES
SKYWAY
SPRING
SPRINGS
SPUR
SPURS
SQUARE
SQUARES
STATION
STRAVENUE
STREAM
STREET
STREETS
SUMMIT
TERRACE
THROUGHWAY
TRACE
TRACK
TRAFFICWAY
TRAIL
TRAILER
TUNNEL
TURNPIKE
UNDERPASS
UNION
UNIONS
VALLEY
VALLEYS
VIADUCT
VIEW
VIEWS

PRTS
PR
RADL
RAMP
RNCH
RPD
RPDS
RST
RDG
RDGS
RIV
RD
RDS
RTE
ROW
RUE
RUN
SHL
SHLS
SHR
SHRS
SKWY
SPG
SPGS
SPUR
SPUR
SQ
SQS
STA
STRA
STRM
ST
STS
SMT
TER
TRWY
TRCE
TRAK
TRFY
TRL
TRLR
TUNL
TPKE
UPAS
UN
UNS
VLY
VLYS
VIA
VW
VWS

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

H-4

U.S. Census Bureau

Street Type

Standard Abbreviation

VILLAGE
VILLAGES
VILLE
VISTA
WALK
WALKS
WALL
WAY
WAYS
WELL
WELLS

VLG
VLGS
VL
VIS
WALK
WALK
WALL
WAY
WAYS
WL
WLS

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

H-5

APPENDIX I.

SHAPEFILE NAMES

State-based shapefiles exist for use within GUPS. Participants need not worry about opening
these files independently from GUPS. The information in this section serves as basic metadata
about the files used by GUPS.
PVS_18_v2__.shp, where is the number corresponding FIPS number for
the state, (e.g., “24” corresponds to Maryland) and is the abbreviation for the
shapefile layer, describe in detail below. For example, PVS_18_v2_tbg_24.shp is the tribal block
group shapefile layer for Maryland.
Table 63: State Shapefiles Names
Shapefile Layer
American Indian Areas (AIA) – Legal
2010 American Indian Areas (AIA) – Legal
American Indian Areas (AIA) – Statistical
American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Legal
American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Statistical
Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRC) – State 02
only
Block Area Group
Metropolitan Statistical Area/Metropolitan Statistical Area
Congressional Districts
Census Designated Place
Counties and Equivalent Areas
2010 Counties and Equivalent Areas
Elementary School Districts
Hawaiian Home Lands (HHL) – State 15 only
County Subdivisions - Legal
New England City and Town Areas
Incorporated Places
2010 Public Use Microdata Areas
Secondary School Districts
State Legislative Districts Lower
State Legislative District Upper Chambers
State
Tribal Block Groups
Tribal Census Tracts
2010 Census Tracts
Urban Area
Unified School District State-Based

aial
aial2010
aias
aitsl
aitss
anrc
bag
cbsa
cd
cdp
county
county2010
elsd
hhl
mcd
necta
place
puma2010
scsd
sldl
sldu
state
tbg
tct
tracts2010
uac
unsd

County-based shapefiles exist for use within GUPS. Participants need not worry about opening
these files independently from GUPS. The information in this section serves as basic metadata
about the files used by GUPS.
PVS_18_v2__.shp, where is the number corresponding FIPS
number for the state and county, (e.g. “24001” corresponds to Allegany County, Maryland) and
is the abbreviation for the shapefile layer, describe in detail below. For example,
PVS_18_v2_curtracts_24001.shp is the current census tract shapefile layer for Allegany County,
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

I-1

Maryland. The source of the census tracts is still the 2010 geography, but if spatial updates
occurred to the 2010 census tracts, they are reflected in this layer, not the tract2010 layer.
Table 64: County Shapefiles Names
Shapefile Layer
American Indian Areas (AIA) – Legal
American Indian Areas (AIA) – Statistical
American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Legal
American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Statistical
Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRC) – State 02
only
Area Landmark
Block Area Group
Block Groups
Metropolitan Statistical Area/Metropolitan Statistical Area
Census County Division
Congressional Districts
Census Designated Place
Consolidated Cities
Counties and Equivalent Areas
Census Tracts - Current
All Lines
Elementary School Districts
Topological Faces (2-cells with all geocodes)
Hawaiian Home Lands (HHL) – State 15 only
County Subdivisions - Legal
New England City and Town Areas
Offsets
Incorporated Places
Point Landmarks
2010 Public Use Microdata Areas
Secondary School Districts
State Legislative Districts Lower
State Legislative Districts Upper
Subbarrios – State 72 only
Census Blocks - Current
2010 Census Blocks
2010 Traffic Analysis Delineation
2010 Traffic Analysis Zones
Tribal Block Groups
Tribal Census Tracts
2010 Census Tracts
Census Urban Areas
Urban Growth Area
Unified School Districts
Voting Tabulation Districts
Hydrography - Area
Relationship Tables
Address Ranges
Topological Faces - Area Landmark Relationship
Topological Faces - Area Hydrography Relationship
Linear Feature Names - Fielded
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

aial
aias
aitsl
aitss
anrc
arealm
bag
bg
cbsa
ccd
cd
cdp
concity
county
curtracts
edges
elsd
faces
hhl
mcd
necta
offset
place
pointlm
puma2010
scsd
sldl
sldu
submcd
tabblock
tabblock2010
tad2010
taz2010
tbg
tct
tracts2010
uac
uga
unsd
vtd
water

addr
areafaces
hydrofaces
allnames
I-2

APPENDIX J.

SHAPEFILE LAYOUTS

This appendix includes several tables with the most common shapefiles used in 2020 Census
PSAP and their file layout.
Attribute Field
FID
Shape
STATEFP
COUNTYFP
TLID
TFIDL
TFIDR
MTFCC
FIDELITY
FULLNAME
SMID
SMIDTYPE
BBSPFLG
CBBFLG
BBSP_2020
CHNG_TYPE
JUSTIFY
LTOADD
RTOADD
LFROMADD
RFROMADD
ZIPL
ZIPR
EXTTYP
MTUPDATE
RTTYP
GUPS

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 65: Edges Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_edges)
Length
Type
Description
10
Integer Feature ID
8
String
Type of shape (Polyline)
2
String
FIPS state code
3
String
FIPS county code
10
Integer TIGER/Line Permanent Edge ID
10
Integer TIGER/Line Permanent Face ID (left)
10
Integer TIGER/Line Permanent Face ID (right)
5
String
MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code
Indication to a respondent when their entity boundary
1
String
has changed through spatial enhancement
Decoded feature name with abbreviated qualifier,
40
String
direction, and feature type
22
Double Spatial Tmeta ID
1
String
Spatial type
Redistricting data project participant’s submitted
1
String
request of an EDGE for selection as a block boundary
Indicates the status of an EDGE for a selection as a
1
String
block boundary
1
String
New BBSP flag
4
String
Type of linear feature update
150
String
Justification of change
10
String
Left To address
10
String
Right To address
10
String
Left From address
10
String
Right From address
5
String
Left 5-digit ZIP Code
5
String
Right 5-digit ZIP Code
1
String
Extension type
10
Date
Date of last MAF/TIGER update to the edge
1
String
Route type
80
String
Used internally by GUPS during digitizing

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

J-1

Table 66: Address Ranges Attribute File (PVS_18_v2_addr)
Attribute Field Length
Type
Description
OID
8
String
Object ID
TLID
10
Integer TIGER/Line Permanent Edge ID
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS state code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS county code
FROMHN
12
String
From house number
TOHN
12
String
To house number
SIDE
1
String
Side of feature indicator flag (L or R)
ZIP
5
String
5-digit ZIP Code
PLUS4
4
String
ZIP+4 Code
LFROMADD
10
String
Left From address
LTOADD
10
String
Left To address
RFROMADD
10
String
Right From address
RTOADD
10
String
Right To address
ZIPL
5
String
Left 5-digit ZIP Code
ZIPR
5
String
Right 5-digit ZIP Code
ZIP4L
4
String
Left ZIP+4 Code
ZIP4R
4
String
Right ZIP+4 Code

Attribute Field
FID
Shape
STATEFP
TTRACTCE
TBLKGRPCE
TBLKGRPID
AIANNHCE
PARTFLG
CHNG_TYPE
EDITED
HOUSING10
JSTFY_CNTG
JSTFY_SLU
JUSTIFY
POP10
TBTRACTID

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 67: Tribal Block Group Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_tbg)
Length
Type
Description
10
Integer
Feature ID
7
String
Type of shape (Polygon)
2
String
FIPS state code (56)
6
String
Tribal census tract code (T00101)
1
String
Tribal block group code (A)
12
String
AIANHCE, TTRACTCE, and TBLKGRPCE (4610T00101A)
4
String
Census AI/AN/NH area code (4610)
1
String
Indicates if only part of a feature is represented (Y or N)
2
String
Code for type of area update (M, B, E, and G)
1
String
GUPS updates to indicate an edit by the participant
10
Integer
2010 housing unit count
150
String
Justification entered by participant to retain
noncontiguous statistical geography
150
String
Justification entered by participant for a special use
measurement threshold
150
String
Justification of change to attribute of tribal block group
10
Integer
2010 population count
11
String
AIANHCE and TTRACTCE (4610T00101)

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

J-2

Table 68: Tribal Census Tract Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_tct)
Attribute Field
Length
Type
Description
FID
10
Integer
Feature ID
Shape
7
String
Type of shape (Polygon)
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS state code (56)
TTRACTCE
6
String
Tribal census tract code (T00101)
NAME
100
String
Tribal census tract code with decimal if applicable
(T001.01) used as label
TTRACTTYP
1
String
Tribal census tract characteristic flag
AIANNHCE
4
String
Census AI/AN/NH area code (4610)
TBTRACTID
11
String
Census AI/AN/NH area code and TTRACTCE
(4610T00101)
PARTFLG
1
String
Partial flag indicator
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Code for type of area update (M, B, E, and G)
EDITED
1
String
GUPS updates to indicate an edit by the participant
HOUSING10
10
Integer
2010 housing unit count
JSTFY_CNTG
150
String
Justification entered by participant to retain
noncontiguous statistical geography
JSTFY_NAME
150
String
Justification entered by participant when the name is
changed
JSTFY_SLU
150
String
Justification entered by participant for a special use
measurement threshold
JUSTIFY
150
String
Justification of change to attribute of tribal census tract
POP10
10
Integer
2010 population count
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

J-3

Table 69: Census Designated Place Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_cdp)
Attribute Field Length
Type
Description
FID
10
Integer
Feature ID
Shape
7
String
Type of shape (Polygon)
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County code
PLACEFP
5
String
FIPS 55 Place code
PLACENS
8
String
ANSI feature code for the place
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
LSAD
2
String
Legal / Statistical Area description
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional status
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS 55 class code describing and entity
PARTFLG
1
String
Indicates if only part of a feature is represented (Y or N)
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Code for type of area update (E, B, G, and X)
EFF_DATE
8
Date
Effective date or vintage
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
String
Justification of change
NAME
100
String
Entity name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
POP10
10
Integer
2010 population count
HOUSING10
10
Integer
2010 housing unit count
JSTFY_NAME
150
String
Justification entered by participant when the name is
changed

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

J-4

Table 70: American Indian Areas – Legal Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_aial)
Attribute Field Length
Type
Description
FID
10
Integer Feature ID
Shape
7
String
Type of shape (Polygon)
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS state code (56)
AIANNHCE
4
String
Census AIANNH code (4610)
Indicates if Reservation, Trust Land, or both are present
COMPTYP
1
String
(R, T, or B)
AIANNHFSR
1
String
Flag Indicating level of recognition of an AIA, AN, or NH
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD (Wind River Reservation)
AIANNHNS
8
String
ANSI numeric identifier for AIA, AN, or NH areas
LSAD
2
String
Legal / Statistical Area description
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional status (A for active)
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS 55 class code describing an entity
PARTFLG
1
String
Partial flag indicator (Y or N)
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Code for type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
Date
Effective date
Authorization Type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L –
AUTHTYPE
1
String
Local Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)
DOCU
120
String
Supporting documentation
FORM_ID
4
String
Record ID (GUPS only)
AREA
10
Double Acreage of area update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification of change to attribute of AIA
NAME
100
String
AIA name (Wind River)
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
JSTFY_NAME
150
String
Justification entered by participant when the name is
changed

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

J-5

Table 71: American Indian Areas – Statistical Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_aias)
Attribute Field Length
Type
Description
FID
10
Integer Feature ID
Shape
7
String
Type of shape (Polygon)
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS state code (22)
AIANNHCE
4
String
Census AIANNH code (9515)
1
Indicates if Reservation, Trust Land, or both are present
COMPTYP
String
(R, T, or B)
AIANNHFSR
1
String
Flag Indicating level of recognition of an AIA, AN, or NH
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD (Apache Choctaw SDTSA)
8
ANSI numeric identifier for AIA, AN, or NH areas
AIANNHNS
String
(02418775)
LSAD
2
String
Legal / Statistical Area description
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional status (S for statistical)
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS 55 class code describing an entity
PARTFLG
1
String
Indicates if only part of a feature is represented (Y or N)
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Code for type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
Date
Effective date
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification of change to attribute of AIA
NAME
100
String
AIA name (Apache Choctaw)
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
JSTFY_NAME
150
String
Justification entered by participant when the name is
changed

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

J-6

Table 72: County and Equivalent Areas Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_county)
Attribute Field Length
Type
Description
FID
1
Integer Feature ID
Shape
7
String
Type of shape (Polygon)
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS state code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS county code
COUNTYNS
8
String
ANSI feature code for the county or equivalent feature
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD code
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area description code
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional status
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS 55 class code describing an entity
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Code for type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
Date
Effective date or vintage
Authorization type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L –
AUTHTYPE
1
String
Local Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)
DOCU
120
String
Supporting documentation
FORM_ID
4
String
Record ID (GUPS only)
AREA
10
Double Acreage of area update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
Justification of change to attribute of the county or
JUSTIFY
150
String
equivalent area
NAME
100
String
Entity name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

J-7

2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas
Program (PSAP) Tribal Respondent Guide
Instructions for Using Paper Maps

This Page Intentionally left blank

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... vi
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

General Information .................................................................................................................... vi
The 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) .................................................. vi
The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) ............................................................................. viii
2020 Census PSAP Schedule ........................................................................................................ ix
Training and Support ................................................................................................................... ix
Respondent Guide Organization .................................................................................................. x

Part One: Overview of the 2020 Census PSAP Materials and Tribal Statistical Geographies 11

Chapter 1. Delineation Phase Materials for 2020 Census PSAP ............................................ 12
1.1
1.2

Informational and Instructional Materials ................................................................................. 12
Map Materials ............................................................................................................................ 13
1.2.1 Paper Maps .........................................................................................................................................13
1.2.2 Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf) Files ...................................................................................14

1.3

Other Materials .......................................................................................................................... 15

Chapter 2. Tribal Census Tracts ........................................................................................... 17
2.1
2.2
2.3

Tribal Census Tract Threshold Requirements ............................................................................. 18
Tribal Census Tract Codes and Numeric Identification............................................................... 19
Tribal Census Tract Boundary Requirements ............................................................................. 19

Chapter 3. Tribal Block Groups ........................................................................................... 22
3.1
3.2
3.3

Tribal Block Group Threshold Requirements.............................................................................. 23
Tribal Block Group Codes and Identification .............................................................................. 23
Tribal Block Group Boundary Requirements .............................................................................. 24

Chapter 4. Census Designated Places (CDPs) ....................................................................... 25
Chapter 5. Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas (ANVSAs) ................................................ 26
5.1
5.2
5.3

ANVSA Criteria ............................................................................................................................ 27
ANVSA Guidelines ....................................................................................................................... 27
ANVSA Relationship to Incorporated Places and CDPs .............................................................. 28

Chapter 6. Alaska Native Regional Corporation (ANRC) ....................................................... 29
Chapter 7. Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Areas (OTSAs) and OTSA tribal subdivisions ............. 31
7.1
7.2

OTSA Criteria............................................................................................................................... 32
OTSA Guidelines ......................................................................................................................... 33

Chapter 8. Tribal Designated Statistical Areas (TDSAs) ........................................................ 34
8.1
8.2
8.3

TDSA Criteria ............................................................................................................................... 35
TDSA Guidelines.......................................................................................................................... 35
Considerations for Delineating TDSAs ........................................................................................ 36

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

Chapter 9. State Designated Tribal Statistical Areas (SDTSAs).............................................. 37
9.1
9.2
9.3

SDTSA Criteria ............................................................................................................................. 38
SDTSA Guidelines ........................................................................................................................ 38
Considerations for Delineating SDTSAs ...................................................................................... 39

Chapter 10. State American Indian Reservations (SAIRs) ....................................................... 40
10.1 SAIR Criteria and Guidelines ....................................................................................................... 40

Part Two: Reviewing, Updating, and Submitting 2020 Census PSAP Maps .......................... 42
Chapter 11. Reviewing 2020 Census PSAP Maps ................................................................... 43
11.1 General Information on Boundary Features .............................................................................. 43
11.2 General Guidelines for Feature Updates .................................................................................... 44

Chapter 12. Updating 2020 Census PSAP Maps ..................................................................... 45
12.1
12.2
12.3
12.4
12.5
12.6
12.7
12.8

Tribal Block Group Update Example ........................................................................................... 45
CDP Update Example .................................................................................................................. 47
ANVSA Update Example ............................................................................................................. 48
ANRC Update Example ............................................................................................................... 49
OTSA Update Example ................................................................................................................ 49
TDSA Update Example ................................................................................................................ 50
SDTSA Update Example .............................................................................................................. 50
SAIR Update Example ................................................................................................................. 51

Chapter 13. Submitting Updated 2020 Census PSAP Maps .................................................... 52
Part Three: Next Steps in 2020 Census PSAP ........................................................................ 53

Appendix A.

Glossary...................................................................................................... A-1

Appendix B.

2020 Census PSAP Criteria........................................................................... B-1

Appendix C.

PSAP Historical Background ........................................................................ C-1

Appendix D.

History of American Indian Areas in the Decennial Census........................... D-1

Appendix E.

History of Alaska Native Areas in the Decennial Census ............................... E-1

Appendix F.

TIGERweb Online Map Viewer .................................................................... F-1

Appendix G.

Large Format Map Legend ........................................................................... G-1

Appendix H.

Standard Street Type Abbreviations ............................................................ H-1

Appendix I.

Acceptable Linear Features for Statistical Boundaries ................................... I-1

Appendix J.

MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Codes ...................................................... J-1

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

iii

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: 2020 Census PSAP Schedule ............................................................................................. ix
Table 2: Tribal Statistical Areas Delineation Eligibility .................................................................. 11
Table 3: Quick Reference and Respondent Guide Materials for Tribal Participants .................... 12
Table 4: Entity Type and Entity Codes for Large Format Maps .................................................... 15
Table 5: Color Pencil, Types of Update, and Tribal Entities .......................................................... 16
Table 6: Tribal Census Tract Thresholds ....................................................................................... 18
Table 7: Acceptable Minor Civil Division (MCD) and Incorporated Place Boundaries ................. 20
Table 8: Tribal Block Group Thresholds ........................................................................................ 23
Table 9: Alaska Native Regional Corporation Names with ANRCs and ANRAs ............................. 29
Table 10: Tribal Statistical Geographies and their Population and Housing Criteria .................. B-1
Table 11: Display the TIGERweb Online Map Viewer .................................................................. F-1
Table 12: TIGERweb Tools and Functions .................................................................................... F-4
Table 13: Standard Street Type Abbreviations ............................................................................H-1
Table 14: Acceptable Linear Features for Statistical Boundaries ................................................. I-1
Table 15: MTFCC and Descriptions ............................................................................................... J-1

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Standard Hierarchy of Census Geographic Entities ........................................................ vii
Figure 2. Hierarchy of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Areas ................... viii
Figure 3. Illustration of Index, Parent, and Inset Map Relationships ........................................... 14
Figure 4. Tribal Block Group Boundary Change (Fictitious Example) ........................................... 46
Figure 5. Adding a New CDP (Fictitious Example) ......................................................................... 47
Figure 6. ANVSA Boundary Correction (Fictitious Example) ......................................................... 48
Figure 7. ANRC Name Correction (Fictitious Example) ................................................................. 49
Figure 8. OTSA Boundary Change (Fictitious Example) ................................................................ 49
Figure 9. TDSA Boundary Change with Additional Information (Fictitious Example) .................. 50
Figure 10. SDTSA Boundary Changes and Name Change (Fictitious Example) ............................ 50
Figure 11. SAIR Boundary Correction (Fictitious Example) ........................................................... 51
Figure 12. Large Format Map Legend ..........................................................................................G-1

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

INTRODUCTION
A.

General Information

The 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)

Census tracts.
Block groups.
Census designated places (CDPs).
Census county divisions (CCDs), in 21 states.

Tribal statistical geography includes the following:






Tribal census tracts.
Tribal block groups.
Census designated places (CDPs).
Alaska Native village statistical areas (ANVSAs).
Oklahoma tribal statistical areas (OTSAs) and OTSA tribal subdivisions.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide





Tribal Designated Statistical Areas (TDSAs).
State Designated Tribal Statistical Areas (SDTSAs).
Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRCs) and State American Indian Reservations (SAIRs).1

All tribal statistical participants receive paper maps for 2020 Census PSAP. Federally recognized
American Indian Areas (AIA) with a reservation and/or off-reservation trust land can use the
Census Bureau’s Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) instead of paper maps to
make updates to tribal census tracts, tribal block groups, and census designated places. The
details on the use of GUPS to update those three geographies are in the Tribal GUPS
Respondent Guide located on the PSAP website.
IMPORTANT: AIA participants must use either paper maps or GUPS, but not both to complete their
2020 Census PSAP work. The Census Bureau only accepts one method of update per
tribal participant.

To gain a better understanding of how PSAP geographies relate to one another and to other
geographies, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2.

Figure 1. Standard Hierarchy of Census Geographic Entities

ANRCs and SAIRs are not statistical areas, but they are included in 2020 Census PSAP for administrative reasons.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

vii

Figure 2. Hierarchy of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Areas

The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

viii

2020 Census PSAP Schedule

Participants have a maximum of 120 days from the receipt of materials to complete and submit
any statistical geography updates to the Census Bureau. The closeout of the delineation phase
begins in the summer of 2019 prior to the start of the verification phase in January 2020. A final
closeout occurs after the conclusion of the verification phase in October 2020.
In March 2018, the Census Bureau began contacting previous participants from the 2010
program, regional multi-county organizations, local governments, state data centers, and other
interested individuals to solicit participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.2 The Census Bureau
began formally inviting the interested participants in July 2018.

Training and Support

The Census Bureau provides assistance by answering questions; clarifying criteria, guidelines,
and procedures; and providing information concerning specific situations that participants
encounter when reviewing, delineating, and submitting their statistical area plans. The Census
Bureau plans to conduct training webinars to provide instruction on participating in PSAP. The
webinar schedule and this respondent guide are available at
. For
questions concerning specific programmatic questions, support is available via telephone at 1844-788-4921 and email at geo.psap@census.gov.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

Respondent Guide Organization

In addition to providing the criteria and programmatic guidelines necessary to define and
update tribal statistical geographies, this guide provides 2020 Census PSAP participants with
instructions for updating the tribal statistical geographies using paper maps. By using this guide
and adhering to the PSAP guidelines and criteria, participants learn to utilize the paper maps to
review and update a variety of tribal statistical geographies and submit their final updates to
the Census Bureau. They also learn about the next steps for PSAP. This guide contains three
parts.
Part One: Overview of the 2020 Census PSAP Materials and Tribal Statistical Geographies3
This section provides an overview of the 2020 Census PSAP delineation materials and
summarizes the criteria and guidelines for each of the tribal statistical geographies mentioned
in Part B of the Introduction. Participants use the content within this section to familiarize
themselves with the materials provided by the Census Bureau and with the background of the
tribal statistical geographies within their tribal entity.
Note: In order to eliminate duplication of instruction, use the chapters within this section in
conjunction with the information presented in Part Two:.

Part Two: Reviewing, Updating, and Submitting 2020 Census PSAP Maps
This section provides the procedures for updating the paper map products and provides
examples of performing the most common updates on the paper maps. It describes preparing
the updated paper maps for submission to the Census Bureau and provides shipping
instructions to ensure receipt of the updated materials by the Census Bureau’s National
Processing Center.
Part Three: Next Steps in 2020 Census PSAP
This section provides information on the next steps for 2020 Census PSAP. It includes
information for participants on the Census Bureau’s processing of submissions, the upcoming
verification phase, and the final closeout phase after verification.
IMPORTANT: Due to operational updates, some minor discrepancies may occur between the
appearance of examples in this documentation and the actual materials.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

PART ONE: OVERVIEW OF THE 2020 CENSUS PSAP MATERIALS AND
TRIBAL STATISTICAL GEOGRAPHIES
This portion of the Respondent Guide lays the programmatic foundation for the remainder of
the document and provides a reference for Part Two:. It provides an overview of the 2020
Census PSAP delineation materials and an overview of each of the tribal statistical geographies.
The goal of PSAP is to produce meaningful statistical geographies for data users while
maintaining consistent statistical geography nationwide. It is the Census Bureau’s responsibility
to ensure nationwide uniformity in applying the statistical area criteria and guidelines. As a
result, we may require some changes in the boundaries or delineation of some statistical areas
to meet the national standard.
Tribal participants refer to Table 2 to determine what level of tribal statistical geographies they
are eligible to review and update. Refer to Appendix F. for details on the TIGERweb online
mapping tool that can assist participants during 2020 Census PSAP.
Table 2: Tribal Statistical Areas Delineation Eligibility
Tribal Participant

Tribal Statistical Areas Eligible for Delineation

Federally recognized tribe with an American Indian
reservation (AIR) and/or off-reservation trust land
(ORTL) with population >= 2,400 or housing units
(HUs) >= 960.
Federally recognized tribe with an AIR and/ ORTL
with population >= 1,200 and < 2,400 or HUs >= 480
and <960.
Federally recognized tribe with an AIR and/ ORTL
with population < 1,200 or HUs < 480.

Tribal census tracts, tribal block groups, and census
designated places (CDPs).

Alaska Native village (federally or Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) recognized).
Alaska Native Regional Association (ANRA).
Federally recognized tribe in Oklahoma with a former
AIR in Oklahoma.
Federally recognized tribe without an AIR or ORTL.
State recognized tribe without an AIR through the
state liaison
State recognized tribe with a state recognized AIR
through the state liaison.

Tribal block groups and census designated places
(CDPs). One tribal census tract covering same area
as the AIR and/or ORTL.
Census designated places (CDPs). One tribal census
tract and one tribal block group covering same area
as the AIR and/or ORTL.
Alaska Native village statistical areas (ANVSAs).
Alaska Native Regional Corporation (ANRC)
boundaries 4.
Census designated places (CDPs), Oklahoma tribal
statistical areas (OTSAs), and OTSA tribal
subdivisions. 5
Tribal designated statistical areas (TDSAs).
State designated tribal statistical areas (SDTSAs).
State recognized American Indian Reservations
(SAIRs).

ANRAs can review current ANVSA boundaries and propose edits to ANVSAs that declined to provide updates.

The Census Bureau collects tribal subdivisions for federally recognized tribes with an AIR and/or ORTL during the Census Bureau’s
annual Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS). The Census Bureau does not expect changes to tribal subdivisions, aside from the OTSA
tribal subdivisions, during the 2020 Census PSAP.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 1. DELINEATION PHASE MATERIALS FOR 2020 CENSUS PSAP
This chapter focuses on identifying the materials participants receive for the delineation phase.
The Census Bureau uses FedEx to deliver these materials in order to track the shipment and
expedite delivery to participants.

1.1

Informational and Instructional Materials

The Census Bureau provides this Respondent Guide with detailed instructions for conducting
the 2020 Census PSAP work using paper map materials. To support tribal participants’ review
and update of their statistical geographies for the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau created
informational materials in the form of individual Quick Reference Guides that summarize each
tribal statistical area. The Census Bureau generated lists of 2010 population and housing counts
that identify the counts for each tribal census tract and tribal block group. Lists of the 2010
counts exist for each federally recognized tribe with an AIR and/or ORTL.
Review Table 3 to identify each piece of informational and instructional material distributed by
the Census Bureau for tribal statistical geographies and to identify the tribal participants
receiving those materials.
Table 3: Quick Reference and Respondent Guide Materials for Tribal Participants
Document
Name of Material
Tribal Participant(s) Receiving Material
ID
G-600
Quick Reference: Tribal Block Groups
Federally recognized tribe with an American
Indian reservation (AIR) and/or offreservation trust land (ORTL).
G-610

Quick Reference: Tribal Census Tracts

G-615

Quick Reference: Census Designated Places

G-620

Quick Reference: Tribal Designated Statistical
Areas
Quick Reference: State Designated Tribal
Statistical Areas
Quick Reference: Alaska Native Village
Statistical Areas

G-621
G-622

G-623

G-625
G-700

U.S. Census Bureau

Quick Reference: Oklahoma Tribal Statistical
Areas and Tribal subdivisions of Oklahoma
Tribal Statistical Areas
Quick Reference: State American Indian
Reservations
Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

Federally recognized tribe with an American
Indian reservation (AIR) and/or offreservation trust land (ORTL).
Federally recognized tribe with an American
Indian reservation (AIR) and/or offreservation trust land (ORTL) and federally
recognized tribe in Oklahoma with a former
AIR in Oklahoma.
Federally recognized tribe without an AIR or
ORTL.
State recognized tribe without an AIR
through state liaison.
Alaska Native village (federally or Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act
recognized) and Alaska Native Regional
Association (ANRA).
Federally recognized tribe in Oklahoma with
a former AIR in Oklahoma.
State recognized tribe with a state
recognized AIR through state liaison.
All tribal participants.

The 2010 population and housing counts Microsoft Excel file and printed list includes
information for every tribal census tract and tribal block group. The naming convention for this
file is “AIA_2010_Pop_and_Housing_counts.xlsx,” where AIANNHCE is the fourdigit Census area code for the tribal entity, where AI is American Indian, AN is Alaska Native,
and NH is Native Hawaiian. The list includes the following fields of information:










AIA_NAME is the common name of the American Indian Area.
AIANNHCE is the four-digit Census AI/AN/NH area code.
TTRACTCE is the six-digit tribal census tract code (four-digit tribal census tract with two-digit
suffix), without the decimal point character. For the 2010 tribal census tracts, there were no
suffixes, so these appear as (T00100) in the list.
NAME is the common “name” of the tribal census tract. It is without the suffix information
(T001).
TBLKGRPCE is the one-character tribal block group code.
TTRACTPOP is the population of the tribal census tract. It repeats if there is more than one tribal
block group in the tribal census tract.
TTRACTHOUSING is the housing count of the tribal census tract. It repeats if there is more than
one tribal block group in the tribal census tract.
TBGPOP is the population of the tribal block group.
TBGHOUSING is the housing county of the tribal block group.

Federally recognized tribes with an AIR and/or ORTL can use the information contained in the
list to identify tribal census tracts and tribal block groups that fall outside of the population and
housing thresholds explained in Table 6 and Table 8, respectively. The tribal geographies falling
outside the thresholds need review for potential updates. Refer to Section Chapter 11 for
information regarding using the list to review tribal census tracts and tribal block groups.
The Census Bureau provides all of these informational and instructional materials in printed and
digital formats. Locate the digitally formatted materials on the PSAP website as well as on the
“Supplemental disc” described in Section 1.2.2.

1.2

Map Materials

1.2.1 Paper Maps
The Census Bureau generates large format (36” x 32”) paper maps for use by tribal entities in
the 2020 Census PSAP. The types of paper maps vary depending on the size and mapping
complexity of each tribal entity. Tribal entities with small land area may only receive a single,
large format map sheet while those with large area may receive an index map, a series of
parent maps, and a number of inset maps. Retain the delineation materials shipment packaging
(i.e., map tubes, box, or envelope) for use in returning updated materials, as described in
Section Chapter 13.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

There are three types of large format maps: Index, Parent, and Inset. An index map covers the
complete geographic extent of the tribal participants’ legally or statistically defined area divided
into numbered grids. These grids correspond to an area covered by a parent map. Index maps
exist for tribal participants with more than one parent sheet and are for reference purposes
only. A parent map shows a detailed version of section for each of the grids from the index
map. They show detail for features and the statistical geographies. Inset maps do not exist for
every tribal participant. They show finer details of areas within the parent map where the
feature network is too dense to represent clearly at the map scale of the parent map. Think of
the inset map as a “blow-up” of a specific area. Make the map updates to the parent or inset
sheets, not the index sheet. See Figure 3 for a visual of the relationship between Index, Parent,
and Inset maps.

Figure 3. Illustration of Index, Parent, and Inset Map Relationships

The large format maps contain information within the map border including the map title,
corner sheet coordinates, disclaimer information, data source information, projection
information, number of total sheets, tribal entity information, key to adjacent areas (if there
are multiple map sheets), a barcode, a scale, a north arrow, and the legend.
See Appendix G. 0for a detailed view of the large format map legend. The legend includes
some of the same information found on a typical road map, such as streets and roads, water
features, and legal boundaries. However, the large format maps used for PSAP display
information with symbols unique to the Census Bureau.

1.2.2 Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf) Files
The accompanying Adobe .pdf files of the paper maps are reference material only and located
on the “Supplemental disc.” These files contain the tribal entity’s index map and all the parent
and inset maps bundled into one file. There are a few instances where more than one
bundled .pdf file exists for tribal entities. The lower right corner of the map provides
information about the total number of map sheets within the set.
View these .pdf files using Adobe Reader (or Adobe Acrobat Professional) software. They may
display improperly with other software. On the “Supplemental disc,” participants find a
“/maps” directory. Within this directory, the following materials exist:
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide




ReadMe.txt – provides instructions to use Adobe software and Adobe Reader download
instructions if participants need the software to view the .pdf files.
PSAP20.pdf – contains images of the large format paper maps. One or
more bundled .pdf files complete the map package for a given tribal area. See Table 4 for
explanation of the entity types, entity codes, and file name examples.
Table 4: Entity Type and Entity Codes for Large Format Maps

is Entity Type

is Entity Code

FR = Federal AIR

BASID

SR = State AIR

BASID

NV = ANVSA (area)

BASID

NVP = ANVSA (point)

BASID

RC = ANRC

FIPS code

OT = OTSA

BASID

TD = TDSA

BASID

SD= SDTSA

BASID

C = County

BASID

JU = Joint Use Area

JUTA

1.3

Example
PSAP20FR49900010010.pdf (Map
for Acoma Pueblo and ORTL).
PSAP20SR49906139400.pdf (Map
for Tama Reservation).
PSAP20NV49903906015.pdf
(Map for Akhiok ANVSA as an
area).
PSAP20NVP49903906015.pdf
(Map for Akhiok ANVSA as a
point).
PSAP20RC52120.pdf (Map for
NANA ANRC).
PSAP20OT49903735690.pdf
(Map for Kaw OTSA).
PSAP20TD49906018750.pdf
(Map for Samish TDSA).
PSAP20SD49906269815.pdf (Map
for Lumbee SDTSA).
PSAP20C21000500000.pdf (Map
for Sussex County, DE).
PSAP20JU4930TA3400.pdf (Map
for San Felipe/Santa Ana joint use
area with San Felipe Pueblo (TA)).
This map type is for reference
only, not for annotating.

Other Materials

There are three other materials of use and interest to 2020 Census PSAP participants: a
delineation phase postcard, a postage-paid label/envelope, and colored map pencils.
After reviewing the tribal statistical geographies and determining the update status of the
materials, please complete the delineation phase postcard indicating whether changes are
forthcoming. The return of this postcard assists the Census Bureau with planning for incoming
submissions and identifying participants that will not be providing updates. The Census Bureau
requests the return of this postcard within a month of receipt of the delineation phase
materials.
If a participant discovers changes are necessary to their 2020 Census PSAP materials after
returning the delineation postcard, please contact the Census Bureau PSAP staff by email at
geo.psap@census.gov, or phone them at 1-844-788-4921 to let them know a submission is
forthcoming.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

The postage-paid label/envelope for submitting the updated paper maps removes the burden
of shipment costs from participants. If updates to the paper map materials are necessary,
follow the procedures outlined in Section Chapter 13 to submit the updated paper maps.
Lastly, the Census Bureau enclosed colored map pencils for use in updating the paper maps.
Colors vary by tribal statistical geography. Use the information in Table 5 as the resource to
define the colors used for 2020 Census PSAP paper map updates.
Table 5: Pencil Color, Tribal Statistical Geographies Using Color, and Tribal Participants
Pencil
Tribal statistical geographies using
Tribal participant(s) making the update(s)
color
color
Orange

Tribal census tract boundary and
labels for tribal census tract.

American Indian Areas with a reservation (AIR) and/or
off-reservation trust lands (ORTL).

Brown

Tribal block group boundary and
labels for tribal block group.

American Indian Areas with a reservation (AIR) and/or
off-reservation trust lands (ORTL)

Red

Census designated place (CDP)
boundary and CDP names.

American Indian Areas with a reservation (AIR) and/or
off-reservation trust land (ORTL), and federally recognized
tribe in Oklahoma with a former AIR in Oklahoma.

Purple

ANVSA boundary, ANRC boundary,
OTSA boundary, OTSA tribal
subdivision boundaries and labels for
OTSA tribal subdivisions, TDSA
boundary, SDTSA boundary, and SAIR
boundary.

Alaska Native village (federally or Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act recognized), Alaska Native
Regional Corporation, federally recognized tribe in
Oklahoma with a former AIR in Oklahoma, federally
recognized tribe without an AIR or ORTL, state recognized
tribe without an AIR or ORTL, and State American Indian
Reservation.

Blue

New or missing feature, and the name
of feature, needed for a statistical
boundary.

All

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 2. TRIBAL CENSUS TRACTS
IMPORTANT: As stated in Table 2, federally recognized American Indian Areas with a reservation
and/or off-reservation trust lands may review and update tribal census tracts. This
chapter targets those participants.

Tribal census tracts are relatively permanent geographic divisions of an AIR and/or ORTL
defined for the tabulation and presentation of statistical data. They are conceptually similar and
equivalent to census tracts defined within the standard state-county-tract geographic hierarchy
used for tabulating and publishing statistical data. The Census Bureau defines tribal census
tracts with tribal officials to provide meaningful, relevant, and reliable data for small geographic
areas within the boundaries of federally recognized tribes with reservations or trust lands. As
such, they recognize the unique statistical data needs of federally recognized American Indian
tribes. The delineation of tribal census tracts allows for an unambiguous presentation of census
tract-level data specific to the federally recognized AIR and/or ORTL without the imposition of
state or county boundaries, which might artificially separate American Indian populations
located within a single AIR and/or ORTL. To this end, the tribal participants may define tribal
census tracts that cross county or state boundaries, or both.
Tribal census tracts submitted to the Census Bureau are subject to review to ensure compliance
with the published criteria. Detailed criteria pertaining to tribal census tracts exists in a
separate Federal Register notice pertaining to all American Indian areas, including statistical
areas defined through the PSAP. The Federal Register notices for both standard and tribal
geographies is available on the PSAP website. Appendix B. provides a summary of the
statistical geographies criteria thresholds.
IMPORTANT: All tribal census tracts must follow all of the final criteria and guidelines published for
standard census tracts, EXCEPT they do not have to nest within states or counties. They
must instead nest within an individual AIR and/or ORTL, and must include unique
identification to distinguish them from standard census tracts.

The following criteria apply to reviewing, updating, and delineating 2020 tribal census tracts:







Tribal census tracts may cross county or state boundaries.
Tribal census tracts must not cross AIR and/or ORTL boundaries.
Tribal census tracts must cover the entire land and water area of the AIR and/or ORTL.
Tribal census tracts utilize the letter “T” and a three-digit code and may have a two-digit suffix.
Find more detail on numbering of tribal census tracts in Section 2.2.
Tribal census tracts must meet specific population, housing unit thresholds outlined in Table 6:
Tribal Census Tract Thresholds.
Tribal census tracts must comprise a reasonably compact and contiguous land area, with a few
exceptions.6

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide




Tribal census tract boundaries should follow visible and identifiable features.
Census tracts have three types for the 2020 Census, standard, tribal, and special use. Refer to
Table 6: Tribal Census Tract Thresholds for the definition and associated criteria for tribal
census tracts. The other two types do not appear in the table since they are out of scope for this
material.

The Census Bureau may modify and, if necessary, reject any proposals for tribal census tracts
that do not meet the published criteria. In addition, the Census Bureau reserves the right to
modify the boundaries and attributes as needed to meet the published criteria and/or maintain
geographic relationships before or after the final tabulation geography is set for the 2020
Census.
Table 6: Tribal Census Tract Thresholds
Population
Housing Unit
Area
Thresholds
Thresholds
Measurement
Thresholds
Tribal census tracts
Optimum: 4,000 Optimum: 1,600 None
are statistical
Min: 1,200
Min: 480
subdivisions of AIRs
Max: 8,000
Max: 3,200
and/or ORTLs used
for tabulating and
publishing statistical
data.
Description

Tribal
Census
Tract

2.1

Employment
Threshold
N/A

Tribal Census Tract Threshold Requirements

Tribal census tracts must meet certain population and housing unit thresholds as outlined
above in Table 6: Tribal Census Tract Thresholds. This helps ensure a minimal level of reliability
in the sample data and minimized potential disclosures of sensitive information. PSAP
participants should aim to create tribal census tracts that meet the optimal population of 4,000
or 1,600 housing units and maintain the minimum thresholds with an AIR and/or ORTL with
fewer than 1,200 people. The Census Bureau uses a housing unit criterion to accommodate
seasonably occupied areas in which the decennial census population count will be lower than
the ACS estimates.7
A tribal census tract that exceeds the maximum thresholds should be split into multiple tracts;
those that drop below the minimum thresholds should be merged with an adjacent tribal
census tract. If a participant chooses not to split or merge tribal census tracts that do not meet
approved thresholds, they must provide a justification for retaining the existing geography.
Some valid justifications may be related to expected population growth (new housing
development under construction) or anticipated decline (following depopulation trends or
scheduled housing demolition). Participants can include these justifications on the specific map
or on the 2020 Census population and housing counts list. They may choose to compose a
formal letter to accompany update map materials or prepare an email to geo.psap@census.gov
if no map updates are expected.

“Occupied seasonally” refers to seasonal communities in which residential populations are lower on Census Day, April 1, than at other
times of the year, and for which estimates may be reflected in the ACS. The ACS is designed to produce local area data for a 12-month
period estimate.
7

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

Participants should use the 2010 Census population and housing counts for tribal census tract
review in most cases. This list is part of the printed materials and located on the “Supplemental
disc” discussed in Section 1.1. Locally produced population and housing unit estimates are
permissible when reviewing and updating areas experiencing considerable growth since the
2010 Census.
The housing unit thresholds use the national average of 2.5 persons per household. Because of
local and regional variations to this average, the Census Bureau will consider variation while
reviewing all tribal census tract revisions.

2.2

Tribal Census Tract Codes and Numeric Identification

Tribal census tract codes begin with the letter “T” followed by three digits. For example, tribal
census tract one on an AIR and/or ORTL will have a code of “T001.” Subsequent tribal census
tracts increase sequentially (e.g., T002, T003, etc.). This ensures that a tribal census tract code is
used only once within the AIR and/or ORTL.
If it becomes necessary to split a tribal census tract, retain the tribal census tract number and
assign a two-digit suffix to each of the newly created tribal census tracts. A split of tribal census
tract T002 would create T002.01 and T002.02.
If a merge is necessary, choose the tribal census tract number in sequential order. For a tribal
participant with two tribal census tracts, the newly merged tract becomes T003.
Note: Standard census tracts coded with a range of 9401 to 9499 have a majority of their population,
housing units, and/or area included in AIRs and/or ORTLs. While these do not appear in every
tribal entity, their appearance may provide participants with additional insight.

2.3

Tribal Census Tract Boundary Requirements

American Indian reservation and off-reservation trust land boundaries must always be tribal
census tract boundaries.
Visible, perennial natural and cultural features, such as roads, shorelines, rivers, perennial
streams and canals, railroad tracks, or aboveground high-tension power lines.
Boundaries of legal and administrative entities in selected states. See Table 7 for states with
acceptable minor civil division and incorporated place boundaries.
Alaska Native Regional Corporation boundaries in Alaska.8
Boundaries of large parks, forests, airports, penitentiaries/prisons, and or military installations if
the boundaries are clearly visible.
Some nonstandard visible features such as major ridgelines, aboveground pipelines,
intermittent streams, or fence lines.
Some nonstandard nonvisible features such as parcel boundaries, straight-line extensions and
other lines-of-sight between acceptable visible features.

Insofar as such boundaries are unambiguous for allocating living quarters as part of 2020 Census activities.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

Table 7: Acceptable Minor Civil Division (MCD) and Incorporated Place Boundaries

State

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
9

All MCD Boundaries

Boundaries of MCDs
Not Coincident with
the Boundaries of
Incorporated Places
that themselves are
MCDs

All Incorporated
Place Boundaries

Only Conjoint
Incorporated Place
Boundaries
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X9
X10

X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X

X
X
X

Governmental townships only.

Townships only.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

State

Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

U.S. Census Bureau

All MCD Boundaries

Boundaries of MCDs
Not Coincident with
the Boundaries of
Incorporated Places
that themselves are
MCDs

All Incorporated
Place Boundaries

Only Conjoint
Incorporated Place
Boundaries
X
X

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

X
X
X
X
X

CHAPTER 3. TRIBAL BLOCK GROUPS
IMPORTANT: As stated in Table 2, federally recognized American Indian Areas with a reservation
and/or off-reservation trust lands may review and update tribal block groups. This
chapter targets those participants.

Tribal block groups are statistical geographic subdivisions of a tribal census tract. The Census
Bureau defines tribal block groups in cooperation with tribal officials to provide meaningful,
relevant, and reliable data for small geographic areas within the boundaries of federally
recognized AIRs and/or ORTLs. As such, they recognize the unique statistical data needs of
federally recognized American Indian tribes. The delineation of tribal block groups allows for an
unambiguous presentation of statistical data specific to the federally recognized AIR and/or
ORTL without the imposition of state or county boundaries, which might artificially separate
American Indian populations located within a single AIR and/or ORTL. To this end, the American
Indian tribal participant may define tribal block groups that cross county or state boundaries, or
both. For federally recognized American Indian tribes with AIRs and/or ORTLs that have fewer
than 1,200 residents, the Census Bureau defines one tribal census tract and one tribal block
group coextensive with the AIR and/or ORTL.
Tribal block groups submitted to the Census Bureau are subject to review to ensure compliance
with the published criteria. Detailed criteria pertaining to tribal block groups exists in a separate
Federal Register notice pertaining to all American Indian areas, including statistical areas
defined through the PSAP. The Federal Register notices for both standard and tribal
geographies are available on the PSAP website. Appendix B. provides a summary of the
statistical geographies criteria thresholds.
IMPORTANT: All tribal block groups must follow all of the final criteria and guidelines published for
standard block groups, EXCEPT they do not have to nest within states or counties. They
must instead nest within an individual AIR and/or ORTL, and must include unique
identification to distinguish them from standard block groups.

The following criteria and guidelines apply for use in reviewing, updating, and delineating 2020
tribal block groups:








Tribal block groups must not cross tribal census tract boundaries.
Tribal block groups must cover the entire land and water area of the tribal census tract.
Tribal block groups utilize capital letters “A” through “K,” with the exception of the letter “I,”
and must be unique within tribal census tracts. Find more detail on tribal block group numbering
in Section 3.2.
Tribal block groups must meet specific population and housing unit thresholds outlined in Table
8: Tribal Block Group Thresholds.
Tribal block groups must comprise a reasonably compact and contiguous land area and would
only be noncontiguous in situations where the tribal census tract is noncontiguous.
Tribal block group boundaries should follow visible and identifiable features.
Block groups have three types, standard, tribal, and special use, for the 2020 Census. Refer to
Table 8: Tribal Block Group Thresholds for the definition and associated criteria for tribal block
groups. The other two types do not appear in the table since they are out of scope for this
material.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

The Census Bureau may modify and, if necessary, reject any proposals for tribal block groups
that do not meet the published criteria. In addition, the Census Bureau reserves the right to
modify the boundaries and attributes as needed to meet the published criteria. Modification
may also occur to maintain geographic relationships before or after the final tabulation
geography is set for the 2020 Census.
Table 8: Tribal Block Group Thresholds
Distinction from
Standard Block Groups
Tribal Block
Groups

3.1

Tribal block groups are
divisions of tribal
census tracts used for
tabulating and
publishing statistical
data.

Population
Thresholds

Housing Unit
Thresholds

Area
Measurement
Thresholds

Min: 600

Min: 240

None

Max: 3,000

Max: 1,200

Employment
Threshold
N/A

Tribal Block Group Threshold Requirements

Tribal block groups have to meet certain population and housing unit thresholds as outlined
above in Table 8: Tribal Block Group Thresholds. This helps ensure a minimum level of
reliability in sample data and minimizes potential disclosures of sensitive information. Like tribal
census tracts, the Census Bureau uses housing unit criterion to accommodate seasonably
occupied areas that may have higher populations at times of the year other than on Census
Day, April 1.
A tribal block group that exceeds maximum thresholds should be split; those that drop below
the minimum thresholds should be merged with an adjacent tribal block group. If a participant
chooses not to change threshold errant tribal block groups, they must provide justification for
their retention. Tribal block groups may be completely redefined to meet population or housing
thresholds; however, in doing so, please consider the impact on analysis of tribal block group
level data across time.
In most cases, participants should use the 2010 Census population counts for tribal block group
review. Locally produced population and housing unit estimates are permissible when
reviewing and updating areas experiencing considerable growth since the 2010 Census.
The housing unit thresholds use the national average of 2.5 persons per household. Because of
local and regional variations to this average, the Census Bureau will consider variation while
reviewing all tribal block group revisions.

3.2

Tribal Block Group Codes and Identification

Tribal block groups begin with a single capital letter from “A” through “K,” excluding the letter
“I.” These identifiers must be unique within each tribal census tract.
Should it become necessary to split a tribal block group in an entity with only one tribal block
group, participants may choose to retain the original letter “A” and use the next letter “B” for
the new tribal block group, or they may choose to assign two new letters, “B” and “C.” For

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

participants with more than one tribal block group, they if they wish to retain the original letter
“A,” they choose the next available letter, for example, “C” or they may choose to assign the
next two new letters, “C” and “D.”
If a merge becomes necessary, retain the letter of the first tribal block group or choose the next
sequential letter. For example, if merging tribal block groups “A” and “B,” retain the letter “A”
or assign the newly merged tribal block group the letter “C.”
Comparability of tribal block groups is not as important between decennial censuses as the
comparability of tribal census tracts; therefore, participants can relabel the tribal block groups
removing any gaps in lettering once the edits are complete. The decision to do so remains with
the participant. In the examples above the resulting tribal block group lettering, if renumbered,
would be “A” and “B” and “A,” “B,” and “C” respectively.
Though tribal block group boundaries are census block boundaries, census blocks are numbered
within standard, county-based block groups, not tribal block groups. There is no relationship
between a tribal block group identifier and the census block numbers. For example, a tribal
block group may contain census block numbers in a different “thousand” range (e.g., blocks
1001, 2011, and 3002), whereas all blocks in the 1000 range would be in standard block group 1
while all blocks in the 2000 range would be in standard block group 2.

3.3

Tribal Block Group Boundary Requirements

Tribal census tract boundaries must always be block group boundaries. This criterion takes
precedence over all other criteria or requirements.
Visible, perennial natural and cultural features, such as roads, shorelines, rivers, perennial
streams and canals, railroad tracks, or aboveground high-tension power lines.
Boundaries of legal and administrative entities in selected states. See Table 7 for states with
acceptable minor civil division and incorporated place boundaries.
Alaska Native Regional Corporation boundaries in Alaska.
Boundaries of large parks, forests, airports, penitentiaries/prisons, and or military installations if
the boundaries are clearly visible.
Some nonstandard visible features such as major ridgelines, aboveground pipelines,
intermittent streams, or fence lines.
Some nonstandard nonvisible features such as parcel boundaries, straight-line extensions and
other lines-of-sight between acceptable visible features.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 4. CENSUS DESIGNATED PLACES (CDPS)
IMPORTANT: As stated in Table 2, federally recognized American Indian Areas with a reservation
and/or off-reservation trust lands and OTSAs may review and update census designated
places. This chapter targets those participants.

Census designated places (CDPs) are statistical geographic entities representing closely settled,
unincorporated communities that are locally recognized and identified by name. They are the
statistical equivalents of incorporated places, with the primary differences being the lack of
both a legally defined boundary and an active, functioning governmental structure, chartered
by the state and administered by elected officials. CDPs cannot be co-extensive with an entire
AIR, ORTL, or any other AIA.11 CDP boundaries may extend beyond the boundaries of AIRs
and/or ORTLs.
The Census Bureau published the 2020 Census PSAP CDP criteria in the Federal Register. It is
available on the PSAP website and in Appendix B. The following criteria apply to reviewing,
updating, and delineating census designated places:











CDPs constitute a single, named, closely settled center of population.
CDPs generally consist of a contiguous cluster of census blocks comprising a single piece of
territory with a mix of uses similar to that of an incorporated place of similar size.
CDPs cannot be located, partially or entirely, within an incorporated place or another CDP.
CDPs may cross county, AIR and/or ORTL boundaries, but must not cross state boundaries.
CDPs have no minimum population or housing unit thresholds, but must contain some
population, housing units, or both.
CDP boundaries should follow visible features, except in circumstances where the boundary is
coincident with the nonvisible boundary of a state, county, minor civil division, or incorporated
place.
CDP boundaries may follow other nonvisible features in instances where reliance upon visible
features would result in over bounding of the CDP in order to include housing units on both
sides of a road or street feature.
o Such boundaries might include parcel boundaries and Public Land Survey System (PLSS)
lines; fence lines; national, state, or local park boundaries; ridgelines; or drainage ditches.
CDP names should be recognizable and used in daily communication by the residents of the
community it represents.12
CDP names cannot have the same name as an adjacent or nearby incorporated place.

In accordance with the final criteria, the Census Bureau may modify and, if necessary, reject any
proposals for CDPs that do not meet the established criteria. In addition, the Census Bureau
reserves the right to modify the boundaries and attributes of CDPs as needed to maintain
geographic relationships before the final tabulation geography is set for the 2020 Census.
Due to the historical nature of their creation, the boundaries of some ANVSAs coincide with CDPs. Refer to Section 5.3 and Appendix
E. for more information on the relationship of ANVSAs to CDPs and the history of ANAs in the decennial census.
11

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 5. ALASKA NATIVE VILLAGE STATISTICAL AREAS (ANVSAS)
IMPORTANT: As stated in Table 2, Alaska Native villages and Alaska Native Regional Associations
(ANRAs) may review and update Alaska Native village statistical areas. This chapter
targets those participants.

The Census Bureau works with Alaska Native villages (ANV) to define ANVSAs in order to
produce statistical data for each ANV.13 Where no participant is located, the Census Bureau
asks the Alaska Native Regional Association (ANRA) to conduct a review for ANVs within their
respective ANRC region.
ANVSAs are statistical geographic entities defined so the Census Bureau can produce statistical
data for each ANV. They are the geographic representation of permanent and/or seasonal
residences of Alaska Natives who are members of or receive governmental services from the
defining ANV, and are located within the region and vicinity of the ANV’s historic and/or
traditional location. The Census Bureau intends for ANVSAs to represent the relatively densely
settled portion of each ANV and should include only an area where Alaska Natives, especially
members of the defining ANV, represent a substantial proportion of the population during at
least one season of the year (at least three consecutive months). ANVSAs should not contain
large areas that are primarily unpopulated or that do not include concentrations of Alaska
Natives.
The geographic definition of an ANVSA may not necessarily include all tribal members; nor is it
intended to depict land ownership, represent an area over which a tribe has any form of
governmental authority or jurisdiction, or represent all of the traditional or historical areas
associated with the tribe, including areas used for subsistence activities. An ANVSA should
represent a geographic area where there is a concentration of tribal population currently living
and where the tribe has social, economic, or historical ties to the land evidenced by the
existence of tribally owned businesses, buildings, meeting areas, or culturally significant
structures. Representation of ANVSA boundaries in Census Bureau products is solely for the
purpose of data collection, tabulation, and presentation.
As part of the 2020 Census PSAP, ANV officials again have the opportunity to review and
confirm the existing ANVSA boundaries or update the boundaries of their existing ANVSAs. If
appropriate, they may delineate new ANVSAs. If the ANV official declines or defers
participation, or does not respond to the Census Bureau invitation to participate, the Census
Bureau will work with the associated ANRA in whose region the ANV is located. See Table 9 for
the list of ANRAs and associated ANRCs. If the Census Bureau receives no reply from any of
these entities, the Census Bureau may delineate or revise the ANVSA, to meet the criteria
outlined in this document.

Any ANV recognized by or eligible to receive services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) or recognized under ANCSA as a Native
village (NV) or Native group (NG) may delineate an ANVSA. BIA recognition is determined by inclusion of an ANV on the BIA’s list of
recognized tribes (published annually by January 31st) or by addenda to the list as published by the BIA. ANCSA recognition is
determined by inclusion on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) list of ANCSA recognized Native villages and Native groups. There
are no population requirements for defining an ANVSA.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

In some cases, an ANV official may elect not to delineate an ANVSA if it will not provide
meaningful, relevant, or reliable statistical data. This would be appropriate if the member
population now resides in other places or has been completely subsumed by non-member
and/or non-Native populations.
The Census Bureau tabulates statistical data for all people living within the boundaries of an
ANVSA (including non-tribe members), and for all village members regardless of where they
reside in the state or nation. Each household completing the Census questionnaire throughout
the nation has the opportunity to identify the race of each person living in the house. Each
person who identifies their race as American Indian or Alaska Native, can then list their village
as the enrolled or principal tribe. While data tabulated for a well-defined ANVSA provides a rich
source of statistical and demographic information about an ANV, it is not necessary for an
individual to be living within the boundary of the ANVSA to count as part of the village. Village
members living outside of the ANVSA count as tribal members living elsewhere in the state and
nation, not as residing within the ANVSA.
The following sections on criteria and guidelines help to ensure meaningful data for the
respective village, and to enhance the ability for data users to make meaningful comparisons
between data for the various types of tribal statistical areas.

5.1

ANVSA Criteria

The Census Bureau sets forth the following criteria for use in reviewing, updating existing
ANVSAs:








5.2

The ANVSAs must not overlap.
An ANVSA must not completely surround the location of another ANV.
All portions of an ANVSA must be located within 50 miles of the ANV’s point location. Use the
point level maps to assist with determining distance.
An ANVSA must not include more water area than land area. Only include large expanses of
water to maintain contiguity, to provide a generalized version of the shoreline, or if the water
area is completely surrounded by land area included in the ANVSA.
Use of nonvisible lines for an ANVSA boundary are only acceptable if a standard acceptable
feature is unavailable.
ANVSAs must not include military installations or area within a 2010 Census urbanized area.
The ANVSA name must match the corresponding ANV name.
o The Census Bureau only considers ANVSA name change requests if accompanied by a brief
statement describing the reason for the change and signed by the highest elected official of
the ANV.

ANVSA Guidelines

Guidelines are suggestions to improve the relevance and the utility of the tribal statistical areas.
The following guidelines apply to ANVSAs.




ANVSA boundaries should not extend beyond the regional boundary of the ANRC region in
which the ANV is located. Refer to Table 9 for the list of ANRC regions and the associated
ANRAs.
An ANVSA should not exceed 325 square miles in area.
Housing units occupied by Alaska Natives, even if seasonal, should constitute the majority of the
housing units within an ANVSA.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide





5.3

Population within an ANVSA should be majority Alaska Native, and, of that population, the
majority should be members of the population served by the delineating ANV.
An ANVSA should not contain large areas without housing or population. The housing unit
density for ANVSAs should be at least three housing units per square mile.
An ANVSA should be contiguous. That is, an ANVSA should form a single area with all territory
located within a continuous boundary. This makes identification of the extent of the ANVSA
easier for residents and data users and provides for a clearer representation of the ANVSA’s
boundaries on maps. Participants may define an ANVSA with multiple noncontiguous pieces if
doing so helps avoid inclusion of population and housing not associated with the ANV.
ANVSA boundaries should follow visible, physical features, such as roads, rivers, streams,
shorelines, glaciers, trails, and ridgelines.
ANVSA boundaries may follow some nonstandard, nonvisible features such as parcel
boundaries, local and state park boundaries, cemetery boundaries, short, straight-line
extensions, and other lines-of-sight between acceptable visible features
ANVSA boundaries may follow the nonvisible, legally defined boundaries of ANRCs, boroughs, or
incorporated places. If the ANVSA boundary follows a governmental unit boundary, the Census
Bureau will adjust the ANVSA boundary to continue to follow that boundary should it change
due to correction, annexation or detachment during the annual Boundary and Annexation
Survey (BAS).

ANVSA Relationship to Incorporated Places and CDPs

There are two place-level geographic entities for which the Census Bureau publishes data:
incorporated places (cities in Alaska) and CDPs. Cities are governmental entities sanctioned by
the state of Alaska to perform general-purpose functions and whose boundaries are defined
without specifically considering ANV member or other Alaska Natives. CDPs are unincorporated
places delineated by state and borough officials in Alaska and are intended to encompass all
people at a given location, including ANV members. Cities and CDPs are mutually exclusive of
each other because, by definition, a CDP represents a named, unincorporated area. Because
ANVSAs are defined specifically to represent concentrations of Alaska Natives, they are not
constrained by other place-level geographic entities; that is, ANVSAs may overlap cities and
CDPs. An ANVSA may be delineated to encompass only a part of a city and/or a CDP; it may
encompass multiple cities or CDPs; or it may cover an area that has neither cities nor CDPs. In
addition, ANVSAs are used in census data collection activities and are included in the specific
American Indian/Alaska Native geographic hierarchy for tabulating and presenting data from
the 2020 Census; cities and CDPs do not appear in the American Indian/Alaska Native
geographic hierarchy. Cities and CDPs do not clearly identify geographic entities that are
specific to Alaska Natives, and therefore, data for cities and CDPs likely will reflect the
characteristics of both Alaska Native and non-Native populations.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 6. ALASKA NATIVE REGIONAL CORPORATION (ANRC)
IMPORTANT: As stated in Table 2, Alaska Native Regional Associations may review and update the
ANRC boundaries and the Alaska Native village statistical areas within their ANRC that are
not participating otherwise. This chapter targets those participants.

Pursuant to ANCSA (PL 92-203, Sec. 7a), the state of Alaska was divided into 12 geographic
regions by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Each region was composed, as
far as practicable, of Alaska Natives having a common heritage and sharing common interests
and approximated the areas covered by the operations of the existing Alaska Native
associations as of December 1971. These regions, now referred to as the 12 non-profit Alaska
Native Regional Associations (ANRAs), incorporated under State Law in 1973. Also created
pursuant to ANCSA were 13 Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRCs). Under the laws of
the state of Alaska, they conduct the for-profit affairs of Alaska Natives within the defined
twelve geographic regions. The twelve ANRC areas cover the entire state of Alaska except for
the area within the Annette Island Reserve (an AIR under the governmental authority of the
Metlakatla Indian Community).14 See Table 9 for a list of the 12 ANRCs geographic area names
and the ANRCs and ANRAs associated with each.
The Census Bureau terms the 12 geographic ANRCs “legal geographic entities” and therefore,
must follow their legal boundaries. At the request of the ANRCs, the Census Bureau works with
the representatives of the ANRAs to review their ANRC boundaries and to ensure that the name
for each region continues to match the name of the ANRC for that region.
Though ANRC boundaries are legal boundaries, effective with 2020 Census PSAP, ANRA officials
have the opportunity to review and confirm that the boundaries for their respective ANRC are
correct on the Census Bureau maps and may make corrections if necessary. For ANVs who are
unable or unwilling to review an ANVSA, the Census Bureau requests the assistance of the
ANRA in whose region the ANV is located.
The Census Bureau uses the boundaries of the ANRCs to tabulate data for the decennial census,
and to support the American Community Survey (ACS) after 2020 and potentially other Census
Bureau statistical data. Maintaining correct boundaries and boundary-to-feature relationships helps
ensure that the Census Bureau assigns the appropriate population to each geographic entity.
Table 9: Alaska Native Regional Corporation Names with ANRCs and ANRAs
ANRC name
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Ahtna
Aleut
Arctic Slope
Bering Straits
Bristol Bay
Calista
Chugach

Alaska Native Regional
Corporation (ANRC)
Ahtna, Incorporated
The Aleut Corporation
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
Bering Straits Native Corporation
Bristol Bay Native Corporation
Calista Corporation
Chugach Alaska Corporation

Alaska Native Regional Association (ANRA)
Copper River Native Association
Aleutian-Pribilof Islands Association
Arctic Slope Native Association
Kawerak Incorporated
Bristol Bay Native Association
Association of Village Council Presidents
Chugachmiut Incorporated

A thirteenth ANRC represents Alaska Natives who do not live in Alaska and do not identify with any of the twelve corporations. The
Census Bureau does not provide data for this thirteenth ANRC because it has no defined geographic extent.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

ANRC name
8
9
10
11
12

Cook Inlet
Doyon
Koniag
NANA
Sealaska

U.S. Census Bureau

Alaska Native Regional
Corporation (ANRC)
Cook Inlet Region Incorporated
Doyon Limited
Koniag Incorporated
NANA Regional Corporation
Sealaska Corporation

Alaska Native Regional Association (ANRA)
Cook Inlet Tribal Council
Tanana Chiefs Conference
Kodiak Area Native Association
Maniilaq Association
Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 7. OKLAHOMA TRIBAL STATISTICAL AREAS (OTSAS) AND
OTSA TRIBAL SUBDIVISIONS
IMPORTANT: As stated in Table 2, federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma with a former AIR in
Oklahoma may review and update Oklahoma tribal statistical areas and Oklahoma tribal
statistical areas tribal subdivisions. This chapter targets those participants.

OTSAs are statistical areas identified and delineated by the Census Bureau with federally
recognized tribes based in Oklahoma that had a former American Indian Reservation (AIR) in
Oklahoma. OTSAs represent the former AIRs that existed in the Indian and Oklahoma territories
prior to Oklahoma statehood in 1907. They provide comparable geographic entities for
analyzing data over time, and a way to obtain data comparable to that provided to federally
recognized tribes that currently have an AIR. The Census Bureau provides the opportunity to
review the boundary and name of the 2010 Census OTSA, but does not allow for the creation of
new OTSAs. Since OTSAs use the historical former reservation boundary to form the basis of the
OTSA boundary, it should not change from the 2010 Census. In addition to reviewing the OTSA
boundaries and name, participants may opt to revise tribal subdivisions and census designated
places within the 2010 Census OTSA. Refer to Chapter 4 for instructions on reviewing CDPs and
Section 0 for a couple of specifics related to CDPs on OTSAs.
Tribal subdivisions are units of self-government and/or administration within an AIR and/or
ORTL for a federally recognized tribe or within an OTSA, that serve social, cultural, and/or legal
purposes for the tribal government. Tribal subdivisions delineated within an AIR or ORTL are
“legal geographic entities” and, thus, are specifically termed “legal tribal subdivisions.” The
annual BAS serves as the method for updates to the legal tribal subdivisions. Tribal subdivisions
delineated within OTSAs are ‘‘statistical geographic entities’’ and are specifically termed
‘‘statistical tribal subdivisions’’ because the larger OTSA is also considered a statistical
geographic entity. The 2020 Census PSAP serves as the method for updates to the OTSA tribal
subdivisions.
The Census Bureau tabulates data for only one level of tribal subdivision within an AIR, ORTL, or
OTSA. Tribes that have multiple hierarchical levels of administrative units (for example, water
districts that nest within council members’ districts) should submit the unit with the smallest
geographic area (the water districts using our example) so that their data can aggregate to the
larger geographic area. The Census Bureau identifies each tribal subdivision in its data products
with the name and administrative unit type (chapter, district, etc.) submitted by the defining
tribal government. The name of each tribal subdivision must reflect its name, as cited in recent
tribal legal documentation and/or used by the tribal government for administrative purposes.
Prior to the 2010 Census, the Census Bureau allowed the boundaries of OTSAs to deviate
somewhat from the corresponding former AIR boundaries when requested by a tribe and
supported by available demographic data. Such deviations may affect the delineation and
identification of other tribes’ OTSAs, resulting in areas being associated with multiple OTSAs.
These areas with multiple relationships were defined as separate geographic entities and
identified as ‘‘joint use area OTSAs’’ for Census 2000. In response to comments received from
data users, especially with regard to federal laws and programs requiring the use of the former
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

AIR boundaries rather than OTSA boundaries, the Census Bureau sought to avoid identification
of joint use area OTSAs for the 2010 Census. For 2020, the Census Bureau will not create any
new joint use area OTSAs and plans to work with the tribes involved to eliminate those that
remain from 2010.
Lastly, the Census Bureau is aware that federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma have trust lands
throughout the state. A tribe may choose to have the Census Bureau tabulate data for its ORTL
for the 2020 Census rather than for an OTSA; however, as in 2010, the Census Bureau will not
depict trust lands that fall within the boundary of the OTSA for the 2020 Census. During the
Tribal Consultation meetings held in 2016, OTSA tribes overwhelmingly indicated they wanted
to retain the OTSA geography in favor of documenting the ORTLs. If the ORTL delineation
opinion has changed since the 2016 meetings, and a tribe seeks to submit their ORTL during
PSAP, contact the Census Bureau for instructions. Be aware that once delineated, the trust
lands become part of the universe of legally defined entities updated and maintained through
the Census Bureau’s annual Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) described in Part C of the
Introduction.
The following sections on criteria and guidelines help to ensure meaningful data for the
respective tribe, and to enhance the ability for data users to make meaningful comparisons
between data for the various types of tribal statistical areas.

7.1

OTSA Criteria

The Census Bureau sets forth the following criteria and guidelines for use in reviewing, updating
existing OTSAs:
Note: The first six apply to OTSAs, TDSAs, and SDTSAs criteria and repeat in each of the three chapters.









A statistical AIA must contain some American Indian population and housing.
A statistical AIA may not overlap with any other AIA at the same level of the geographic
hierarchy. For example, an OTSA may not overlap an AIR; a TDSA may not overlap an AIR; a
SDTSA may not overlap a TDSA.
A statistical AIA may not completely surround another legal or statistical AIA at the same level of
the geographic hierarchy.
A statistical AIA may not include more water area than land area.
Officials delineating statistical AIAs may only add nonvisible lines as a boundary only if other
acceptable boundary features are not available and they aid in a statistical AIA meeting other
specific delineation criteria and/or guidelines.
The Census Bureau will evaluate the submitted name to ensure that each statistical AIA’s name
is clearly distinguishable from the name of any other legal or statistical AIA.
The OTSA must be located completely within the current boundaries of the State of Oklahoma.
The OTSA name must reflect one or more of the following conditions:
o The tribe or tribes associated with the former AIR represented by the OTSA;
o Tribes that have historically resided within the area of the OTSA;
o Tribes that have significant population currently residing within the OTSA; and/or
o The name(s) of the tribe(s) commonly associated with the area encompassed by the OTSA.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

7.2

OTSA Guidelines

Guidelines are suggestions to improve the relevance and the utility of the tribal statistical areas.
The following guidelines apply to OTSAs.






To the extent possible, OTSA boundaries identified for the 2020 Census should be the same as
those delineated for Census 2000 and reviewed for the 2010 Census.
The OTSA should follow last legal boundaries established for their former AIR.
Tribes may delineate tribal subdivisions within their own OTSAs.
o OTSA tribal subdivisions should represent units of self-government or administration.
o OTSA tribal subdivisions must cover all of the OTSA.
o If OTSA consists of multiple, noncontiguous parts, the tribal subdivisions within them are
also noncontiguous.
o OTSA tribal subdivision names must reflect the names cited in recent tribal legal
documentation and/or used by the tribe for administrative purposes.
Tribes may delineate CDPs representing unincorporated communities located totally or partially
within their own OTSAs. Separate, discrete communities whose boundaries encompass a
concentration of population and housing are a CDP rather than a tribal subdivision. Refer to
Chapter 4 for details on CDPs, but two additional points about CDPs on OTSAs are as follows:
o CDPs cannot be coextensive with an entire OTSA, AIR, or any other AIA.
o CDPs may extend off OTSAs.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 8. TRIBAL DESIGNATED STATISTICAL AREAS (TDSAS)
IMPORTANT: As stated in Table 2, federally recognized tribes without a reservation or off-reservation
trust lands may review and update tribal designated statistical areas. This chapter targets
those participants.

TDSAs are statistical American Indian Areas (AIAs) identified for federally recognized tribes that
do not have an American Indian reservation (AIR) or off-reservation trust lands (ORTLs) and are
based outside of Alaska, Hawaii, and Oklahoma.
In an effort to improve the presentation of data for federally recognized tribes that did not have
a reservation, boundaries for statistical areas associated with these tribes were first introduced
for the 1990 Census of Population and Housing. Prior to 1990, the Census Bureau tabulated
data only for federal and state recognized reservations and ORTLs, legal tribal subdivisions and
the Historic Areas of Oklahoma (now called OTSAs). Census 2000 and the 2010 Census brought
revisions to the geography. For 2020 Census PSAP, eligible tribal officials will again have the
opportunity to review and update the boundaries of existing TDSAs or delineate new TDSAs.
TDSAs are intended to provide comparable geographic entities for analyzing data over time and
to provide a way to obtain data comparable to that provided for tribes of a similar size that
have reservations or off-reservation trust lands in the same region and/or state. The geographic
definition of a TDSA may not necessarily include all tribal members; nor is it intended to depict
land ownership, represent an area over which a tribe has any form of governmental authority
or jurisdiction, or represent all of the traditional or historical areas associated with the tribe,
including areas used for subsistence activities. A TDSA should represent a geographic area
where there is a concentration of tribal population currently living and where the tribe has
social, economic, or historical ties to the land evidenced by the existence of tribally owned
businesses, buildings, meeting areas, or culturally significant structures. Representation of TDSA
boundaries in Census Bureau products is solely for the purpose of data collection, tabulation,
and presentation.
The Census Bureau tabulates statistical data for all people living within the boundaries of a
TDSA (including non-tribe members), and for all tribal members regardless of where they reside
in the state or nation. Each household completing the Census questionnaire throughout the
nation has the opportunity to identify the race of each person living in the house. Each person
who identifies their race as American Indian or Alaska Native, can then list their tribe as the
enrolled or principle tribe. Tribe members living outside of the TDSA are counted as tribal
members living elsewhere in the state and nation, not as residing within the TDSA.
The following sections on criteria and guidelines help to ensure meaningful data for the
respective tribe, and to enhance the ability for data users to make meaningful comparisons
between data for the various types of tribal statistical areas.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

8.1

TDSA Criteria

The Census Bureau sets forth the following criteria and guidelines for use in reviewing, updating
existing TDSAs:
Note: The first six apply to OTSAs, TDSAs, and SDTSAs criteria and repeat in each of the three chapters.











8.2

A statistical AIA must contain some American Indian population and housing.
A statistical AIA may not overlap with any other AIA at the same level of the geographic
hierarchy. For example, an OTSA may not overlap an AIR; a TDSA may not overlap an AIR; a
SDTSA may not overlap a TDSA.
A statistical AIA may not completely surround another legal or statistical AIA at the same level of
the geographic hierarchy.
A statistical AIA may not include more water area than land area.
Officials delineating statistical AIAs may only add nonvisible lines as a boundary only if other
acceptable boundary features are not available and they aid in a statistical AIA meeting other
specific delineation criteria and/or guidelines.
The Census Bureau will evaluate the submitted name to ensure that each statistical AIA’s name
is clearly distinguishable from the name of any other legal or statistical AIA.
The TDSA must not include military areas.
TDSAs shall not be delineated in Alaska, Hawaii, or Oklahoma.
The tribe or tribes (in conjunction with the Census Bureau, and the state liaison for TDSAs) that
are responsible for its delineation determine the name of the TDSA.
The TDSA name must reflect one or both of the following conditions:
o The tribe that has the largest population currently residing within the TDSA and/or
o The name of the tribe most commonly associated with the area encompassed by the TDSA.

TDSA Guidelines

Guidelines are suggestions to improve the relevance and the utility of the tribal statistical areas.
The following guidelines apply to TDSAs:










TDSAs should be comparable in area to the AIRs and/or ORTLs of other tribes with similar
numbers of members in the same state and/or region.
American Indians should constitute a large proportion of the population within a TDSA, and of
the American Indian population, the majority should be members of the delineating tribe.
The Census Bureau suggests a minimum population of at least 1,200 individuals or 480 housing
units to help enhance reliability and availability of sample-based data.
TDSAs should include area where there is structured and organized tribal activity, including tribal
headquarters, tribal service centers, meeting areas and buildings, ceremonial grounds, tribally
owned commercial locations, etc.
TDSAs should not contain large areas without housing or population. The Census Bureau
suggests a housing unit density of at least three housing units per square mile.
TDSAs should be contiguous.
Water area should be included only to maintain contiguity, to provide a generalized version of
the shoreline, or if the water area is completely surrounded by land area included in the TDSA.
TDSA boundaries should follow visible, physical features, such as rivers, streams, shorelines,
roads, and ridgelines.
TDSA boundaries may follow the nonvisible, legally defined boundaries of AIRs, ORTLs, states,
counties, or incorporated places.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

8.3

Considerations for Delineating TDSAs

Since TDSA boundaries are used to tabulate and present period estimates from the ACS,
participants should consider that period estimates of demographic characteristics for
geographic entities with small populations would be subject to higher variances than
comparable estimates for geographic entities with larger populations. In addition, the Census
Bureau’s disclosure rules may have the effect of restricting the availability and amount of data
for geographic entities with small populations. The more closely a TDSA’s boundary relates to
the distribution of tribal members and American Indians receiving governmental services from
the tribe, and does not include large numbers of people and households not affiliated with the
tribe, the more likely that data presented for the TDSA will accurately reflect the characteristics
of the intended tribal population.
Although eligible, a tribe may elect not to delineate a TDSA if it will not provide meaningful,
relevant, or reliable statistical data because the member population now resides in numerous
other locations or has been completely subsumed by non- member and/or non-American
Indian populations. In such instances, defining a TDSA will not improve the presentation of
statistical data relating to tribal members. These tribes may still be able to receive meaningful,
relevant, and reliable statistical data for their tribal membership at higher levels of census
geography through the characteristic of tribal affiliation.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 9. STATE DESIGNATED TRIBAL STATISTICAL AREAS (SDTSAS)
IMPORTANT: As stated in Table 2, state recognized tribes without a reservation or off-reservation trust
lands may review and update state designated tribal statistical areas. This chapter targets
those participants.

SDTSAs are statistical American Indian Areas (AIAs) identified for state recognized tribes that
are not federally recognized and do not have an American Indian reservation (AIR) or offreservation trust lands (ORTLs).
In an effort to improve the presentation of data for state recognized tribes that did not have a
reservation, boundaries for statistical areas associated with these tribes were first introduced
for the 1990 Census of Population and Housing, and then revised during Census 2000. During
Census 2000, these statistical areas carried the name of State Designated American Indian
Statistical Areas (SDAISAs). During the 2010 Census, their name changed to State Designated
Tribal Statistical Areas (SDTSAs). This name remains for the 2020 Census. As in 2010, governorappointed state liaisons representing state recognized tribes will again have the opportunity for
2020 Census PSAP to review and update the boundaries of existing SDTSAs or delineate new
SDTSAs.
SDTSAs are intended to provide comparable geographic entities for analyzing data over time
and to provide a way to obtain data comparable to that provided for tribes of a similar size that
have reservations or off-reservation trust lands in the same region and/or state. The geographic
definition of a SDTSA may not necessarily include all tribal members; nor is it intended to depict
land ownership, represent an area over which a tribe has any form of governmental authority
or jurisdiction, or represent all of the traditional or historical areas associated with the tribe,
including areas used for subsistence activities. A SDTSA should represent a geographic area
where there is a concentration of tribal population currently living and where the tribe has
social, economic, or historical ties to the land evidenced by the existence of tribally owned
businesses, buildings, meeting areas, or culturally significant structures. Representation of
SDTSA boundaries in Census Bureau products is solely for the purpose of data collection,
tabulation, and presentation.
The Census Bureau tabulates statistical data for all people living within the boundaries of a
SDTSA (including non-tribe members), and for all tribal members regardless of where they
reside in the state or nation. Each household completing the Census questionnaire throughout
the nation has the opportunity to identify the race of each person living in the house. Each
person who identifies their race as American Indian or Alaska Native, can then list their tribe as
the enrolled or principal tribe. Tribe members living outside of the SDTSA are counted as tribal
members living elsewhere in the state and nation, not as residing within the SDTSA.
The following sections on criteria and guidelines help to ensure meaningful data for the
respective tribe, and to enhance the ability for data users to make meaningful comparisons
between data for the various types of tribal statistical areas.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

9.1

SDTSA Criteria

The Census Bureau sets forth the following criteria and guidelines for use in reviewing, updating
existing SDTSAs:
Note: The first six apply to OTSAs, TDSAs, and SDTSAs criteria and repeat in each of the three chapters.











9.2

A statistical AIA must contain some American Indian population and housing.
A statistical AIA may not overlap with any other AIA at the same level of the geographic
hierarchy. For example, an OTSA may not overlap an AIR; a TDSA may not overlap an AIR; a
SDTSA may not overlap a TDSA.
A statistical AIA may not completely surround another legal or statistical AIA at the same level of
the geographic hierarchy.
A statistical AIA may not include more water area than land area.
Officials delineating statistical AIAs may only add nonvisible lines as a boundary only if other
acceptable boundary features are not available and they aid in a statistical AIA meeting other
specific delineation criteria and/or guidelines.
The Census Bureau will evaluate the submitted name to ensure that each statistical AIA’s name
is clearly distinguishable from the name of any other legal or statistical AIA.
The SDTSA must not include military areas.
The SDTSA for a specific tribe may be delineated in a state only if the tribe is officially recognized
by the state.
The tribe or tribes (in conjunction with the Census Bureau, and the state liaison for SDTSAs) that
are responsible for its delineation determine the name of the SDTSA.
The SDTSA name must reflect one or both of the following conditions:
o The tribe that has the largest population currently residing within the SDTSA and/or
o The name of the tribe most commonly associated with the area encompassed by the SDTSA.

SDTSA Guidelines

Guidelines are suggestions to improve the relevance and the utility of the tribal statistical areas.
The following guidelines apply to SDTSAs.









SDTSAs should be comparable in area to the AIRs and/or ORTLs of other tribes with similar
numbers of members in the same state and/or region.
American Indians should constitute a large proportion of the population within a SDTSA, and of
the American Indian population, the majority should be members of the delineating tribe.
The Census Bureau suggests a minimum population of at least 1,200 individuals or 480 housing
units to help enhance reliability and availability of sample-based data.
SDTSAs should include area where there is structured and organized tribal activity, including
tribal headquarters, tribal service centers, meeting areas and buildings, ceremonial grounds,
tribally owned commercial locations, etc.
SDTSAs should not contain large areas without housing or population. The Census Bureau
suggests a housing unit density of at least three housing units per square mile.
SDTSAs should be contiguous.
Water area should be included only to maintain contiguity, to provide a generalized version of
the shoreline, or if the water area is completely surrounded by land area included in the SDTSA.
SDTSA boundaries should follow visible, physical features, such as rivers, streams, shorelines,
roads, and ridgelines.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide



9.3

SDTSA boundaries may follow the nonvisible, legally defined boundaries of AIRs, ORTLs, states,
counties, or incorporated places.

Considerations for Delineating SDTSAs

Since SDTSA boundaries are used to tabulate and present period estimates from the ACS,
participants should consider that period estimates of demographic characteristics for
geographic entities with small populations would be subject to higher variances than
comparable estimates for geographic entities with larger populations. In addition, the Census
Bureau’s disclosure rules may have the effect of restricting the availability and amount of data
for geographic entities with small populations. The more closely a SDTSA’s boundary relates to
the distribution of tribal members and American Indians receiving governmental services from
the tribe, and does not include large numbers of people and households not affiliated with the
tribe, the more likely that data presented for the SDTSA will accurately reflect the
characteristics of the intended tribal population.
Although eligible, a tribe may elect not to delineate a SDTSA if it will not provide meaningful,
relevant, or reliable statistical data because the member population now resides in numerous
other locations or has been completely subsumed by non- member and/or non-American
Indian populations. In such instances, defining a SDTSA will not improve the presentation of
statistical data relating to tribal members. These tribes may still be able to receive meaningful,
relevant, and reliable statistical data for their tribal membership at higher levels of census
geography through the characteristic of tribal affiliation.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 10.

STATE AMERICAN INDIAN RESERVATIONS (SAIRS)

IMPORTANT: As stated in Table 2, state recognized tribes with a state recognized reservation or offreservation trust lands may review and update state recognized American Indian
Reservations. This chapter targets those participants.

State American Indian Reservations (SAIRs) and their legal boundaries are established pursuant
to state law. States with state-recognized tribes, that are not also federally recognized, have
their own unique laws that recognize specific tribes or establish a formal process by which
tribes apply for state recognition.
A subset of states have a process whereby:



State-recognized tribes may obtain a SAIR.
State-recognized tribes have established a SAIR, specifically through state legislation or have
continued to recognize an American Indian Reservation established through laws.
o These laws are often treaties of one of the original thirteen colonial assemblies and/or Great
Britain during the Colonial Era.

Though SAIR boundaries are legal boundaries, effective with 2020 Census PSAP, state officials
have the opportunity to review and update the boundaries of their existing SAIRs and may
provide boundaries and other attribute information for newly recognized SAIRs.
In 2010, the Census Bureau solicited changes to the boundaries of SAIRs from the state
government through the State Reservation Program and changes to the boundaries of state
designated tribal statistical areas (SDTSAs) through the 2010 PSAP. For 2020, the review of both
SAIRs and SDTSAs occurs during 2020 Census PSAP. There is no separate State Reservation
Program. Because the Census Bureau works with a single point of contact to review both the
SAIRs and SDTSAs, integrating the SAIRs review into PSAP likely eases the burden for the state
official. If the state official declines or defers participation, the Census Bureau will use 2010
SAIR boundaries to tabulate 2020 Census data.
IMPORTANT: If changes occur to the boundary of an existing SAIR or if a new SAIR exists, the state
official must provide the supporting legal documentation as they would with the BAS to
modify the boundary or add the new SAIR.

10.1 SAIR Criteria and Guidelines
The Census Bureau sets forth the following criteria and guidelines for use in reviewing, updating
existing SAIRs, and delineating new SAIRs:




SAIR boundaries cannot cross state lines unless each state recognizes the AIR and tribe is
separately.
SAIRs must not include territory within federally recognized AIRs or off-reservation trust lands.
Report SAIR boundaries and the SAIR name as they exist in the legislation, treaty or other legal
document under which they were established.
o The Census Bureau will identify each SAIR with the name submitted by the state liaison
providing the boundary for the area. For this reason, the SAIR name should reflect the
specific tribal name cited in the legal records establishing the SAIR.

Acceptance of boundary changes to existing SAIRs requires clear legal documentation
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

supporting any, and all, changes involving these boundaries.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

PART TWO: REVIEWING, UPDATING, AND SUBMITTING 2020 CENSUS
PSAP MAPS
Part Two provides instructions for conducting the review of the PSAP materials by discussing
general information about boundary features and types of feature updates sought by the
Census Bureau. It also includes a summary of map annotation procedures that span all
participants and provides examples most common to each of the seven types of tribal
participant listed in Table 2.
IMPORTANT: The Census Bureau does not expect a submission from tribal entities that do not make
updates to the existing 2010 statistical geographies.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 11.

REVIEWING 2020 CENSUS PSAP MAPS

In order to begin a review of the PSAP materials, participants must assemble their local source
material for comparison.
For federally recognized American Indian Areas with a reservation and/or off-reservation trust
lands, conduct a review of the paper maps by first reviewing the 2010 population and housing
counts list provided with the materials. The list includes all of the tribal statistical geographies
for each tribal entity, so review it closely to identify the tribal census tracts and tribal block
groups falling outside of the recommended thresholds. Review any CDP boundaries if they exist
in the tribal entity. Follow the information provided with regards to criteria, guidelines, and
boundary requirements within the appropriate chapter in Part One (e.g., chapters 2 – 4) and
the general guidance in Section 11.1 to conduct the review.
Participants with only one tribal census tract and one tribal block group, and those without
threshold failures are encouraged to utilize the paper maps or the Adobe .pdf files to review
the existing boundaries of the statistical geographies. After completing a review and confirming
no updates are required, complete the delineation phase postcard (P-300) and return it to the
Census Bureau denoting no changes are forthcoming. Doing so concludes the delineation phase
participation.
Participants with a tribal entity large enough to contain more than one tribal census tract and
tribal block group must resolve all threshold failures that exist within the tribal entity, or must
provide justifications for not correcting the failures. Clearing the threshold failures (above
maximum thresholds and below minimum thresholds of each of the statistical geographies) is
the minimum required to participate in PSAP. For unresolvable threshold failures, provide
written justification on the specific map, on the 2010 pop and housing count list, or in a more
formal fashion such as a letter or email, so the Census Bureau knows a review was conducted
and the participant does not want to change the boundaries. If time permits, a review of all of
the statistical geographies is encouraged as a form of validation of the existing statistical
geographies.
For all other tribal participants reviewing ANVSA, ANRC, OTSA, TDSA, SDTSA, and SAIR
geographies, review the respective tribal statistical geography boundaries to determine if they
remain valid and are accurate. Follow the information provided with regards to criteria,
guidelines, and special considerations within the appropriate chapter in Part One (e.g., chapters
4 – 10) and the general guidance in Section 11.1 to conduct the review. If the review concludes
no updates are required, complete the delineation phase postcard (P-300) and return it to the
Census Bureau denoting no changes are forthcoming. Doing so concludes the delineation phase
participation.

11.1 General Information on Boundary Features
Data user and Census Bureau experience has shown that some features simply make better
boundaries than others, and the same type of feature can make an excellent boundary in one
place and a poor one in another. Rivers, major canals, lakes, and other bodies of water often
make good statistical area boundaries because they generally limit access from one area to
another and rarely change relative location. Other features that limit access between areas,
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

such as interstate and other major highways, railroad tracks, and the ridges of mountain
ranges, also make good statistical area boundaries. In some instances, however, such a feature
unifies a community, for example, a lake forming the core of a recreational housing
development or a through street forming the spine of a subdivision. In these circumstances, the
statistical area boundary should include the entire area of the lake or both sides of a unifying
street to better encompass similar community patterns.
In general, when delineating boundaries in bodies of water represented as polygons and having
area (lakes, reservoirs, bays, oceans, and wide rivers), the boundary should follow a line
bisecting the water body rather than following a shoreline. Wherever possible, use an existing
line in water (for example, a county line in the middle of a river) rather than adding a new line.
Officials delineating tribal statistical geographies may only add nonvisible lines as a boundary if
other acceptable boundary features such as roads, rivers, streams, shorelines, trails and
ridgelines, are not available and they aid in a statistical geography meeting other specific,
delineation criteria and/or guidelines. Refer to Appendix I. for a table that lists whether
features are acceptable or questionable boundaries. The Census Bureau staff will contact
participants if they require more information or have questions about feature updates
submitted as part of our 2020 Census PSAP.

11.2 General Guidelines for Feature Updates
It is critical that participants understand that the purpose of PSAP is not street feature updates.
During PSAP, the Census Bureau accepts updates to features only where a boundary follows a
road (or other visible feature such as a stream) and the road is not on the paper maps. For this
reason, the Census Bureau cannot accept street (or other feature) updates that do not follow
the guidelines below:






Add the feature and provide the name of the feature, if it is missing from the paper maps and
forms the boundary for the area needed for delineating a statistical geography.
Correct a feature, if the participant cannot delineate the boundary for a statistical geography
correctly because the feature on the map is incorrectly located, mislabeled, or distorted.
Add missing streets only when necessary to form a statistical geography boundary. Do not use
valuable time of the 120-day review period adding streets and other missing features not used
for PSAP boundaries. The verification phase products provided to each participant making a
submission during the delineation phase allow participants to see the results of later census
operations that may have added those missing features.
Use straight-line extensions (invisible, short, line-of-sight lines) to form a closed polygon only if
they are straight lines, do not intersect a cul-de-sac, and do not exceed 300 feet in length.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 12.

UPDATING 2020 CENSUS PSAP MAPS

Though this Respondent Guide contains chapters for nine specific tribal statistical geographies,
most procedures for annotating the different paper maps are identical. The unique component
for the annotation is usually limited to the colored pencil used to make the update. Refer to
Table 5: Pencil Color, Tribal Statistical Geographies Using Color, and Tribal for the proper pencil
color for each tribal statistical geography.
Note: For the sake of illustration within this material, all forthcoming examples utilize real tribal
entity maps, but the updates are fictitious. The examples show the updates to symbology,
naming, and supporting documentation as computer generated rather than handwritten.
Participants handwrite corrections and changes on the paper maps.

The common procedures for annotating any of the PSAP paper maps are as follows:






Compare source materials with the Census Bureau maps.
If updates are necessary for boundaries of the statistical geography, cross out the old/errant
boundary with an “X” and mark the ends of the deletion/update with hash marks “(//).”
Follow information outlined in Section 11.2 to draw in the new/revised boundary. Refer to
Appendix H. for valuable information on types of features to utilize.
If adding new features is necessary to complete an update for statistical geography boundary,
add the new feature first and then add the proper symbology to denote it as a boundary for the
statistical geography.
If updates are necessary for the name or number of the statistical geography, cross out old
information and add the new/corrected information within the boundary of the statistical
geography in the same color as the revised boundary.

12.1 Tribal Block Group Update Example
Figure 4 depicts a boundary update between the tribal block group A (TBG-A) and tribal block
group B (TBG-B) in tribal census tract T002 of the L’Anse Reservation. It illustrates the use of
proper color (brown) and symbology (X and //). The net result of this change the removal of
area from TBG-A and addition of the area to TBG-B.
The modification of tribal census tract boundaries uses the same actions as tribal block group
modifications, with the exception of color (e.g., orange for tribal census tracts); therefore, no
separate example is provided. In addition, many federally recognized American Indian Areas
with a reservation and/or off-reservation trust lands have only one tribal census tract so no
modification can occur. Still others, with enough population or housing to have more than one
tribal census tract, have few options for modification. Should questions arise about updating
tribal census tracts that the information in Part Two: and in this example does not resolve,
contact the Census Bureau for support and assistance.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

Figure 4. Tribal Block Group Boundary Change (Fictitious Example)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

12.2 CDP Update Example
Census designated places (CDPs) can be added on federally recognized American Indian Areas
with a reservation and/or off-reservation trust lands and OTSAs. Figure 5 depicts adding a new
CDP for an OTSA tribal participant. Regardless of the participant, CDP boundaries are red.

Figure 5. Adding a New CDP (Fictitious Example)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

12.3 ANVSA Update Example
Figure 6, for the sake of the scale of the map and this Respondent Guide, only shows a portion
of the correction necessary. It does not depict the new purple boundary atop the green park
boundary in order to maintain a better visual for the Census Bureau. In this example, the entire
boundary needs to conjoin with the park boundary. It appears as though the boundary of the
park shifted and the ANVSA boundary did not move with it. The opportunity to correct that
misalignment occurs in 2020 Census PSAP. When situations like this occur, adding supporting
documentation or a note that describes the issue helps the Census Bureau interpret the
requested change.

Figure 6. ANVSA Boundary Correction (Fictitious Example)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

12.4 ANRC Update Example
Updates to ANRCs are not likely; however, they may use the ANRC paper map to make
corrections to the boundaries or the ANRC name. Provide the explanation for the correction on
the map or in separate, supporting documentation. For the sake of this example, Figure 7
shows a name correction and supporting documentation. The legal documentation cited in the
map note is required in addition to the note on the map itself. ANRCs are more likely to
perform edits to ANVSAs as shown in Section 12.3.

Figure 7. ANRC Name Correction (Fictitious Example)

12.5 OTSA Update Example
Figure 8 shows the proper way to modify the existing boundary of an OTSA. Though an
uncommon update since OTSAs follow former legal boundaries, the image is used to depict the
proper use of symbology (X and //) as well as color (purple). The net result of this change is area
added to the Miami OTSA.

Figure 8. OTSA Boundary Change (Fictitious Example)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

12.6 TDSA Update Example
Figure 9 shows modification of an existing boundary of a TDSA due to a cartographic error. The
image depicts the proper use of symbology (X and //) as well as color (purple) and provides an
example of including information related to a boundary error in the Census Bureau. This type of
information helps the Census Bureau understand the change suggested.

Figure 9. TDSA Boundary Change with Additional Information (Fictitious Example)

12.7 SDTSA Update Example
Figure 10 illustrates the addition of new area to the SDTSA and the removal of existing area
from the SDTSA. As with all of the previous examples, the image depicts the proper use of
symbology (X and //) as well as color (purple), but it shows changing the name of the SDTSA to
reflect the new name of the tribe, as discussed in Section 9.2.

Figure 10. SDTSA Boundary Changes and Name Change (Fictitious Example)
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

12.8 SAIR Update Example
Figure 11 shows the proper manner to modify the existing boundary of a SAIR. The image
depicts the proper use of symbology (X and //) as well as color (purple) and supporting
documentation noted on the map. The net result of this change is more area added to the
Hassanamisco Reservation. The legal documentation cited in the map note is required in
addition to the note on the map itself.

Figure 11. SAIR Boundary Correction (Fictitious Example)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 13.

SUBMITTING UPDATED 2020 CENSUS PSAP MAPS

After completing the review and performing updates to the PSAP paper maps, separate the
updated map sheets from the ones without updates. Make a copy of the portion of the map(s)
that shows the proposed update(s). Retain the copies for reference during the verification
phase scheduled to begin in January 2020.
Retain copies of all supporting documentation that reinforces the participant’s position for the
retention of a failing geography (below minimum/above maximum tribal census tract or tribal
block group) and any other information that may benefit the Census Bureau’s review of the
submission.
Place the updated maps and all supporting documentation in the original delineation material
packaging (i.e., map tubes, box, or envelope). Use the FedEx postage-paid label/envelope to
return the updated materials to the Census Bureau. If postage-paid label is misplaced, call the
Census Bureau’s PSAP help line at 1-844-788-4921 for instructions on receiving a replacement
label/envelope. If participants choose to ship the updated materials on their own, without
contacting the PSAP line, the Census Bureau recommends using a service that provides tracking
information, such as USPS traceable delivery, FedEx, United Parcel Service (UPS), or similar
service.
IMPORTANT: Do not send updated materials on a flow basis. Complete all work prior to making a
submission.

The address to use for shipping without the postage-paid label/envelope is as follows:
ATTN: GEOGRAPHY PSAP BLDG 63E
National Processing Center
1201 E 10th St
Jeffersonville IN 47132

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

PART THREE:

NEXT STEPS IN 2020 CENSUS PSAP

Congratulations on the completion of the delineation phase of 2020 Census PSAP. While this is
a major step, it does not conclude participation in 2020 Census PSAP. The final part to this
document describes the next steps for 2020 Census PSAP. These steps include a high-level
description of the processing of participants’ submissions conducted by the Census Bureau that
must occur prior to the verification phase. The document concludes by highlighting the plans
for the verification and closeout phases of 2020 Census PSAP.
The Census Bureau begins its review of the submitted paper map materials. This process
includes performing basic validation checks and conducting basic quality assessments to ensure
the enforcement of specific criteria for each tribal statistical geography.
After completing the review of the updated delineation materials, the Census Bureau uses the
newly suggested geographies to generate the final version of the proposed plan, reviewed by
participants during the verification phase. The verification phase begins January 2020 with
participants having 90 days to review the verification materials for accuracy of the updates they
provided during the delineation phase and respond with suggested corrections. Participants
receive a prepaid, verification phase postcard asking them to verify, accept, or reject the final
version of the proposed plan. The Census Bureau plans to conduct follow-up with nonresponding participants in order to ensure receipt of a response from each that participated
during the delineation phase. Once the Census Bureau receives the verification phase postcard
with the approval or acceptance of the verification plan or after they receive the suggested
corrections, they can finalize the 2020 Census statistical boundaries.
In October 2020, the Census Bureau begins the closeout phase of the 2020 Census PSAP to
ensure there are no outstanding changes submitted by participants or to communicate the
reasoning for not making participant suggested changes. The timing of this phase begins after
allowing time for processing any updates from the verification phase.
More details on both the verification and closeout phases will appear on the PSAP website as
they become available. In addition, further communication occurs in advance of each of the last
two phases. This concludes the instructional content for the delineation phase for 2020 Census
PSAP.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

APPENDICES

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

APPENDIX A. GLOSSARY
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) – Federal legislation (Pub. L. 92-203, 85 Stat. 688
(1971); 43 U.S.C. 1602 et seq. (2000)) enacted in 1971 that recognized Native villages and
Native groups, and established ANRCs and their regional boundaries.
Alaska Native Regional Corporation (ANRC) – A corporate geographic area established under
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (Pub. L. 92–203, 85 Stat. 688 (1971)) to conduct both
the business and nonprofit affairs of Alaska Natives. Twelve ANRCs cover the entire State of
Alaska except for the Annette Island Reserve.
Alaska Native – For purposes of PSAP, Alaska Native refers to anyone who self-identifies as an
American Indian and/or an Alaska Native (AIAN) alone or in combination with one or more
other races and resides in Alaska.
Alaska Native village (ANV) – A local governmental unit in Alaska that constitutes an
association, band, clan, community, group, tribe, or village recognized by and eligible to receive
services from the BIA and/or in accordance with the ANCSA as a Native village or Native group.
Alaska Native Village Corporation (ANVC) – A corporation created pursuant to the ANCSA and
organized under the laws of the state of Alaska as a for-profit or non-profit business to hold,
invest, manage, and/or distribute lands, property, funds, and assets for or on behalf of a Native
village.
Alaska Native village statistical area (ANVSA) – A statistical geographic entity that represents
the residences, permanent and/or seasonal, for Alaska Natives who are members of or
receiving government services from the defining ANV that are located within the region and
vicinity of the ANV’s historic and/or traditional location. ANVSAs are intended to represent the
relatively densely settled portion of each ANV and should include only an area where Alaska
Natives, especially members of the defining ANV, represent a significant proportion of the
population during at least one season of the year (at least three consecutive months).
American Community Survey (ACS) – A survey conducted by the Census Bureau that uses a
series of monthly samples to produce annually updated data for the same small areas (census
tract and block groups) as the decennial census long-form sample previously surveyed. The
Census Bureau last utilized the long-form during Census 2000.
American Indian Area (AIA) – A Census Bureau term that refers to any or all of the following
entities: American Indian reservation, American Indian off-reservation trust land, Oklahoma
tribal statistical area, joint use area, American Indian tribal subdivision, tribal designated
statistical area, and state designated American Indian statistical area.
American Indian off-reservation trust land (ORTL) – An area of land located outside the
boundaries of an AIR, whose boundaries are established by deed, and which are held in trust by
the U.S. federal government for a federally recognized American Indian tribe or members of
that tribe.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

A-1

American Indian reservation (AIR) – An area of land with boundaries established by final
treaty, statute, executive order, and/or court order and over which a federally recognized,
American Indian tribal government has governmental authority. Along with ‘‘reservation’’
primary governmental or administrative division of a county in 28 states and the ‘‘reservation’’
designations such as colonies, communities, pueblos, rancherias, and reserves apply to AIRs.
American Indian tribal subdivision – A legal subdivision of a federally recognized American
Indian reservation, off-reservation trust land, or a statistical subdivision of Oklahoma tribal
statistical areas. These entities are internal units of self-government or administration that
serve social, cultural, and/or economic purposes for American Indians.
Borough – A legal geographic entity within the state of Alaska. For purposes of PSAP, the
Census Bureau treats boroughs equivalent to county in other states for data collection,
tabulation, and presentation purposes.
Boundary – A line, either invisible or coincident with a visible feature that identifies the extent
of a geographic entity, such as a census tract, city, county, state, or reservation. A boundary
marks the limits of an area.
Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) – An annual survey to collect information about
selected legally defined geographic areas. The Census Bureau uses BAS as a means to update
information about the legal boundaries and names of all governmental units in the United
States.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) – The primary agency of the federal government, located within
the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), charged with the trust and responsibility between
the federal government and federally recognized AIAN tribal governments and communities,
including BIA-recognized ANVs.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – The primary agency of the federal government, located
within the DOI, charged with carrying out the ANCSA.
Census block – A census block is an area bounded by visible and/or invisible features shown on
Census Bureau maps. A census block is the smallest geographic area created by the Census
Bureau for which it collects and tabulates decennial census data. Census blocks are numbered
within block groups and are uniquely numbered within census tracts.
Census block group – Block groups are statistical geographic divisions of a census tract, defined
for the tabulation and dissemination of census data from the decennial censuses, the ACS, and
other select surveys.
Census block number – Census block numbers contain a 4-digit number. Census blocks are
numbered uniquely within each census tract.
Census Bureau – An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Census Bureau is the
country's preeminent statistical collection and dissemination agency. It publishes a wide variety
of statistical data about people and the economy of the nation. The Census Bureau conducts
approximately 200 annual surveys and conducts the decennial census of the United States
population.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

A-2

Census Bureau map – Any map produced by the Census Bureau. A Census Bureau map displays
geographic entities used in a Census Bureau sponsored census or survey for which the Census
Bureau tabulates data.
Census county division (CCD) – Statistical geographic entities in 21 states where minor civil
divisions either do not exist or have been unsatisfactory for reporting statistical data. The
Census Bureau, in cooperation with state, tribal, and local officials, delineate these areas solely
for statistical purposes. CCDs have no legal function and are not legal governmental units. The
primary goal of CCDs is to establish and maintain a set of sub-county geographies with stable
boundaries and recognizable names. Naming of each CCD is based on a place, county, or wellknown local name that identifies its location. In most cases, census tracts nest within CCDs, but
in less populated counties CCDs nest within census tracts.
Census designated place (CDP) – Statistical geographic entities representing closely settled,
unincorporated communities that are locally recognized and identified by name. CDPs are the
statistical equivalent of incorporated places, with the primary differences being the lack of both
a legally defined boundary and an active, functioning governmental structure chartered by the
state and administered by elected official.
Census tract – A small, relatively permanent statistical subdivision of a county or statistically
equivalent entity delineated for data presentation. Designed to be relatively homogeneous
units with respect to population characteristics, economic status, and living conditions at the
time of establishment, census tracts generally contain between 1,000 and 8,000 people, with
an optimum size of 4,000 people. Delineated with the intention of being stable over many
decades, census tract boundaries generally follow relatively permanent visible features.
However, they may follow governmental unit boundaries and other invisible features in some
instances; the boundary of a state or county (or statistically equivalent entity) is always a
census tract boundary.
Census tract number – Unique numbers to identify census tracts within a county or statistically
equivalent entity. Census tract numbers contain up to a 4-digit number followed by a decimal
point and a 2-digit number for suffixed tracts, e.g., 1234.01. For census tracts without a suffix,
the number will contain a period with zero fill, e.g., 4567.00. Leading zeros for census tracts,
e.g., 0001.00, are not shown on Census Bureau maps. This tract would appear as “1” on maps.
City-style address – The Census Bureau’s definition of a city style address is an address
consisting of a house number and street or road name. For example, 201 Main Street is a city
style address. The address may or may not be used for the delivery of mail and may include
apartment numbers/designations or similar identifiers.
Coextensive – The Census Bureau defines coextensive as two or more geographic entities that
cover exactly the same area, with all boundaries shared.
Conjoint – The Census Bureau defines conjoint as a boundary line shared by two adjacent
geographic entities.
Contiguous – The Census Bureau defines contiguous as areas sharing common boundary lines,
more than a single point, such that the areas, when combined, form a single piece of territory.
Non-contiguous areas form disjoint pieces.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

A-3

County – The primary legal division of most states. Most are governmental units with powers
defined by state law.
Edges – All linear features contained in the MAF/TIGER database.
Edges shapefile – All linear features in the MAF/TIGER database are contained in the edges
shapefile. Participants use the edges shapefile to add, delete, or change linear feature
attributes.
Faces – Topological areas in the MAF/TIGER database formed by edges.
Feature – Any part of the landscape, whether natural (a stream or ridge) or artificial (a road or
power line). In a geographic context, features are any part of the landscape portrayed on a
map, including nonvisible boundaries of legal entities, such as, city limits or county lines.
Federal Information Processing Series (FIPS)—These are codes formerly known as Federal
Information Processing Standards codes, until the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) announced its decision in 2005 to remove geographic entity codes from its
oversight. The Census Bureau continues to maintain and issue codes for geographic entities
covered under FIPS oversight, albeit with a revised meaning for the FIPS acronym. Geographic
entities covered under FIPS include states, counties, congressional districts, core based
statistical areas, places, county subdivisions, sub-minor civil divisions, consolidated cities, and
all types of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian areas. FIPS codes are assigned
alphabetically according to the name of the geographic entity and may change to maintain
alphabetic sort when new entities are created or names change. FIPS codes for specific
geographic entity types are usually unique within the next highest level of geographic entity
with which a nesting relationship exists. For example, FIPS state, congressional district, and core
based statistical area codes are unique within nation; FIPS county, place, county subdivision,
and sub-minor civil division codes are unique within state. The codes for American Indian,
Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian areas also are unique within state; those areas in multiple
states will have different codes for each state.
Geocodes – Codes that place an individual address in its correct geographic location, which
includes the correct state, county, census tract, and census block codes. Because the Census
Bureau counts people where they live, geocodes provide information to Census enumerators
for locating an address. Accurate geocoding also ensures the Census Bureau counts housing
units, and the people associated with them, in the correct census geography.
Geographic Information System (GIS) – A computer system for the storage, retrieval, and
maintenance of information about the points, lines, and areas that represent the streets and
roads, rivers, railroads, geographic entities, and other features on the surface of the Earthinformation that previously was available only on paper maps.
Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) – A self-contained GIS update and processing
package provided by the Census Bureau for participation in a variety of Census geography
programs, including 2020 Census PSAP. Pre-packaged to include all of the components for 2020
PSAP, the GUPS contains the Census Bureau’s TIGER partnership shapefiles necessary to
participate. GUPS allows the participant to add external geospatial data (shapefiles,
geodatabases, and imagery) for comparison and update purposes.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

A-4

Group quarters – The Census Bureau defines group quarters as a location where people live or
stay in a group living arrangement that is owned or managed by an entity or organization
providing housing and/or services for the residents. This is not a typical household-type living
arrangement. These services may include custodial or medical care as well as other types of
assistance, and residency is commonly restricted to those receiving these services. People living
in group quarters are usually not related to each other. Group quarters include such places as
college residence halls, residential treatment centers, skilled nursing facilities, group homes,
military barracks, correctional facilities, and workers’ dormitories.
Housing unit – The Census Bureau defines a housing unit as a house, an apartment, a mobile
home or trailer, or a group of rooms or a single room occupied as a separate living quarter or, if
vacant, intended for occupancy as a separate living quarter. Separate living quarters are those
in which the occupants live and eat separately from any other residents of the building and
which have direct access from outside the building or through a common hall.
Incorporated place —A type of governmental unit, incorporated under state law as a city, town
(except in New England, New York, and Wisconsin), borough (except in Alaska and New York),
or village, generally to provide governmental services for a concentration of people within
legally prescribed boundaries.
Legal boundary – The legally defined boundary of a governmental unit, usually referring to a
county, minor civil division, or incorporated place. The legal boundary identifies the area within
a tribal government's jurisdiction, and thus bounds the area of PSAP responsibility.
Master Address File (MAF) – The Census Bureau’s nationwide database of all addresses and
physical/location descriptions known to the Census Bureau used to support many of the Census
Bureau’s operations. Besides containing mailing addresses and ZIP Codes, a MAF record also
contains geographic information about the location of addresses. The Census Bureau’s
Geography Division regularly updates the MAF/TIGER Database from various sources, including
the United States Postal Service (USPS) Delivery Sequence File (DSF) and other sources of
updates such as current surveys and locally provided sources.
MAF/TIGER database (MTDB) – The Census Bureau’s nationwide geographic database, which
integrates the Master Address File (MAF) and Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding
and Referencing (TIGER) files.
MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) – A 5-digit code assigned by the Census
Bureau to classify and describe geographic objects or features in the MAF/TIGER database and
its output products.
Metadata – describes the data content, coordinate system/projection, author, source, and
other characteristics of GIS files.
Minor civil division (MCD) – The primary governmental or administrative division of a county in
29 states and the Island Areas having legal boundaries, names, and descriptions. The MCDs
represent many different types of legal entities with a wide variety of characteristics, powers,
and functions depending on the state and type of MCD. In some states, some or all of the
incorporated places also constitute MCDs. MCDs are identified by a variety of terms, such as
town (in eight states), township, and/or district. They include both functioning and
nonfunctioning government entities.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

A-5

Native group (NG) – Any tribe, band, clan, group, community, village, or village association of
Alaska Natives designated by the Secretary of the Interior composed of less than 25, but more
than three, Alaska Natives, who also comprised a majority of the residents of a locality at the
time of the 1970 Census.
Native village (NV) – Any tribe, band, clan, group, community, village, or village association of
Alaska Natives listed in Sections 11 and 16 of the ANCSA (See 43 U.S.C. 1610 and 1615 (2000))
or which the Secretary of the Interior determines was composed of 25 or more Alaska Natives,
who also comprised a majority of the residents of a locality at the time of the 1970 Census.
Non-city style address – The Census Bureau’s definition of a non-city style address is one that
does not have a house number and/or street name or may not include a complete house
number and street name address. This includes rural route and box number address and
highway contract route addresses, etc., which may include a box number, post office boxes and
drawers, and general delivery.
Nonvisible feature – The Census Bureau defines a nonvisible feature as one that is not visible
on the ground and/or in imagery such as a city or county boundary through space, a property
line, or line-of-sight extension of a road.
Off-Reservation Trust Land (ORTL) – A type of legal geographic entity that is a recognized
American Indian land area for which the United States federal government holds fee title in
trust for the benefit of a tribe (tribal trust land) or for an individual American Indian (individual
trust land). Trust lands can be alienated or encumbered only by the owner with the approval of
the Secretary of the Interior or his/her authorized representative. Trust lands may be located
on or off an AIR. The Census Bureau recognizes and tabulates data for AIRS and ORTLs because
the tribe has governmental authority over these lands. Primary tribal governmental authority
generally is not attached to tribal lands located off the AIR until the lands are placed in trust. In
Census Bureau data tabulations, ORTLs are always associated with a specific federal AIR and/or
tribal government.
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) – A Census Bureau program offered every 10
years that allows identified participants, following established criteria and guidelines, to review
and update existing statistical geographies and delineate new statistical geographies as
appropriate. The standard statistical geographies include census tracts, block groups, census
designated places, and census county divisions.
Place – A concentration of population either legally bound as an incorporated place or
identified by the Census Bureau as a census designated place.
PSAP official liaison – A person at the PSAP participating government or organization identified
to serve as the primary point of contact for PSAP.
PSAP technical contact – A person serving as the technical point of contact for a PSAP
participant that likely conducts the actual program work using the Census Bureau’s Geographic
Update Partnership Software (GUPS) or paper maps (for tribal participants).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

A-6

Regional Census Center (RCC) – Temporary offices set up approximately two years prior to the
decennial census. The geographic staff from the Regional Offices are assigned to their
respective RCC and assist with the execution of various geographic operations as well as
provide support for the field operations conducted during the decennial.
Regional Office (RO) – One of the permanent Census Bureau offices responsible for the Census
Bureau’s office and field operations within its region.
Retracting – The Census Bureau defines retracting as substantially changing the boundaries of a
census tract so that comparability over decades is lost.
Shapefile – Digital representations of geographic features, such as roads and boundaries used
to create maps. A shapefile stores non-topological geometry and attribute information for the
spatial features in a dataset. The Census Bureau provides county-based shapefiles in Esri
shapefile format.
Special use census tract/block group – A type of census tract or block group designated as a
specific use type (e.g., state park or large lake) and has an official name (e.g. Cleburne State
Park or Lake Minnetonka). Special use geographies should contain no (or very little) population
or housing, and must not create a non-contiguous census tract/block group.
Standard statistical geographic entity (standard statistical geographies) – A geographic entity
specifically defined and delineated (census tract, block group, census designated place, census
county division) so that the Census Bureau may tabulate data for it. Designation as a statistical
entity neither conveys nor confers legal ownership, entitlement, or jurisdictional authority.
Street segment – The portion of a street or road between two features that intersect that
street or road, such as, other streets or roads, railroad tracks, streams, and governmental unit
boundaries. The Census Bureau records the known address ranges for every street segment
with city-style addresses.
Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER)—The Census Bureau’s
digital map, including the geographic coordinates and names of streets, water features, other
linear features, and boundaries for all jurisdictions and statistical areas that provide the
geospatial framework for collecting and tabulating census data. TIGER also contains the
structure coordinates of address records in the Master Address File (MAF) and address ranges
along street features used for geocoding MAF records to census geography.
Visible feature – The Census Bureau defines a visible feature as one that can be seen on the
ground and/or in imagery. Visible features include a street, railroad tract, major above ground
transmission line or pipeline, stream, shoreline, fence, distinctly defined mountain ridge, or
cliff. A non-standard visible feature is a visible feature that may not be clearly defined on the
ground (such as a ridgeline), may be seasonal (such as an intermittent stream), or may be
relatively impermanent (such as a fence). The Census Bureau generally requests verification
that nonstandard visible features used for statistical geographies pose no problem during
fieldwork necessary to conduct a census or survey.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

A-7

APPENDIX B. 2020 CENSUS PSAP CRITERIA
In Part One: of the Respondent Guide, individual tables reflect each of the geographies
separately. This table summarizes that information into one table.
Table 10: Tribal Statistical Geographies and their Population and Housing Criteria 15
Tribal statistical
Nests Within
Population Criteria
Housing Unit Criteria
geography
Tribal census tracts
AIR and/or
Optimum
4,000
Optimum
1,600
ORTL
Minimum
1,200
Minimum
480
Maximum
Tribal block groups

Tribal census
tract

Census designated
places (CDPs)

State

Tribal designated
statistical areas
(TDSAs)
State designated
tribal statistical areas
(SDTSAs)

8,000

Maximum

3,200

N/A

Optimum
1,500
Minimum
600
Maximum
3,000
A CDP cannot have zero
population and zero housing
units.
Minimum
1,200

Optimum
None
Minimum
240
Maximum
1,200
A CDP cannot have zero
population and zero housing
units.
Minimum
480

State

Minimum

1,200

480

The minimum population and housing unit information listed for TDSAs and SDTSAs is a guideline, not criteria.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

B-1

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

C-1

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

C-2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

C-3

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

D-1

Census tabulation block boundaries on their AIR and ORTL through the Block Definition Project
(BDP), similar to the Block Boundary Suggestion Project portion of the Redistricting Data
Program.
In preparation for Census 2000, the Census Bureau continued to work with tribal governments
and federal and state agencies, as well as the Census Race and Ethnic Advisory Committee
(REAC) of the American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations (referred to hereafter as
AIAN REAC), to improve the identification of AIAs. For federally recognized tribes, the Census
Bureau offered programs to collect updated AIR and ORTL boundaries directly from the tribal
governments using the 1990 Census boundaries as a baseline. The Tribal Review Program was
offered a second time in 1997 and again enabled officials of all federally recognized American
Indian tribes with an AIR or ORTL to review and, if necessary, update the Census Bureau’s maps
of their AIRs and/or ORTLs before Census 2000. The Tribal Review Program also included
updating and correcting the roads and other geographic features shown on the Census
Bureau’s maps, and providing suggestions for Census 2000 block boundaries in the BDP. The
Tribal Review Program, prior to Census 2000, also gave tribes in Oklahoma the opportunity to
review the delineation of their 1990 Census TJSAs. Census 2000 was the first decennial census
for which census tracts were defined throughout the United States. American Indian tribes
benefited from this change as the Census Bureau allowed tribal governments of federally
recognized American Indian tribes with an AIR or ORTL to delineate census tracts without
regard to state or county boundaries, provided the AIR/ORTL had a 1990 Census population of
at least 1,000.
Beginning in 1998, the Census Bureau included federally recognized American Indian tribes with
an AIR and/or ORTL in its annual BAS, thus replacing the once a decade Tribal Review Program.
All AIRs and ORTLs included in the 2000 BAS were also included in the Census 2000 Boundary
Validation Program (BVP). The BVP offered a final opportunity for tribal leaders to review the
Census Bureau’s depiction of their AIR/ORTL boundaries prior to Census 2000 and provide any
updates to ensure those boundaries were shown correctly as of January 1, 2000 (the reference
date of the boundaries used for Census 2000 data tabulations). To support tribal requests for
data by administrative subdivisions, the Census Bureau again offered tribal officials the
opportunity to delineate American Indian tribal subdivisions (similar to the 1980 Census subreservation areas).
For Census 2000, on the recommendation of the AIAN REAC, the Census Bureau adopted the
state designated American Indian statistical area (SDAISA) to represent geographic areas for
state-designated tribes that lacked AIRs and ORTLs, thus distinguishing these areas from TDSAs,
which continued to represent geographic areas associated with federally recognized tribes that
lacked AIRs and ORTLs. The designation TJSA was changed to OTSA to more accurately reflect
that these entities were defined solely to present statistical information, and did not represent
areas in which legal jurisdiction was conferred or inferred by the federal government.
The 2010 Census provided an opportunity to enhance the Census Bureau’s ability to provide
meaningful, statistically relevant data about federal and state-recognized tribes. Two statistical
entities, tribal tracts and tribal block groups, were redefined to provide federally recognized
tribes with AIRs greater control and flexibility in delineating such areas. The final criteria and
guidelines for TDSAs and SDTSAs (formerly known as SDAISAs) encouraged tribes without an
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

D-2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

D-3

APPENDIX E. HISTORY OF ALASKA NATIVE AREAS IN THE DECENNIAL
CENSUS
Prior to the 1980 Census, the Census Bureau had no program specifically designed to recognize
or tabulate data for Alaska Native Areas (ANAs). Data were published for most of the Alaska
Native Villages (ANVs) as either incorporated places or ‘‘unincorporated places’’ (referred to as
census designated places (CDPs) in later censuses). Congress used data tabulated from the 1970
Census for these places, in conjunction with other information, to determine if they qualified as
a ‘‘Native village’’ or a ‘‘Native group’’ in accordance with the Alaska Native Claims Settlement
Act (ANCSA).
Upon enactment of the ANCSA, the Census Bureau began to report data specifically for ANAs
beginning with the 1980 Census. The types of ANAs included in the 1980 Census were based on
recommendations of an ad hoc interagency committee established by Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) to examine how the federal government could provide improved data for
Alaska Natives. In addition to input from OMB, the Census Bureau also consulted directly with
Alaska Native tribal governments and associations, as well as Alaska State officials.
The Census Bureau used approximate boundaries for the ANRCs to tabulate data from the 1980
Census. Data for ANRCs were not published as part of the standard decennial census
tabulations, but were included in a supplementary report. In sparsely populated areas, the
ANRC boundaries were generalized to follow visible features and the boundaries of other
census geographic entities.
For the 1980 Census, the Census Bureau worked with Alaska State officials to identify the
names and locations of ANVs recognized in accordance with the ANCSA, and to delineate their
boundaries. The boundaries of most ANVs coincided with the boundaries of other census
geographic entities, in particular incorporated places and CDPs. For the few remaining ANVs
whose boundaries did not coincide with incorporated place or CDP boundaries, the Census
Bureau delineated boundaries that corresponded to one or more enumeration districts (similar
to the block groups of later censuses). For the 1980 Census, the Census Bureau identified 209
ANVs.
After reviewing these data from the 1980 Census, the Census Bureau discovered that the
territory encompassing housing units and population associated with an ANV did not
necessarily correspond with the territory of an incorporated place or CDP of the same name. In
addition, ANV and ANRC officials commented that the ANV boundaries for the 1980 Census
were not their historical or traditional boundaries. The ANV boundaries also did not represent
the land withdrawals, selections, or conveyances for the Alaska Native Village Corporations
(ANVCs) made pursuant to the ANCSA or the lands historically or traditionally used for
subsistence activities, including hunting and fishing. In response to these concerns and to
emphasize that these points were all valid, the Census Bureau changed the term for these
statistical geographic entities from ANVs to ANVSAs to indicate that while they still were based
on the historical or traditional location of the ANV, they did not necessarily represent the ANV’s
historical or traditional boundary.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

E-1

To improve the accuracy of ANRC boundaries for the 1990 Census, the Census Bureau
transferred the ANRC boundaries from a source map provided by the U.S. Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) onto a series of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 1:250,000-scale topographic
maps. The Census Bureau implemented a review process, which included the participation of
each ANRC, to verify that the ANRC regional boundary was updated correctly. At the request of
ANRCs, the Census Bureau worked directly with the ANRC’s non- profit associations, whose
purpose is to conduct the sociocultural outreach and support for members and other Alaska
Natives within their region, in reviewing each regional boundary.
ANV government officials and ANRA officials were encouraged to delineate ANVSA boundaries
for the 1990 Census to facilitate enumeration of Alaska Natives, especially in remote Alaska. To
meet the need for collecting, tabulating, and presenting data for the ANV housing and
population, it was important to be able to allocate the housing units correctly and thus
population. To correctly allocate the housing units ANVSA boundaries ANVSA boundaries were
required to follow physical features that would likely be visible to census enumerators, such as
roads, trails, shorelines, rivers, streams, and ridgelines, or locally known boundaries of other
legal geographic entities, such as boroughs, ANRCs, etc. For the 1990 Census, the Census
Bureau identified 217 ANVSAs.
There were no changes to the types of ANAs identified for Census 2000. Similar to the 1990
Census, ANRC boundaries were reviewed by officials of the ANRAs. A few small boundary
corrections were made for some of the ANRCs. The new development seen in the Census 2000
was the introduction of tribal- designated statistical areas (TDSAs) in Alaska. TDSAs had existed
in some of the forty-eight conterminous states for the 1990 Census, but they had purposely
been excluded from Alaska because ANVSAs were thought to cover all the ANVs in Alaska.
Some data users stated that there was a difference between those ANVs that participated in
the ANCSA and those that did not, but were recognized by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA) as tribes and eligible to receive services from the BIA. In an attempt to remedy this, the
Census Bureau introduced TDSAs in Alaska. For Census 2000, the Census Bureau identified 205
ANVSAs and two TDSAs in Alaska (Tetlin TDSA and Kamatak TDSA). Fewer ANVSAs were
delineated for Census 2000 primarily because some of the ANVs identified in previous censuses
were not recognized in accordance with the ANCSA or recognized by the BIA.
For the 2010 Census, the Census Bureau introduced two changes. The review of the boundaries
for the ANRCs were included in the materials for the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS).
Each ANRA was invited to review their regional boundary, especially in relation to the
boundaries of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) townships and sections, to confirm that it is
the correct legal boundary for that region as developed under the ANCSA. Each ANRC was also
reviewed to determine if the correct ANVSAs were depicted within its regional boundary. At the
request of the ANRCs, the Census Bureau continued to work with representatives of the twelve
ANRAs to review the regional boundaries and to ensure that the name for each region
continued to closely match the name of the ANRC for that region.
The goal for the 2010 Census was to improve the delineation of ANVSA boundaries to result in
more consistent and comparable ANVSAs and more meaningful, relevant, and reliable statistical
data for Alaska Natives and their ANVs. The majority of ANVSAs from the 2000 Census met this
goal, along with a few additional ANVs not delineated as ANVSAs in the 2000 Census.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

E-2

Additionally, in an effort to delineate ANVSAs that met this goal, the Census Bureau decided to
discontinue the delineation of TDSAs in Alaska. Instead, all ANVs eligible to delineate TDSAs for
the 2000 Census were eligible to delineate ANVSAs for the 2010 Census if the resulting ANVSA
met all the program’s criteria. For the 2010 Census, the Census Bureau identified 218 ANVSAs.
Including former Tetlin TDSA. The Kamatak TDSA did not meet the eligibility criteria.
For the 2020 Census, the TSAP program integrates back into PSAP. The same criteria
established in 2010 are in effect for 2020 Census PSAP. No new types of ANAs are proposed for
the 2020 Census; however, to ensure the quality of the ANRC boundaries, the ANRC boundary
review is being conducted in tandem with the ANVSA boundary review through the PSAP
instead of separately in BAS.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

E-3

APPENDIX F. TIGERWEB ONLINE MAP VIEWER
The Census Bureau’s TIGERweb online map viewer, located at
, allows participants to view the Census Bureau's
2010 census geographies layers in addition to the paper maps. TIGERweb allows viewing, at
street level detail, features such as roads, waterways, and county, place/city, CDP, tribal census
tracts and tribal block groups, census tracts and block groups, and satellite imagery.
Participants may find this additional tool beneficial to visualize the 2010 tribal census tracts and
tribal block groups. Follow the steps in Table 11 for instructions on accessing and using
TIGERweb.
Table 11: Display the TIGERweb Online Map Viewer
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Navigate to the TIGERweb web site located at: . TIGERweb
currently supports Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Google Chrome
internet browsers.

Step 2

Click the TIGERweb Applications tab.

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

F-1

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
After opening TIGERweb the map display, navigation tools, the Layers panel, a legend, and map
vintage becomes visible.

U.S. Census Bureau

The Select Vintage from the drop-down menu in the Layers panel shows the vintages of
TIGERweb geographies that are available for display in the application. Select Census 2010 to
view the 2010 geographies. Click on the ‘+’ sign next to each map service in the Layers panel to
expand the map service and view the layers within it. This example shows the selection of the
Transportation, Tribal Census Tracts and Block Groups, American India, Alaska Native, and Native
Hawaiian Areas, and Hydrography map layers.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

F-2

Step

Action and Result

The features and geographic areas contained in the map services do not immediately appear
because each layer has a range of zoom levels at which it will display. In other words, visibility of
layers is scale dependent. More details appear when zooming in on the map.
Table 12 Error! Reference source not found.provides a summary of many of TIGERweb tools and
functionality.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

F-3

Table 12: TIGERweb Tools and Functions
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Step 2

Click the Legend tool at the top of the screen to view the Detailed Legend and layers
symbology.

Step 3

Click the Detailed Legend to see at what zoom level the layer and labels appear.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

F-4

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click off the Legend and back in the Layers panel to turn them on or off to display boundaries
for only active layers. The example shows the Census Block Groups and Census Blocks
unchecked.

Step 5

One of the easiest ways to determine the Census Code for each tribal entity (needed for the
next step) is to use the Identify button along the top right of the TIGERweb window.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

F-5

Step

Action and Result

Step 6

From the Select Map drop-down menu, select Tribal Census Tracts and Block Groups.

Click Submit.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

F-6

Step

Action and Result
To locate a 2010 Tribal Block Group, execute the same steps described above, except from the
Tribal Census Tracts and Block Groups menu select the Tribal Block Groups from the Select
Layer(s) list. Enter the tribal entity’s four-digit GEOID number (4200 for tribal entity Tohono
O’odham Nation) and enter the tribal block group code beneath the AND/OR section (A). Click
Submit. This returns all of the “A” tribal block groups in the tribal entity.

Step 6

Similar to the Identify Results action, the Task Results serves up the Query Results. Click the
Query Results tab within the Task Results menu. TIGERweb displays the result(s) of the query.

Step 7

Click the value within the Query Result section, TIGERweb displays the Info panel containing
attribute data for the queried entity.

Step 8

U.S. Census Bureau

Minimize or close the Info panel by clicking on the ‘-‘or ‘x’ symbols in the top right of the Info
panel, respectively. Clicking on the Query Result makes TIGERweb display the selected entity
(tribal census tract T001) highlighted in the center of the map.
Change the transparency of each layer within the Layers panel by moving the sliding bar below
the layer name to the left or right.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

F-7

Step

Action and Result

Step 9

TIGERweb allows users to select landmass, satellite imagery, or terrain as a background of the
map display from the upper right corner of the map view. The Landmass displays by default
when opening TIGERweb. To change options, click the button to toggle through all three
choices. Select the Satellite button to display satellite imagery.

Step10

Click the Print button when using TIGERweb to print and save a map. The PRINT window
displays.

From the PRINT window, select a Map Title, Map Layout, Map Format, then Click the
Generate Map to create a map and print.

This functionality allows participants to generate their own hardcopy of any area of interest.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

F-8

APPENDIX G. LARGE FORMAT MAP LEGEND
The map legend describes the various symbols and colors used on the paper maps. The legend
includes three columns: Symbol Description, Symbol, and Label Style.
1. The Symbol Description column includes
the type of features, boundaries, and
geography shown on the map.
2. The Symbol column shows the symbols
representing the feature in the symbol
description.
3. The Label Style column shows an example
of the name of a particular feature such as a
road, waterway, or geographic area
displayed on the map.
Within the legend, there are five groupings:

Figure 12. Large Format Map Legend

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

1. The boundaries grouping refers to different
boundary types or geographic areas shown
in the map. Each with its own distinct color
or symbol.
2. The transportation grouping represents the
various types of transportation features.
Thicker lines identify major roadways such
as interstate and U.S. highways while
thinner lines represent secondary roads and
city streets. Also identified are cul-de-sacs
and circles, jeep trails, walkways, stairways,
and ferries. Each represented by distinctive
symbology.
3. The other features grouping includes
features such as pipelines, streams, and
nonvisible boundaries. Streams and
shorelines are blue and geographic offsets
and corridors are speckled red.
4. The last grouping of symbols represents
various landmarks on the map such as
rivers, lakes, glaciers, airports, cemeteries,
golf courses, jails, military installations,
parks, and mountain peaks. The area
outside of the subject area is speckled gray.
5. The footnote and notes grouping provides
additional information and details on
geographic relationships, boundaries, and
symbols.

G-1

APPENDIX H. STANDARD STREET TYPE ABBREVIATIONS
The street name types and their abbreviations shown below provide background to PSAP
participants that may need to add linear features in order to split statistical geographies. Use
the standard street type abbreviations to assign the street type to any newly added linear
features that are streets.
Table 13: Standard Street Type Abbreviations
Street Type
Standard Abbreviation
ALLEY
ALY
ANEX
ANX
ARCADE
ARC
AVENUE
AVE
BAYOU
BYU
BEACH
BCH
BEND
BND
BLUFF
BLF
BLUFFS
BLFS
BOTTOM
BTM
BOULEVARD
BLVD
BRANCH
BR
BRIDGE
BRG
BROOK
BRK
BROOKS
BRKS
BURG
BG
BURGS
BGS
BYPASS
BYP
CAMP
CP
CANYON
CYN
CAPE
CPE
CAUSEWAY
CSWY
CENTER
CTR
CENTERS
CTRS
CIRCLE
CIR
CIRCLES
CIRS
CLIFF
CLF
CLIFFS
CLFS
CLUB
CLB
COMMON
CMN
COMMONS
CMNS
CORNER
COR
CORNERS
CORS
COURSE
CRSE
COURT
CT
COURTS
CTS
COVE
CV
COVES
CVS
CREEK
CRK
CRESCENT
CRES
CREST
CRST
CROSSING
XING
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

H-1

Street Type
CROSSROAD
CROSSROADS
CURVE
DALE
DAM
DIVIDE
DRIVE
DRIVES
ESTATE
ESTATES
EXPRESSWAY
EXTENSION
EXTENSIONS
FALL
FALLS
FERRY
FIELD
FIELDS
FLAT
FLATS
FORD
FORDS
FOREST
FORGE
FORGES
FORK
FORKS
FORT
FREEWAY
GARDEN
GARDENS
GATEWAY
GLEN
GLENS
GREEN
GREENS
GROVE
GROVES
HARBOR
HARBORS
HAVEN
HEIGHTS
HIGHWAY
HILL
HILLS
HOLLOW
INLET
ISLAND
ISLANDS
ISLE
JUNCTION
U.S. Census Bureau

Standard Abbreviation
XRD
XRDS
CURV
DL
DM
DV
DR
DRS
EST
ESTS
EXPY
EXT
EXTS
FALL
FLS
FRY
FLD
FLDS
FLT
FLTS
FRD
FRDS
FRST
FRG
FRGS
FRK
FRKS
FT
FWY
GDN
GDNS
GTWY
GLN
GLNS
GRN
GRNS
GRV
GRVS
HBR
HBRS
HVN
HTS
HWY
HL
HLS
HOLW
INLT
IS
ISS
ISLE
JCT

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

H-2

Street Type
JUNCTIONS
KEY
KEYS
KNOLL
KNOLLS
LAKE
LAKES
LAND
LANDING
LANE
LIGHT
LIGHTS
LOAF
LOCK
LOCKS
LODGE
LOOP
MALL
MANOR
MANORS
MEADOW
MEADOWS
MEWS
MILL
MILLS
MISSION
MOTORWAY
MOUNT
MOUNTAIN
MOUNTAINS
NECK
ORCHARD
OVAL
OVERPASS
PARK
PARKS
PARKWAY
PARKWAYS
PASS
PASSAGE
PATH
PIKE
PINE
PINES
PLACE
PLAIN
PLAINS
PLAZA
POINT
POINTS
PORT
U.S. Census Bureau

Standard Abbreviation
JCTS
KY
KYS
KNL
KNLS
LK
LKS
LAND
LNDG
LN
LGT
LGTS
LF
LCK
LCKS
LDG
LOOP
MALL
MNR
MNRS
MDW
MDWS
MEWS
ML
MLS
MSN
MTWY
MT
MTN
MTNS
NCK
ORCH
OVAL
OPAS
PARK
PARK
PKWY
PKWY
PASS
PSGE
PATH
PIKE
PNE
PNES
PL
PLN
PLNS
PLZ
PT
PTS
PRT

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

H-3

Street Type
PORTS
PRAIRIE
RADIAL
RAMP
RANCH
RAPID
RAPIDS
REST
RIDGE
RIDGES
RIVER
ROAD
ROADS
ROUTE
ROW
RUE
RUN
SHOAL
SHOALS
SHORE
SHORES
SKYWAY
SPRING
SPRINGS
SPUR
SPURS
SQUARE
SQUARES
STATION
STRAVENUE
STREAM
STREET
STREETS
SUMMIT
TERRACE
THROUGHWAY
TRACE
TRACK
TRAFFICWAY
TRAIL
TRAILER
TUNNEL
TURNPIKE
UNDERPASS
UNION
UNIONS
VALLEY
VALLEYS
VIADUCT
VIEW
VIEWS
U.S. Census Bureau

Standard Abbreviation
PRTS
PR
RADL
RAMP
RNCH
RPD
RPDS
RST
RDG
RDGS
RIV
RD
RDS
RTE
ROW
RUE
RUN
SHL
SHLS
SHR
SHRS
SKWY
SPG
SPGS
SPUR
SPUR
SQ
SQS
STA
STRA
STRM
ST
STS
SMT
TER
TRWY
TRCE
TRAK
TRFY
TRL
TRLR
TUNL
TPKE
UPAS
UN
UNS
VLY
VLYS
VIA
VW
VWS

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

H-4

Street Type
VILLAGE
VILLAGES
VILLE
VISTA
WALK
WALKS
WALL
WAY
WAYS
WELL
WELLS

U.S. Census Bureau

Standard Abbreviation
VLG
VLGS
VL
VIS
WALK
WALK
WALL
WAY
WAYS
WL
WLS

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

H-5

APPENDIX I.

ACCEPTABLE LINEAR FEATURES FOR STATISTICAL
BOUNDARIES

Below is a list of linear features that make acceptable or questionable statistical geography
boundaries. Refer to this list while reviewing existing boundaries, but also when creating new
geographies or modifying existing boundaries. Except in instances described in Table 7 for nonvisible boundaries, this appendix is the source for the Census Bureau during their review of
participant submissions.
Table 14: Acceptable Linear Features for Statistical Boundaries
Feature Name
Description
Acceptable Questionable
Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift
A conveyance that transports
X
passengers or freight in carriers
suspended from cables and
supported by a series of towers.
Alley
A service road that does not
X
generally have associated
addressed structures and is usually
unnamed. It is located at the rear of
buildings and properties and is used
for deliveries.
Bike Path or Trail
A path that is used for manual or
X
small, motorized bicycles, being
either too narrow for or legally
restricted from vehicular traffic.
Braided Stream
A natural flowing waterway with an X
intricate network of interlacing
channels.
Bridle Path/Horse Trail
A path that is used for horses, being
X
either too narrow for or legally
restricted from vehicular traffic.
Canal, Ditch, or Aqueduct An artificial waterway constructed
X
(intermittent)
to transport water, to irrigate or
drain land, to connect two or more
bodies of water, or to serve as a
waterway for watercraft [includes
lateral] that does not exist yearround.
Canal, Ditch, or Aqueduct An artificial waterway constructed
X
(perennial)
to transport water, to irrigate or
drain land, to connect two or more
bodies of water, or to serve as a
waterway for watercraft [includes
lateral].
Carline, Streetcar Track,
Mass transit rail lines (including
X
Monorail, Other Mass
lines for rapid transit, monorails,
Transit Rail
streetcars, light rail, etc.) that are
typically inaccessible to mainstream
railroad traffic and whose tracks are
not part of a road right-of-way.
Cliff/Escarpment
A very steep or vertical slope
X
[including bluff, crag, head,
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

I-1

Feature Name

Cog Rail Line, Incline Rail
Line, Tram

Dam

Fence Line

Ferry Crossing

Intermittent Shoreline

Interstate Highway or
Primary Road with limited
access

Levee

Local Neighborhood
Road, Rural Road, City
Street

Parking Lot Road
Perennial Shoreline

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
headland, nose, palisades,
precipice, promontory, rim and
rimrock].
A special purpose rail line for
climbing steep grades that is
typically inaccessible to mainstream
railroad traffic. Note that aerial
tramways and streetcars (which
may also be called “trams”) are
accounted for by other MTFCCs and
do not belong in R1052.
A barrier built across the course of
a stream to impound water and/or
control water flow.
A manmade barrier enclosing or
bordering a field, yard, etc., usually
made of posts and wire or wood,
used to prevent entrance, to
confine, or to mark a boundary.
The route used to carry or convey
people or cargo back and forth over
a waterbody in a boat.
The boundary between land and
water (when water is present) for a
water feature that does not exist
year-round.
Generally divided, primary roads
with limited-access highways within
the interstate highway system or
under state management, and
distinguished by the presence of
interchanges. These highways are
accessible by ramps and may
include some toll highways.
An embankment flanking a stream
or other flowing water feature to
prevent overflow.
Generally, a paved non-arterial
street, road, or byway that usually
has a single lane of traffic in each
direction. Roads in this feature class
may be privately or publicly
maintained. Scenic park roads
would be included in this feature
class, as would (depending on the
region of the country) some
unpaved roads.
The main travel route for vehicles
through a paved parking area.
The more-or-less permanent
boundary between land and water
for a water feature that exists yearround.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

Acceptable

Questionable

X
X

I-2

Feature Name
Pier/Dock

Pipeline (above ground)

Point-to-Point Line

Power line (above
ground, high tension)

Primary Road without
limited access, US
Highway, State Highway,
or County Highway,
Secondary and
connecting roads

Private Driveway

Private Road for service
vehicles (logging, oil
fields, ranches, etc.)
Property/Parcel Line
(PLSS, airport, airfield,
military installation or
other)

Railroad Feature (Main,
Spur, or Yard)

Ridge Line
Runway/Taxiway

Service Drive/Service
U.S. Census Bureau

Description
A platform built out from the shore
into the water and supported by
piles. This platform may provide
access to ships and boats, or it may
be used for recreational purposes.
A long tubular conduit or series of
pipes, often underground, with
pumps and valves for flow control,
used to transport fluid (e.g., crude
oil, natural gas), especially over
great distances.
A line defined as beginning at one
location point and ending at
another, both of which are in sight.
One or more wires, often on
elevated towers, used for
conducting high-voltage electric
power.
Secondary roads are main arteries,
usually in the U.S. Highway, State
Highway or County Highway
system. These roads have one or
more lanes of traffic in each
direction, may or may not be
divided, and usually have at-grade
intersections with many other
roads and driveways. They often
have both a local name and a route
number.
A road within private property used
to access a residence or business.
Similar in nature to a private road
for service vehicles.
A road within private property that
is privately maintained for service,
extractive, or other purposes.
These roads are often unnamed.
This feature class may denote a
nonvisible boundary of either public
or private lands (e.g., a park
boundary) or it may denote a Public
Land Survey System or equivalent
survey line.
A line of fixed rails or tracks that
carries mainstream railroad traffic.
Such a rail line can be a main line or
spur line, or part of a rail yard.
The line of highest elevation along a
ridge.
A fairly level and usually paved
expanse used by airplanes for
taking off and landing at an airport.
A road, usually paralleling a limited
2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

Acceptable
X

Questionable

X
X

X
I-3

Feature Name
Road (usually along
limited access highway)

Stairway
Stream/River
(intermittent)

Stream/River (perennial)

Vehicular Trail (4WD)

Walkway/Pedestrian Trail

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
access highway, that provides
access to structures along the
highway. These roads can be
named and may intersect with
other roads.
A pedestrian passageway from one
level to another by a series of steps.
A natural flowing waterway
[includes anabranch, awawa,
branch, brook, creek, distributary,
fork, kill, pup, rio, and run] that
does not exist year-round.
A natural flowing waterway
[includes anabranch, awawa,
branch, brook, creek, distributary,
fork, kill, pup, rio, and run].
An unpaved dirt trail where a fourwheel drive vehicle is required.
These vehicular trails are found
almost exclusively in very rural
areas. Minor, unpaved roads usable
by ordinary cars and trucks belong
in the S1400 category.
A path that is used for walking,
being either too narrow for or
legally restricted from vehicular
traffic.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

Acceptable

Questionable

X
X

I-4

APPENDIX J.

MAF/TIGER FEATURE CLASSIFICATION CODES

The MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) is a 5-digit code assigned by the Census
Bureau to classify and describe geographic objects or features in Census Bureau MAF/TIGER
products. This information below serves as a resource for descriptions of various feature types.
GUPS participants need MTFCCs for their 2020 Census PSAP work, but paper map participants
do not.
An electronic list of MTFCCs is located within the technical documentation for the TIGER/Line
Shapefiles on the Census Bureau’s website . Within that specific documentation, it is Appendix E.
MTFCC
C3022
C3023

C3024
C3026

C3027
C3061

C3062
C3066
C3067
C3071
C3074

C3075

C3076
C3077
C3078
C3079

C3080
U.S. Census Bureau

Table 15: MTFCC and Descriptions
Description
A prominent elevation rising above the surrounding level
of the Earth’s surface.
An area of dry or relatively dry land surrounded by water
or low wetland [including archipelago, atoll, cay,
hammock, hummock, isla, isle, key, moku and rock].
Levee
An embankment flanking a stream or other flowing water
feature to prevent overflow.
Quarry (not water-filled), An area from which commercial minerals are or were
Open Pit Mine or Mine
removed from the Earth; not including an oilfield or gas
field.
Dam
A barrier built across the course of a stream to impound
water and/or control water flow.
Cul-de-sac
An expanded paved area at the end of a street used by
vehicles for turning around. For mapping purposes, the
Census Bureau maps it only as a point feature.
Traffic Circle
A circular intersection allowing for continuous movement
of traffic at the meeting of roadways.
Gate
A movable barrier across a road.
Toll Booth
A structure or barrier where a fee is collected for using a
road.
Lookout Tower
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
observation.
Lighthouse Beacon
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
transmission of light and possibly sound generally to aid in
navigation.
Tank/Tank Farm
One or more manmade structures, each higher than its
diameter, used for liquid (other than water) or gas storage
or for distribution activities.
Windmill Farm
One or more manmade structures used to generate power
from the wind.
Solar Farm
One or more manmade structures used to generate power
from the sun.
Monument or Memorial
A manmade structure to educate, commemorate, or
memorialize an event, person, or feature.
Boundary Monument
A material object placed on or near a boundary line to
Point
preserve and identify the location of the boundary line on
the ground.
Survey Control Point
A point on the ground whose position (horizontal or
Feature Class
Mountain Peak or
Summit
Island

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

J-1

MTFCC

Feature Class

C3081

Locality Point

C3085

Alaska Native Village
Official Point

G2100

American Indian Area

G2120

Hawaiian Home Land

G2130

Alaska Native Village
Statistical Area

G2140

Oklahoma Tribal
Statistical Area

G2150

State-designated Tribal
Statistical Area

G2160

Tribal Designated
Statistical Area

G2170

American Indian Joint Use
Area
Alaska Native Regional
Corporation

G2200

G2300

Tribal Subdivision

G2400

Tribal Census Tract

G2410

Tribal Block Group

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
vertical) is known and can be used as a base for additional
survey work.
A point that identifies the location and name of an
unbounded locality (e.g., crossroad, community, populated
place or locale).
A point that serves as the core of an Alaska Native village
and is used in defining Alaska Native village statistical
areas.
A legally defined state- or federally recognized reservation
and/or off-reservation trust land (excludes statistical
American Indian Areas).
A legal area held in trust for the benefit of Native
Hawaiians.
A statistical geographic entity that represents the
residences, permanent and/or seasonal, for Alaska Natives
who are members of or receiving governmental services
from the defining legal Alaska Native Village corporation.
A statistical entity identified and delineated by the Census
Bureau in consultation with federally recognized American
Indian tribes that have no current reservation, but had a
former reservation in Oklahoma.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for
the Census Bureau by a state-appointed liaison for a staterecognized American Indian tribe that does not currently
have a reservation and/or lands in trust.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for
the Census Bureau by a federally recognized American
Indian tribe that does not currently have a reservation
and/or off-reservation trust land.
An area administered jointly and/or claimed by two or
more American Indian tribes.
Corporate entities established to conduct both business
and nonprofit affairs of Alaska Natives pursuant to the
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1972 (Public Law
92-203). There are twelve geographically defined ANRCs
and they are all within and cover most of the State of
Alaska (the Annette Island Reserve-an American Indian
reservation-is excluded from any ANRC). The boundaries of
ANRCs have been legally established.
Administrative subdivisions of federally recognized
American Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands,
or Oklahoma tribal statistical areas (OTSAs). These entities
are internal units of self-government or administration
that serve social, cultural, and/or economic purposes for
the American Indians on the reservations, off-reservation
trust lands, or OTSAs.
A relatively small and permanent statistical subdivision of a
federally recognized American Indian reservation and/or
off-reservation trust land, delineated by American Indian
tribal participants or the Census Bureau for the purpose of
presenting demographic data.
A cluster of census blocks within a single tribal census tract
delineated by American Indian tribal participants or the

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

J-2

MTFCC

Feature Class

G3100

Combined Statistical Area

G3110

Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

G3120

Metropolitan Division

G3200

Combined New England
City and Town Area

G3210

New England City and
Town Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

G3220

New England City and
Town Division

G3500

Urban Area

G4000

State or Equivalent
Feature

G4020

County or Equivalent
Feature

G4040

County Subdivision

G4050

Estate

G4060

Subbarrio (Subminor Civil
Division)
Incorporated Place

G4110

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
Census Bureau for the purpose of presenting demographic
data.
A grouping of adjacent metropolitan and/or micropolitan
statistical areas that have a degree of economic and social
integration, as measured by commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus
together with adjacent communities having a high degree
of economic and social integration with that core, as
measured by commuting. Defined using whole counties
and equivalents.
A county or grouping of counties that is a subdivision of a
Metropolitan Statistical Area containing an urbanized area
with a population of 2.5 million or more.
A grouping of adjacent New England city and town areas
that have a degree of economic and social integration, as
measured by commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus
together with adjacent communities having a high degree
of economic and social integration with that core, as
measured by commuting. Defined using Minor Civil
Divisions (MCDs) in New England.
A grouping of cities and towns in New England that is a
subdivision of a New England City and Town Area
containing an urbanized area with a population of 2.5
million or more.
Densely settled territory that contains at least 2,500
people. The subtypes of this feature are Urbanized Area
(UA), which consists of 50,000 + people and Urban Cluster,
which ranges between 2,500 and 49,999 people.
The primary governmental divisions of the United States.
The District of Columbia is treated as a statistical
equivalent of a state for census purposes, as is Puerto Rico.
The primary division of a state or state equivalent area.
The primary divisions of 48 states are termed County, but
other terms are used such as Borough in Alaska, Parish in
Louisiana, and Municipio in Puerto Rico. This feature
includes independent cities, which are incorporated places
that are not part of any county.
The primary divisions of counties and equivalent features
for the reporting of Census Bureau data. The subtypes of
this feature are Minor Civil Division, Census County
Division/Census Subarea, and Unorganized Territory. This
feature includes independent places, which are
incorporated places that are not part of any county
subdivision.
Estates are subdivisions of the three major islands in the
United States Virgin Islands (USVI).
Legally defined divisions (subbarrios) of minor civil
divisions (barrios-pueblo and barrios) in Puerto Rico.
A legal entity incorporated under state law to provide
general-purpose governmental services to a concentration
of population. Incorporated places are generally
designated as a city, borough, municipality, town, village,

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

J-3

MTFCC

Feature Class

G4120

Consolidated City

G4210

Census Designated Place

G4300

Economic Census Place

G5020

Census Tract

G5030

Block Group

G5035

Block Area Grouping

G5040

Tabulation Block

G5200

Congressional District

G5210

State Legislative District
(Upper Chamber

G5220

State Legislative District
(Lower Chamber)

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
or, in a few instances, have no legal description.
An incorporated place that has merged governmentally
with a county or minor civil division, but one or more of
the incorporated places continues to function within the
consolidation. It is a place that contains additional
separately incorporated places.
A statistical area defined for a named concentration of
population and the statistical counterpart of an
incorporated place.
The lowest level of geographic area for presentation of
some types of Economic Census data. It includes
incorporated places, consolidated cities, census designated
places (CDPs), minor civil divisions (MCDs) in selected
states, and balances of MCDs or counties. An incorporated
place, CDP, MCD, or balance of MCD qualifies as an
economic census place if it contains 5,000 or more
residents, or 5,000 or more jobs, according to the most
current data available.
Relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a County or
equivalent feature delineated by local participants as part
of the Census Bureau’s Participant Statistical Areas
Program.
A cluster of census blocks having the same first digit of
their four-digit identifying numbers within a Census Tract.
For example, block group 3 (BG 3) within a Census Tract
includes all blocks numbered from 3000 to 3999.
A user-defined group of islands forming a single census
tabulation block. A BAG must: (1) consist of two or more
islands, (2) have a perimeter entirely over water, (3) not
overlap, and (4) not cross the boundary of other tabulation
geographies, such as county or incorporated place
boundaries.
The lowest-order census defined statistical area. It is an
area, such as a city block, bounded primarily by physical
features but sometimes by invisible city or property
boundaries. A tabulation block boundary does not cross
the boundary of any other geographic area for which the
Census Bureau tabulates data. The subtypes of this feature
are Count Question Resolution (CQR), current, and census.
The 435 areas from which people are elected to the U.S.
House of Representatives. Additional equivalent features
exist for state equivalents with nonvoting delegates or no
representative. The subtypes of this feature are 106th,
107th, 108th, 109th, and 111th Congressional Districts,
plus subsequent Congresses.
Areas established by a state or equivalent government
from which members are elected to the upper or
unicameral chamber of a state governing body. The upper
chamber is the senate in a bicameral legislature, and the
unicameral case is a single house legislature (Nebraska).
Areas established by a state or equivalent government
from which members are elected to the lower chamber of
a state governing body. The lower chamber is the House of

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

J-4

MTFCC

Feature Class

G5240

Voting District

G5400
G5410

Elementary School
District
Secondary School District

G5420

Unified School District

G6120

Public-Use Microdata
Area

G6300

Traffic Analysis District

G6320

Traffic Analysis Zone

G6330

Urban Growth Area

G6350
G6400

ZIP Code Tabulation Area
(Five-Digit)
Commercial Region

H1100

Connector

H2025

Swamp/Marsh

H2030
H2040
H2041
H2051

Lake/Pond
Reservoir
Treatment Pond
Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound

H2053
H2060
H2081

Ocean/Sea
Gravel Pit/Quarry filled
with water
Glacier

H3010

Stream/River

H3013

Braided Stream

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
Representatives in a bicameral legislature.
The generic name for the geographic features, such as
precincts, wards, and election districts, established by
state, local, and tribal governments for the purpose of
conducting elections.
A geographic area within which officials provide public
elementary grade-level educational services for residents.
A geographic area within which officials provide public
secondary grade-level educational services for residents.
A geographic area within which officials provide public
educational services for all grade levels for residents.
A decennial census area with a population of at least
100,000 or more persons for which the Census Bureau
provides selected extracts of household-level data that are
screened to protect confidentiality.
An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs) and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs)
for tabulating journey-to-work and place-of-work data. A
Traffic Analysis District (TAD) consists of one or more
Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs).
An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs) and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs)
for tabulating journey-to-work and place-of-work data.
An area defined under state authority to manage
urbanization that the Census Bureau includes in the
MAF/TIGER® System in agreement with the state.
An approximate statistical-area representation of a U.S.
Postal Service (USPS) 5-digit ZIP Code service area.
For the purpose of presenting economic statistical data,
municipios in Puerto Rico are grouped into commercial
regions.
A known, but nonspecific, hydrographic connection
between two nonadjacent water features.
A poorly drained wetland, fresh or saltwater, wooded or
grassy, possibly covered with open water [includes bog,
cienega, marais and pocosin].
A standing body of water that is surrounded by land.
An artificially impounded body of water.
An artificial body of water built to treat fouled water.
A body of water partly surrounded by land [includes arm,
bight, cove and inlet].
The great body of salt water that covers much of the earth.
A body of water in a place or area from which commercial
minerals were removed from the Earth.
A body of ice moving outward and down slope from an
area of accumulation; an area of relatively permanent
snow or ice on the top or side of a mountain or
mountainous area [includes ice field and ice patch].
A natural flowing waterway [includes anabranch, awawa,
branch, brook, creek, distributary, fork, kill, pup, rio, and
run].
A natural flowing waterway with an intricate network of

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

J-5

MTFCC

Feature Class

H3020

Canal, Ditch or Aqueduct

K1225

Crew-of-Vessel Location

K1231

Hospital/Hospice/Urgent
Care Facility
Juvenile Institution

K1235

K1236

Local Jail or Detention
Center

K1237

Federal Penitentiary,
State Prison, or Prison
Farm
Other Correctional
Institution

K1238

K1239

K1246
K2110

Convent, Monastery,
Rectory, Other Religious
Group Quarters
Community Center
Military Installation

K2165

Government Center

K2167

Convention Center

K2180

Park

K2181

National Park Service
Land
National Forest or Other
Federal Land

K2182

K2183

Tribal Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2184

State Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2185

Regional Park, Forest, or

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
interlacing channels.
An artificial waterway constructed to transport water, to
irrigate or drain land, to connect two or more bodies of
water, or to serve as a waterway for watercraft [includes
lateral].
A point or area in which the population of military or
merchant marine vessels at sea are assigned, usually being
at or near the home port pier.
One or more structures where the sick or injured may
receive medical or surgical attention [including infirmary].
A facility (correctional and non-correctional) where groups
of juveniles reside; this includes training schools, detention
centers, residential treatment centers and orphanages.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the
confinement of adult persons in lawful detention,
administered by a local (county, municipal, etc.)
government.
An institution that serves as a place for the confinement of
adult persons in lawful detention, administered by the
federal government or a state government.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the
confinement of adult persons in lawful detention, not
elsewhere classified or administered by a government of
unknown jurisdiction.
One or more structures intended for use as a residence for
those having a religious vocation.
Community Center.
An area owned and/or occupied by the Department of
Defense for use by a branch of the armed forces (such as
the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard), or a
state owned area for the use of the National Guard.
A place used by members of government (either federal,
state, local, or tribal) for administration and public
business.
An exhibition hall or conference center with enough open
space to host public and private business and social events.
Parkland defined and administered by federal, state, and
local governments.
Area—National parks, National Monuments, and so
forth—under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.
Land under the management and jurisdiction of the federal
government, specifically including areas designated as
National Forest, and excluding areas under the jurisdiction
of the National Park Service.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration
of an American Indian tribe.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration
of a state government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

J-6

MTFCC

Feature Class
Recreation Area

K2186

County Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2187

K2191

K2193
K2194
K2195
K2196
K2400

Fire Department
Police Station
Library
City/Town Hall
Transportation Terminal

K2424
K2432

Marina
Pier/Dock

K2451

Airport or Airfield

K2452

Train Station, Trolley or
Mass Transit Rail Station

K2453

Bus Terminal

K2454

Marine Terminal

K2455

Seaplane Anchorage

K2456

Airport—Intermodal
Transportation
Hub/Terminal
Airport—Statistical
Representation
Park and Ride
Facility/Parking Lot

K2188

K2189
K2190

K2457
K2458

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
cultural or natural resource and under the administration
of a regional government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration
of a county government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration
of a minor civil division (town/township) government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration
of a municipal government.
A privately owned place or area set aside for recreation or
preservation of a cultural or natural resource.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration
of some other type of government or agency such as an
independent park authority or commission.
An official facility of the U.S. Postal Service used for
processing and distributing mail and other postal material.
Fire Department.
Police Station.
Library.
City/Town Hall.
A facility where one or more modes of transportation can
be accessed by people or for the shipment of goods;
examples of such a facility include marine terminal, bus
station, train station, airport and truck warehouse.
A place where privately owned, light-craft are moored.
A platform built out from the shore into the water and
supported by piles. This platform may provide access to
ships and boats, or it may be used for recreational
purposes.
A manmade facility maintained for the use of aircraft
[including airstrip, landing field and landing strip].
A place where travelers can board and exit rail transit lines,
including associated ticketing, freight, and other
commercial offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit mass motor
vehicle transit, including associated ticketing, freight, and
other commercial offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit water transit or
where cargo is handled, including associated ticketing,
freight, and other commercial offices.
A place where an airplane equipped with floats for landing
on or taking off from a body of water can debark and load.
A major air transportation facility where travelers can
board and exit airplanes and connect with other (i.e. nonair) modes of transportation.
The area of an airport adjusted to include whole 2000
census blocks used for the delineation of urban areas
A place where motorists can park their cars and transfer to
other modes of transportation.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

J-7

MTFCC
K2459

Feature Class
Runway/Taxiway

K2460

Helicopter Landing Pad

K2540

University or College

K2543

School or Academy

K2545

K2561
K2582

Museum, Visitor Center,
Cultural Center, or Tourist
Attraction
Golf Course
Cemetery

K2586

Zoo

K3544

Place of Worship

L4010

Pipeline

L4020

Power line

L4031

Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift

L4110

Fence Line

L4121
L4125

Ridge Line
Cliff/Escarpment

L4130

Point-to-Point Line

L4140

Property/Parcel Line
(Including PLSS)

L4150

Coastline

L4165

Ferry Crossing

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by airplanes
for taking off and landing at an airport.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by
helicopters for taking off and landing.
A building or group of buildings used as an institution for
post-secondary study, teaching, and learning [including
seminary].
A building or group of buildings used as an institution for
preschool, elementary or secondary study, teaching, and
learning [including elementary school and high school].
An attraction of historical, cultural, educational or other
interest that provides information or displays artifacts.
A place designed for playing golf.
A place or area for burying the dead [including burying
ground and memorial garden].
A facility in which terrestrial and/or marine animals are
confined within enclosures and displayed to the public for
educational, preservation, and research purposes.
A sanctified place or structure where people gather for
religious worship; examples include church, synagogue,
temple, and mosque.
A long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often
underground, with pumps and valves for flow control, used
to transport fluid (e.g., crude oil, natural gas), especially
over great distances.
One or more wires, often on elevated towers, used for
conducting high-voltage electric power.
A conveyance that transports passengers or freight in
carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series
of towers.
A manmade barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard,
etc., usually made of posts and wire or wood, used to
prevent entrance, to confine, or to mark a boundary.
The line of highest elevation along a ridge.
A very steep or vertical slope [including bluff, crag, head,
headland, nose, palisades, precipice, promontory, rim and
rimrock].
A line defined as beginning at one location point and
ending at another, both of which are in sight.
This feature class may denote a nonvisible boundary of
either public or private lands (e.g., a park boundary) or it
may denote a Public Land Survey System or equivalent
survey line.
The line that separates either land or Inland water from
Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water. Where land
directly borders Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water,
the shoreline represents the Coastline. Where Inland water
(such as a river) flows into Coastal, Territorial or Great
Lakes water, the closure line separating the Inland water
from the other class of water represents the Coastline.
The route used to carry or convey people or cargo back

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

J-8

MTFCC

Feature Class

P0001
P0002

Nonvisible Linear
Legal/Statistical Boundary
Perennial Shoreline

P0003

Intermittent Shoreline

P0004

Other non-visible
bounding Edge (e.g.,
Census water boundary,
boundary of an aerial
feature)

R1011

Railroad Feature (Main,
Spur, or Yard)

R1051

Carline, Streetcar Track,
Monorail, Other Mass
Transit

R1052

Cog Rail Line, Incline Rail
Line, Tram

S1100

Primary Road

S1200

Secondary Road

S1400

Local Neighborhood
Road, Rural Road, City
Street

S1500

Vehicular Trail (4WD)

S1630

Ramp

S1640

Service Drive usually

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
and forth over a waterbody in a boat.
A legal/statistical boundary line that does not correspond
to a shoreline or other visible feature on the ground.
The more-or-less permanent boundary between land and
water for a water feature that exists year-round.
The boundary between land and water (when water is
present) for a water feature that does not exist yearround.
A bounding Edge that does not represent a legal/statistical
boundary, and does not correspond to a shoreline or other
visible feature on the ground. Many such Edges bound
area landmarks, while many others separate water
features from each other (e.g., where a bay meets the
ocean).
A line of fixed rails or tracks that carries mainstream
railroad traffic. Such a rail line can be a main line or spur
line, or part of a rail yard.
Mass transit rail lines (including lines for rapid transit,
monorails, streetcars, light rail, etc.) that are typically
inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic and whose
tracks are not part of a road right-of-way.
A special purpose rail line for climbing steep grades that is
typically inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic. Note
that aerial tramways and streetcars (which may also be
called “trams”) are accounted for by other MTFCCs and do
not belong in R1052.
Primary roads are generally divided, limited-access
highways within the interstate highway system or under
state management, and are distinguished by the presence
of interchanges. These highways are accessible by ramps
and may include some toll highways.
Secondary roads are main arteries, usually in the U.S.
Highway, State Highway or County Highway system. These
roads have one or more lanes of traffic in each direction,
may or may not be divided, and usually have at-grade
intersections with many other roads and driveways. They
often have both a local name and a route number.
Generally, a paved non-arterial street, road, or byway that
usually has a single lane of traffic in each direction. Roads
in this feature class may be privately or publicly
maintained. Scenic park roads would be included in this
feature class, as would (depending on the region of the
country) some unpaved roads.
An unpaved dirt trail where a four-wheel drive vehicle is
required. These vehicular trails are found almost
exclusively in very rural areas. Minor, unpaved roads
usable by ordinary cars and trucks belong in the S1400
category.
A road that allows controlled access from adjacent roads
onto a limited access highway, often in the form of a
cloverleaf interchange. These roads are unaddressable and
do not carry a name in the MAF/TIGER System.
A road, usually paralleling a limited access highway, that

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

J-9

MTFCC

S1710

Feature Class
along a limited access
highway
Walkway/Pedestrian Trail

S1720

Stairway

S1730

Alley

S1740

S1780

Private Road for service
vehicles (logging, oil
fields, ranches, etc.)
Internal U.S. Census
Bureau use
Parking Lot Road

S1820

Bike Path or Trail

S1830

Bridle Path

S2000

Road Median

S1750

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
provides access to structures along the highway. These
roads can be named and may intersect with other roads.
A path that is used for walking, being either too narrow for
or legally restricted from vehicular traffic.
A pedestrian passageway from one level to another by a
series of steps.
A service road that does not generally have associated
addressed structures and is usually unnamed. It is located
at the rear of buildings and properties and is used for
deliveries.
A road within private property that is privately maintained
for service, extractive, or other purposes. These roads are
often unnamed.
Internal U.S. Census Bureau use.
The main travel route for vehicles through a paved parking
area.
A path that is used for manual or small, motorized bicycles,
being either too narrow for or legally restricted from
vehicular traffic.
A path that is used for horses, being either too narrow for
or legally restricted from vehicular traffic.
The unpaved area or barrier between the carriageways of a
divided road.

2020 Census PSAP Tribal Respondent Guide

J-10

2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas
Program (PSAP) Standard Respondent Guide
Instructions for Using the Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)

This Page Intentionally left blank

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ........................................................................................................................viii
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

General Information .................................................................................................................. viii
The 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) ................................................ viii
The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) ............................................................................... xi
2020 Census PSAP Schedule ........................................................................................................ xi
Training and Support .................................................................................................................. xii
Respondent Guide Organization ................................................................................................ xii

Part One: Overview of the 2020 Census PSAP Materials and the Standard Statistical
Geographies ...................................................................................................... 14
Chapter 1. Delineation Phase Materials for 2020 Census PSAP ............................................ 15
1.1
1.2
1.3

Informational and Instructional Materials ................................................................................. 15
DVD Materials ............................................................................................................................. 16
Delineation Phase Postcard ........................................................................................................ 17

Chapter 2. Census Tracts .................................................................................................... 18
2.1
2.2
2.3

Census Tract Threshold Requirements ....................................................................................... 19
Census Tract Codes and Numeric Identification......................................................................... 20
Census Tract Boundary Requirements ....................................................................................... 20

Chapter 3. Block Groups ..................................................................................................... 23
3.1
3.2
3.3

Block Group Threshold Requirements........................................................................................ 24
Block Group Codes and Numeric Identification ......................................................................... 24
Block Group Boundary Requirements ........................................................................................ 25

Chapter 4. Census Designated Places (CDPs) ....................................................................... 26
Chapter 5. Census County Divisions (CCDs) ......................................................................... 27
5.1

Census County Division Name Identification.............................................................................. 28

Part Two: Introducing GUPS for 2020 Census PSAP ............................................................ 29
Chapter 6. System Requirements and Installation ............................................................... 30
6.1
6.2

System Requirements ................................................................................................................. 30
GUPS Installation ........................................................................................................................ 30

Chapter 7. Getting Started with GUPS................................................................................. 35
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4

Accessing the Shapefiles for 2020 Census PSAP ......................................................................... 35
Open GUPS and Start a New Project .......................................................................................... 35
Save a Project in GUPS................................................................................................................ 42
Open a Previous Project in GUPS................................................................................................ 43

Chapter 8. GUPS Menus and Toolbars................................................................................. 45
8.1
8.2
8.3

GUPS Page Layout....................................................................................................................... 45
Menu Bar .................................................................................................................................... 47
Map View and Table of Contents ............................................................................................... 50
8.3.1 Table of Contents Toolbar ..................................................................................................................50

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

8.3.2 Managing the Map View from the Table of Contents ........................................................................51
8.3.2.1
Manage Layer Visibility ................................................................................................................51
8.3.2.2
Reorder Data Layers.....................................................................................................................53
8.3.2.3
Expand/Condense Layers or Layer Groups ..................................................................................53
8.3.2.4
Add Labels to Layers ....................................................................................................................53
8.3.2.5
Change Layer Scale Visibility ........................................................................................................55

8.4

Toolbars ...................................................................................................................................... 56
8.4.1 Standard Toolbar ................................................................................................................................56
8.4.2 PSAP Toolbar ......................................................................................................................................67
8.4.2.1
Modify Area Feature Button ........................................................................................................73
8.4.2.2
Geography Review Tool Button ...................................................................................................81
8.4.2.3
Review Change Polygons Button .................................................................................................85
8.4.2.4
PSAP Criteria Review Button ........................................................................................................88
8.4.2.5
Import County Zip Button ............................................................................................................91
8.4.2.6
Export to Zip Button .....................................................................................................................93
8.4.2.7
Print Map to File Button ..............................................................................................................94
8.4.2.8
Add Imagery Button .....................................................................................................................95
8.4.3 Manage Layers Toolbar ......................................................................................................................96
8.4.3.1
Add Vector Layer Button ..............................................................................................................97
8.4.3.2
Add WMS/WTMS Layer Button ...................................................................................................98
8.4.3.3
Add Raster Layer Button ..............................................................................................................99

Part Three: Using GUPS for 2020 Census PSAP ................................................................... 100
Chapter 9. Review and Update of PSAP Geographies ........................................................ 101
9.1

Review of PSAP Geographies .................................................................................................... 101
9.1.1 Review from the 2020 Proposed Plan ..............................................................................................102
9.1.2 Review from the 2010 Geographies .................................................................................................104

9.2

Update of PSAP Geographies ................................................................................................... 104
9.2.1 Modify Area Feature Tool .................................................................................................................105

9.3

Census Tract Update Instructions............................................................................................. 106
9.3.1 Select Census Tracts .........................................................................................................................106
9.3.2 Split Census Tracts by Block Group ...................................................................................................109
9.3.3 Split Census Tract by Face ................................................................................................................114
9.3.4 Creating a Special Use Census Tract .................................................................................................118
9.3.5 Merge Census Tracts ........................................................................................................................121
9.3.6 Change Census Tract Boundaries .....................................................................................................127
9.3.6.1
Add Linear Feature .....................................................................................................................131
9.3.6.2
Modify Linear Feature Attributes ..............................................................................................135
9.3.6.3
Delete/Restore Linear Feature ..................................................................................................136

9.4

Block Group Update Instructions ............................................................................................. 138
9.4.1
9.4.2
9.4.3
9.4.4

9.5

Select Block Group ............................................................................................................................139
Split a Block Group............................................................................................................................139
Merge Block Groups .........................................................................................................................144
Change Block Group Boundaries ......................................................................................................148

Census Designated Places (CDPs) Update Instructions ............................................................ 152
9.5.1
9.5.2
9.5.3
9.5.4
9.5.5
9.5.6

U.S. Census Bureau

Select Census Designated Place (CDP) ..............................................................................................152
Boundary Change – Add Area (CDP) .................................................................................................153
Boundary Change – Remove Area (CDP) ..........................................................................................156
New District – Add Entity (Add a New CDP) .....................................................................................160
Boundary Change – Delete Area Feature (Delete an Existing CDP) ..................................................164
Boundary Change – Change Attributes (CDP)...................................................................................167
2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

iii

Census County Division Update Instructions ............................................................................ 169

9.6

9.6.1
9.6.2
9.6.3
9.6.4
9.6.5

Select Census County Division (CCD) ................................................................................................170
Merge Census County Divisions (CCDs) ............................................................................................170
Boundary Change – Add Area (CCD) .................................................................................................174
New District – Add Entity (Add a New CCD) .....................................................................................179
Boundary Change – Change Attributes (CCD) ..................................................................................182

Chapter 10. Validate Data and Prepare Files for Submission ............................................... 185
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4

PSAP Criteria Review Tool ........................................................................................................ 185
Review Change Polygons Tool .................................................................................................. 187
Geography Review Tool ............................................................................................................ 190
Export to Zip Button ................................................................................................................. 193

10.4.1 Export to Zip – Share with Another Participant ................................................................................193
10.4.2 Export to Zip – Export for Census .....................................................................................................194

Chapter 11. Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM)............................................................. 197
11.1 SWIM Background and Requirements...................................................................................... 197
11.2 SWIM Submission Example ...................................................................................................... 198

Part Four: Next Steps for 2020 Census PSAP ..................................................................... 204
Appendix A.

Glossary...................................................................................................... A-1

Appendix B.

2020 Census PSAP Criteria........................................................................... B-1

Appendix C.

PSAP Historical Background ........................................................................ C-1

Appendix D.

County Subdivisions Map ............................................................................ D-1

Appendix E.

Supplemental Sources for PSAP Review ...................................................... E-1

Appendix F.

MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Codes ..................................................... F-1

Appendix G.

Acceptable Linear Features for Statistical Boundaries .................................. G-1

Appendix H.

Standard Street Type Abbreviations ............................................................ H-1

Appendix I.

Shapefile Names .......................................................................................... I-1

Appendix J.

Shapefile Layouts ......................................................................................... J-1

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: 2020 Census PSAP Schedule ............................................................................................. xi
Table 2: Quick Reference, Quick Program, and Respondent Guide Materials ............................. 15
Table 3: Census Tract Types and Thresholds ................................................................................ 19
Table 4: Acceptable Minor Civil Division (MCD) and Incorporated Place Boundaries ................. 21
Table 5: Block Group Types and Thresholds ................................................................................. 24
Table 6: GUPS Hardware and Software Requirements ................................................................ 30
Table 7: Installation of the GUPS Application ............................................................................... 31
Table 8: Open GUPS and Start a New Project ............................................................................... 36
Table 9: Save a GUPS Project ........................................................................................................ 42
Table 10: Open a Previous Project in GUPS .................................................................................. 43
Table 11: GUPS Main Page Elements ............................................................................................ 45
Table 12: Menu Bar Tabs, Drop-down Menus, and Function/Description................................... 47
Table 13: Table of Contents Toolbar Buttons ............................................................................... 50
Table 14: Standard Toolbar Buttons ............................................................................................. 57
Table 15: Select Features Using an Expression Button ................................................................. 61
Table 16: Measure Button ............................................................................................................ 64
Table 17: PSAP Toolbar Buttons, Names and Functions/Descriptions ......................................... 67
Table 18: Modify Area Feature Button ......................................................................................... 73
Table 19: Modify Area Feature Buttons Detail ............................................................................. 79
Table 20: Geography Review Tool Button .................................................................................... 81
Table 21: Review Change Polygons Button .................................................................................. 86
Table 22: PSAP Criteria Review Button ......................................................................................... 88
Table 23: Import County Zip Button ............................................................................................. 91
Table 24: Export to Zip Button ...................................................................................................... 93
Table 25: Print Map to File Button................................................................................................ 94
Table 26: Add Imagery Button ...................................................................................................... 96
Table 27: Manage Layers Toolbar Buttons ................................................................................... 97
Table 28: Add Vector Layer Button ............................................................................................... 98
Table 29: Add WMS/WTMS Layer Button .................................................................................... 98
Table 30: Add Raster Layer Button ............................................................................................... 99
Table 31: Modify Area Feature Actions by Statistical Geography .............................................. 105
Table 32: Select Census Tracts .................................................................................................... 106
Table 33: Split Census Tracts by Block Group ............................................................................. 110
Table 34: Split Census Tract by Face ........................................................................................... 114
Table 35: Creating a Special Use Census Tract ........................................................................... 118
Table 36: Merge Census Tracts ................................................................................................... 122
Table 37: Change Census Tract Boundaries ................................................................................ 127
Table 38: Add Linear Feature ...................................................................................................... 132
Table 39: Modify Linear Feature Attributes ............................................................................... 135
Table 40: Delete/Restore Linear Feature.................................................................................... 136
Table 41: Select Block Group ...................................................................................................... 139

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 42: Split Block Group ......................................................................................................... 140
Table 43: Merge Block Group ..................................................................................................... 144
Table 44: Change Block Group Boundaries................................................................................. 149
Table 45: Select Census Designated Place .................................................................................. 152
Table 46: Boundary Change – Add Area (CDP) ........................................................................... 153
Table 47: Boundary Change – Remove Area (CDP) .................................................................... 156
Table 48: Add a New Census Designated Place (CDP) ................................................................ 161
Table 49: Boundary Change – Delete Area Feature (Delete an Existing CDP) ............................ 164
Table 50: Boundary Change – Change Attributes (CDP) ............................................................. 168
Table 51: Select Census County Division (CCD) .......................................................................... 170
Table 52: Merge CCDs ................................................................................................................. 170
Table 53: Boundary Change – Add Area (CCD) ........................................................................... 174
Table 54: Add a New Census County Division (CCD) .................................................................. 179
Table 55: Boundary Change – Change Attributes (CCD) ............................................................. 182
Table 56: PSAP Criteria Review Tool Button ............................................................................... 185
Table 57: Review Change Polygon Tool Button .......................................................................... 187
Table 58: Geography Review Tool Button .................................................................................. 190
Table 59: Export a File to Share with Another Participant ......................................................... 193
Table 60: Export Files for Submission to the Census Bureau ..................................................... 195
Table 61: SWIM Submission........................................................................................................ 198
Table 62: Standard Statistical Geographies and their Population and Housing Criteria ............. B-1
Table 63: Steps to Display the TIGERweb Online Map Viewer .................................................... E-1
Table 64: TIGERweb Tools and Functions .................................................................................. E-4
Table 65: MTFCC and Descriptions .............................................................................................. F-1
Table 66: Acceptable Linear Features for Statistical Boundaries ................................................G-1
Table 67: Standard Street Type Abbreviations ............................................................................H-1
Table 68: County Shapefiles Names (PVS_18_v2_) ...................................................................... I-1
Table 69: County Shapefile Names (PVS_18_v3_) ........................................................................ I-2
Table 70: Edges Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_edges) ............................................................................ J-1
Table 71: Address Ranges Attribute File (PVS_18_v2_addr) ........................................................ J-2
Table 72: Block Groups Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_bg) ...................................................................... J-2
Table 73: Census Tracts - Current Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_curtracts) ........................................... J-3
Table 74: Census County Divisions Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_ccd) ................................................... J-4
Table 75: Census Designated Place Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_cdp) ................................................. J-4

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Standard Hierarchy of Census Geographic Entities ......................................................... ix
Figure 2. Hierarchy of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Areas ......................x
Figure 3. Types of Special Use Geographies ................................................................................. 16
Figure 4. GUPS Page Layout .......................................................................................................... 45
Figure 5. Table of Contents Toolbar ............................................................................................. 50
Figure 6. Check a Checkbox to Add a Layer .................................................................................. 52
Figure 7. Uncheck a Checkbox to Remove a Layer ....................................................................... 52
Figure 8. Highlight Layer and Right Click to Remove .................................................................... 53
Figure 9. Layer Properties Menu .................................................................................................. 54
Figure 10. Layer Properties Window – Labels Menu .................................................................... 54
Figure 11. Layer Properties Window – Style Menu ...................................................................... 55
Figure 12. GUPS Toolbars.............................................................................................................. 56
Figure 13. GUPS PSAP Standard Toolbar Buttons ......................................................................... 56
Figure 14. Sub-Toolbar Markers ................................................................................................... 56
Figure 15. PSAP Toolbar ................................................................................................................ 67
Figure 16. Modify Area Feature Buttons: Census Tract – Boundary Change ............................... 79
Figure 17. Manage Layers Toolbar ................................................................................................ 97
Figure 18. 2010 Geographies in the Table of Contents .............................................................. 103
Figure 19. Splitting a Census Tract by Block Group Example ..................................................... 109
Figure 20. Splitting a Census Tract by Face Example .................................................................. 114
Figure 21. Merging Census Tracts within Same Code Series Visual ........................................... 122
Figure 22. Dividing a Block Group into Geometrically Equal Parts Example .............................. 140
Figure 23. Dividing a Block Group According to Land Use Areas Example ................................. 140
Figure 24. Windows Explorer Example of County Shapefiles (v2 and v3) .................................... I-3

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

vii

INTRODUCTION
A.

General Information

The 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) provides designated participants
the opportunity to review and suggest changes to the boundaries and names for statistical
geographic areas, based on U.S. Census Bureau criteria and guidelines. Local governments and
data users often need data for planning by smaller, statistical geographic areas. The Census
Bureau uses these statistical geographies to tabulate and disseminate data for the Decennial
Census, Economic Census, and the American Community Survey (ACS).
The Census Bureau establishes and maintains both standard and tribal statistical geographies
solely for statistical purposes and does not take into account or attempt to anticipate any nonstatistical uses that may be made of their definitions. The Census Bureau will not modify the
criteria for, or boundaries of, statistical areas to meet the requirements of any non-statistical
program. Subsequent sections of this Respondent Guide detail each statistical geography’s
criteria, standards, and thresholds. In addition, the Federal Register Notices also provide a
formal resource for the criteria, standards, and thresholds.
The Census Bureau intends for the PSAP to be a process open to all interested parties and
strongly recommends that primary participants seek input from other census data users and
stakeholders. Local participants bring an important wealth of knowledge necessary to delineate
statistical areas that best meet local needs and development patterns. The primary participant
should publicize the process by making the proposed statistical areas available for review by
interested data users, or by inviting individuals and agencies to a meeting to discuss the
statistical areas proposal. At the time of its submission, the statistical areas must represent the
best collective judgment of the local organizations and data users.
The Census Bureau is aware that at times there are conflicting needs or requirements and that
it is not always possible to reach a clear consensus. To assist in situations where a data user
alleges the process was not open or objects to the final proposed PSAP submission for their
area, the Census Bureau suggests that the primary participant maintain documentation that
proves they conducted an open review process. Maintaining documentation demonstrates that
the delineation of statistical geographies was an open process and provides background on
particular outcomes. Such documentation could include names of agencies invited to meetings,
meeting attendance, discussion topics and outcomes, copies of newspapers, emails, and other
means of communication used to publicize the review process.

The 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)

There are two categories of statistical geographies eligible for review and update during PSAP:
standard statistical areas and tribal statistical areas. Standard statistical geography includes the
following:





Census tracts.
Block groups.
Census designated places (CDPs).
Census county divisions (CCDs), in 21 states.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

viii

Tribal statistical geography includes the following:









To gain a better understanding of how PSAP geographies relate to one another and to other
geographies, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2.

Figure 1. Standard Hierarchy of Census Geographic Entities

ANRCs and SAIRs are not statistical areas, but they are included in 2020 Census PSAP for administrative reasons.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Figure 2. Hierarchy of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Areas

For 2020, the Census Bureau integrated the Tribal Statistical Areas Program (TSAP) that covered
the tribal geographies in 2010 into the PSAP. The Census Bureau prepared separate
documentation for the tribal statistical geography component of PSAP. Those tribal details are
not included in this material.
In addition to the integration of TSAP into PSAP, the Census Bureau reviewed census tracts and
block groups in nearly all counties, identifying suggested changes and adjustments to help
streamline the review and update on the part of primary participants.2 The Census Bureau
terms this early review and the associated updates an “internal review” and its output as the
“2020 Proposed Plan.” Participants choose either the “2020 Proposed Plan” or “2010
Geographies” when using the Modify Area Feature button in the Geographic Update
Partnership Software (GUPS). Refer to Table 18 for a visual showing both choices.
This internal review ensures a consistent review of the census tract and block group statistical
geographies prior to any external review conducted by 2020 Census PSAP participants. The
Census Bureau believes the internal review reduces the burden of participation; however,
participants can opt to conduct their own review and update the 2010 statistical geographies or
they can review and update the 2020 proposed plan. Because of decreased processing
timeframes, the Census Bureau is unable to provide the internal review updates made to the
census designated place geographies during the delineation phase; however, those updates will
appear during verification phase of PSAP in January 2020. The verification phase allows
participants to see the updates made by the Census Bureau as well as those made by the
participant during the delineation phase.

The Census Bureau did not conduct this internal review for seven large counties with active PSAP participants that we anticipate
already had plans for updating statistical areas for 2020. The Census Bureau contacted these participants to inform them of the absence
of a 2020 proposed plan.
2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)

The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) is the annual Census Bureau survey of legal
geographic entities. Whereas the PSAP provides the process for reviewing and updating the
statistical geographic entities, the BAS provides the process for reviewing and updating legal
geographic entities. Its purpose is to determine, solely for data collection and tabulation by the
Census Bureau, the complete and current inventory and the correct names, legal descriptions,
official status, and official, legal boundaries of the legal geographic entities with governmental
authority over certain areas within the United States, as of January 1 of the survey year. The
BAS also collects specific information to document the legal actions that established a boundary
or imposed a boundary change. Through the BAS, the Census Bureau also accepts updates to
features such as roads or rivers, and address range break information at the boundaries. To
update the boundaries for legal boundaries, participate in the BAS.
For information regarding the BAS, consult the Census Bureau’s BAS website at
. For questions, email
geo.bas@census.gov or call 1-800-972-5651.

2020 Census PSAP Schedule

Table 1 provides the PSAP program schedule and timeframe for completion of the various
tasks. Understanding the 2020 Census PSAP schedule is important for participants to prepare
for the delineation and verification phases.
Table 1: 2020 Census PSAP Schedule
Date
February 2017-October 2018
March-May 2018
July 2018
January 2019
January 2019
July 2019
January 2020
October 2020

Event
Census Bureau conducted PSAP internal review to generate 2020 proposed
plans.
Census Bureau contacted 2010 Census PSAP participants to inquire about 2020
Census PSAP participation.
Census Bureau began sending 2020 Census PSAP invitation materials to
participants.
PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 calendar days to submit
updates.
PSAP webinar trainings begin.
Census Bureau sends official communication notifying closeout of PSAP
delineation phase.
PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar days to review
updates.
Census Bureau conducts closeout of the 2020 Census PSAP.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

interested individuals to solicit participation in the 2020 Census PSAP.3 The Census Bureau
began formally inviting the interested participants in July 2018.

Training and Support

Respondent Guide Organization

Participants reviewing standard statistical area geographies are required to use the Geographic
Update Partnership Software, or GUPS, to make updates. In addition to providing the criteria
and programmatic guidelines necessary to define and update standard statistical geographies,
this guide provides participants with systematic instructions of GUPS for use in PSAP. It also
introduces the fundamental concepts of the software as well as the major functionalities
developed and contained in the software and services. By using this guide and adhering to the
PSAP guidelines and criteria, participants learn to utilize GUPS to review (and potentially
update) a variety of statistical geographies and submit their final updates to the Census Bureau.
They also learn about the next steps for PSAP. This guide contains four parts.
Part One: Overview of the 2020 Census PSAP Materials and the Standard Statistical
Geographies4
This section provides an overview of the 2020 Census PSAP delineation materials and
summarizes the statistical geography criteria and guidelines for census tracts, block groups,
CDPs, and CCDs. Participants use the content within this section to familiarize themselves with
the materials provided by the Census Bureau and with the background of the four standard
statistical geographies.

Within the document, bold, blue colored font denotes the presence of a cross-referenced hyperlink to other sections, figures, tables, or
appendices. Use the Ctrl key and click of left mouse button while hovering over these bold blue words to skip directly to the linked item.
The “Part One:” above is the first cross-reference hyperlink in this document.
4

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

xii

Part Two: Introducing GUPS for 2020 Census PSAP
This section introduces GUPS and the basics of the software. Participants refer to this section
for the technical instructions to install GUPS, to learn how to get started, and to familiarize
themselves with menus, buttons, and tools within the software.
Part Three: Using GUPS for 2020 Census PSAP
This section describes the use of GUPS for 2020 Census PSAP. It discusses the review and
update of PSAP geographies. It provides instruction to validate a submission and to prepare it
for delivery to the Census Bureau using the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM). Participants
find information and detailed steps to review and modify the statistical geographies.
Note: The examples in this section highlight the function of the menu, the button, the tool, or the
process. They are not specific to the vintage of geography (i.e., the 2010 statistical geography or
the 2020 proposed plan). The function of the menus, buttons, and tools applies regardless of the
vintage of the geography.

Part Four: Next Steps for 2020 Census PSAP
This section provides information on the next steps for 2020 Census PSAP. It includes
information for participants on the Census Bureau’s processing of submissions, the upcoming
verification phase, and the final closeout phase after verification.
IMPORTANT: Due to operational updates, some minor discrepancies may occur between the
appearance of individual screens within GUPS, especially concerning polygon colors and
symbology in the Map View and the appearance of specific buttons and warning
messages. Other small variations may also appear.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

xiii

PART ONE: OVERVIEW OF THE 2020 CENSUS PSAP MATERIALS AND
THE STANDARD STATISTICAL GEOGRAPHIES
This portion of the Respondent Guide lays the programmatic foundation for the remainder of
the document and provides a reference for upcoming sections. It provides an overview of the
delineation materials and 2020 Census PSAP standard statistical geographies. It summarizes the
statistical geography criteria, guidelines, and specifications for each of the four standard
statistical geographies.
The goal of PSAP is to produce meaningful statistical geographies for data users while
maintaining consistent statistical geography nationwide. It is the Census Bureau’s responsibility
to ensure nationwide uniformity in applying the statistical area criteria and guidelines. As a
result, we may require some changes in the boundaries or delineation of some statistical areas
to meet the national standard.
By creating one, streamlined method of participation for standard statistical geographies (i.e.,
the Geographic Update Partnership Software, or GUPS), the Census Bureau provides an
efficient and intuitive system to review and update statistical boundaries and edit data layers
while maintaining flexibility to retrieve and review selected information. Participants must use
the Census Bureau supplied GUPS and shapefiles to participate in PSAP. The Census Bureau will
not accept any submission delineated outside of the GUPS or based on non-Census Bureau
provided shapefiles.
Part B of the Introduction mentions that 2020 proposed plans for census tracts and block
groups exists for most counties in the nation. The Census Bureau recommends participants
review the 2020 proposed plan. Participants may review and agree with the proposed plan or
they may make adjustments to that plan. Taking this approach may streamline the review and
update process, if any updates are required. Use of the 2020 proposed plan ensures the
aforementioned consistency of review mentioned in the previous section.
If participants choose to begin their review from the 2010 statistical geographies, they must
conduct the necessary updates to ensure the statistical areas meet the published criteria and
guidelines, coding and naming conventions, and ensure the features used for the boundaries
are valid. This approach is likely to be lengthier than a review of the 2020 proposed plan, but
some participants may find it the best approach for their situation.
IMPORTANT: If participants begin conducting their review and wish to change to the other vintage of
geography, they must delete their GUPS project. Table 14 includes a section that
describes the process of deleting a project in GUPS and starting over by choosing the
GUPS Data Settings button.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 1.

DELINEATION PHASE MATERIALS FOR 2020 CENSUS
PSAP

This chapter focuses on identifying the materials participants receive for the delineation phase.

1.1

Informational and Instructional Materials

The Census Bureau provides this Respondent Guide for conducting the 2020 Census PSAP work
using GUPS. To support participants’ review and update of their statistical geographies for the
2020 Census, the Census Bureau created Quick Reference and Quick Program Guides that
summarize each standard statistical geography and digital delivery methods, as well as
Microsoft Excel files of 2020 proposed changes for census tracts and block groups. These files
exist for all but the seven stateside counties not worked through the Census Bureau’s internal
review.
The Census Bureau provides all informational and instructional materials in in digital format.
Locate the digitally formatted materials on the PSAP website as well as on the “Data disc”
provided to participants that requested DVDs during the invitation phase of 2020 Census PSAP.
Review Table 2 to identify each piece of informational and instructional material distributed by
the Census Bureau in support of 2020 Census PSAP for standard geographies and to identify the
participants receiving those materials.
Table 2: Quick Reference, Quick Program, and Respondent Guide Materials
Document
Name of Material
Participant(s) Receiving Material
ID
G-640
Quick Reference: Block Groups
Stateside, non-tribal participants.
G-650
Quick Reference: Census Tracts
Stateside, non-tribal participants.
G-615
Quick Reference: Census Designated Places Stateside, non-tribal participants.
G-660
Quick Reference: Census County Divisions
Stateside, non-tribal participants.
G-615PR
Quick Reference: Census Designated Places Puerto Rico participants.
G-640PR
Quick Reference: Block Groups
Puerto Rico participants.
G-650PR
Quick Reference: Census Tracts
Puerto Rico participants.
Q-900
Quick Program Guide for Digital Download
Stateside, non-tribal participants that
of GUPS
requested to download their materials
online.
Q-905
Quick Program Guide for DVD delivery of
Stateside, non-tribal participants and
GUPS
Puerto Rico participants that requested
DVDs for delivery of materials.
G-730
Standard GUPS Respondent Guide
Stateside, non-tribal participants and
Puerto Rico participants.

The Census Bureau supplies the list of changed statistical entities in the form of a Microsoft
Excel file (e.g., psap20_proposed_changes_.xlsx), where SS is the two-digit state FIPS
code and CCC is the three-digit county FIPS code. This file is the output from Census Bureau’s
internal review. It appears on the previously mentioned “Data disc” and is available online for
download. The Excel file contains census tracts that have been split or merged, or have had
code/type changes and census tracts with modified block groups. The following seven fields of
information comprise the file:
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide









STATEFP is the two-digit state FIPS code.
COUNTYFP is the three-digit county FIPS code.
TRACTCE is the six-digit census tract code (with leading and trailing zeros and no decimal point).
BLKGRPCE is the one-digit block group number. It will be blank if the entity is a tract, and will have
an integer from 1-9 if it pertains to a block group.
BLKGRPID is the 12-digit block group code that concatenates the STATEFP, COUNTYFP, TRACTCE,
and BLKGRPCE information into one field if the record represents a block group, otherwise it will
be blank. Participants use this field, along with the TRACTCE field, to review the Census Bureau
changes performed to the 2010 geographies within the 2020 proposed plan.
TRACTTYP and BGTYP are blank unless the entity is a special use entity, in which case it will
contain a single letter pertaining to the special use categories within GUPS (A, B, C, H, I, J, M, O, P,
T, and W). These single character codes represent the information shown in Figure 3 in both
special use census tracts and special use block groups.

Figure 3. Types of Special Use Geographies

1.2

DVD Materials

The Census Bureau supplies two DVDs to stateside, non-tribal participants that asked to receive
their delineation material by that digital medium during the invitation phase, as well as to all
Puerto Rico participants. One DVD contains the GUPS software to install on the participant’s
computers. The second DVD is the “Data disc.” It contains the partnership shapefiles to conduct
the 2020 Census PSAP work using the GUPS software. The “Data disc” also contains digital
copies of the Quick Reference Guides, the appropriate Quick Program Guide, and the Microsoft
Excel file(s) 2020 proposed changes list for each county the participant agreed to review. All
informational and instructional materials provided on DVD are available on the PSAP website
for online download. Instructions for using these DVDs for 2020 Census PSAP are in Part Two:.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

1.3

Delineation Phase Postcard

One important item enclosed with the delineation materials is the delineation phase postcard
(e.g., Document ID P-300 and P-300PR for Puerto Rico). After reviewing the standard statistical
geographies and determining the update status of the materials, please complete the postcard
indicating whether changes are forthcoming. The return of this postcard assists the Census
Bureau with planning for incoming submissions and identifying participants that will not be
providing updates. The Census Bureau requests the return of this postcard within a month of
receipt of the delineation phase materials.
If a participant discovers changes are necessary to their 2020 Census PSAP materials after
returning the delineation postcard, please contact the Census Bureau PSAP staff by email at
geo.psap@census.gov, or phone them at 1-844-788-4921 to let them know a submission is
forthcoming.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 2.

CENSUS TRACTS

Census tracts are small, relatively permanent geographic divisions of a county or statistically
equivalent entity defined for the tabulation and presentation of data from the decennial
census, the ACS, and selected other statistical programs. Census tracts nest within, and
completely cover, counties nationwide. Ideally, their boundaries remain the same between
censuses making it possible to compare statistics from decade to decade.
The Census Bureau published the 2020 Census PSAP census tract criteria in the Federal
Register, available on the PSAP website. Appendix B. provides a summary of the statistical
geographies criteria thresholds.
The following criteria apply to the United States, including federally recognized American Indian
reservations (AIRs) and off-reservation trust lands (ORTLs), Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas5:








Census tracts must not cross county or state boundaries.
Census tracts must cover the entire land and water area of a county.
Census tracts must comprise a reasonably compact and contiguous land area, with a few
exceptions.6
Census tract boundaries should follow visible and identifiable features.
Census tracts must meet specific population and housing unit thresholds outlined in Table 3:
Census Tract Types and Thresholds.
Census tracts must have a basic numeric identifier composed of no more than four digits and may
have a two-digit decimal suffix. Find more detail on numbering in Section 2.2, Census Tract Codes
and Numeric Identification.
Census tracts have three types for the 2020 Census, standard, tribal, and special use. Refer to
Table 3: Census Tract Types and Thresholds for the definition and associated criteria for standard
and special use census tracts. Tribal census tracts do not appear in the table since they are out of
scope for this material.

The Census Bureau may modify and, if necessary, reject any proposals for census tracts that do
not meet the published criteria. In addition, the Census Bureau reserves the right to modify the
boundaries and attributes of census tracts as needed to meet the published criteria and/or
maintain geographic relationships before or after the final tabulation geography is set for the
2020 Census.

For Census Bureau purposes, the United States typically refers to only the fifty states and the District of Columbia, and does not include
the U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, the Island Areas, and the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands). The Island Areas includes American Samoa, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. Minor Outlying Islands are an aggregation of
nine U.S. territories: Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra
Atoll, and Wake Island.
5

The Census Bureau permits noncontiguous boundaries only where a contiguous area or inaccessible area would not meet population
or housing unit count requirements for a separate census tract, in which case the noncontiguous or inaccessible area must be combined
with an adjacent or proximate tract. For example, combine an island that does not meet the minimum population threshold for
recognition as a separate census tract with other proximate land to form a single, noncontiguous census tract. The Census Bureau
reviews each instance of noncontiguous census tracts and uses their discretion to accept or reject.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Census
Tract
Types
Standard
Census
Tract

Special
Use
Census
Tract

2.1

Table 3: Census Tract Types and Thresholds
Description
Population
Housing Unit
Area
Thresholds
Thresholds
Measurement
Thresholds
Small statistical
Optimum: 4,000
Optimum: 1,600 None
subdivisions of
Min: 1,200
Min: 480
counties; emphasis Max: 8,000
Max: 3,200
on comparability
over time to
facilitate
longitudinal
analysis.
A census tract
None (or very
None (or very
At least
encompassing an
little) or within
little) or within
comparable in
employment
the standard
the standard
size to
center, large
census tract
census tract
surrounding
airport, public
threshold
threshold
standard
park, public forest,
census tracts
or large water body
with no (or very
little) population or
housing units.

Employment
Threshold
NA

Suggested
minimum of 1,200
workers or jobs
when
encompassing
employment
centers.

Census Tract Threshold Requirements

Census tracts, with the exception of special use tracts, must meet specified population or
housing unit thresholds as outlined above in Table 3: Census Tract Types and Thresholds. This
helps ensure a minimal level of reliability in the sample data and minimized potential
disclosures of sensitive information. PSAP participants should aim to create census tracts that
meet the optimal population of 4,000 or 1,600 housing units and maintain the minimum
thresholds unless it is flagged as a special use tract (discussed above), or is coextensive with a
county with fewer than 1,200 people. The Census Bureau uses a housing unit criterion to
accommodate seasonably occupied areas in which the decennial census population count will
be lower than the ACS estimates.7
A census tract that exceeds the maximum thresholds should be split into multiple tracts; those
that drop below the minimum thresholds should be merged with an adjacent tract. If a
participant chooses not to split or merge tracts that do not meet approved thresholds, they
must provide a justification for retaining the existing geography. GUPS allows participants to
add remarks or justifications to statistical geographies that are not changed in the event that
population growth (new housing development, typically) or decline (following depopulation
trends or scheduled housing demolition) is anticipated.
Participants should use the 2010 Census population and housing counts for census tract review
in most cases. Locally produced population and housing unit estimates are permissible when
reviewing and updating areas experiencing considerable growth since the 2010 Census.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

2.2

Census Tract Codes and Numeric Identification

The census tract codes consist of six digits with an implied decimal between the fourth and fifth
digit, with leading and trailing zeroes for census tracts without a full six digits; e.g. 140102 and
002300, respectively. Census tract numbers (sometimes described as census tract names) are
the same digits but expressed without the full digit range of the code (1401.02 or 23, for the
examples above). A permanent numbering system is desirable since it helps data users make
comparisons of information by census tract from one decade to the next.
The Census Bureau uses suffixes (the final two digits of the tract code, populated with ‘00’ if
none exists) to help identify census tract changes for comparison purposes. Census tract
suffixes may range from .01 to .98. When a census tract splits, the resulting tracts retain the
basic four-digit base code and receive different suffixes. For example, if census tract 0014.00
splits, the new tract codes are 0014.01 and 0014.02. If census tract 0014.02 splits, the “02”
suffix is “retired” and the resulting tracts suffix becomes “03” and “04” (or the next available
suffixes). Data users expect the four-digit basic census tract codes to remain unchanged from
one decade to another. The Census Bureau allows renumbering of census tracts only in limited
circumstances, such as when there are more anticipated census tract splits than available
suffixes.
Some ranges of census tract numbers identify distinctive types of census tracts. The code range
9400 identifies census tracts with a majority of population, housing, or land area associated
with an American Indian Area. The 9800 code range was established for the 2010 Census and
used to specifically identify special land-use census tracts; that is, census tracts defined to
encompass a large area with little or no residential population and/or with special
characteristics, such as large parks, special land use, or employment areas. For 2020, this range
also includes areas not characterized by residential population (i.e., National Parks or large
water bodies). It morphed into special use census tracts, removing reference to land since they
may be water. Refer to Table 3: Census Tract Types and Thresholds for details on the
thresholds for special use census tracts. These types of tracts are optional in PSAP.

2.3

Census Tract Boundary Requirements

Census tract boundaries generally follow permanent, visible features that are identifiable in the
field. The following features are preferred as census tract boundaries:






State and county boundaries must always be census tract boundaries. This criterion takes
precedence over all other criteria or requirements.
American Indian reservation and off-reservation trust land boundaries.
Visible, perennial natural and cultural features, such as roads, shorelines, rivers, perennial streams
and canals, railroad tracks, or aboveground high-tension power lines.
Boundaries of legal and administrative entities in selected states. See Table 4 for states with
acceptable minor civil division and incorporated place boundaries.
Additional legally defined administrative boundaries for barrio, barrio-pueblo, and subbarrio
boundaries in Puerto Rico; census subdistrict and estate boundaries in the U.S. Virgin Islands;

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide





county and island boundaries in American Samoa; election district boundaries in Guam; municipal
district boundaries in the Northern Mariana Islands; and Alaska Native Regional Corporation
boundaries in Alaska.8
Boundaries of large parks, forests, airports, penitentiaries/prisons, and or military installations if
the boundaries are clearly visible.
Some nonstandard visible features such as major ridgelines, aboveground pipelines, intermittent
streams, or fence lines.
Some nonstandard nonvisible features such as parcel boundaries, straight-line extensions and
other lines-of-sight between acceptable visible features.
Table 4: Acceptable Minor Civil Division (MCD) and Incorporated Place Boundaries

State

All MCD Boundaries

Boundaries of MCDs
Not Coincident with
the Boundaries of
Incorporated Places
that themselves are
MCDs

All Incorporated
Place Boundaries

X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X9
X10

X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

Insofar as such boundaries are unambiguous for allocating living quarters as part of 2020 Census activities.

Governmental townships only.

Only Conjoint
Incorporated Place
Boundaries

Townships only.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

State

New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

U.S. Census Bureau

All MCD Boundaries

Boundaries of MCDs
Not Coincident with
the Boundaries of
Incorporated Places
that themselves are
MCDs

All Incorporated
Place Boundaries

Only Conjoint
Incorporated Place
Boundaries

X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

X
X
X
X
X

CHAPTER 3.

BLOCK GROUPS

Block groups are statistical geographic subdivisions of a census tract defined for the tabulation
and presentation of data from the decennial census and select other statistical programs. They
are the smallest geographies for which the Census Bureau provides sample data, primarily from
the ACS 5-year period estimates. Block groups nest within, and completely cover, census tracts
nationwide. They form the geographic framework within which the Census Bureau defines and
numbers census blocks. The block group number becomes the first digit of the four-digit census
blocks. Each block group comprises a reasonably compact and contiguous cluster of census
blocks. Census tracts may contain no more than 10 block groups (nine standard and one
comprised of water).
The Census Bureau published the 2020 Census PSAP block group criteria in the Federal Register
notice available on the PSAP website. Appendix B. provides a summary of the statistical
geographies criteria thresholds.
The following criteria apply to the United States, including federally recognized American Indian
reservations (AIRs) and off-reservation trust lands (ORTLs), Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas:







Block groups must not cross census tract boundaries.
Block groups must cover the entire land and water area of each census tract.
Block groups must meet specific population and housing unit thresholds and suggested area and
employment thresholds outlined below in Table 5: Block Group Types and Thresholds.
Block groups must comprise a reasonably compact and contiguous land area.
Block group boundaries should follow visible and identifiable features.
Block groups have three types, standard, tribal, and special use for the 2020 Census. For the
definition and associated criteria for standard and special use block groups, refer again to Table 5:
Block Group Types and Thresholds. Tribal block groups do not appear in the table since they are
out of scope for this material.

The Census Bureau may modify and, if necessary, reject any proposals for block groups that do
not meet the published criteria. In addition, the Census Bureau reserves the right to modify the
boundaries and attributes of block groups as needed to meet the published criteria.
Modification may also occur to maintain geographic relationships before or after the final
tabulation geography is set for the 2020 Census.
As with census tracts, the Census Bureau recognizes there are significant, or special, geographic
areas characterized by unique populations or not characterized by residential populations that
local data users may wish to exclude from populated block groups. PSAP participants may
designate special use block groups to distinguish them from standard block groups. Special use
block groups are optional, and if delineated, they must follow specific details outlined in
Table 5. Special use census tracts must contain at least one special use block group and it must
be coextensive with the special use tract boundary. If the area is not large enough to sustain a
special use census tract, participants may identify special use block groups within standard
census tracts.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 5: Block Group Types and Thresholds
Block Group
Types
Standard
Block
Groups

Special Use
Block
Groups

3.1

Description

Population
Thresholds

Subdivisions of
census tracts;
smallest geographic
area for which ACS
data are tabulated
and disseminated.
A block group, usually
coextensive with a
special use census
tract, encompassing
an employment
center, large airport,
public park, public
forest, or large water
body with no (or very
little) population or
housing units.

Housing Unit
Thresholds

Min: 600
Max: 3,000

Min: 240
Max: 1,200

None (or very
little) or within
the standard block
group thresholds

None (or very
little) or
within the
standard
block group
thresholds

Area
Measurement
Thresholds
None

At least
comparable in
size to
surrounding
standard block
groups

Employment
Threshold
NA

Suggested
minimum of
600 workers
or jobs.

Block Group Threshold Requirements

Block groups must meet specified population and housing unit thresholds as outlined above in
Table 5. This helps ensure a minimum level of reliability in sample data and minimizes potential
disclosures of sensitive information. Like census tracts, the Census Bureau uses housing unit
criterion to accommodate seasonably occupied areas that may have higher populations at
times of the year other than on Census Day, April 1.
Like census tracts, a block group that exceeds maximum thresholds should be split; those that
drop below the minimum thresholds should be merged with an adjacent block group. If a
participant chooses not to change threshold errant block groups, they must provide justification
for their retention. Unlike census tracts, block groups may be completely redefined to meet
population or housing thresholds; however, in doing so, please consider the impact on analysis
of block group level data across time.
In most cases, participants should use the 2010 Census population counts for block group
review. Locally produced population and housing unit estimates are permissible when
reviewing and updating areas experiencing considerable growth since the 2010 Census.
The housing unit thresholds use the national average of 2.5 persons per household. Because of
local and regional variations to this average, the Census Bureau will consider variation while
reviewing all block group revisions.

3.2

Block Group Codes and Numeric Identification

Block groups are identified by a single digit integer code from “1” through “9.” Codes with “0”
designate a water only block group that does not contain population or housing units. If a
census tract needs more than nine block groups to organize the population and housing units,
split the tract. The block group number provides the first digit for the 2020 tabulation blocks.
For example, block group 3 includes all 2020 tabulation blocks numbered in the 3000 range
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

within a single census tract. Block group numbers can repeat within a county, but must be
unique within individual census tracts. Find details on the thresholds for special use block
groups in Table 5: Block Group Types and Thresholds.

3.3

Block Group Boundary Requirements

Like census tracts, block group boundaries generally follow permanent, visible features that are
identifiable in the field. The following features are preferred as block group boundaries:










State, county, and census tract boundaries must always be block group boundaries. This criterion
takes precedence over all other criteria or requirements.
American Indian reservation and off-reservation trust land boundaries.
Visible, perennial natural and cultural features, such as roads, shorelines, rivers, perennial streams
and canals, railroad tracks, or aboveground high-tension power lines.
Boundaries of legal and administrative entities in selected states. See Table 4 for states with
acceptable minor civil division and incorporated place boundaries.
Additional legally defined administrative boundaries for barrio, barrio-pueblo, and subbarrio
boundaries in Puerto Rico; census subdistrict and estate boundaries in the U.S. Virgin Islands;
county and island boundaries in American Samoa; election district boundaries in Guam; municipal
district boundaries in the Northern Mariana Islands; and Alaska Native Regional Corporation
boundaries in Alaska.
Boundaries of large parks, forests, airports, penitentiaries/prisons, and or military installations if
the boundaries are clearly visible.
Some nonstandard visible features such as major ridgelines, aboveground pipelines, intermittent
streams, or fence lines.
Some nonstandard nonvisible features such as parcel boundaries, straight-line extensions and
other lines-of-sight between acceptable visible features.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 4.

CENSUS DESIGNATED PLACES (CDPS)

Census designated places (CDPs) are statistical geographic entities representing closely settled,
unincorporated communities that are locally recognized and identified by name. They are the
statistical equivalents of incorporated places, with the primary differences being the lack of
both a legally defined boundary and an active, functioning governmental structure, chartered
by the state and administered by elected officials. CDPs include comunidades and zona urbanas
in Puerto Rico.
The Census Bureau published the 2020 Census PSAP CDP criteria in the Federal Register. It is
available on the PSAP website and in Appendix B. . The following criteria apply to the United
States, including federally recognized American Indian reservations (AIRs) and off-reservation
trust lands (ORTLs), Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas:











CDPs constitute a single, named, closely settled center of population.
CDPs generally consist of a contiguous cluster of census blocks comprising a single piece of
territory with a mix of uses similar to that of an incorporated place of similar size.
CDPs cannot be located, partially or entirely, within an incorporated place or another CDP.
CDPs may cross county boundaries, but must not cross state boundaries.
CDPs have no minimum population or housing unit thresholds, but must contain some population,
housing units, or both.
CDP boundaries should follow visible features, except in circumstances where the boundary is
coincident with the nonvisible boundary of a state, county, minor civil division, or incorporated
place.
CDP boundaries may follow other nonvisible features in instances where reliance upon visible
features would result in over bounding of the CDP in order to include housing units on both sides
of a road or street feature.
o Such boundaries might include parcel boundaries and Public Land Survey System (PLSS)
lines; fence lines; national, state, or local park boundaries; ridgelines; or drainage ditches.
CDP names should be recognizable and used in daily communication by the residents of the
community it represents.11
CDP names cannot have the same name as an adjacent or nearby incorporated place.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 5.

CENSUS COUNTY DIVISIONS (CCDS)

Census county divisions (CCDs) and equivalent entities are statistical geographic entities
established cooperatively by the Census Bureau and officials of state and local governments in
21 states where minor civil divisions (MCDs) either do not exist or have been unsatisfactory for
reporting statistical data.12 The 21 states are as follows: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Appendix D.
depicts the CCD states in green.
The Census Bureau discourages major revisions to CCDs since the primary goal of the CCD
program has been to establish and maintain a set of sub-county units that have stable
boundaries and recognizable names. However, updates and revisions may be necessary in some
instances, where there have been revisions to census tract boundaries and the CCD boundaries
follows those boundaries, or to resolve discrepancies where the census tract and CCD
boundaries were supposed to be conjoint but were not. Revisions to CCD names may be
necessary due to population changes within CCDs. Changes to CCD names must follow the
guidance outlined in Section 5.1.
The Census Bureau published detailed 2020 Census PSAP CCD criteria in the Federal Register,
available on the PSAP website. Appendix B. provides a summary of CCD criteria. The following
criteria apply to the 21 states that contain CCDs:









CCDs must have community orientation, i.e., center on place(s) that form a cohesive community
area.
CCDs must have visible and/or stable boundaries.
CCD boundaries must follow state and county boundaries and conform to census tract
boundaries.13
CCD boundaries may follow the boundaries of federally recognized AIRs, and federal, state, or
locally managed land.14
CCD boundaries may follow conjoint city limits (where change to the boundary is infrequent).
CCD boundaries may follow some nonstandard visible features such as major ridgelines,
aboveground pipelines, intermittent streams, or fence lines.
CCD boundaries may follow some nonstandard nonvisible features such as parcel boundaries,
straight-line extensions and other lines-of-sight between acceptable visible features.
CCDs must have recognizable names (see the next section for detail on name identification).

In Alaska, census subareas are county subdivisions equivalent to CCDs. For purposes of this notice, the term CCD also refers to census
subareas in Alaska.
Whenever possible, a CCD should encompass one or more contiguous census tracts or multiple CCDs should constitute a single census
tract. Therefore, CCD boundaries should be consistent with census tract boundaries. Population size is not as important a consideration
with CCDs as it is with census tracts
13

Managed land includes National Parks, National Monuments, National Forests, other types of large parks or forest, airports, marine
ports, prisons, military installations, or other large facilities.
14

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

5.1

Census County Division Name Identification

Though CCDs do not include numeric identification, there are criteria for naming CCDs:







Names of existing CCDs shall not be changed unless a compelling reason is provided, such as when
the name from which the CCD was derived has changed, as in the case of Bainbridge Island,
Washington, when the name of the city (Winslow) changed.
Name new CCDs after the largest population center or historically central place within it (e.g.,
Taos, or Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico).
CCDs with multiple centers of equal importance may represent two or three centers (e.g., Mount
Pleasant-Moroni, Utah).
CCDs may be named after the AIR (e.g., Hualapai, Arizona or Nez Perce, Idaho) or a prominent
land use area (e.g., Federal Reservation, Washington or Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming) in
which it is significantly or wholly located.
CCDs may be named after a prominent physical feature (e.g., Mount Rainier, Washington) or a
distinctive region within the county (e.g., Death Valley, California; Everglades or Lower Keys,
Florida).
If there is no clear cultural focus or topographic name that can be applied, a CCD name shall
consist of the county name and a compass direction to indicate the portion of the county in the
CCD or a place name and a compass direction to give the CCD location relative to the place. The
directional indicator precedes a county name (e.g., Northeast Cobb, Georgia). If an incorporated
place name is used, the directional indicator follows it (e.g., Del Rio Northwest, Texas).

In all cases, the objective is to identify the extent of the CCD by means of an area name since
CCD names should always be meaningful to data users. Any name used as a CCD name must
also be recognized by the Board on Geographic Names for federal use and appear in the
Geographic Names Information System maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey. This includes
any individual names combined to make a hyphenated CCD name.
With the overview of and high-level information on the statistical geographies provided in this
portion and the general information from the Introduction of the Respondent Guide, the focus
now shifts to introducing the GUPS for 2020 Census PSAP in the next portion, Part Two:.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

PART TWO: INTRODUCING GUPS FOR 2020 CENSUS PSAP
This portion of the Respondent Guide includes detailed system requirement information
necessary to use GUPS. It offers an introduction to GUPS and its menus, and toolbars. It
provides specific instructions, through "Step - Action and Result" tables. In these tables, the
Action is usually a command or action to perform and the Result(s) of the action are in italics.
For example, if participants click the QGIS icon on the desktop, the software should begin to run
automatically.
GUPS allows participants to review and modify the statistical geographies in a more efficient
manner than previous decades. GUPS integrates the standardized PSAP requirements and
thresholds that define statistical geographies to eliminate the guesswork for participants.
GUPS runs in both a desktop PC and a network environment. It runs in QGIS, an open source
Geographic Information System (GIS), and contains all functionality required to make updates,
executes automated checks for program criteria compliance, and creates standardized data
output files for Census Bureau processing. Many of the menus and functionality are solely part
of QGIS functionality and not applicable to GUPS. For information on the QGIS open-source
platform, go to: .
GUPS is available on DVD or available for download from the PSAP website at during the
delineation phase. If participants chose the "DVD GUPS and SHAPEFILES" selection, there are
two DVDs enclosed with their PSAP delineation materials. One includes the GUPS software and
the second is the “Data disc.” If participants chose the "DOWNLOAD GUPS and SHAPEFILES"
selection, they must navigate to the following website to download GUPS:
.
Once installed, the Census Bureau recommends using the "Census Web" choice within GUPS for
accessing and loading the necessary shapefiles into GUPS. Use of this functionality eases
participant burden of installing directly from the DVD or from copying the data from the DVD to
the local computer.
The next three chapters cover the following topics:
Chapter 6. System Requirements and Installation



GUPS system requirements.
GUPS installation instructions.

Chapter 7. Getting Started with GUPS





Accessing the shapefiles for 2020 Census PSAP.
Open GUPS and start a new project.
Save a project.
Open a previous project.

Chapter 8. GUPS Menus and Toolbars




GUPS Page Layout.
GUPS interface, including the Menu bar, various toolbars, Table of Contents, and the Map View.
Instructions for using the tools available through the menu and toolbars.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 6.
6.1

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND INSTALLATION

System Requirements

Before beginning the installation, check the computer to verify it has the capabilities needed to
run GUPS. Table 6 lists the hardware and software requirements to install and run GUPS and
the software requirements to submit files through the SWIM website.
Table 6: GUPS Hardware and Software Requirements
Hardware

Operating System

Browser

Disk Space Needed to Run
GUPS:
3.3 GB

Windows:
To run GUPS, Windows users need one of
the following operating systems:
 Windows 7
 Windows 8
 Windows 10

Minimum Browser Versions to
Use SWIM:
SWIM supports the two most
recent version of each of the
major browsers (Internet
Explorer, Google Chrome,
Mozilla Firefox, and Apple
Safari.

Apple Mac OS X:
Mac OS X users must secure a license for
Microsoft Windows and use a Windows
bridge. The suggested bridge software is
Boot Camp, which comes pre-installed on
all Mac computers. Locate instructions for
using Boot Camp at:
.
IMPORTANT: Since Boot Camp requires a
restart of the computer to set up the
bridge, be sure to print the instructions
provided at the URL above before
beginning installation.

Depending on the Windows or OS version, the GUPS dialog boxes may have a different
appearance than the screenshots contained in the respondent guide, although the content is
the same.

6.2

GUPS Installation

This section provides instructions for both methods, download and DVD, of GUPS installation.
Administrator privileges may be required to install GUPS. Please ensure use of the version
supplied for 2020 Census PSAP to conduct the review and update of statistical geographies. To
complete the installation, follow the steps in Table 7.
Note: To check for the latest version, navigate to the GUPS tab and click the About GUPS option in the
drop-down menu to find the GUPS version number. If not running the latest version, download
and follow the setup instructions that will automatically uninstall the old version before it
installs the latest GUPS version.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 7: Installation of the GUPS Application
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click the direct download link or place the
installation DVD (GUPS disc) into the computer’s DVD drive. For some participants, a
Windows protected your PC warning may appear.

Step 2

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

If received, click Run, Yes, Allow, or an option that allows GUPS to proceed. The software
should begin to run automatically.
Be aware some participants may experience issues with installation because of
administrative rights and privileges on their local computer systems. Work with the local
Information Technology (IT) support staff to understand the settings that prevent the
installation of external software prior to contacting the Census Bureau for assistance.
If the software does not run automatically, open Windows Explorer, navigate to the CD/DVD
drive where the GUPS disc is located, and double click on the file named Setup-9.0.x.bat.
Please be aware, the name of this file may vary slightly, but it will be the only setup .bat file
available. If the software still does not run properly, contact the local System Administrator
for assistance locally. If they cannot resolve the installation problem, contact the GUPS help
desk at 1-844-788-4921 or by email at geo.psap@census.gov.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

When the installer opens, the Welcome to the QGIS Setup Wizard screen appears.

Step 5

Note: The version needed for PSAP is QGIS 2.18.15 Las Palmas. If another version of QGIS
exists on the computer, an instruction to uninstall appears prior to installing the Las Palmas
version. Allow the uninstall process to complete or problems with GUPS may occur. Before
proceeding, close all other open programs or applications. Once other programs and
applications are closed, click the Next button.
The License Agreement screen appears.

Read the License Agreement and click the I Agree button to continue.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 6

The Choose Install Location screen opens. To prevent potential installation errors, allow the
software to install at the default location (usually C:\Program files\QGISGUPS).

Step 7

To begin the installation, click Next to continue.
The Choose Components screen opens.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 8

The software should take between 5 and 10 minutes to install. When it finishes, the
Completing the QGIS GUPS Setup Wizard screen opens.

Step 9

Step 10

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Finish button.
After choosing Finish button from the previous menu, the GUPS Install Setup: Completed
screen appears after showing the status of the installation.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 7.

GETTING STARTED WITH GUPS

After successfully installing GUPS, there are three ways to retrieve shapefiles when starting a
new project:




Census Web (Recommended. Loads directly into GUPS).
CD/DVD (i.e., the “Data disc”).
My Computer (If downloaded contents of “Data disc” onto local hard drive).

Note: The next chapter, Chapter 8. GUPS Menus and Toolbars, describes the menus, buttons, and
toolbars referenced throughout this chapter.

7.1

Accessing the Shapefiles for 2020 Census PSAP

Participants that do not have internet connectivity, or those that have slow, unreliable internet
connectivity, can load the shapefiles directly into GUPS from the “Data disc” or from a location
on their computer where they saved the “Data disc” contents. Instructions on how to load
shapefiles are contained in Table 8.
The GUPS application unzips the files and places them into a pre-established folder created on
the computer’s home directory during the installation process (e.g., H:\GUPSGIS\gupsdata\...).
It then displays them in the application. GUPS manages the files for the participant. No further
action is necessary. Because of this GUPS functionality, participants must not make any changes
to the shapefile or folder names. The files and folders must have the exact names as provided
on the “Data disc” for GUPS to recognize and load them.
IMPORTANT: Census Bureau testing of the GUPS used for PSAP has shown that large counties may take
from 15 – 35 minutes for GUPS to create and build the PSAP project. Please be patient
while GUPS gathers all of the necessary files and calculates the population and housing
unit information.

7.2

Open GUPS and Start a New Project

To open GUPS and begin the PSAP review, follow the steps in Table 8 below. Before beginning,
GUPS needs at least 3.3 gigabytes of free space on the hard drive to begin.


To practice using GUPS without committing the changes, simply exit the system without saving.
Before the system closes, it will provide the option to discard the changes.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide



If comfortable with the GUPS, but completion of review and changes are not possible in one
session, simply save the changes and close the system. Participants can reopen saved projects and
continue working open GUPS later.
Table 8: Open GUPS and Start a New Project

Step
Step 1

Step 2

Action and Result
Double click the QGIS icon on the desktop or navigate to QGIS from the Start Menu, All Programs
choice and select the QQIS Desktop 2.18.15. The QGIS splash screen appears.

Wait until the application loads (An older computer may require a few minutes). When the GUPS
application has successfully loaded, the main page opens, and the QGIS Tips! window appears.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 3

Action and Result
To begin a GUPS project, close the QGIS Tips! window by clicking the OK button. The tip box
closes and the Map Management dialog box opens, as shown below.
 Choose Participant Statistical Areas Program from the Program menu.
 Choose County Based User from the User Type menu.
 Choose the state of the Working County from the State menu.
 Choose the county to update from the Working County menu.

At this point, the participant has not selected how to open these files, so the window populates
with all of the counties within the state. The highlighted counties are the counties adjacent to the
working county.
Note: Only participants opening data using Census Web can load adjacent county into the Map
View along with the working county. This adjacent county functionality will not work for
participants using the “Data disc” DVD. They do not have access to the universe of counties for
the entire state. Participants can only update the working county. It is not required to display the
adjacent counties, but sometimes helpful in reviewing legal boundaries and CDP boundaries of
those that cross county boundaries. For this review, participants do not need to load the
adjacent counties and doing so likely causes GUPS performance to decrease.
Click the Open button.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
After selecting the working county or adjacent counties, GUPS asks to specify the location from
which to pull the county’s (or county equivalent’s) shapefile. The Select Data Folder, Directory or
Location dialog box opens.

In the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location dialog box drop-down menu, select the location
to pull the working county file. This example assumes the participant is pulling the data from the
CD/DVD in the drop-down menu. To download data directly into GUPS from the Census Bureau,
choose Census Web (recommended) or directly from the local hard drive, choose My Computer
(least recommended option).
GUPS only asks to specify a location of the data the first time a participant opens a county’s
shapefile. When returning to work on the same county, the shapefile automatically loads, even if
there were no changes in the first session.
Step 5

From the Select directory window, navigate to the location of the CD/DVD and then click the
shape folder to populate the Directory field. Then click Select.

IMPORTANT: Participants must select the shape folder and not specific files within the folder.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 6

Action and Result
GUPS downloads all the shapefiles necessary for PSAP off the DVD and opens the requested
working county project. GUPS displays a Map Management window that shows the progress of
building the working county project and calculates the population and housing units. Progress
displays by a blue status bar with the percentage of download completed shown to the right of
the status bar.
Please be patient. Based on the size of the working county, it might take some time to download
the data and appear on the screen. Once downloaded, the working county appears in the Map
View and layers are visible within the Table of Contents.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 7

Action and Result
As mentioned in Step 3 of this table, participants using the Census Web option can add the
adjacent counties of the working county by clicking the Map Management button in the
Standard toolbar. The Map Management window displays the working county selected from the
previous steps. Adjacent counties highlight in yellow in the Map Management window.

Click the boxes to the left of the highlighted counties list to select adjacent counties to download.
All counties with a checkmark will download and display in the Map View. Unchecking a county
excludes that county from the project.
Note: Loading adjacent counties likely slows GUPS performance.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 8

Action and Result
Click Open. From the subsequent Map Management window, choose Census Web.

GUPS downloads all the selected adjacent counties layers and places them in the Table of
Contents, labeled as “fringe_.”

To view the layers, check the boxes to the left of the fringe layer name to activate and display the
chosen layer in the Map View.

For this example, several fringe layers for the two previously selected adjacent counties (Clinton
and Fayette) appear with working county (Bond).
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result
The limit for loading counties at once is 11 (the working county plus 10 other counties). To load
shapefiles for additional counties, after the first 10 are loaded:
1. Leave the same working county selected in the Working County field.
2. Uncheck the already loaded counties in the Map Management dialog box list.
3. Check the checkboxes for the additional counties (up to 10) to add.
4. Click the Open button and after the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location box opens,
use the drop-down menu to select the source of the files.
Repeat this process as many times as needed.

7.3

Save a Project in GUPS

To save any PSAP updates, follow the steps in Table 9. Make sure to save the project prior to
exiting GUPS.
Note: The Census Bureau recommends saving often, but only after ensuring the changes are accurate.
Participants cannot perform the Undo action discussed in Table 12 and in Table 17 on a change
after performing a save action.
Table 9: Save a GUPS Project
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
After working on a project, be sure to Save before exiting. Otherwise, edits will be lost. To save,
participants select Project from the main menu and Save from the drop-down menu or click the Save
button on the Standard toolbar (as shown below).

Both choices result in the prompting of the Current edits confirmation dialog box.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.
To exclude changes, close the application (click the red X in the upper right-hand corner of the main
GUPS page). A Save? dialog box asking to save, discard, or cancel appears.

Click Discard to close the application without saving the project.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

7.4

Open a Previous Project in GUPS

To open a previously saved PSAP project, follow the steps in Table 10 below.
Table 10: Open a Previous Project in GUPS
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
To open a previously saved project, in the Map Management dialog box, click the down arrow
next to the Open Recent button. The drop-down menu opens with one or more project(s) listed.
If the dialog box does not appear after opening GUPS, click the Map Management button in the
Standard toolbar to open the dialog box shown below.

Note: If participants share the computer, then the potential exists for multiple projects to appear
in the Open Recent list. To identify the proper project file, review the number string. This string
comprises the state FIPS and county FIPS. Each state / county FIPS is 5 digits. The first two digits
indicates the state FIPS code and the following three digits are the county FIPS code for the
working county.
Step 2

Select the correct project file from the Open Recent list. The map for the project automatically
loads and the layers show in the Table of Contents.
Census Bureau-defined default layers and view settings are loaded with each new project in
GUPS. Changing and saving these settings for a project saves any new settings. When reopening
the project, the Table of Contents and Map View display the layers and the map according to the
settings last used rather than returning to the default settings. To restore the default settings for
a layer, right-click the layer in the Table of Contents. A drop-down menu opens. In the drop-down
menu, select GUPS Layer. A sub-menu opens. In the sub-menu, select Load default style (see
illustration below). To reset the default settings for all layers, select the second choice Load all
default style.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 3

Action and Result
When reopening a previously saved project, note that any previously selected counties highlight
in cyan blue and remain checked. Adjacent counties, not previously selected, highlight in yellow.

Participants may check and load additional adjacent counties at this point if they use Census
Web. Participants working from DVD are not able to load adjacent counties.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

CHAPTER 8.

GUPS MENUS AND TOOLBARS

With the basics of GUPS outlined in Chapter 7. Getting Started with GUPS, this chapter serves
to introduce and provide specific details of the various GUPS menus and toolbars available for
use during PSAP.

8.1

GUPS Page Layout

The image below illustrates the GUPS page layout. The yellow text boxes provide labels for the
page components including the Menu and Toolbars, the Map View, the Table of Contents
(labeled in GUPS as “Layers Panel”), and the Status Bar.

Figure 4. GUPS Page Layout

Table 11 explains the purpose for each element on the main GUPS page. Section 8.2 details the
individual components and specific functions of each element.
Table 11: GUPS Main Page Elements
Page
Element
Map View

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Page
Element
Menu bar

Standard
toolbar

PSAP
toolbar

Manage
Layers
toolbar

General Function
The Menu bar allows access to QGIS and some GUPS features using a standard hierarchical menu.
It offers basic features such as Settings and Help; tools to manage the Map View and import userprovided data; important calculation, measurement, and geoprocessing tools; and tools needed
to make shapefile updates. Almost all of the functions available from the Menu bar are also
available in the application’s conveniently located toolbars.

The Standard toolbar provides navigation tools and other tools needed to interact with the Map
View and layers’ attribute tables, and data query and editing tools.

Table of
Contents
toolbar

Status bar

U.S. Census Bureau

The Table of Contents shows the layers on the map for the working county selected. The Table of
Contents toolbar, positioned at the top of the Table of Contents, beneath the Layer Panel, allows
participants to add or remove layers (or groups), manage layer visibility, and filter the legend by
map content.

The Status bar displays information on the coordinates, map scale, magnification, rotation, and
projection and allows for the adjustment of the display.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

8.2

Menu Bar

The Menu bar includes top-level, drop-down menus and allows navigation through GUPS using
a standard hierarchical menu. Most relate to QGIS functionality and not GUPS functionality.
Refer to the QGIS documentation cited in Part Two: for details on the menu and sub-menu
functionality. Table 12 provides a glimpse into the menu bar and its sub-menus.
Table 12: Menu Bar Tabs, Drop-down Menus, and Function/Description
Tab
Project

Edit

Drop-down Menu

Function/Description
The Project tab allows participants to save
changes to the project layers, create image
files, import AutoCAD files, display project
properties, and exit the GUPS application.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Tab
View

Layer

Drop-down Menu

Function/Description
The View tab duplicates several actions
available on the Standard toolbar. Included are
options for navigating the map, identifying
feature attributes, measuring distance, and
creating spatial bookmarks to return to the
same Map View later. Refresh restores the
map to its original map extent. Panels changes
the layer order, browses to a location on the
computer to add additional layers, opens the
processing toolbox, and more. If not visible or
closed earlier, click Panels in the drop-down
menu, then click the right arrow, and click
Layers in the Layers drop-down-menu to
restore the Table of Contents. The Toggle Full
Screen Mode expands GUPS to fill the entire
screen. Selecting it again, removes the full
screen mode.
The Layer tab adds and removes layers from
the map, opens the layer attribute table, sets
the map projection or Coordinate Reference
System (CRS), displays or hides layers.
Note: Many of these same functions are
located on the Manage Layers toolbar and the
small toolbar at the top of the Table of
Contents. Some of these actions are available
from the Table of Contents toolbar.

Settings

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Tab
Vector

Raster

Web

Processing

Help

U.S. Census Bureau

Drop-down Menu

Function/Description
The Vector tab provides access to several tools
that aid in the creation of buffers around
features; overlay areas to create an
intersection, union, or symmetrical difference;
merge features; and perform other common
geoprocessing actions.

The Raster tab provides access to a Raster
Calculator that allows for the calculation of
existing raster pixel values. The results of which
are written to a new raster layer with a GDALsupported format. The Align Rasters tool is able
to ingest several rasters as input and align them
perfectly by performing several actions
including reprojection, resampling, clipping,
and rescaling. It saves all rasters to a separate
file. These tools are QGIS based and not used
for PSAP work in GUPS.
The Web tab provides access to MetaSearch,
an easy and intuitive approach and userfriendly interface to searching metadata
catalogues within QGIS.
The Processing tab includes several tools;
however, these are not required for Census
Bureau geographic program participation. The
sub-menus pertain to algorithms, creating
models, viewing the results of algorithms
executed, and history.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Tab

Drop-down Menu

Function/Description

GUPS

8.3

Map View and Table of Contents

8.3.1 Table of Contents Toolbar
Using the buttons on the toolbar located at the top of the Table of Contents, participants can
add and remove layers or groups, manage layer visibility, filter the legend by map content,
expand or condense all sections of the Table of Contents list at once, and group layers.

Figure 5. Table of Contents Toolbar

The Table of Contents toolbar contains the items shown above in Figure 5 with descriptions
provided below in Table 13.
Table 13: Table of Contents Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Function/Description

Open the Layer
Styling Dock

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Open the Layer Styling Dock button to toggle the
layer styling panel on and off.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

Add Group

Click the Add Group button to organize layers in the Table of
Contents into groups.

Manage Layer
Visibility

Click the Manage Layer Visibility button to preset views in the
Table of Contents.

Filter Legend by
Map Content

Filter Legend by
Expression

Expand All

Click the Expand All button to expand the Table of Contents
menus (+) to display all layers under each group’s menu.

Collapse All

Click the Collapse All button to collapses the Table of
Contents menus (-) to show only groups.

Remove
Layer/Group

Click the Remove Layer/Groups button to remove a layer or
group from the Table of Contents.

8.3.2 Managing the Map View from the Table of Contents
Within the Table of Contents, participants can manage layer visibility (i.e., determine what
layers display on the map), reorder data layers, expand and condense the layer’s/layer groups,
add labels to layers, and change the layer scale visibility. The following five sub-sections explain
these topics. Though not recommended for the pre-loaded layers, participants can also set new
layer symbology within the Layer Properties, Style menu. This section does not detail this
process, but Figure 11 depicts the menu.
8.3.2.1 Manage Layer Visibility
To add or remove layers from the Map View, click the checkbox next to a layer to add it to
the Map View as shown in Figure 6. Uncheck the checkbox next to a layer to remove it from the
Map View as shown in Figure 7. Both illustrate the manipulation of the “edges” layer.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Figure 6. Check a Checkbox to Add a Layer

Figure 7. Uncheck a Checkbox to Remove a Layer

Participants can also right-click the name of the layer and select Remove in the drop-down
menu, as shown in Figure 8, to remove the entire layer from the project. Though shown for this
example to illustrate the presence of the button, the GUPS PSAP project includes all layers
necessary to conduct a review and update. Please use the checkbox to manage the visibility of
any preloaded layers rather than removing them from the project. The Remove action may be
helpful for removing external data added by the PSAP participant.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Figure 8. Highlight Layer and Right Click to Remove

8.3.2.2 Reorder Data Layers
In the Table of Contents, the layer order determines how the layers display on the map. The
top layers display on top of those below them. This is very important for conducting a review of
the 2020 proposed plan in comparison to the 2010 statistical geographies. To change the
display order:




8.3.2.3 Expand/Condense Layers or Layer Groups
To expand or contract the menu for a layer or layer group, click on the ‘+’ sign to expand the
group and, once expanded, click the ‘-’ sign to condense the group. These individual functions
allow for a more specific management of layers than the Expand All/Collapse All buttons on
the Table of Contents toolbar.
8.3.2.4 Add Labels to Layers
Participants may notice that many of the standard geographies layers (e.g., census tracts and
block groups specifically) are labeled as part of the creating the project in GUPS. Other layers do
not automatically label. This section informs participants how to label the edges layer.
From the Table of Contents, right-click the name of the layer and select Properties in the dropdown menu, as shown in Figure 9 and left-click to open the layer properties window. This opens
the Layer Properties window shown in Figure 10.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Figure 9. Layer Properties Menu

Figure 10. Layer Properties Window – Labels Menu

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Click the Labels menu on the left side of the window. Choose Show labels for this layer from
the drop-down menu along the top of the window. From the Label with section, select the field
to use for labeling the layer’s features. In this example, choose FULLNAME. Participants can
customize the labels Font, Style, Size, Color, Transparency level, Type case, Spacing, Blend
mode, etc. and set formatting, buffers, backgrounds, shadows, placement, and rendering
options. Click Apply and then OK to exit the window.
8.3.2.5 Change Layer Scale Visibility
From the Table of Contents, right-click the name of the layer and select Properties in the dropdown menu, as shown in Figure 9 and left-click to open the layer properties window. This opens
the Layer Properties window shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11. Layer Properties Window – Style Menu

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

8.4

Toolbars

Figure 12. GUPS Toolbars

Hover the mouse over any toolbar button to see the name of the tool it represents. The next
section describes the Standard toolbar.

8.4.1 Standard Toolbar
The Standard toolbar, shown in Figure 13, provides the necessary tools to interact with the
map and layers. It includes three separate sub-toolbars, identified by the grouping bars or
marker on the toolbar, shown in Figure 14. The first sub-toolbar contains the buttons for saving
projects, changing map projects and conducting searches. This sub-toolbar is the Project
toolbar. The second sub-toolbar contains the buttons for navigation. This sub-toolbar is the
Map Navigation toolbar. The third sub-toolbar provides tools for selecting features, making
measurements, creating special bookmarks, and working with the layer’s attribute tables. It is
the Attributes toolbar.

Figure 13. GUPS PSAP Standard Toolbar Buttons

To rearrange the toolbars, left-click and hold the sub-toolbar marker (shown with blue below)
then drag it to the desired location. Release the mouse button to set the toolbar in the new
location.

Figure 14. Sub-Toolbar Markers

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 14 defines the purpose of each button on the Standard toolbar. A few of the buttons
listed in the table include examples or links to additional tables for further explanation of the
button.
Table 14: Standard Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Function/Description

Project Toolbar Grouping
Save

Click the Save button to save the current project, including any change to
the layer properties, projection, view extent, and layers.

Map Management

Click the Map Management button to choose the participant program in
GUPS and the county to update. GUPS automatically loads a set of default
data layers for the chosen program.

GUPS Data Settings

Warning! This tool deletes files and folders permanently! Click the GUPS
Data Settings button to open the GUPS Data Settings window. Click the
Options drop-down menu and select Clean by Project.

Click OK to proceed with deletion.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

Search and Zoom

Click the Search and Zoom button to search the map by census tract, block
group, census designated place, census county division (if applicable), or
street name.

After selecting the Search by choice, a subsequent selection field appears
for the participant to choose the specific value to search for in the working
county (e.g., Census Tract). Once selected, click the Find or Find and Close
button to zoom and center the Map View on the selection.
Map Navigation Toolbar Grouping

U.S. Census Bureau

Touch Zoom and Pan

Click the Touch and Zoom button to zoom and pan using finger gestures on
a touchscreen computer. This functionality also works with the roller ball
on the mouse.

Pan Map

Click the Pan button to re-center the map in the Map View at the location
clicked in the map while preserving the map scale.

Pan Map to
Selection

Click the Pan to Selection button after selecting a feature on the map (or in
the attribute table) to re-center the map based on the selected feature(s).

Zoom In

Click the Zoom In button to increase the map scale after clicking on the
map and to display the map in Map View at a larger scale.

Zoom Out

Click the Zoom Out button to decrease the map scale after clicking on the
map and to display the map in Map View at a smaller scale.

Zoom Full

Click the Zoom Full button to display the map at the full extent of the
county.

Zoom to Selection

Click the Zoom to Selection button after selecting a feature on the map (or
in the attribute table) to view the feature at the scale of the selected
feature.

Zoom to Layer

Click the Zoom to Layer button after selecting a layer in the Table of
Contents to display the map at the extent of the selected layer.

Zoom Last

Click the Zoom Last button to return to the previous zoom extent.

Zoom Next

Click the Zoom Next button to move forward to the next zoom extent.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

New Bookmark

Click the Show Bookmarks button to view and manage the bookmarks. The
bookmark name or coordinates are not editable.

To zoom to a bookmark, click on a bookmark name in the Geospatial
Bookmarks dialog box and then click the Zoom to button.

The Map View zooms to the bookmark.

To delete a bookmark, click a bookmark name and click the Delete button.
Refresh

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Refresh button to refresh the screen at its current extent.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

Attributes Toolbar Grouping
Identify Features

Click the Identify Features button, followed by a click on a feature on the
map, to identify the feature. The selected feature appears in red in the Map
View and the results appear in the Identify Results window.

Select Feature(s) by
Area or Single Click

Click the Select Feature(s) by Area or Single Click button to select layer
features in the map window with a single click, dragging a box, or drawing
graphics on the screen.

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Select Features Using an Expression button to select features by
querying the attribute table based on table fields and/or values in the
fields. See Table 15 for an example of using the Select Features Using an
Expression tool to view the features in the edges layer that have an MTFCC
code of P0001.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

Deselect Features
from All Layers

Click the Deselect Features from all Layers button to deselect the selected
features in all layers in a single action.

Measure

Click the Measure button to measure the distance between two or more
points, an area, or an angle on a map. See Table 16 for examples of using
the Measure tool.

Table 15: Select Features Using an Expression Button
Step
Step 1

Step 2

Action and Result
With the edges layer selected in the Table of Contents, click the Select Features by Expression button
on the Standard toolbar.

The Select by Expression dialog box opens. Click on the ‘+’ next to Fields and Values to expand it.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 3

Step 4

Action and Result
Double click on a field name to add it to the Expression window. This example depicts the selection of
the MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) field and its field name appearance in the
Expression window.

Single click on an operator button to add it to the Expression window. In this example, the “=” was
chosen.
Note: There are more operators available than those shown above the Expression window. Click the
Operators menu in the center window of the dialog box to see additional options, including
commonly used expressions such as <, >, <=, >=.

For this screenshot, notice the Output preview: message below the window indicates the expression
is invalid because the value for the expression is missing.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 5

Step 6

Action and Result
Reselect MTFCC. Click the Load values - all unique button, which shows all of the values for the
chosen field name. Double click a value to add it to the Expression window.
For more information about MTFCC codes, please refer to Appendix F. fAppendix F. or the following
webpage: .

For this example, double click the value “P0001” (Nonvisible Linear Legal/Statistical Boundary) in the
values window to add it to the Expression window.

To execute the expression, click the

U.S. Census Bureau

Select button.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 7

The features meeting the expression, “MTFCC” = ‘P0001’, are highlighted on the map.

Table 16: Measure Button
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
To measure the distance between two points on the map, select the Measure button and then
Measure Line choice.

The Measure (OTF en) dialog box opens.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 2

Action and Result
Zoom to the desired map location to take the measurement. Left-click the beginning point on the map
and continue clicking points until reaching the final point. Right-click to show completion of point
selection. The length of each segment of the line, as well as the total length of the line between the
beginning point and the ending point, appear in the Measure box.

Click New to start another measurement or click Close to close the Measure tool.
Step 3

To measure the area on the map, select the Measure tool and then Measure Area choice.

The Measure (OTF en) dialog box opens.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
Zoom to the desired map location to take the measurement. Left-click on the map to begin drawing a
polygon around the area to measure. Left-click at each vertex of the polygon. Right-click to show
completion of the polygon. The polygon’s area appears in the Total field. Use the drop-down to the
right to see the area in other units of measure. Meters, kilometers, feet, yards, miles, degrees, and
nautical miles are the unit of measure choices.

Click New to start another measurement or click Close to close the Measure tool.
Step 5

Step 6

To measure an angle on the map, select the Measure tool and then Measure Angle choice.

Click Close to close the Measure tool.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

8.4.2 PSAP Toolbar
The PSAP toolbar, shown Figure 15, provides the software functionality to complete PSAP
review and update activities. It includes four separate sub-toolbars, identified by the grouping
bars described earlier in the Standard toolbar section.

Figure 15. PSAP Toolbar

The first sub-toolbar contains the buttons for adding and deleting linear features, modifying
linear feature attributes and areal features, displaying names and the legend, and renumbering
block groups. The second sub-toolbar contains buttons for conducting geography and PSAP
criteria reviews. The third sub-toolbar contains buttons for importing shapefiles, exporting the
map to a zip file, and exporting a map to print. The fourth sub-toolbar contains buttons for
adding an internet map service and adding imagery.
An additional toolbar, the Manage Layers toolbar, allows participants to add vector and raster
data layers and import data tables. Table 17 and Table 27 describe the PSAP toolbar and the
Manage Layers toolbar respectively.
Table 17: PSAP Toolbar Buttons, Names and Functions/Descriptions
Button

Name

Function/Description

Add Linear
Feature

Click the Add Linear Feature button to digitize a new linear feature.
To add a linear feature, click the mouse to begin the line and continue to click at
each vertex point of the line. Right-click the mouse to complete the new line,
shown in pink in the image below.

Upon completion of digitization, the Add Linear Feature dialog box opens. Click
the MTFCC drop-down menu to choose the appropriate feature classification
code. If named, type the name of the feature in the Name field.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

Note: To locate information on the MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Codes
(MTFCC) codes, refer to Appendix F. . Refer to Appendix H. for a list of
standardized street type abbreviations since the street type (i.e. St., Rd., Ave.,
Cir., etc.) is required to upload the feature correctly.
Delete/Restore
Linear Feature

The Delete/Restore Linear Feature confirmation dialog box opens with a
question about certainty of the delete. Click OK to mark the feature for deletion.
The deleted feature appears on the map with a gray X’s on top of the linear
feature.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

Note: When a feature is marked for deletion, GUPS assigns a delete flag to the
feature in the attribute table. The deletion occurs later if it remains marked as
such. Assigning a flag rather than immediately deleting the feature allows for the
restoration of the feature if deleted in error.
To restore a deleted linear feature, click on the Delete/Restore Linear Feature
button. Click the feature on the map previously marked for deletion (highlights in
light yellow).

The Delete/Restore Linear Feature confirmation dialog box opens with question
restore the line.
Click the OK button to remove the delete line flag from the attribute table and
restore the feature.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Display All
Names

Function/Description

Click the Display All Names button to display the primary and alternate names
for a street. It also shows the MTFCC for other linear features such as streams,
railroads, non-visible features.
To check for the name of a street feature, click the Display All Names button and
then click on the street on the map. The selected feature highlights in light blue
and the Display All Names dialog box opens showing the primary name in the
Prim. Name field and the alternate name, if one exists, in the Alt. Name field. To
see all alternate names, click the drop-down arrow to the right of the Alt. Name
field. If no alternate name exists, ‘NULL’ appears in the Alt. Name field.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name

Function/Description

Modify Linear
Feature
Attributes

Click the Modify Linear Feature Attributes button to edit attribute fields for a
selected linear feature.
To edit the attribution of a linear feature, click the Modify Linear Feature
Attributes button and then click the linear feature to edit.

The Modify Linear Feature Attributes dialog box opens with the TIGER/Line
Feature ID (TLID) of the feature selected. The MTFCC field displays the assigned
MTFCC. If the feature is unnamed, the FULLNAME field is blank. The TLID field is
not eligible for modification.
To update the MTFCC field, click the down-drop box and select the correct
MTFCC code. This field is required for all linear features.

To update the FULLNAME field, enter the name if the field is blank. If the field
contains an incorrect name, highlight the existing name and press the Delete key
from the keyboard or backspace over the existing name to clear the field prior to
entering the current/correct name.
Modify Area
Feature

Show/Hide
Legend
U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Modify Area Feature button to choose the geography, filter, and action
for the statistical geographies in the given entity (county or tribal). Applying a
search filter to each geography helps locate the statistical geographies that do
not meet specified criteria. Refer to Table 18 for several detailed examples of its
use. This button is a major component used for updating statistical geographies.
Click the Show/Hide Legend button to hide the layer list. Click it again to show
the layer list.
2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name
Renumbering
Tool

Geography
Review Tool
Review Change
Polygons

PSAP Criteria
Review

Function/Description
Click the Renumbering Tool button to renumber newly created or modified block
groups resulting from merges or splits. Renumbering is not required. Participants
choosing to renumber should execute this tool after all block group work
concludes. Save the project to make the changes permanent.
Click the Geography Review Tool button to filter a layer based on field values in
the attribute table. The Geography Review Tool does not allow for changes.
Refer to Table 20 for details on its use.
Click the Review Change Polygons button to view the review the updated
polygons created from the edits made to census tracts, block groups, CDPs, and
CCDs where applicable. The Review Change Polygons button allows for changes
to previous updates. Refer to Table 21 for details on its use.
Click the PSAP Criteria Review button to generate a list of threshold failures and
to correct the failures or provide a justification for the failures. This mandatory
check is required before creating a data output file. Refer to Section 10.1 and
Table 22 for details on its use.
Note: If reviewing the 2020 Proposed Plan, no threshold failures will register
until the participant performs edits.

Import County
Zip

Click the Import County Zip button to import a participant’s “DataDirectory”
output .zip file into GUPS for further review and update. Refer to Table 23 for
details on its use.
Note: GUPS generates this “DataDirectory” .zip file as part of the Export to Zip 
Share with Another Participant function described in Table 24.

Export to Zip

Print Map to File
Internet Map
Service

Click the Export to Zip button to create the .zip file containing all required data
and shapefiles for submission to the Census Bureau or to share with another
participant. Refer to Table 24 for details on its use.
Click the Print Map to File button export a printable map in .pdf, png, .tif, or jpeg
format. Refer to Table 25 for details on its use.
Click the Internet Map Service button to load a GIS map service from the
internet into GUPS to assist with overlaying external source visuals/data.
Note: An internet connection is required for this button to function.

Add Imagery

Undo

Click the Add Imagery button to add either USGS or Esri imagery to overlay the
working county shapefiles. Remove imagery using the same button. Refer to
Table 26 for details on its use.
Click the Undo button to revert the last change made by the participant. After
making the layer where the change occurred active in the Table of Contents, this
button activates on the Advanced Digitizing toolbar and in the Edit menu if the
Undo action is permissible.
Note: This button (and action) is very important for a participant to utilize prior
to saving any changes. Participants should be confident with the change they
have made prior to saving. If not, they should perform the Undo action.

Redo

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Redo button to restores the last change made by the participant. This
button activates on the Advanced Digitizing toolbar if a redo action is
permissible.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

8.4.2.1 Modify Area Feature Button
The Modify Area Feature button allows participants to review and update census tracts, block
groups, census designated places (CDPs), and census county divisions (CCDs) in applicable
states. Please refer to Chapter 9 for detailed review and update instructions of each statistical
area. The following section discusses the mechanics of the tool itself, not the criteria for which
to use the tool.
Table 18: Modify Area Feature Button
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the Modify Area Feature button.

IMPORTANT: The first time use of this button in the working county launches the Select Editable
Layer window. The window shows two editable layer choices (2020 Proposed Plan and 2010
Geographies). This window only appears with the initial launch of the button in any given working
county. Once selected, GUPS remembers the geography chosen in this window. If a participant wants
to start over, they must initiate the GUPS Data Settings button to delete the current project. See
Table 14 for details on deleting a project and starting again.

Step 2

After selection of the editable layers, the Modify Area Feature dialog box opens. Click the Geography
drop-down menu to select the geography to review and update.

Geographies that appear in the Geography drop-down menu are editable with the tools located
above the information window; however, those tools change based upon the geography selected.
Note: For the 21 states with CCDs, the Census County Division (CCD) choice appears in the
Geography drop-down menu.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 3

Step 4

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Choose Census Tract from the Geography drop-down menu. The default filter, No filter, displays all
census tracts in the information window.

Double click on a row in the list to select a census tract. The map zooms to the selected tract.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 5

Step 6

Action and Result
The Action drop-down menu activates four separate types of updates, Merge, Boundary Change,
Split by Block Group, or Split by Face.

With Census Tract selected, click the Filter drop-down menu to view census tracts that do not meet
the population and housing unit criteria - (below minimum – numbers are below the minimum
population and housing thresholds and above maximum – numbers are above the maximum
population and housing thresholds). Refer to Table 3: Census Tract Types and Thresholds for the
2020 population and housing unit criteria for tracts.
If present in the working county, participants can also select and view, water tracts (assigned tract
codes in the 9900 series) and special land use tracts (assigned tract codes in the 9800 series).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 7

Step 8

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Selection of Block Group from the Geography drop-down menu enables three actions in the Action
drop-down menu, Merge, Boundary Change, and Split.

As described above for census tracts, with Block Group selected, click the Filter drop-down menu to
view the block groups that do not meet the population and housing unit criteria - (below minimum –
numbers are below the minimum population and housing thresholds and above maximum –
numbers are above the maximum population and housing thresholds). Refer to Table 5 for the 2020
population and housing unit criteria for block groups.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 9

Step 10

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Selection of Census Designated Place (CDP) from the Geography drop-down menu enables two
actions in the Action drop-down menu, Boundary Change and New District.

With Census Designated Place (CDP) selected, leave the Filter drop-down menu set to No Filter to
view all of the CDPs in the working county with their population and housing unit information. Recall
there are no minimum population and housing thresholds, but a CDP cannot have zero population
and zero housing units. Refer to Appendix B. for a summary of threshold criteria.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 11

Action and Result
With Census County Division (CCD) selected, click the Action drop-down menu to see the three
actions available, Merge, Boundary Change, and New District. There is no Filter menu visible for
CCDs since no threshold requirements exist.
Note: The 21 states with CCDs may review and update those statistical geographies using the Modify
Area Feature tool. States without CCDs will not see this choice in the Geography drop-down menu.

As shown in Appendix B. , there are no population or housing criteria for CCDs. As a result, edits to
them are rare. The intentions of the CCD menu functionality are primarily to align the CCD
boundaries to census tract boundaries (using the Boundary Change action). Use local knowledge to
make modifications to ensure the sub-county level of geography remains sound and accurate. Do not
eliminate CCDs, but ensure their boundaries are valid. If a census tract boundary changed that is also
a CCD boundary, review the CCD boundary to determine if it should change as well. Though rare, the
Census Bureau permits the creation of new CCDs (using the New District action) for high-level
planning purposes. Refer to Chapter 5 for guidance.

Within the Modify Area Feature dialog box is a section of additional buttons used to implement
changes to the various statistical geographies. Figure 16 highlights the section of additional
buttons while Table 19 describes these buttons and their functionality in detail.
Note: The buttons that appear in this toolbar change depending on the geography and action chosen
by the participant; therefore, Figure 16 does not depict all of the potential buttons, but only
those that appear with Census Tract and Boundary Change selections. Table 19 discusses all the
buttons that appear at any point during a participant’s PSAP review.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Figure 16. Modify Area Feature Buttons: Census Tract – Boundary Change
Table 19: Modify Area Feature Buttons Detail
Button

Name
Select Target
Area

Select Features

Merge

Function
Allows the participant to select the geographic area
(selected from the Geography drop-down menu) by
clicking on the map.
Allows the participant to select/deselect layer
features in the map window with a single click,
dragging the cursor, or drawing graphics on the
screen.

Select Merge from the Action drop-down menu to
activate this button. The Merge button combines
multiple geographic entities.

Note: Be aware this button is very similar in
appearance to the Add Area button activated by
the Boundary Change Action selection.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name
Add Area

Function
Select Boundary Change from the Action dropdown menu to activate this button. The Add Area
button adds smaller geographic entities (faces or
block groups) to the geographic area selected on
the map. To add more than one face, click on the
first face, hold down the Ctrl key, and continue
clicking on the other faces until complete.
Note: Be aware this button is very similar in
appearance to the Merge button activated by the
Merge Action selection. Locate the definition of
faces in Appendix A. .

Split by Block
Group or Split by
Face (Census
Tract) and Split
(Block Group)

Remove Area

Previous Noncontiguous Area
Next Noncontiguous Area

Show / Hide
Boundary
Eligibility Theme
Add Entity

U.S. Census Bureau

Once selected, the selected geographic entity is
split by the entire block group or individual faces of
the geographic area selected on the map.
Note: Be aware this button activates in both the
Census Tract and Block Group geography dropdown menus. With Census Tract geography
chosen, select Split by Block Group or Split by Face
from the Action drop-down menu to activate this
button. From Block Group geography, select Split
from the Action drop-down menu.
Select Boundary Change from the Action dropdown menu. Remove smaller geographic entities
(Face and Block Group) from the geographic entity
selected on the map by using this button. This
button only activates for CDPs.
Button activates if the selected statistical
geographic area is not contiguous and provides a
means to pan back to each noncontiguous piece.
Button activates if the selected statistical
geographic area is not contiguous and provides a
means to pan forward to each noncontiguous
piece.
Displays the features on the map that have
questionable boundaries (dashed yellow line) and
not acceptable boundaries (dashed red line).
Select New District from the Action drop-down
menu of either CDP or CCD Geography drop-down
menu. Add select faces to create a new geographic
entity.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Button

Name
Change
Attributes

Function
Edits the attributes of a selected feature. For census
tracts, a participant may edit Tract Code (TRACTCE),
Tract Type (TRACTTYP) and Tract Name
(SITE_NAME) fields. These fields activate depending
on selections and change made in the Change
Attribute window. TRACTTYP and SITE_NAME exist
for special use census tracts.
Similar to census tracts, for block groups, a
participant can edit Block Group Code (BLKGRPCE),
Block Group Type (BGTYP), and Block Group Name
(SITE_NAME).

Delete Area
Feature

Select Boundary Change from the Action dropdown menu. The Delete Area Feature button
deletes an area feature. This is used only for CDPs.

8.4.2.2 Geography Review Tool Button
The Geography Review Tool button provides access to the attribute tables of some of the
layers displayed in the Table of Contents. The layers of interest for PSAP are the curtracts,
blockgroups, ccd, and cdp layers. It filters map layers based on field values in the attribute
table. This tool provides an overall review of the new or deleted entities, or the entities with
boundary changes. Participants choosing to conduct their review from the 2020 proposed plan
utilize this tool to locate the changes made to census tracts and block groups during the Census
Bureau’s internal review. Section 9.1.1 discusses that process while Table 20 includes
information for executing this button. Section 10.3 provides detailed information and
examples.
Table 20: Geography Review Tool Button
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the Geography Review Tool button.

The Geography Review Tool window opens.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 2

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Select the layer to review from the Layer Name drop-down menu.

After making layer selection, the attribute table for the layer opens, with the attributes for each of
the current census tracts.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 4

Step 5

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
To see a census tract on the map, click its row in the attribute table list and then click Zoom or
double click the row. The map automatically zooms to the selected census tract.

To view other tracts, use the Previous Zoom and Next Zoom buttons. The previous or next row
highlights and GUPS zooms to the map for that row.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 6

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Use the Column Name drop-down menu at the bottom of the dialog box to filter the table layers by
specific attributes ( i.e., TRACTCE, CHNG_TYPE, etc.). In this example, select TRACTCE.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 7

Action and Result
Once TRACTCE displays in the Column Name field, type in the census tract code in the Search box
and then click on the Search button.

This filters the attribute table to display just the one tract.

Step 8

8.4.2.3 Review Change Polygons Button
The Review Change Polygons button reviews transaction, or change polygons, for census
tracts, block groups, CDPs, and CCDs. This tool may be helpful for participants to use as part of
their quality check of the work they performed to modify the statistical geographies. The
execution of this tool is not required to make a submission to the Census Bureau. Information
for executing this button are in Table 21, while Section 10.2 provides detailed information and
examples.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 21: Review Change Polygons Button
Step
Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Action and Result
Click the Review Change Polygons button.

The Review Change Polygons window appears.

Choose the statistical geography to review from the Geography drop-down menu, in this example
Census Tract.

The Review Change Polygons window populates with the geographies to review.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 4

Step 5

Action and Result
Click on a row in the list. The Map View zooms to the selected entity.

To correct a change, activate the Modify Area Feature tool and click on the Select Target Area
button to highlight the geography to edit. Dependent on the type of geography selected, the Action
menus; and therefore the update update potential, vary.

Note: These edits modify the entity selected, not the specific change polygon. The change polygon
simply provides a record of the action(s) taken on each entity and is not editable.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

8.4.2.4 PSAP Criteria Review Button
Click the PSAP Criteria Review button to generate a list of threshold failures and correct the
failures or provide a justification for the failure. Participants must run this required check
before creating a data output file for submission to the Census Bureau. Table 22 includes
information for executing this button. Section 10.1 provides detailed information and
examples.
Table 22: PSAP Criteria Review Button
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the PSAP Criteria Review button.

A PSAP Criteria Review dialog box opens to inform participants that it is actively reviewing the
population and housing unit criteria for all the Geographic entities in the working county.

After the PSAP Criteria Review completes, a comprehensive list of the failed entities (i.e., those
entities that do not meet the established population and housing unit criteria) generates.
In addition, the list of noncontiguous areas generates if they exist in the working county. As shown
in the next image, the errors to fix appear in red color while the warnings to fix or justify appear in
orange.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 2

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Select the geography to review from the Geography drop-down menu or leave set to All to display
both geographies at once. This list is dependent on the failing geographies in the working county.
Participants can also filter the errors by selecting the error type from the Errors drop-down menu.

Click on an entity in the Criteria Fail list to zoom to that geography on the map.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
Click Fix to open the Modify Area Feature tool. Participants use the actions available in the Modify
Feature Area tool to modify and apply changes to the problematic geography or they provide
justification for the geography to remain as-is.

Note: Clicking the Fix button in the Criteria Fail list selects the same geography in the Modify Area
Feature tool.
Step 5

Click the Justify drop-down menu to see the default justification choices. If none of the choices
applies, or if justification that is more detailed is available, participants can type their own
justification. Character limit is 150.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 6

Action and Result
Save all changes and execute the PSAP Criteria Review tool again to ensure no failures remain
without justification.

8.4.2.5 Import County Zip Button
The Import County Zip button imports a zipped PSAP project shared by another user. The file
exported for sharing with another participant, described in Section 8.4.2.6 is the file imported
with this button. The “DataDirectory.zip” file becomes the working county. This file contains all
the layers for the new project and includes the work performed by the other person in the form
of “change layers.” Participants use this tool if they intend to have more than one-person
review and update the same working county of if the supervisor/manager wants to review all
work prior to making a submission to the Census Bureau. The functionality of the Import
Project ZIP file button mimics the functionality of the information below; it merely presents the
start-up process in a different manner, prior to opening a county. Table 23 includes information
for executing the button from the PSAP toolbar and shows an image of the Import Project ZIP
file button.
IMPORTANT: Using this tool for a participant’s initial review and update means that work must occur
sequentially, not concurrently. Parallel work (i.e., work performed independently by two
or more people in the same county) cannot be reconciled in GUPS. As a result, this
method of work may not be viable for the initial review and update. A decision on this
work method is required prior to beginning work on a county. It likely is most useful for
conducting quality checks after a working county is complete, prior to submitting it to the
Census Bureau.
Table 23: Import County Zip Button
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Click the Import County Zip button. Because the imported file becomes the working county, the
Census Bureau suggests no project be open within GUPS.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 2

Action and Result
If a project is open, a Map Management dialog box opens to either Save or Discard the current
project.

After saving or discarding the project, a file explorer window appears allowing participants to
navigate to the “output” directory where the .zip file to import is stored.

As mentioned in the introductory portion of this section, this button mimics the Import County Zip
button functionality on the PSAP toolbar. It is available upon initial start-up of a GUPS session. This
is the best way to import the shared .zip file rather than using the Import County Zip button from
within a working county. Opening by this manner eliminates the Save/Discard window that appears
in Step 2.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

8.4.2.6 Export to Zip Button
The Export to Zip button creates a .zip file containing all the required data and shapefiles for
submission to the Census Bureau or to share with other reviewers. Participants that intend to
make any change to either the 2020 proposed plan or the 2010 geographies must use this
button to create the zip file for submission or for sharing. Table 24 includes information for
executing this button. Section 10.4 repeats much of the same information, but serves to
provide closure to the review and update process at the end of the documentation.
Table 24: Export to Zip Button
Step
Step 1

Step 2

Action and Result
Click the Export to Zip button.

A Select Output Type dialog box opens with two options: Export for Census and Share with Another
Participant.

To share the final edits/changes with the Census Bureau, choose the Export for Census option. To
share with other participants to complete edits on the same county, choose Share with Another
Participant. The OK button activates upon selection of either choice. The Cancel button activates
with the Select Output Type window.
Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

A GUPS User Contact Information window opens with the Export for Census option. It requests
contact information from the participant. All fields denoted with a red star are required for
submission.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 4

For participants choosing to Share with Another Participant, GUPS generates a .zip file, stores it in
the output directory, and gives it a name similar to the Export for Census file, but uses
“DataDirectory” rather than “return.” All of the project files necessary for GUPS to operate
correctly bundle together as a result of using this option, while the ‘Export to Census’ bundles only
a few layers necessary for processing. Participants must decide early whether they wish to use this
functionality, as it does not allow for a concurrent review of a county. Two or more people cannot
conduct independent reviews of the same county because their parallel work cannot be reconciled
within GUPS.

8.4.2.7 Print Map to File Button
The Print Map to File button exports and saves a printable map in .pdf, .png, .tif, or jpeg
format. Table 25 includes information for executing this button.
Table 25: Print Map to File Button
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Click the Print Map to File button

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step

Action and Result

Step 2

The Print Map to File dialog box opens.

Enter the Map Title and Map Sub-Title under Desired Map Titles: section.
Click the radio button for Portrait or Landscape under Page Orientation: section.
Set the map scale to Match Current Map Extent or Fixed Scale in the Map Scale: section.
Choose the page size in the Desired Page Size: section and the file format in the Export File
Format: section. Click Save to create a map or Cancel to close the window.
If choose to Save, a Windows Explorer window opens to specify a file name for the exported map.
As with the .zip file export described in the previous section, GUPS automatically saves all
exported map files in the same output directory (e.g., H:\GUPSGIS\gupsdata\PSAP20\output),
but participants can change the destination folder to their preference.

8.4.2.8 Add Imagery Button
The Add Imagery button adds imagery to the GUPS map view. An internet connection is
required. Table 26 includes information for executing this button.
IMPORTANT:

U.S. Census Bureau

The Census Bureau strongly encourages participants to utilize this tool in order to
visualize the boundaries of the statistical geographies and orient participants to the area
under review.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 26: Add Imagery Button
Step
Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Action and Result
Click the Add Imagery button.

Participants choose to add USGS or Esri imagery.

After selecting imagery, it appears in the Map View beneath the displayed geographies.

Note: The Census Bureau requests the use of imagery in order to provide the visual reference
necessary to orient participants and to initiate any changes to the statistical geographies.

8.4.3 Manage Layers Toolbar
The Manage Layers toolbar, shown below in Figure 17, supplements the Add Imagery button
within the PSAP toolbar. It offers additional QGIS functionality that allows participants to
import their own imagery, geodatabase, web mapping service, or other data layers into the
GUPS. Table 27 describes these buttons, but for exact detail on the functionality refer to the
QGIS website provided in Part Two.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Figure 17. Manage Layers Toolbar

Button

Name

Table 27: Manage Layers Toolbar Buttons
Function / Description

Add Vector Layer

Click the Add Vector Layer button to add shapefile and geodatabase
files to the GUPS project.

Add Raster Layer

Click the Add Raster Layer button to add raster datasets such as
imagery to the GUPS project.

Add SpatialLite Layer
Add PostGIS Layers

Click the Add SpatialLite Layer button to add data from a SpatialLite
database.
Click the Add PostGIS Layers button to add data from a PostGIS layer,
a MSSQL spatial layer, a DB2 spatial layer, or an Oracle spatial layer.

Add WMS/WMTS
Layer

Add WCS Layer

Click the Add WCS Layer button to add data from Web Coverage
Services, which provide access to raster data useful for client-side
map rendering.

Add WFS Layer

Click the Add WFS Layer button to add data from Web Feature
Services or from ArcGIS FeatureServer.

Add/Edit Virtual Layer
New Shapefile Layer

Click the Add/Edit Virtual Layer button to add or edit a virtual layer.
PSAP does not use.
Click the New Shapefile Layer button to create a new shapefile layer
or new temporary scratch layer. This button is inactive and not useful
for PSAP.

GUPS supports vector data in a number of formats, including those supported by the OGR
library data provider plugin, such as ESRI shapefiles, MapInfo MIF (interchange format), and
MapInfo TAB (native format). It also supports PostGIS layers in a PostgreSQL database and
SpatiaLite layers. Additional data provider plugins provide the support for additional data types
(e.g., delimited text).
Participants may only upload one participant-provided data layer at a time. Participants with
multiple data layers to upload must work with one and close it before loading another. Below
are the steps to import the most commonly used data formats.
8.4.3.1 Add Vector Layer Button
The Add Vector Layer button described in Table 28 allows participants to add shapefile or
geodatabase data layers.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Table 28: Add Vector Layer Button
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the Add Vector Layer button on the Manage Layers toolbar.

The Add Vector Layer dialog box opens.

Step 2
Step 3
Step 4

In the Encoding drop-down menu, the default value is System. If an error message is received, use the
drop-down to select UTF-8.
Click the Browse button in the Source section to navigate to the folder and locate the shapefile or
geodatabase to select. Click the filename to populate the Dataset field.
Click the Open button to add the shapefile/geodatabase to the Table of Contents and to the Map
View window and Table of Contents.

8.4.3.2 Add WMS/WTMS Layer Button
The Add WMS/WTMS Layer button allows participants to load data from a web mapping
service, web mapping tile service, or ArcGIS MapServer. Table 29 describes the steps for using
the button below.
Table 29: Add WMS/WTMS Layer Button
Step
Step 1

Step 2
Step 3

Action and Result
Click the Add WMS/WMTS Layer button on the Manage Layers toolbar. Dependent on the service
selected, either the Add Layer(s) from a WM(T)S Server or the Add ArcGIS MapServer Layer dialog box
opens. This example depicts adding a WMS.
Select the WMS to add. Click the Layers tab and click the New button under the tab. The Create a new
WMS Connection dialog box opens.
In the Name field, type a name for the web mapping imagery service. In the URL field, type (or
copy/paste) the URL for the service. If the service requires a user name and password, type them in
the fields provided. Click OK. The service adds to the drop-down menu for web mapping services
appearing just below the Labels tab.
Note: If working inside a firewall, the system may prompt for a user name and password to obtain
resources from outside the firewall.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Step
Step 4
Step 5

Action and Result
Select the imagery service from the drop-down menu. The available layers appear in the
ID/Name/Title/Abstract box.
Click on the layer to display, then click the Add button to add the service to the Table of Contents and
to the Map View window.
Note: The WMS displays on top of the other layers selected in the Map View, but participants can
move it by clicking the WMS layer and, while holding down the mouse button, dragging it to the
bottom of the Table of Contents.

If participants do not have access to a web mapping service, have a poor Internet connection,
or work under a restrictive firewall, they can still add other types of imagery files to GUPS (e.g.,
a county or state imagery dataset). The Add Imagery button automatically links to the USGS
and Esri imagery. Table 26 discusses its use.
8.4.3.3 Add Raster Layer Button
The Add Raster Layer button allows participants to add imagery files they may have on their
own system. Table 30 covers the few steps necessary to add raster data, i.e., imagery files.
Table 30: Add Raster Layer Button
Step
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Click the Add Raster Layer button on the Manage Layers toolbar. The Open a GDAL Supported Raster
Data Source dialog box opens.
Navigate to the folder on the computer (or network) where the imagery file is stored.
Select the file and click Open. The file loads into the GUPS.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

PART THREE: USING GUPS FOR 2020 CENSUS PSAP
This portion of the Respondent Guide includes guidance for the use of GUPS to conduct PSAP
review from either the 2020 proposed plan or the 2010 geographies. It provides specific
instructions for using the GUPS tools to review and perform updates on the relevant
geographies. The methods for reviewing and updating boundaries for census tracts, block
groups, and CCDs are the same.
The next three chapters cover the following content:
Chapter 9. Review and Update of PSAP Geographies



Guidance for the review PSAP geographies.
Instruction for the update of each of the four standard PSAP geographies.
o Census tracts.
o Block groups.
o Census designated places (CDPs).
o Census county divisions (CCDs).

Chapter 10. Validate Data and Prepare Files for Submission




Instructions for using the GUPS review tools to validate data.
o PSAP Criteria Review Tool.
o Geography Review Tool.
o Review Change Polygon Tool.
Instructions to prepare files for submission.
o Export .zip files to share.
o Export .zip files to submit.

Chapter 11. Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM)



Instructions to establish account.
Instructions to submit files.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

100

CHAPTER 9.

REVIEW AND UPDATE OF PSAP GEOGRAPHIES

The Census Bureau requests participants evaluate land use characteristics and settlement
patterns to make informed decisions to resolve any issues with existing statistical geographies.
The Census Bureau recommends using two primary datasets within GUPS to perform the PSAP
review: the edges layer to determine the type of linear features used for boundaries and aerial
imagery to clarify questions on land use and settlement patterns.
A linear feature in the edges layer can be visible, such as a road or a shoreline, or non-visible,
such as the legal limits of a city or a parcel property line. Linear features are coded by type in
the MAF/TIGER database with an ‘MTFCC’, a 5-digit alphanumeric string such as ‘S1400’ (Local
Road) or ‘H3010’ (Stream/River), and are named where applicable (e.g. ‘Harley Ave.’ or ‘Little
Bend River’). While review is subjective, normalizing the methods of evaluation and features for
consideration help provide a framework for a consistent review and lays the foundation for
consistently reviewed geographies.
Mentioned in Table 26, aerial imagery is a background layer that pulls tiles from either the
National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) or Esri into the extent of the working county in
GUPS. The NAIP dataset originates from the USGS National Map Orthoimagery service. Both
USGS and Esri imagery loads dynamically at the viewable scale in the QGIS map canvas. These
images are typically one-meter resolution, with some areas having access to sub-foot resolution
imagery and a few very remote places (typically interior Alaska) having coarser or even no
available imagery. With each pixel in the image corresponding to one square meter of ground
surface, determining land use classification through the presence or absence of vegetation, the
type and distribution of structures through identification of roofs, and major landmarks such as
stadiums is possible. At this resolution, participants are also able to verify placement of visible
linear features in the edge layer in most cases.
As important as understanding the GUPS mechanics and the PSAP criteria, the basic concepts of
utilizing imagery and understanding the linear features that comprise the statistical
geographies is vital to a successful 2020 Census PSAP.

9.1

Review of PSAP Geographies

For 2020, the Census Bureau offers two approaches for the review and update of statistical
geographies. Participants can review the 2020 proposed plan or they can review the 2010
geographies. The next two sub-sections describe each of these approaches in order for
participants to decide which approach best fits their situation.
IMPORTANT: After reviewing the statistical geographies in GUPS and determining the update status of
the materials, please complete the postcard (P-300) included with the delineation
materials indicating whether changes are forthcoming. The receipt of this postcard
assists the Census Bureau with planning for incoming submissions. The Census Bureau
requests the return of this postcard within a month of receipt of the materials.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

101

9.1.1 Review from the 2020 Proposed Plan
Though the Census Bureau generated the 2020 proposed plan to alleviate PSAP respondent
burden, the 2020 proposed plan also serves as a means to encourage a thorough review and
program participation. The two specific geographies, census tracts and block groups, comprise
the 2020 proposed plans. No 2020 proposed changes are included for CDPs or CCDs. The
Census Bureau anticipates proposed CDP changes will appear in the verification phase
materials.
Be aware the Census Bureau used estimates (population and housing) to prepare the 2020
proposed plans. The Census Bureau encourages participants to review the proposed plan
closely and update it based on their local knowledge, historical insight of the area(s), and other
key factors of which they may only be aware.
To begin a review of the 2020 proposed plan, GUPS functionality facilitates comparison with the
2010 geography using the supplemental reference layers and symbolization when creating the
GUPS project (e.g., “2010_Geographies” layers). Refer to Appendix E. for details on various
supplemental sources that can assist participants during 2020 Census PSAP. The Geography
Review Tool Button described in Section 8.4.2.2 (to browse the 2020 layers) and a county level
list of entities that have changed significantly from 2010 are leveraged during the review of the
2020 proposed geographies. To use these tools and data, after selecting the 2020 proposed
plan when opening the Modify Area Feature Button detailed in Section 8.4.2.1, the Census
Bureau suggests participants:











Open the list of changed entities (e.g., psap20_proposed_changes_.xlsx) described in
Section 1.1 outside of GUPS. Copy the first value in the TRACTCE field.
In GUPS, open the Geography Review Tool and execute the following four steps:
o Select “curtracts_STCOU” layer from the Layer Name drop-down menu.
o Select “TRACTCE” from the Column Name drop-down menu. Paste the TRACTCE value
copied from the list of changed entities Microsoft Excel file into the search field at the
bottom of the screen and click the Search button.
o Highlight the row with the TRACTCE value in the table view.
o Click Zoom.
Once located, click the Deselect Features from all Layers button from the Attributes toolbar.
Scroll to the 2010_Geographies layer in the Table of Contents and expand it by clicking the ‘+’ to
the left of the layer name.
Check the “curtracts2010_STCOU” to display the 2010 census tract geography.
Correct any changes made by Census Bureau based on local knowledge and experience by using
the Modify Area Feature tool and repeat the process for every record with a TRACTCE value and
an empty BLKGRPID value.
Repeat the previous Geography Review Tool steps replacing census tracts for the block groups.
o Copy the first value present in the BLKGRPID field from the list of changed entities file.
o Select “blockgroups_STCOU” layer from the Layer Name drop-down menu.
o Select “BLKGRPID” from the Column Name drop-down menu. Paste the BLKGRPID value
copied from the list of changed entities into the search field at the bottom of the screen and
click the Search button.
o Highlight the row with the BLKGRPID in the table view.
o Click Zoom.
Once located, click the Deselect Features from all Layers button from the Attributes toolbar.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

102



Scroll to the 2010_Geographies layer in the Table of Contents and expand it by clicking the ‘+’ to
the left of the layer name.
 Check the “blockgroups2010_STCOU” to display the 2010 block group geography.
 Correct any changes made by Census Bureau based on local knowledge and experience by using
the Modify Area Feature tool and repeat the process for every record with a BLKGRPID value. No
action is necessary if the change made by the Census Bureau is agreeable to the participant.
With all the changed census tracts and block groups reviewed, perform the following steps:
 Execute the PSAP Criteria Review tool to see any new threshold failures introduced by the
participant updates
o Begin with the census tracts. Review, edit, or justify the failures that are above the criteria
thresholds and then those that are below thresholds. Conduct the same review for the block
groups, then review and update the CDPs and finish with the CCDs.
 Execute the Review Change Polygons tool to review changes introduced by the participant and
make additional adjustments if necessary.
 Execute the Geography Review Tool again to provide another overall review of the new or
deleted entities, or the entities with boundary changes.
IMPORTANT: If a participant disagrees with a majority of the changes in the 2020 proposed plan or if
they want to work fresh from the 2010 data, they MUST launch the GUPS Data Settings
tool described in Table 14 to execute a “Clean by Project” task. GUPS does not overwrite
a working county that has begun review in GUPS. The initial launch of the Modify Area
Feature tool sets the geography selection that cannot be reset without a “clean.”

In addition to using the list of changed entities to focus a participants’ review, an initial review
of the curtracts2010_STCOU and blockgroups2010_STCOU layers is possible by visually
reviewing the below minimum (red shading) and above maximum (green shading) geographies.
“Normal” census tracts and block groups will be absent of shading. See Figure 18 for a visual
from the Table of Contents in county 48251 for 2010_Geographies.

Figure 18. 2010 Geographies in the Table of Contents

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

103

Clearing the threshold failures (above maximum thresholds and below minimum thresholds of
each of the statistical geographies) is the minimum required to participate in PSAP. If time
permits, the Census Bureau encourages the review of all remaining geographies.
Once satisfied with the geographies, export the files for submission to the Census Bureau.
Chapter 10 within this part of the Respondent Guide describes the use of the aforementioned
tools.
Note: Participants visualize the threshold failures in the Map View and in the Table of Contents
depicted in red (below threshold criteria) and green (above threshold criteria).

9.1.2 Review from the 2010 Geographies
Beginning the PSAP review from the 2010 geographies instead of the 2020 proposed plan
means that participants must resolve all threshold failures that exist within the working county,
or provide justifications for not correcting the failures. As with a review and update from the
2020 proposed plan, clearing the threshold failures (above maximum thresholds and below
minimum thresholds of each of the statistical geographies) is the minimum required to
participate in PSAP. If time permits, a review of all of the statistical geographies is encouraged
as a form of validation of the existing statistical geographies.
To begin a review of the 2010 geographies, the Census Bureau suggests participants use the
Modify Area Feature tool, described in Section 9.2.1, to review and update the statistical
geographies that do not meet the required thresholds (whether population and/or housing).






Begin the review with census tracts. Review and update the failures that are above the criteria
thresholds and then those that are below thresholds. Conduct the same review for the block
groups, then review and update the CDPs and finish with the CCDs. Use the instructions
mentioned in Section 9.1.1 regarding a review of the 2010 layers to assist with locating the failing
geographies or simply let the GUPS tools locate the problem geographies.
Time permitting, review the boundaries of the statistical geographies.
Execute the same three validation tools described in Section 9.1.1, the PSAP Criteria Review tool,
the Review Change Polygons tool, and the Geography Review Tool.
Once satisfied with the geographies, export the files for submission to the Census Bureau.

Section 9.2 details the various steps necessary for updating the four standard statistical
geographies.

9.2

Update of PSAP Geographies

Once the decision on which version of geography to review is made, the update process can
begin. The content in this section is prepared and presented from the perspective of making
changes, regardless of the source of the geography. There may be some variance on
functionality and guidance dependent on the source of the geography under review; i.e., review
of 2020 proposed plan vs. review of 2010 geographies. Focus on the function of the tool, not
the version of geography used to apply the change.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

104

Existing special land use areas.
Areas of seasonal or vacation housing (usually with skewed population and housing ratios).
Ultra-high density urban areas with the inability for further splitting.
Underlying problem with legal boundaries used as statistical boundaries.

9.2.1 Modify Area Feature Tool
The Modify Area Feature tool introduced in Section 8.4.2.1 enables participants to apply a
search filter to each PSAP geography to locate the entities that do not meet specified criteria
such as below minimum, above maximum, water, special land use, and AIR/ORTL/Hawaiian
Home Lands (HHL). It enables participants to perform specified actions such as merge,
boundary change and split to entities to meet criteria and thresholds.
IMPORTANT: The Modify Area Feature tool is the main tool participants use to make changes to the
statistical geographies. All of the upcoming sections in this chapter reference use of this
tool.

Table 31 summarizes the different actions that the GUPS participant will be able to apply to
each of the geographies as well as the filter options and definitions of the population and
housing unit criteria.
Table 31: Modify Area Feature Actions by Statistical Geography
Geography

Census
tract

Block
group

Census
designated
place
(CDP)
U.S. Census Bureau

Action

Merge, Boundary
Change, Split by
Block Group, Split by
Face, and Change
Attribute.

Merge, Boundary
Change, Split, and
Change Attribute

Boundary Change,
New District, and
Change Attribute

Population and Housing
Units Criteria

Change Types

No filter, Below
Minimum, Above
Maximum, Water,
Special Land Use

Census tract is BELOW
the minimum population
(<1,200) OR housing unit
(< 480) threshold. Census
tract is ABOVE the
maximum population (>
8,000) or housing unit (>
3,200) threshold.

M for Merge, B for
Boundary Change, E
for Split, and G for
Attribute Change.
These codes manifest
most notably in the
Review Change
Polygons tool.

No filter, Below
Minimum, Above
Maximum

Block group is BELOW
the minimum population
(<600) OR housing unit (<
240) threshold. Block
group is ABOVE the
maximum population (>
3,000) or housing unit (>
1,200) threshold.

M for Merge, B for
Boundary Change, E
for Split, and G for
Attribute Change.
These codes manifest
most notably in the
Review Change
Polygons tool.

No filter, Below
Minimum

None, but must contain
some population,
housing units, or both.

B for Boundary
Change, E for New
District (CDP), G for
Attribute Change, and
X for Deleted CDP.

Filter Options

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

105

Geography

Action

Filter Options

Population and Housing
Units Criteria

Change Types
These codes manifest
most notably in the
Review Change
Polygons tool.

Census
county
division
(CCD)

Merge, Boundary
Change, New
District, and Change
Attribute

The Filter option
section does not
exist for CCDs

None, but since
comprised of census
tracts the housing and
population totals mimic
those of that geography.

M for Merge, B for
Boundary Change, E
for New District (CCD),
and G for Attribute
Change. These codes
manifest most notably
in the Review Change
Polygons tool.

9.3

Census Tract Update Instructions

A century of census tract use, along with the ACS and the averaging of sample data for tracts
over a five-year span, has shown that continuity and comparability in tracts and their
boundaries over time are of considerable importance to data users. Pursuant to this goal, the
Census Bureau requests that where a census tract must be updated, for example to meet the
minimum or maximum population or housing unit thresholds, that the outer boundaries of the
tract not be changed, but rather that a tract be split into two or more tracts, or merged with an
adjacent tract. Over time, the Census Bureau developed a set of standards to guide the
establishment and revision of census tracts. These practices and rules promote census tract
consistency nationwide, and serve to meet local needs for small-area data.
For 2020 Census PSAP, participants can split census tracts, either by using whole block groups
or by using individual faces (areas). They can merge census tracts and change census tract
boundaries, where the boundary has become errant. The Census Bureau discourages drastic
changes to tract boundaries (that is, “retracting”), except in specified circumstances, which the
Census Bureau will review on a case-by-case basis. It is not the recommended to modify the
external boundary of a census tract to resolve a threshold problem.

9.3.1 Select Census Tracts
Participants can change and modify census tracts, which modifies block groups automatically.
Steps to select census tracts are included in Table 32.
Table 32: Select Census Tracts
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Download and review the data as described in Section 7.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

106

Step
Step 2

Action and Result
Once loaded, GUPS displays all the data layers on the Map View formatted with color, style
and labels. For this example, the “curtracts” is the Census Tract layer, has five different
categories: Below Minimum and Above Maximum (both based on the total population and
number of housing units); Special Land Use; Water; and Normal Tract.

GUPS uses assorted colors to classify the census tracts by housing units and population counts. The
red fill indicates census tracts below minimum housing units and population counts. The green fill
indicates census tracts above the maximum thresholds. The census tracts with no fill are “Normal
Tracts” within the thresholds desired by the PSAP program.
The entities grouped under Below Minimum and Above Maximum category r equire local
knowledge of the land use, housing units’ type and population characteristics. Participants are
required to further review and either apply the necessary actions to change entities using the
Census requirements and guidelines. If no action is applied, participants must provide a
Justification to maintain the entity.
Step 3

Step 4

Click the Modify Area Feature button to start editing the layers within the selected county.

The Select Editable Layers window appears to choose the vintage to edit. The 2020 vintage is stored
in the 2020 Proposed Plan. The 2010 vintage is stored in the 2010 geographies. Select the vintage
radio button and then click OK button.

Note: This action occurs with the initial launch of the Modify Area Feature tool in the working
county. This menu does not reappear with subsequent launch of the tool.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

107

Step
Step 5

Action and Result
The Modify Area Feature dialog box displays in the center of the screen.

The Census Bureau suggests participants move the Modify Area Feature window to the upper left
corner of the Map View. Moving the window allows the participant to have a full view of the map.
Step 6

Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Geography drop-down menu to select Census
Tract.

Regardless if participants selected 2020 vintage or 2010 vintage as the editable layer they should
start reviewing and editing first, the Census Tracts layer with above maximum population counts or
housing units. Second, the Census Tracts layer with below minimum population counts or housing
units. Third, the Block Groups layer with above maximum population counts or housing units.
Fourth, the Block Groups layer with below minimum population counts or housing units. Then the
participants can move to reviewing the CDPs and the CCDs.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

108

Step
Step 7

Action and Result
As noted earlier in Section 8.4.2.8, the Census Bureau strongly encourages the use of imagery to
review and update the geographies. To enable imagery, click the Add Imagery button and choose
the imagery source to display in the Map View.

Once selected the imagery displays in the Map View.

9.3.2 Split Census Tracts by Block Group
To resolve the census tracts above the maximum threshold, participants can split census tracts
by block group within the failing census tract. Splitting by block group is the first preference for
splitting a census tract because it retains the boundaries of the new tract on features already in
use for statistical geographies (block groups). See Figure 19 for an example that depicts three
total block groups, one split from the other two to form a new census tract.

Figure 19. Splitting a Census Tract by Block Group Example

Table 33 explains the steps to split a census tract by block group(s).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

109

Table 33: Split Census Tracts by Block Group
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Step 3

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 32: Select Census Tracts to open the project and select a census tract for
editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Filter drop-down menu to select Above
Maximum (POP > 8000 or HU > 3200). This selects all census tracts that have more than the
maximum number of housing units or total population. Change the Action drop-down to Split by
Block Group. This allows participants to split the census tract by block group(s).

Click Select Target Area button and click on the map to select a census tract OR double click to
select a census tract from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature window. The Map View
zooms to the selected census tract to review for potential splitting and highlights it in light
blue/green color.

The housing and population totals displays on the bottom of the Modify Area Feature tool.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

110

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
Click the Select Features by Area button with a single click on the Map View to select a single block
group. Hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard and then click to select additional block groups as
needed. Participants can also click the Map View and drag the mouse to select multiple block
groups. The selected block group(s) highlight and the housing units and population numbers change
dynamically.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the census tract threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 1,200 – 8,000 Optimum: 4,000
Housing: 480 – 3,200 Optimum: 1,600
Participants are only able to select block group(s) within the highlighted census tract. Selecting block
group(s) outside the highlighted area will result in an error message.

Click OK to dismiss the error and continue.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

111

Step
Step 5

Action and Result
If the selected block groups generate a valid new census tract, click the Split by Block Group button
to create two new census tracts.

If a Question window displays showing that the selection is outside the threshold of acceptable
ranges, participants need to either justify this threshold violation or select additional geographies to
meet the required threshold. Click YES if satisfied with new census tracts. Click NO if not satisfied
and would like to revise.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

112

Step
Step 6

Action and Result
Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS created the new census tracts with new census tract
numbers. If completed successfully, the two new tracts have no shading (no red or green) unless
they fall outside the acceptable ranges of population or housing unit counts.
This step depicts imagery.

To reverse the split, prior to saving use the Undo button. Refer to Table 12 and Table 17 for
instructions on the Undo functionality.
Step 7

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

113

9.3.3 Split Census Tract by Face
To resolve the census tracts above the maximum threshold, participants can split census tracts
by faces within the failing census tract instead of by entire block groups. Locate the definition of
faces in Appendix A. . When there is only one block group in a tract or where the block groups
do not reflect distinct land use areas, selecting a split by faces is preferred.
When using this method for splitting a census tract, there are two considerations. First,
determine if there are clear land use distinctions within a tract (e.g., single-family homes on
one side of the tract and multi-family apartments on the other). Conversely, there may be no
significant difference in the land use or land use may not be the primary consideration because
of overriding historical or linear feature factors. Either way, identifying a significant, visible,
relatively permanent feature to use to split is important. See Appendix G. for information
regarding acceptable features for use in splitting tracts. See Figure 20 that depicts the same
tract shown in Figure 19, but with the split using faces rather than block groups.

Figure 20. Splitting a Census Tract by Face Example

Table 34 explains the steps to split a census tract by faces.
Table 34: Split Census Tract by Face
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 32: Select Census Tracts to open the project and select a census tract for
editing.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

114

Step
Step 2

Action and Result
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Filter drop-down menu to select Above
Maximum (POP > 8000 or HU > 3200). This selects all census tracts that have more than the
maximum number of housing units or total population. Change the Action drop-down to Split by
Face. This allows participants to split the census tract by faces (areas).

The housing and population totals displays on the bottom of the Modify Area Feature tool.
Step 3

Step 4

As with the Split by Block Group step, click Select Target Area button and click on the map to select
a census tract OR double click to select a census tract from the Info column within the Modify Area
Feature window. The Map View zooms to the selected census tract to review for potential splitting
and highlights it in light blue/green color.
Click the Select Features by Freehand button to select the faces (areas) to split the census tract. Left
click the mouse on the starting point and drag the chasing line around the targeted area then rightclick the mouse to end the review the selected area or simply let go of the left. The selected faces
highlight with a yellow/green shade.
Hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard and single click to select and add any missing faces. Also, hold the
Ctrl key and single click to unselect unnecessary selected faces. The use of the Shift key may also
prove beneficial when adding to an existing set of faces, as it works similarly to the Ctrl key. This
step depicts imagery.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the census tract threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 1,200 – 8,000 Optimum: 4,000
Housing: 480 – 3,200 Optimum: 1,600
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

115

Step

Action and Result
Participants are only able to select faces (areas) within the highlighted census tract. Selecting faces
outside the highlighted area will result in an error message.

Step 5

If the selected faces generate a valid new census tract, click the Split by Face button to create two
new census tracts.

If a Question window displays showing that the selection is outside the threshold of acceptable
ranges, participants need to either justify this threshold violation or select additional geographies to
meet the required threshold. Click YES if satisfied with new census tract. Click NO if not satisfied and
would like to revise.

If a Question window displays showing that the split will result in noncontiguous areas belonging to
the same census tract, participants need to either select Yes to continue and fix the non-continuous
areas or select again to make sure all necessary faces are selected.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

116

Step
Step 6

To reverse the split, prior to saving use the Undo button. Refer to Table 12 and Table 17 for
instructions on the Undo functionality.
Step 7

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

117

9.3.4 Creating a Special Use Census Tract
Participants may create special use census tracts for large land areas that exclude housing units
or population (e.g., large public parks, forests, large bodies of water, airports). These may also
include geographic areas characterized by unique populations (e.g., prisons or universities).
Special use census tracts are optional. If delineated, they must be designated with a specific
type of special use, have an official name, and ideally have no residential population or housing
units (or at the least meet all the minimum population and housing thresholds for a special use
census tract. They also must not create noncontiguous census tracts. Participants, along with
the Census Bureau, decide if the presence of a special use census tract would be useful to help
provide high quality, statistical data. Refer to Chapter 1 for the special use census tract criteria
and detailed threshold information. Review Table 35 for an example of using GUPS tools to
create a special use census tract.
Note: As with special use census tracts, refer to Chapter 1 for the special use block group criteria and
detailed threshold information. Special use block groups are coextensive with special use census
tracts. Special use block groups can exist within standard census tracts if there is not enough
population or housing to support a special use census tract.
Table 35: Creating a Special Use Census Tract
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
As with the Split Census Tract by Face example, click Select Target Area button and click on the
map to select a census tract OR double click to select a census tract from the Info column within
the Modify Area Feature window.

The Map View zooms to the selected census tract to review for potential splitting and highlights it
in light blue/green color.
Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

Ensure the Action field is Split by Face.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

118

Step
Step 3

Action and Result
Click the Select Features by Freehand button to select the faces (areas) to split the census tract.
Left click the mouse on the starting point and drag the chasing line around the targeted area then
right-click the mouse to end the review the selected area.
The selected faces highlight with a yellow/green shade.
Hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard and single click to select and add any missing faces. Also, hold
the Ctrl key and single click to unselect unnecessary selected faces. The use of the Shift key may
also prove beneficial when adding to an existing set of faces, as it works similarly to the Ctrl key.
This step depicts imagery.

Participants are only able to select faces (areas) within the highlighted census tract. Selecting
faces outside the highlighted area will result in an error message.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

119

Step
Step 4

Step 5

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
If the selected faces generate a valid new special use census tract, click the Split by Face button
to create two new census tracts. The new special use tract appears below.

Click the Change Attributes button in the Modify Area Feature window.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

120

Step
Step 6

Action and Result
Change the TRACTCE field to a valid special use census tract number (e.g., first two digits begin
with 98xx). This example uses 980000 since there are no other special use census tracts in this
working county. Enter a SITE_NAME that represents the name of the special use area. This
example uses Cave Hill Cemetery. Enter a justification (up to 150 characters) for the use of the
name in the JSTFY_NAME field. This example uses Old Historic Landmark.

Click OK to accept the modifications.
Step 7

Click the Save button to save the edits and update the project.

9.3.5 Merge Census Tracts
To resolve the census tracts below the minimum threshold, participants perform a merge
action. Merging tracts of the same code series is the preferred approach (e.g., merge adjacent
census tracts 1200.01 and 1200.02 instead of merging 1200.01 with adjacent census tract
2000). This is the best method for maintaining historical comparability between censuses.
Census tracts in the same code series increment their coding by suffix (the final two digits),
while tracts merged outside of the same series increment by the next available tract code in the
county, with a default .00 suffix. See Figure 21 for a visual of this description.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

121

Figure 21. Merging Census Tracts within Same Code Series Visual

Other methods of merging, in order of priority, include:






Merge two tracts of similar land use across a minor feature. This retains outer boundaries for
historical comparison and ideally maintains continuity of housing type and demographics.
Merge two tracts of dissimilar land use across a minor feature. This is less than ideal, but avoids
creating census tracts that span major landscape features.
Merge two tracts of similar land use across a major feature. This is less than ideal, but may group
areas of similar housing and demographic characteristics.
Merge two tracts of dissimilar land use across a major feature. The main benefit is to maintain the
outer boundaries for historical comparison, but runs the high risk of compromising comparability
of housing and population data within the new tract.
Alter boundary of below threshold tract to include block groups of neighboring tract(s). This
method is highly discouraged because it changes the outer, historic boundaries of census tracts.

Table 36 explains the steps to merge a census tract.
Table 36: Merge Census Tracts
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 32: Select Census Tracts to open the project and select a census tract for
editing.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

122

Step
Step 2

Action and Result
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Filter drop-down menu to select Below
Minimum (POP < 1200 or HU < 480). This selects all census tracts that have less than the minimum
number of housing units or total population. Change the Action drop-down to Merge. This allows
participants to merge (or combine) the census tracts falling below the minimum requirements.

The housing and population totals displays on the bottom of the Modify Area Feature tool.
Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Double click to select a census tract from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature window.
The Map View zooms to the selected census tract to review for a potential merge and highlights it in
light blue/green color. Navigate the Map View to locate the best neighboring census tract(s) to
merge. Verify the census tracts for historic relationships when possible. This step depicts imagery.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

123

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
Click the Select Features by Area or single click button to select the census tract(s) to use to merge
with the below minimum census tract. The newly selected census tract(s) highlight in yellow.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the census tract threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 1,200 – 8,000 Optimum: 4,000
Housing: 480 – 3,200 Optimum: 1,600

The housing and population totals change dynamically while selecting tracts to merge, allowing
participants to see the results of the merge, prior to actually merging the tracts.
Selecting census tracts not contiguous with each other result in geographic errors. Participants must
correct contiguity errors (or provide a justification for keeping the tracts noncontiguous) prior to
submission to the Census Bureau. The Modify Area Feature tool does not allow a participant to
select census tracts in different counties.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

124

Step
Step 5

Action and Result
If the selected tract(s) generate a valid new census tract, click the Merge button to create a new
census tract.

If a Question window displays showing that the selection is outside the threshold of acceptable
ranges, participants need to either justify this threshold violation or select additional geographies to
meet the required threshold. Click YES if satisfied with new census tract. Click NO if not satisfied and
would like to revise.

Step 6

U.S. Census Bureau

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS created the new census tract with new census tract
number. If completed successfully, the new tract has no shading (no red or green) unless it still falls
outside the acceptable ranges of population or housing unit counts. To reverse the merge, prior to
saving use the Undo button. Refer to Table 12 and Table 17 for instructions on the Undo
functionality.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

125

Step
Step 7

Action and Result
Use the Change Attribute button to modify the merged tract number that GUPS automatically
assigned if needed.

In the Change Attribute window, enter all the requested information for the following fields with a
red asterisk. Required information varies based on the type of geography.

Click OK to save the attribute change or Cancel to return to close the window without saving.
Note: The Justify field exists in the Modify Area Feature, Change Attribute tool. This field also exists
in the PSAP Criteria Review tool described in a later section. Character limit is 150 for this field.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

126

Step
Step 8

Action and Result
Click the Save button to save the edits and update the project. The Current edits confirmation
dialog box asks to save the changes for all layer(s). For more information on saving, please refer to
Section 7.3, Save a Project in GUPS.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

9.3.6 Change Census Tract Boundaries
Participants apply boundary changes to census tracts in instances when the boundaries are
errant and no longer accurately reflect the real boundary or when the boundary does not
follow any visible features. Participants cannot change the census tract boundary where it
follows an acceptable legal boundary as listed in Section 2.3. If the boundary of the legal entity
is incorrect, please report the boundary correction through the annual Boundary and
Annexation Survey (BAS) program. Consult the Part C in the Introduction of this document for
details on the BAS. Quality checks and comparisons of census tracts to the legal boundaries
occur yearly to ensure the census tracts align with the boundary of the legal entity in the
Census Bureau systems.
See Section 9.3.6.1 for instructions to add linear features for use as census tract boundaries
and Section 9.3.6.3 for instructions to delete linear features. The Boundary Change action uses
the faces layer to modify census tracts. Linear features create faces. Table 37 explains the steps
to change census tract boundaries.
IMPORTANT: The guiding principle for census tract boundaries is to maintain historical comparability
between decennial censuses. Sometimes small boundary changes occur to maintain the
census tract boundary along a visible feature such as a road or river; however, drastic
changes to census tract boundaries compromise comparability of the census tracts
between decades. The Census Bureau reserves the right to deny participant boundary
changes that introduce significant changes.
Table 37: Change Census Tract Boundaries
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 32: Select Census Tracts to open the project and select census tract for
editing.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

127

Step
Step 2

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the drop-down Action menu to select Boundary
Change.

Double click to select a census tract from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature window.
The Map View zooms to the selected census tract to review for a potential boundary change.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

128

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
Click the Select Features By Area or single click button to select the faces to use for boundary
change.

The selected faces highlight in yellow. This step depicts imagery.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the census tract threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 1,200 – 8,000 Optimum: 4,000
Housing: 480 – 3,200 Optimum: 1,600
The housing and population totals change dynamically while selecting faces to alter the census tract
boundary, allowing participants to see the results of the change, prior to actually modifying the
boundary of the census tract.
Selecting noncontiguous faces from the selected census tract result in geographic errors.
Participants must correct contiguity errors prior to submitting their data to the Census Bureau.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

129

Step
Step 5

Action and Result
Click the Add Area button to apply boundary change to the selected census tract.

A window displays requesting participants select the block group to add the selected faces. The Map
View displays the potential block group in the drop-down menu.

Note: GUPS highlights each block group as selected, allowing the participant to choose the adjacent
one. Be mindful that this step can introduce contiguity errors.
After selecting the appropriate block group, click OK to add the selected faces to the selected block
group highlighted on the map.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

130

Step
Step 6

Action and Result
Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS captured the boundary change properly for the census
tract.

To reverse the boundary change, simply add the area back to the original census tract or perform
the Undo action prior to saving. Refer to Table 12 and Table 17 for instructions on the Undo
functionality.
Step 7

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

9.3.6.1 Add Linear Feature
The addition of new or missing linear features may be necessary to form faces in order to
modify all of the statistical geographies. While it may be tempting to add all missing linear
features, with the time constraints of PSAP, focus first on adding only the linear features
necessary to split statistical geographies or form new statistical geographies. Participants must
utilize the Add Imagery button within GUPS for digitizing reference and may use the Internet
Map Service button to provide a secondary source/visual of the area. Table 17 describes the
use of both buttons. Review Table 38 for a detailed example.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

131

IMPORTANT: Do not add linear features without the assistance of imagery.
Table 38: Add Linear Feature
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Step 3

Click the Internet Map Service button.

An Internet Map Service window appears asking participants to select a point on the map to enable
Internet Map Service.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

132

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
Click a point in the Map View near the missing feature(s) to select the targeted area from which to
launch the internet service. Another Internet Map Service window appears to select either Google
Maps or Bing Maps.

After selected, click OK and a new internet tab or session opens to the targeted section chosen in
Step 4.

Step 5

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Add Linear Feature button from within the PSAP toolbar.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

133

Step
Step 6

Step 7

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Zoom in to a proper scale for adding the linear feature.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

134

Step
Step 8

Action and Result
From the MTFCC drop-down menu, select the proper code for the newly added feature. In this
example, choose S1400.

The Name field activates after choosing the MTFCC. Enter the name and click OK.

Step 9

Click the Save button to save the changes. Continue with the same steps to add any additional linear
features.

9.3.6.2 Modify Linear Feature Attributes
Participants can modify the attributes of linear features by using the Modify Linear Feature
Attributes button within the PSAP toolbar. This may be necessary to correct errors in existing
feature names or correct errant MTFCC codes. See Table 39 for an example.
Table 39: Modify Linear Feature Attributes
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Locate the linear feature to modify. Select the Modify Linear Feature Attributes button in the PSAP
toolbar.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

135

Step
Step 2

Step 3

Action and Result
In the Map View, left-click the linear feature to modify. A Modify Linear Feature Attributes window
appears.

Change the MTFCC or the FULLNAME of the feature. Click the Save button to save the modification.

9.3.6.3 Delete/Restore Linear Feature
GUPS allows participants to delete linear features and/or restore recently deleted features
since the last save process by using the Delete/Restore Linear Feature button within the PSAP
toolbar. Review Table 40 for examples of both deleting and restoring a linear feature.
Table 40: Delete/Restore Linear Feature
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Locate the linear feature to delete. Select the Delete/Restore Linear Feature button in the PSAP
toolbar.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

136

Step
Step 2

Step 3

Action and Result
In the Map View, left-click the linear feature to delete. A Delete/Restore Linear Feature window
appears.

Click OK to proceed with deletion of the selected feature.
If the feature selected forms the boundary of an existing entity, GUPS displays the following warning
message.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

137

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

The feature is marked for deletion and displays in GUPS with the “X” character along the entire
feature. Imagery disabled in order to better view the “X” characters.

Step 5

Click OK to restore the feature.
Step 6

9.4

Click the Save button to save the changes.

Block Group Update Instructions

Participants can split block groups by face, merge block groups, and change block group
boundaries. Part One: outlined the criteria and background for updating block groups, while
Part Two: introduced the tools for updating. This section provides detailed examples for
performing the aforementioned updates of splitting, merging, and changing boundaries. Refer
to Section 9.3.4 for details on special use block groups.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

138

IMPORTANT: Participants may renumber the block groups using the Renumbering Tool in the PSAP
toolbar. If participants do want to renumber to avoid any gaps in the numbering of block
groups, execute the tool after all work on the block group geography concludes. Do not
execute the tool, if participants wish to retain the existing block group numbering.

9.4.1 Select Block Group
Participants can change and modify block groups. This is the second priority for participants’
review after reviewing and updating census tracts. However, there may be instances in which
the census tracts remain within specified thresholds, but block groups require updating due to
population or housing changes. In those cases, participants begin with a review of the block
groups. Steps to select block groups to begin a review are included in Table 41.
Table 41: Select Block Group
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Action and Result
Download and review the data as described in Section 7.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Follow steps from Table 32: Select Census Tracts to open the existing project. After completing
Steps 1 – 4 (step 5 only appears with the initial setup), modify Step 6 by clicking the Modify Area
Feature, Geography drop-down menu and selecting Block Group. Enable the imagery as described
in Step 7 in order to visualize and orient to the block group(s) under review.

9.4.2 Split a Block Group
To resolve the block groups above the maximum threshold, participants split block groups by
faces within the problematic block group, ideally into two equal parts. Unlike census tracts,
historical comparability between decades is not a strong expectation. It is more important to
ensure block groups meet the suggested criteria rather than maintaining historical
comparability. Participants are encouraged to use one of two options when splitting block
groups. Either they split the block group into geometrically equal parts or they split according to
land use areas. See Figure 22 and Figure 23 for an example of each option.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

139

Figure 22. Dividing a Block Group into Geometrically Equal Parts Example

Figure 23. Dividing a Block Group According to Land Use Areas Example

Table 42 explains the steps to split a block group.
Table 42: Split Block Group
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 41: Select Block Group to open the project and select block groups for
editing.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

140

Step
Step 2

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the drop-down Filter menu to select Above
Maximum (POP > 3000 or HU > 1200). This will select all block groups that have more than the
maximum number of houses/people. Change the Action drop-down to Split. This allows
participants to split the block group by faces (areas).

Double click to select a block group from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature
window. The Map View zooms to the selected block group to review for potential splitting and
highlights it. This step depicts imagery.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

141

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
Click the Select Features by Freehand button to select the faces to use to split the block group.
Left click the mouse on the starting point and drag the chasing line around the targeted area then
right-click the mouse to end the review the selected area. The selected faces highlight with a
yellow/green shade, likely distorted by the shading of a block group or census tract. Change the
selection method from Select Features by Freehand to Select Feature(s). Hold the Ctrl key on the
keyboard and single click to select and add any missing faces. Also, hold the Ctrl key and single
click to unselect unnecessary selected faces. The use of the Shift key may also prove beneficial
when adding to an existing set of faces, as it works similarly to the Ctrl key.

Participants are only able to select faces (areas) within the highlighted block group. Selecting
faces outside the highlighted area will result in an error message.

Step 5

The selected area’s Housing and Population totals display at the bottom of the Modify Area
Feature window prior to completing the split.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the block group threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 600 – 3,000
Housing: 240 – 1,200
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

142

Step
Step 6

Action and Result
If the selected faces generate a valid new block group, click the Split by Face button to create two
new block groups.
If a Question window displays showing that the selection is outside the threshold of acceptable
ranges, participants need to either justify this threshold violation or select additional geographies
to meet the required threshold. Click YES if satisfied with new block group. Click NO if not
satisfied and would like to revise.

Step 7

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS created the new block groups with new block group
numbers. If completed successfully, the two block groups have no shading (no red or green)
unless they fall outside the acceptable ranges of population or housing unit counts.

To reverse the split, prior to saving use the Undo button. Refer to Table 12 and Table 17 for
instructions on the Undo functionality.
Step 8

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

143

9.4.3 Merge Block Groups
To resolve the block groups below the minimum threshold, participants perform a merge action
by merging neighboring block groups. If both the block group and its census tract are outside of
thresholds, resolve the census tract first. Because block groups nest within census tracts, the
higher-level census tract changes affect how participants resolve block group errors. Recall that
historical comparability is not a concern for block groups as it is for census tracts, so
participants have more freedom to make boundary corrections and reorganize existing block
groups to meet criteria thresholds. Table 43 explains the steps to merge a block group.
Table 43: Merge Block Group
Step
Step 1
Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 41: Select Block Group to open the project and select block group for
editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Filter drop-down menu to select Below
Minimum (POP < 600 or HU < 240). This selects all block groups that have less than the minimum
number of housing units or total population. Change the Action drop-down to Merge. This allows
participants to merge (or combine) the block groups falling below the minimum requirements.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

144

Step
Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Double click to select a block group from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature
window. The Map View zooms to the selected block group to review for potential merging and
highlights it.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

145

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
Click the Select Features by Area or single click button to select the block group(s) to use to
merge with the below minimum block group. The newly selected block group(s) highlight in
yellow. This step depicts imagery.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the block group threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 600 – 3,000
Housing: 240 – 1,200

The housing and population totals change dynamically while selecting block groups to merge,
allowing participants to see the results of the merge, prior to actually merging the block groups.
Selecting block groups not contiguous with each other result in geographic errors. Participants
must correct contiguity errors (or provide a justification for keeping the block groups
noncontiguous) prior to submission to the Census Bureau. The Modify Area Feature tool does
not allow a participant to select block groups in different counties.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

146

Step
Step 5

Action and Result
If the selected block group(s) generate a valid new block group, click the Merge button to create
a new block group.

If a Question window displays showing that the selection is outside the threshold of acceptable
ranges, participants need to either justify this threshold violation or select additional geographies
to meet the required threshold. Click YES if satisfied with new block group. Click NO if not
satisfied and would like to revise.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

147

Step
Step 6

Action and Result
Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS created the new block group with new block group
number. If completed successfully, the new block group has no shading (no red or green) unless it
still falls outside the acceptable ranges of population or housing unit counts.

To reverse the merge, prior to saving use the Undo button. Refer to Table 12 and Table 17 for
instructions on the Undo functionality.
Note: Execute the Renumbering Tool after all work on the working county is complete. Do not
execute it after editing each block group. If a working county submission includes gaps in the
block group numbering, the Census Bureau will confirm with the participant whether they want
the block groups renumbered or whether they forgot to execute the tool. Pending the answer,
the Census Bureau will renumber the block groups prior to creation of the verification products
or they will retain the existing block group numbering.
Step 7

Step 8

Consider using the Change Attribute button within the Modify Area Feature tool to edit the
block group number assigned by GUPS, or use the Renumbering Tool in the PSAP toolbar to
renumber all of the block groups at the conclusion of all block group updates.
Click the Save button to save the edits and update the project. The Current edits confirmation
dialog box asks to save the changes for all layer(s). For more information on saving, please refer
to Section 7.3, Save a Project in GUPS.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

9.4.4 Change Block Group Boundaries
As stated previously, block group comparability is not as important as census tract
comparability through the decades. Participants can apply boundary changes to block group
boundaries when the housing units and or the populations are below the required thresholds,
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

148

when the boundary does not follow any visible features, or when the boundaries shown in
GUPS are errant and no longer accurately reflect the real boundary. The Census Bureau will
likely accept small revisions to block group boundaries, but will likely deny boundary changes
that affect a large amount of population in the affected block groups.
As with census tracts, the boundary change action uses the faces layer to modify block groups.
Table 44 explains the steps to change block group boundaries.
Table 44: Change Block Group Boundaries
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 41: Select Block Group to open the project and select block group for
editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the drop-down Action menu to select Boundary
Change.

Double click to select a block group from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature
window. The Map View zooms to the selected block group to review for a potential boundary
change.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

149

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
Click the Select Features By Area or single click button to select the faces to use for boundary
change.

The selected faces highlight in yellow. This step depicts imagery.

IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the block group threshold numbers in mind:
Population: 600 – 3,000
Housing: 240 – 1,200

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

150

Step

Action and Result
Selecting noncontiguous faces and the selected block group result in geographic errors.
Participants must correct contiguity errors prior to submitting their data to the Census Bureau.

Step 5

Click the Add Area button to apply boundary change to the selected block group.

The housing and population numbers dynamically adjust prior to finalizing the boundary change
(change from 963 and 2,549 to 1,059 and 2,766 respectively).
Step 6

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS captured the boundary change properly for the block
group.

To reverse the boundary change, simply add the area back to the original block group or perform
the Undo action prior to saving. Refer to Table 12 and Table 17 for instructions on the Undo
functionality.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

151

Step

Action and Result

Step 7

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

9.5

Census Designated Places (CDPs) Update Instructions

Participants can perform boundary changes to existing CDPs. Performing a boundary change
adds faces to or removes faces from existing CDPs. Participants can add new CDPs, delete
existing CDPs, and they can perform attribute updates on existing CDPs.
As a reminder from Part One: of this document, the Census Bureau recommends CDP
boundaries follow visible features, except in circumstances where the boundary is coincident
with the nonvisible boundary of a state, county, minor civil division, or incorporated place.

9.5.1 Select Census Designated Place (CDP)
Steps to select a CDP to begin a review are included in Table 45.
Table 45: Select Census Designated Place
Step
Step 1
Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Download and review the data as described in Section 7.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Follow steps from Table 32: Select Census Tracts to open the project. After completing Steps 1 –
4 (step 5 only appears with the initial setup), modify Step 6 by clicking the Modify Area Feature,
Geography drop-down menu and selecting Census Designated Place (CDP). Enable the imagery
as described in Step 7 in order to visualize and orient to the CDP(s) under review.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

152

9.5.2 Boundary Change – Add Area (CDP)
Participants can perform boundary changes to CDPs by adding new area or removing an
existing area. The Boundary Change action uses the faces layer to modify CDPs. CDP boundaries
must follow physical boundaries (with some exceptions as mentioned in Chapter 4), so the use
of imagery when performing this action is vital. If the addition of area dictates an attribute
change, refer to the Change Attribute section for details on modifying the name of existing
CDPs. Table 46 explains the steps to add area to an existing CDP.
Table 46: Boundary Change – Add Area (CDP)
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 45: Select Census Designated Place to open the project and select
Census Designated Places for editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Action drop-down menu to select Boundary
Change.

View the CDPs in the Map View window.
Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Double click to select a CDP from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature window. The
Map View zooms to the selected CDP to review and highlights it.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

153

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
Click the Select Features By Area or single click button to select the faces to add to the CDP.
Participants can choose any of the four choices beneath the Select Features button to accomplish
the modification to the CDP.

The selected faces highlight in yellow. This step depicts imagery.

Note: The selected faces are outside of the CDP boundary because this is an add action.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

154

Step
Step 5

Step 6

Action and Result
Click the Add Area button to apply boundary change (addition of faces/areas) to the selected
CDP.

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS captured the boundary change properly for the CDP.
Zoom to the proper scale for viewing if the area added is small. If the boundary change is
incorrect, the next section explains the process for removing area from a CDP.

To reverse the boundary change, simply remove the area or perform the Undo action prior to
saving. Refer to Table 12 and Table 17 for instructions on the Undo functionality.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

155

Step
Step 7

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

9.5.3 Boundary Change – Remove Area (CDP)
Participants can perform boundary changes to CDPs by adding new area or removing an
existing area. The Boundary Change action uses the faces layer to modify CDPs. CDP boundaries
must follow physical boundaries (with some exceptions as mentioned in Chapter 4), so the use
of imagery when performing this action is vital. If the removal of area dictates an attribute
change, refer to the Change Attribute section for details on modifying the name of existing
CDPs.
This section covers removing area from an existing CDP. Table 47 explains the steps to remove
area from an existing CDP.
Table 47: Boundary Change – Remove Area (CDP)
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 45: Select Census Designated Place to open the project and select
Census Designated Places for editing.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

156

Step
Step 2

Action and Result
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Action drop-down menu to select Boundary
Change.

View the CDPs in the Map View window.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

157

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Double click to select a CDP from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature window. The
Map View zooms to the selected CDP to review and highlights it.

Step 4

Click the Select Features By Area or single click button to select the faces to remove from the
CDP. Participants can choose any of the four choices beneath the Select Features button to
accomplish the modification to the CDP.

The selected faces highlight in yellow. This step depicts imagery.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

158

Step

Action and Result

Note: The selected faces are inside of the CDP boundary because this is a remove action.
Step 5

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Remove Area button to apply boundary change (removal of faces/areas) from the
selected CDP.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

159

Step
Step 6

Action and Result
Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS captured the boundary change properly for the CDP.
Zoom to the proper scale if the area is small. If the boundary change is incorrect, the previous
section on Boundary Change explains the process for adding area to a CDP.

To reverse the boundary change, simply add the area back to the CDP or perform the Undo
action prior to saving. Refer to Table 12 and Table 17 for instructions on the Undo functionality.
Step 7

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

9.5.4 New District – Add Entity (Add a New CDP)
Participants can add new CDPs as part of their PSAP work. As with adding area or removing area
from an existing CDP, the New District action uses the faces layer to add new CDPs. CDP
boundaries must follow physical boundaries (with some exceptions as mentioned in Chapter 4),
so the use of imagery when performing this action is vital.
This section covers adding a new CDP to a working county. Table 48 explains the steps to add
new CDP using the faces layer.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

160

Table 48: Add a New Census Designated Place (CDP)
Step
Step 1
Step 2

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

161

Step
Step 3

Action and Result
Click the Select Features By Area or single click button to select the faces to add to the new CDP.
Participants can choose any of the four choices beneath the Select Features button to accomplish
the creation of the new CDP.

The selected faces highlight in yellow. This step depicts imagery.

Note: Select faces that do not belong to an existing CDP area.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

162

Step
Step 4

Step 5

Action and Result
Click the Add Entity button to create a new CDP.

The Modify Area Feature window opens.
Enter the Name of the newly created CDP and then click the OK button.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

163

Step
Step 6

Step 7

Action and Result
Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS captured the new CDP properly. Zoom to the proper
scale to confirm the boundaries and area of the CDP. If CDP is incorrect, the previous two
sections on Boundary Change explain the process to use for modifying the newly created CDP.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

9.5.5 Boundary Change – Delete Area Feature (Delete an Existing CDP)
Participants can delete existing CDPs as part of their PSAP work. Before deleting an existing
CDP, participants should ensure that none of the characteristics described in Chapter 4 exist for
the CDP under consideration for deletion. Presence of those characteristics leads to retention
of the existing CDP. Pending review of the submission, the Census Bureau may disapprove of
the deletion and retain CDPs proposed for deletion by participants.
This section covers deleting an existing CDP. Table 49 explains the steps to remove an existing
CDP from the working county.
Table 49: Boundary Change – Delete Area Feature (Delete an Existing CDP)
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 45: Select Census Designated Place to open the project and select
Census Designated Places for editing.
2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

164

Step
Step 2

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Action drop-down menu to select Boundary
Change.

Double click to select the CDP to delete from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature
window.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

165

Step

Action and Result
The Map View zooms to the selected CDP to review and highlights it. This step depicts imagery.

Step 4

Step 5

Click the Delete Area Feature button to delete the CDP from the list.

The Modify Area Feature confirmation dialog box displays to verify the deletion of this area
feature.
Click OK if satisfied with the deletion. Click Cancel to discard the deletion.

For this example, click the OK button to continue.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

166

Step
Step 6

Step 7

Action and Result
Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS deleted the CDP. Zoom to the proper scale to confirm
the deletion. If participants decide the CDP deletion was incorrect, the previous section on New
District – Add Entity (Add a new CDP) explains the process to use for adding the deleted CDP
back into the working county.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

9.5.6 Boundary Change – Change Attributes (CDP)
Using the Boundary Change action, participants can perform attribute updates on existing
CDPs. Attributes that can be modified include the NAME, JUSTIFY, and JSTFY_NAME fields.
Refer to Chapter 4 for naming rules and recommendations. When a participant changes an
existing CDP name or creates a new CDP, then the JSTFY_NAME field becomes required. The
participant uses the field to provide reasoning for the chosen name. Participants may also use
the JUSTIFY field to provide additional reasoning for the name change to an existing CDP or
creating a new CDP. If participants make substantial changes to the boundaries of an existing
CDP, then the Census Bureau recommends the modification of the name or a strong
justification for retaining the name. Table 50 explains the steps to change the attributes an
existing CDP.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

167

Table 50: Boundary Change – Change Attributes (CDP)
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Double click to select the CDP to modify from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature
window. The Map View zooms to the selected CDP and highlights it (not shown in this example).

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

168

Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click the Change Attribute button to modify the CDPs attributes.

Step 5

The Modify Area Feature window displays. Enter the required data (fields with the red
asterisks). GUPS pre- populates the Name field with the selected CDP name and the LSAD field
defaults to the geography selected. In this case, CDP. The NAME, JUSTIFY, and JSTFY_NAME
fields can be updated.
When finished, press OK.

Note: To change the name of an existing CDP, follow the CDP naming criteria outlined in
Chapter 4. Participants must provide justification such as the community has officially renamed
(e.g., Tyson’s Corner VA rebranded itself as Tysons VA). Signage and other proof should exist to
confirm the renaming.

9.6

Census County Division Update Instructions

Participants can merge CCDs or perform boundary changes, specifically by adding faces to
existing CCDs. Participants can add new CCDs, and they can perform attribute updates for
existing CCDs.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

169

As a reminder from Part One, CCD boundaries normally follow visible features and county lines,
but may also follow corporate boundaries and other nonvisible features.

9.6.1 Select Census County Division (CCD)
Steps to select a CCD to begin a review are included in Table 51.
Table 51: Select Census County Division (CCD)
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Action and Result
Download and review the data as described in Section 7.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Follow steps from Table 32: Select Census Tracts to open the existing project. After completing
Steps 1 – 4 (step 5 only appears with the initial setup), modify Step 6 by clicking the Modify Area
Feature, Geography drop-down menu and selecting Census County Division (CCD). Enable the
imagery as described in Step 7 in order to visualize and orient to the CCD(s) under review. The
following screenshot is for San Diego County, California.

9.6.2 Merge Census County Divisions (CCDs)
Participants can merge CCDs to form a new CCD. Table 52 explains the steps to merge CCDs.
Table 52: Merge CCDs
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 51: Select Census County Division (CCD) to open the project and select
Census County Division for editing.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

170

Step
Step 2

Action and Result
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Action drop-down menu to select Merge.

Use the Zoom Full button on the Standard toolbar to zoom to the extent of the county and view
the existing CCDs. The Map View displays all of the CCDs for the working county.
Note: Not enabling imagery at this scale allows for better visualization of the CCD names.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

171

Step
Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Action and Result
Double click to select a CCD from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature window. The
Map View zooms to the selected CCD (Pauma Valley) and displays it in light green color with a
dark green border.

Click the Select Features by Area or single click button to select the CCD to use to merge with the
previously selected CCD. The newly selected CCD (Valley Center) highlights in yellow.

Selecting CCDs not contiguous with each other result in geographic errors.

Participants must correct contiguity errors (or provide a justification for keeping the CCD
noncontiguous) prior to submission to the Census Bureau. The Modify Area Feature tool does
not allow a participant to select CCDs in different counties.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

172

Step
Step 6

Step 7

Action and Result
With the CCDs selected, click the Merge button to create a new CCD.

The Modify Area Feature window displays. Enter the required data (fields with the red asterisks).
GUPS pre- populates the NAME field with the selected CCD name and the LSAD field defaults to
the geography selected. The NAME and JSTFY_NAME fields are editable. The participant must
update one of those two fields to continue.

When finished, click OK.
Note: Participants must to change the name of the CCD to continue or must justify retention of
the existing name in the JSTFY_NAME field (e.g., name of one of the merged CCD names is still
the most prominent after merging). Otherwise, they receive an error message indicating the
name must be unique and the specified name is not unique.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

173

Step
Step 8

Action and Result
Refer to the Map View to verify that the CCD merge completed properly. The Map View shows
the two CCDs merged into one CCD and depicts the new name, Pauma Valley Center CCD.

To reverse the merge, prior to saving use the Undo button. Refer to Table 12 and Table 17 for
instructions on the Undo functionality.
Step 9

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

9.6.3 Boundary Change – Add Area (CCD)
Participants can perform boundary changes to CCDs by adding new area or removing existing
area. The Boundary Change action uses the faces layer to modify the area of a CCD. Table 53
provides steps for adding area to a CCD through the Boundary Change menu.
Table 53: Boundary Change – Add Area (CCD)
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 51: Select Census County Division (CCD) to open the project and select
Census County Division for editing.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

174

Step
Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Action drop-down menu to select Boundary
Change.

Double click to select a CCD from the Info column within the Modify Area Feature window. The
Map View zooms to the selected CCD (e.g., Alpine CCD) to review and highlights it using green.

Use the Zoom In button and Add Imagery button to help with accuracy of selected area(s) to add.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

175

Step
Step 5

Action and Result
Click the Select Features By Area or single click button to select the faces to add to the CCD.
Participants can choose any of the four choices beneath the Select Features button to accomplish
the modification to the CCD.

The selected faces highlight in yellow. This image depicts zoomed view with imagery enabled.

Participants are unable to select faces within the CCD selected in Step 3, the targeted CCD.
Selecting noncontiguous faces results in geographic errors that participants must correct prior to
submitting to the Census Bureau. The GUPS software prevents adding faces from different
counties.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

176

Step
Step 6

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Click the Add Area button to apply boundary change (addition of faces/areas) to the selected
CCD.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

177

Step 7

Refer to the Map View to verify that the CCD boundary change completed properly.

The newly added area appears in the same fill color as the selected CCD and the external
boundary bumps out to the edge of the added area.

The full image includes blue arrow denoting the newly added area. To reverse the boundary
change, simply add the area back to the original CCD or perform the Undo action prior to saving.
Refer to Table 12 and Table 17 for instructions on the Undo functionality.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

178

Step
Step 8

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

9.6.4 New District – Add Entity (Add a New CCD)
As with CDPs, participants can add new CCDs as part of their PSAP work. As with adding area or
removing area from an existing CCD, the New District action uses the faces layer to modify
CCDs. Table 54 describes the steps for adding a new CCD.
Table 54: Add a New Census County Division (CCD)
Step
Step 1
Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 51: Select Census County Division (CCD) to open the project and select
Census County Division for editing.
Within the Modify Area Feature window, click the Action drop-down menu to select New
District.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

179

Step
Step 3

Step 4

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Use Zoom In button to zoom into an appropriate scale for selecting areas to add to a new CCD
and the Add Imagery button to help with accuracy of selected area(s) to add. Click the Select
Features By Area or single click button to select the faces to add to the CCD. Participants can
choose any of the four choices beneath the Select Features button to accomplish the
modification to the CCD. This example uses Select Features by Polygon. The selected faces
highlight in yellow.

Click the Add Entity button to add the selected faces to create a new CCD.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

180

Step
Step 5

Step 6

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
The Modify Area Feature window opens. Enter the NAME of the newly created CCD and then
click the OK button.

Refer to the Map View to verify that GUPS captured the new CCD properly. Zoom to the proper
scale to confirm the boundaries and area of the CCD. To reverse the creation of the CCD, prior to
saving, use the Undo button. If CCD is incorrect, participants can cancel the creation and begin
again or they can accept the almost correct CCD and perform a Boundary Change action with the
adjacent CCD. The Boundary Change window is activated in the screenshot below.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

181

Step
Step 7

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.

9.6.5 Boundary Change – Change Attributes (CCD)
Using the Boundary Change action, participants can perform attribute updates for existing
CCDs. Attributes that can be modified include the NAME and JSTFY_NAME fields. When a
participant changes an existing CCD name or creates a new CCD, then the JSTFY_NAME field
becomes required. The participant uses the field to provide reasoning for the chosen name.
Table 55 describes steps necessary to change the attributes of an existing CCD.
Table 55: Boundary Change – Change Attributes (CCD)
Step
Step 1
Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Follow steps from Table 51: Select Census County Division (CCD) to open the project and select
Census County Division for editing.
Double click the CCD to update from the Info list. The Map View zooms to the selected CCD.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

182

Step
Step 3

Step 4

Action and Result
Click the Change Attribute button.

The Modify Area Feature window opens to allow participants to change the attribution of the
selected CCD. In this example, the Oceanside-Escondido CCD name changed to Vineyard-Escondido
CCD.

Click the OK to continue and process the change.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

183

Step

Action and Result

Step 5

GUPS updates the Map View with the new CCD name. Imagery disabled to make viewing the CCD
names easier.

Step 6

Click OK to save or Cancel to not and return to the Map View.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

184

CHAPTER 10. VALIDATE DATA AND PREPARE FILES FOR SUBMISSION
As introduced in Part Two:, GUPS provides validation tools to help review and validate the
updates made to statistical geographies by participants (regardless whether updates made to
the 2020 proposed plan or to the 2010 geographies). The next three sections describe the three
tools necessary to validate the PSAP data prior to submission to the Census Bureau: PSAP
Criteria Review Tool, the Review Change Polygons Tool, and the Geography Review Tool. Each
of the three tools function differently to give participants the opportunity to verify, fix, justify,
and assure the quality of the final exported project. GUPS also provides the Export to Zip
Button, to prepare data for sharing with other reviewers and/or submitting to the Census
Bureau.
The Census Bureau recommends executing these tools in the order presented for the next
three sections. Run the PSAP Criteria Review Tool first, then the Review Change Polygons Tool,
and finish with the Geography Review Tool.

10.1 PSAP Criteria Review Tool
Participants use the PSAP Criteria Review tool to generate a list of threshold failures and correct
(labeled as “fix” in the tool) the failures or provide a justification for the failure. GUPS colorcodes the list of failures: Participants must correct red errors. They must correct orange errors
or justify them to remain as such. Participants can correct the issues or provide a justification of
their own to retain the geography based on local knowledge. Run this required check before
creating a data output file for submission to the Census Bureau. Part Two, Section 8.4.2.4,
introduced this tool.
Table 56: PSAP Criteria Review Tool Button
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Download and Review the data as described in Section 7.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

185

Step
Step 2

Action and Result
Click the PSAP Criteria Review button.

A PSAP Criteria Review dialog box opens to inform participants that it is actively reviewing the
population and housing unit criteria for all the Geographic entities in the working county. Once the
tool has run, the PSAP Criteria Review window displays the remaining issues. Participants can choose
to display the list by Geography type, error type, or display all the geographies. The list contains the
geographic entities that do not meet thresholds or missing other requirements such as
noncontiguous entities.

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

If the exceedance of the threshold as displayed in the Criteria Fail is justified, select the justification
using the drop-down button in the Justify attribute field. Choose one of the pre-determined
justifications or enter something unique. There is a 150-character limit to this field. Be sure to save
frequently by clicking the Save Justifications button at the bottom of the window.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

186

Step
Step 4

Step 5

Action and Result
If the failure needs correction, click the Fix button for any of the geographic entities within the PSAP
Criteria Review window list, GUPS zooms to the Map View of the selected geographic entity, opens
the Modify Area Feature tool, and then selects the entity within the Modify Area Feature window.
From here, choose an Action within the Modify Area Feature tool and perform the edits necessary
to meet the requirements and resolve the failure. Refer to Section 8.4.2.1, the Modify Area Feature
tool section, for detail on its functionality.

Once participants correct or justify all failures, participants can close the tool by clicking the “x” in
the top right hand corner of the window. Refreshing the window is beneficial as work is underway.
Click the Refresh button at the bottom of the window next to the Save Justifications button to
refresh the results of executing the tool

10.2 Review Change Polygons Tool
The Review Change Polygons tool reviews transaction polygons for tracts, block groups, CDPs,
and CCDs. It provides a list of their applied changes (boundary changes, splits, merges).
Participants use this tool to check the general accuracy of the change polygons in the Map View
by clicking each change within the list. Part Two, Section 8.4.2.3, introduced this tool.
Step
Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 57: Review Change Polygon Tool Button
Action and Result
Download and review the data as described in Section 7.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

187

Step
Step 2

Action and Result
Click the Review Change Polygons button.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

188

Step
Step 3

Step 4

Action and Result
Select the statistical geography to review from the Geography drop-down menu.

The full list of geographies with modifications appear after selecting the geography to review. For
this example, Census Tract is the selected geography and the list includes numerous changes (e.g.,
New Entity, Merge, and Boundary Correction). The type of changes varies based on the geography
selected. See Table 31 for information on change types. The Change Type field shown below
depicts a single letter, where “E” denotes a split, “M” denotes a merge, “B” denotes a boundary
change, and “G” denotes an attribute change.

Refresh the change polygon list by switching geography types. Doing so repopulates the list with
the current list of polygon changes.
Step 5
Step 6

U.S. Census Bureau

To view a change polygon on the map, click the row for the polygon in the Info list. The polygon
highlights and the map zooms to the location.
To correct a mistake (e.g., correct a noncontiguous polygon or sliver missed during the
splitting/merging of a geography), or review changes made during the participant’s review (e.g.,
creation of a new CDP), click on the Modify Area Feature button on the PSAP toolbar and make the
correction. Refer to Section 9.2.1, Modify Area Feature Tool, for the instructions on using this tool.
2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

189

Step

Action and Result
The software contains built-in tools to check for contiguity of the statistical geographies. A
confirmation dialog box, similar to the one shown below, appears if the participant introduces a
contiguity issue during their work.

Step 7

Click the Save button to save the edits and update the project. The Current edits confirmation
dialog box asks to save the current changes for all layers. For more information on saving, please
refer to Section 7.3, Save a Project in GUPS.

Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the Map View without saving.
Step 8

Upon completion of the review and updates, click the Close button in the Review Change Polygons
window to close the tool.

10.3 Geography Review Tool
The Geography Review Tool provides access to the attribute tables of some of the layers
displayed in the Table of Contents. It filters the map layers based on field values in the attribute
table. This tool provides an overall review of the new or deleted entities, or the entities with
boundary changes. The Census Bureau recommends the use of this tool, rather than directly
editing the various statistical geographies attribute tables. Part Two, Section 8.4.2.2,
introduced this tool.
Table 58: Geography Review Tool Button
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Action and Result
Download and review the data as described in Section 7.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Click the Geography Review Tool button on the PSAP toolbar.

The Geography Review Tool dialog box opens.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

190

Step
Step 3

Action and Result
In the Layer Name: field drop-down menu, select the data layer to view.

The geography (e.g., layers) modified during PSAP that need to be reviewed are as follows (listed in
alpha order, not priority order):
 Block groups (blockgroups_).
 Census county divisions (ccd_), if one of the 21 states with CCD geography.
 Census designated places (cdp_), if they exist in the working county.
 Census tracts (curtracts_).
Once selected, the attribute table for the layer opens, with the individual geographies (each census
tract for this example) in separate rows and specific attributes displayed in separate columns. The
image below shows the attributes for curtracts.

If columns are not visible in the attribute data table, drag the edge of the dialog box outward to
widen the view, or move the dialog box to another location by clicking inside the box and dragging it.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

191

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
Use the Search feature at the bottom of the dialog box to filter the table layers by specific attributes
(e.g., full name, MTFCC, change type, etc.). This example uses CHNG_TYPE.

Participants can run this tool with this specific column name selected to identify the changes made
during their review.
Step 5

Step 6
Step 7

U.S. Census Bureau

In the drop-down menu next to the Column Name, select the attribute value by which to filter and
click the Search button. This example uses E – New Entity / New District as the attribute value.
Based on the column name choice and attribute value chosen, the search filters the attribute table to
show the rows for the new CDPs in this working county. Leaving the attribute value blank would
return all records with a value in the CHNG_TYPE field.

Selecting the record from the attribute table activates the Zoom menu and quickly zooms the map
view to the selection.
To return to the attribute table to see the full (un-filtered) layer, click the Refresh button in the
upper right-hand corner of the dialog box.
2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

192

Step
Step 8

Action and Result
Note: When filtering the table by some attributes (e.g., state and county FIPS code or MTFCC), no
drop-down menu appears from which to select.
Some attribute codes are too numerous to make scrolling through a list practical. Instead
participants receive a blank box in which they may type the search value. For example, if filtering
the area landmarks layer by MTFCC and want to see hospitals in the layer, type in the MTFCC for
hospitals (K1231), and then click Search.

10.4 Export to Zip Button
When creating export .zip files, participants have two options. They may export the file to share
with another reviewer or they may export the file for submission to the Census Bureau. In
either case, GUPS automatically names the output .zip file, packages all the files required by the
Census Bureau (including any documentation uploaded into GUPS) into the .zip file, and saves it
in a preset location created on the computer during the installation process. Part Two, Section
8.4.2.6, introduced this tool. This section repeats much of the information presented earlier,
but serves as a closure to Chapter 9.

10.4.1 Export to Zip – Share with Another Participant
To export a file to share with another participant, follow the steps in Table 59. A participant
might find this functionality useful if they need to show their supervisor their work or if they
split the review work of geographies among staff; i.e., someone reviews the census tracts and
block groups, while someone else reviews the CDPs.
Step
Step 1
Step 2

Table 59: Export a File to Share with Another Participant
Action and Result
Download and review the data as described in Section 7.2, Open GUPS and Start a New Project.
Click the Export to Zip button.

The Select Output Type dialog box opens.

Click the Share with Another Participant radio button. Then click OK.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

193

Step
Step 3

Action and Result

Step 4

If participants click Yes, as shown in this example, GUPS automatically opens a windows explorer
to the output folder location on the computer. If they click No, the Export to Zip dialog box closes.

Step 5

The Export to Zip dialog box opens. GUPS generates a .zip file, stores it in the output directory
that the GUPS installer placed on the computer during the installation process, and gives it a
name that includes “DataDirectory.”

Participants may now share the file with others who would then use the Import Project ZIP file
button in the Map Management window or the Import County Zip button on the PSAP toolbar to
open the shared .zip file as described in Section 8.4.2.5.

10.4.2 Export to Zip – Export for Census
To export a file to submit to the Census Bureau as the final submission for any working county,
follow the steps in Table 60.
IMPORTANT: The Census Bureau accepts complete submissions for each working county and will not
accept partial submissions. This means a participant cannot submit a .zip file when they
complete their review and update of census tracts, then submit another .zip file to
include their review and update of the block groups. A county must be totally complete
in order to be submitted for processing to the Census Bureau. If a participant splits work
among reviewers, ensure all the work is complete prior to executing this button and
submission of the .zip file to the Census Bureau.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

194

Step
Step 1

Table 60: Export Files for Submission to the Census Bureau
Action and Result
Click the Export to Zip button.

The Select Output Type dialog box opens.
Step 2
Step 3

Step 4

IMPORTANT: Make note of the location of the file listed in this dialog box because participants must
navigate to the directory to submit this file using SWIM.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

195

Step
Step 5

Step 6

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
As with the Share with Another Participant example, if participants click Yes, GUPS automatically
opens a windows explorer to the output folder location on the computer. This feature is useful for
participants ready to use SWIM to submit their file. If they click No, the Export to Zip dialog box
closes.

With the completion of this step, participants can proceed with uploading the file to the Census
Bureau. Refer to Chapter 11 for details on using SWIM.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

196

CHAPTER 11. SECURE WEB INCOMING MODULE (SWIM)
If PSAP participants perform updates, using either the 2020 proposed plan or the 2010
geographies, they must utilize the Census Bureau’s Secure Web Incoming Module, or SWIM, to
submit their updated working county .zip file for processing. Use the steps outlined in this
chapter to learn how to use SWIM to make a submission.

11.1 SWIM Background and Requirements
The Census Bureau provided one SWIM registration token per PSAP participant with their
delineation materials cover letter. We recommend either the official liaison or the technical
contact utilize the token to create an account once they determine updates are necessary.
Some PSAP participants may have established a SWIM account for other Census geography
programs. If so, there is no need to establish a new account just for PSAP. Participants without
a SWIM account need to utilize the 12-digit registration token to establish an account. To
determine whether an account exists, click “Forgot your password?” on the main SWIM page
and enter the email address to check for account existence. If SWIM does not locate an account
associated with the email address, it returns the following message, “No account registered for
this email. Go to Account Registration.” Choosing the Account Registration link opens a window
to establish a SWIM account.
Note: The components of the email and password of SWIM system accounts are case-sensitive. Make
note of the case-sensitive format used when establishing the SWIM account (e.g.,
jane@anytown.org or Jane@anytown.org or JANE@ANYTOWN.ORG). The Census Bureau
recommends the use of lowercase characters and recommends safe retention of this
information in a secure location for future reference.

SWIM allows four attempts to login before it temporarily locks the account for 15 minutes.
After the 15-minute lock expires, participants may try to login again or reset their password
using the “Forgot your password?” link on the login page. Once selected, follow the prompts to
enter the case-sensitive email address and provide the security answer. If the security answer is
correct, the SWIM system sends a password reset link to the email account for use in resetting
the password. Once logged into SWIM, users can modify their password and security answer by
selecting the ‘Change Security’ link at the top, right-hand side of the page.
Participants continuing to experience logon issues should confirm use of the current internet
browser version (or one previous version). If the browser version is older, upgrade to a newer
version. If problems with SWIM still occur, contact 1-844-788-4921 for assistance. An additional
SWIM token may be necessary to create another account.
IMPORTANT: Do not use email to send the 2020 Census PSAP submission to the Census Bureau.

The following list contains the file requirements for using SWIM:




File to upload must be .zip file format.
The .zip file may not include another .zip file as a component.
The .zip file must not be larger than 250 megabytes in size.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

197

11.2 SWIM Submission Example
Refer to Table 61 for instructions on utilizing the SWIM application to submit PSAP updates.
Table 61: SWIM Submission
Step
Step 1

Step 2
Step 3

Action and Result
Open a new browser window and enter the SWIM URL .
The SWIM Please Login screen opens.

All fields on the Account Registration screen are required.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

198

Step
Step 4
Step 5

Action and Result
Enter the registration token, name, phone number, agency or organization, email address in the
appropriate fields.
Create a password using the following criteria:
1. Must be at least 8-characters in length.
2. Must have at least one uppercase character.
3. Must have at least one lowercase character.
4. Must have at least one number.
5. Must have at least one special character. Valid choices are as follows: #, !, $, *, &,?, and
~.
Note: The comma shown in the previous list are for spacing purposes only. The comma is not a
valid special character for use in the password.

Step 6

Step 7
Step 8

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

199

Step
Step 9

Action and Result
To begin a new upload, click the Start New Upload button at the bottom of the screen.

The “What Census program are you reporting data for?” screen opens. Choose the Participant
Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) radio button and click the Next button.

Step 10

The “What type of statistical area are you reporting for?” screen opens.

Click the radio button for the entity type to upload and click the Next button. Standard statistical
geography participants choose County. The choice of County opens the Select a State and County
screen.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

200

Step
Step 11

Action and Result
Following the selection of the statistical area to upload, the Select a .ZIP file to upload screen
opens. Click the +Add File button to launch the Choose File to Upload window and navigate to
the directory where the .zip file resides. Refer to Table 60 to identify the location of the .zip file to
upload. The .zip file resides in the “GUPSGIS\gupsdata\psap20\output” folder on the default
drive selected during installation. This is likely the “C:” drive.

Note: State and Regional Agency participants perform county based uploads. This means a
participant with 10 counties will perform the upload process 10 times if they wish to submit
updates for all 10 of those counties. SWIM does not allow for the selection of multiple .zip files
within the Choose File to Upload window because of the way other systems receive and process
the information from SWIM.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

201

Step
Step 12

Step 13

Step 14

U.S. Census Bureau

Action and Result
Once the file upload completes, the Status field shows “Success.” The name of the file appears in
the File(s) field. Participants can add comments to the Comment section if they choose. Click the
Next button to proceed with the upload.

The Thank You screen appears. It thanks the participant and indicates a forthcoming email once
transfer completes.

To submit files for an additional county (i.e., for State and Regional Agency participants), choose
‘upload form’ in the phrase “You may Log Out or return to the upload form to submit more
files” sentence to return to the Welcome screen and begin the upload process again. If complete
with the upload process, choose Log Out.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

202

Step

Action and Result
It is important to mention that SWIM sessions deactivate after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Participants taking longer than 15 minutes to upload a file must log back into the system and
start again. They receive a message noting the period of inactivity on the Login screen.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

203

PART FOUR: NEXT STEPS FOR 2020 CENSUS PSAP
Congratulations on the completion of the delineation phase of 2020 Census PSAP. While this is
a major step, it does not conclude participation in 2020 Census PSAP. The final part to this
document describes the next steps for 2020 Census PSAP. These steps include a high-level
description of the processing of participant’s submissions conducted by the Census Bureau that
must occur prior to the verification phase. The document concludes by highlighting the plans
for the verification and closeout phases of 2020 Census PSAP.
Once received through the SWIM process, the Census Bureau begins its review. This process
includes running the same validation checks in GUPS described in Part Three:, checking for
block group numbering gaps, and conducting basic quality assessments to ensure the specific
criteria for each statistical geography is enforced.
After completing the review of the updated delineation materials, the Census Bureau uses the
newly suggested geographies to generate the final version of the proposed plan, reviewed by
participants during the verification phase. The verification phase begins January 2020 with
participants having 90 days to review the verification materials for accuracy of the updates they
provided during the delineation phase and respond with suggested corrections. Participants
receive a prepaid, verification phase postcard asking them to verify, accept, or reject the final
version of the proposed plan. The Census Bureau plans to conduct follow-up with nonresponding participants in order to ensure receipt of a response from each that participated
during the delineation phase. Once the Census Bureau receives the verification phase postcard
with the approval or acceptance of the verification plan or after they receive the suggested
corrections, they can finalize the 2020 Census statistical boundaries.
In October 2020, the Census Bureau begins the closeout phase of the 2020 Census PSAP to
ensure there are no outstanding changes submitted by participants or to communicate the
reasoning for not making participant suggested changes. The timing of this phase begins after
allowing time for processing any updates from the verification phase.
More details on both the verification and closeout phases will appear on the PSAP website as
they become available. In addition, further communication occurs in advance of each of the last
two phases. This concludes the instructional content for the delineation phase for 2020 Census
PSAP.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

204

APPENDICES

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

205

APPENDIX A. GLOSSARY
Alaska Native Regional Corporation (ANRC) – A corporate geographic area established under
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (Pub. L. 92–203, 85 Stat. 688 (1971)) to conduct both
the business and nonprofit affairs of Alaska Natives. Twelve ANRCs cover the entire State of
Alaska except for the Annette Island Reserve.
Alaska Native village statistical area (ANVSA) – A statistical geographic entity that represents
the residences, permanent and/or seasonal, for Alaska Natives who are members of or
receiving government services from the defining ANV that are located within the region and
vicinity of the ANV’s historic and/or traditional location. ANVSAs are intended to represent the
relatively densely settled portion of each ANV and should include only an area where Alaska
Natives, especially members of the defining ANV, represent a significant proportion of the
population during at least one season of the year (at least three consecutive months).
American Community Survey (ACS) – A survey conducted by the Census Bureau that uses a
series of monthly samples to produce annually updated data for the same small areas (census
tract and block groups) as the decennial census long-form sample previously surveyed. The
Census Bureau last utilized the long-form during Census 2000.
American Indian Area (AIA) – A term used by the Census Bureau that refers to any or all of the
following entities: American Indian reservation, American Indian off-reservation trust land,
Oklahoma tribal statistical area, joint use area, American Indian tribal subdivision, tribal
designated statistical area, and state designated American Indian statistical area.
American Indian off-reservation trust land (ORTL) – An area of land located outside the
boundaries of an AIR, whose boundaries are established by deed, and which are held in trust by
the U.S. federal government for a federally recognized American Indian tribe or members of
that tribe.
American Indian reservation (AIR) – An area of land with boundaries established by final
treaty, statute, executive order, and/or court order and over which a federally recognized,
American Indian tribal government has governmental authority. Along with ‘‘reservation’’
primary governmental or administrative division of a county in 28 states and the ‘‘reservation’’
designations such as colonies, communities, pueblos, rancherias, and reserves apply to AIRs.
American Indian tribal subdivision – A legal subdivision of a federally recognized American
Indian reservation, off-reservation trust land, or a statistical subdivision of Oklahoma tribal
statistical areas. These entities are internal units of self-government or administration that
serve social, cultural, and/or economic purposes for American Indians.
Boundary – A line, either invisible or coincident with a visible feature that identifies the extent
of a geographic entity, such as a census tract, city, county, state, or reservation. A boundary
marks the limits of an area.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

A-1

Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) – An annual survey to collect information about
selected legally defined geographic areas. The Census Bureau uses BAS as a means to update
information about the legal boundaries and names of all governmental units in the United
States.
Census block – A census block is an area bounded by visible and/or invisible features shown on
Census Bureau maps. A census block is the smallest geographic area created by the Census
Bureau for which it collects and tabulates decennial census data. Census blocks are numbered
within block groups and are uniquely numbered within census tracts.
Census block group – Block groups are statistical geographic divisions of a census tract, defined
for the tabulation and dissemination of census data from the decennial censuses, the ACS, and
other select surveys.
Census block number – Census block numbers contain a 4-digit number. Census blocks are
numbered uniquely within each census tract.
Census Bureau – An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Census Bureau is the
country's preeminent statistical collection and dissemination agency. It publishes a wide variety
of statistical data about people and the economy of the nation. The Census Bureau conducts
approximately 200 annual surveys and conducts the decennial census of the United States
population.
Census Bureau map – Any map produced by the Census Bureau. A Census Bureau map displays
geographic entities used in a Census Bureau sponsored census or survey for which the Census
Bureau tabulates data.
Census county division (CCD) – Statistical geographic entities in 21 states where minor civil
divisions either do not exist or have been unsatisfactory for reporting statistical data. The
Census Bureau, in cooperation with state, tribal, and local officials, delineate these areas solely
for statistical purposes. CCDs have no legal function and are not legal governmental units. The
primary goal of CCDs is to establish and maintain a set of sub-county geographies with stable
boundaries and recognizable names. Naming of each CCD is based on a place, county, or wellknown local name that identifies its location. In most cases, census tracts nest within CCDs, but
in less populated counties CCDs nest within census tracts.
Census designated place (CDP) – Statistical geographic entities representing closely settled,
unincorporated communities that are locally recognized and identified by name. CDPs are the
statistical equivalent of incorporated places, with the primary differences being the lack of both
a legally defined boundary and an active, functioning governmental structure chartered by the
state and administered by elected official.
Census tract – A small, relatively permanent statistical subdivision of a county or statistically
equivalent entity delineated for data presentation. Designed to be relatively homogeneous
units with respect to population characteristics, economic status, and living conditions at the
time of establishment, census tracts generally contain between 1,000 and 8,000 people, with
an optimum size of 4,000 people. Delineated with the intention of being stable over many
decades, census tract boundaries generally follow relatively permanent visible features.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

A-2

However, they may follow governmental unit boundaries and other invisible features in some
instances; the boundary of a state or county (or statistically equivalent entity) is always a
census tract boundary.
Census tract number – Unique numbers to identify census tracts within a county or statistically
equivalent entity. Census tract numbers contain up to a 4-digit number followed by a decimal
point and a 2-digit number for suffixed tracts, e.g., 1234.01. For census tracts without a suffix,
the number will contain a period with zero fill, e.g., 4567.00. Leading zeros for census tracts,
e.g., 0001.00, are not shown on Census Bureau maps. This tract would appear as “1” on maps.
City-style address – The Census Bureau’s definition of a city style address is an address
consisting of a house number and street or road name. For example, 201 Main Street is a city
style address. The address may or may not be used for the delivery of mail and may include
apartment numbers/designations or similar identifiers.
Coextensive – The Census Bureau defines coextensive as two or more geographic entities that
cover exactly the same area, with all boundaries shared.
Conjoint – The Census Bureau defines conjoint as a boundary line shared by two adjacent
geographic entities.
Colonia – A small, generally unincorporated community located in one of the states on the U.S.Mexico border where residents often build or provide their own housing and that may lack
utilities, paved roads, and other infrastructure typically found other similarly sized
communities.
Comunidad – A CDP in Puerto Rico that is not related to a municipio’s seat of government,
called an aldea or a ciudad prior to the 1990 Census.
Contiguous – The Census Bureau defines contiguous as areas sharing common boundary lines,
more than a single point, such that the areas, when combined, form a single piece of territory.
Non-contiguous areas form disjoint pieces.
County – The primary legal division of most states. Most are governmental units with powers
defined by state law.
Edges – All linear features contained in the MAF/TIGER database.
Edges shapefile – All linear features in the MAF/TIGER database are contained in the edges
shapefile. Participants use the edges shapefile to add, delete, or change linear feature
attributes.
Faces – Topological areas in the MAF/TIGER database formed by edges.
Feature – Any part of the landscape, whether natural (a stream or ridge) or artificial (a road or
power line). In a geographic context, features are any part of the landscape portrayed on a
map, including nonvisible boundaries of legal entities, such as, city limits or county lines.
Federal Information Processing Series (FIPS)—These are codes formerly known as Federal
Information Processing Standards codes, until the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) announced its decision in 2005 to remove geographic entity codes from its
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

A-3

oversight. The Census Bureau continues to maintain and issue codes for geographic entities
covered under FIPS oversight, albeit with a revised meaning for the FIPS acronym. Geographic
entities covered under FIPS include states, counties, congressional districts, core based
statistical areas, places, county subdivisions, sub-minor civil divisions, consolidated cities, and
all types of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian areas. FIPS codes are assigned
alphabetically according to the name of the geographic entity and may change to maintain
alphabetic sort when new entities are created or names change. FIPS codes for specific
geographic entity types are usually unique within the next highest level of geographic entity
with which a nesting relationship exists. For example, FIPS state, congressional district, and core
based statistical area codes are unique within nation; FIPS county, place, county subdivision,
and sub-minor civil division codes are unique within state. The codes for American Indian,
Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian areas also are unique within state; those areas in multiple
states will have different codes for each state.
Geocodes – Codes that place an individual address in its correct geographic location, which
includes the correct state, county, census tract, and census block codes. Because the Census
Bureau counts people where they live, geocodes provide information to Census enumerators
for locating an address. Accurate geocoding also ensures the Census Bureau counts housing
units, and the people associated with them, in the correct census geography.
Geographic Information System (GIS) – A computer system for the storage, retrieval, and
maintenance of information about the points, lines, and areas that represent the streets and
roads, rivers, railroads, geographic entities, and other features on the surface of the Earthinformation that previously was available only on paper maps.
Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) – A self-contained GIS update and processing
package provided by the Census Bureau for participation in a variety of Census geography
programs, including 2020 Census PSAP. Pre-packaged to include all of the components for 2020
Census PSAP, the GUPS contains the Census Bureau’s TIGER partnership shapefiles necessary to
participate. GUPS allows the participant to add external geospatial data (shapefiles,
geodatabases, and imagery) for comparison and update purposes.
Group quarters – The Census Bureau defines group quarters as a location where people live or
stay in a group living arrangement that is owned or managed by an entity or organization
providing housing and/or services for the residents. This is not a typical household-type living
arrangement. These services may include custodial or medical care as well as other types of
assistance, and residency is commonly restricted to those receiving these services. People living
in group quarters are usually not related to each other. Group quarters include such places as
college residence halls, residential treatment centers, skilled nursing facilities, group homes,
military barracks, correctional facilities, and workers’ dormitories.
Housing unit – The Census Bureau defines a housing unit as a house, an apartment, a mobile
home or trailer, or a group of rooms or a single room occupied as a separate living quarter or, if
vacant, intended for occupancy as a separate living quarter. Separate living quarters are those
in which the occupants live and eat separately from any other residents of the building and
which have direct access from outside the building or through a common hall.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

A-4

Incorporated place —A type of governmental unit, incorporated under state law as a city, town
(except in New England, New York, and Wisconsin), borough (except in Alaska and New York),
or village, generally to provide governmental services for a concentration of people within
legally prescribed boundaries.
Legal boundary – The legally defined boundary of a governmental unit, usually referring to a
county, minor civil division, or incorporated place. The legal boundary identifies the area within
a tribal government's jurisdiction, and thus bounds the area of PSAP responsibility.
Master Address File (MAF) – The Census Bureau’s nationwide database of all addresses and
physical/location descriptions known to the Census Bureau used to support many of the Census
Bureau’s operations. Besides containing mailing addresses and ZIP Codes, a MAF record also
contains geographic information about the location of addresses. The Census Bureau’s
Geography Division regularly updates the MAF/TIGER Database from various sources, including
the United States Postal Service (USPS) Delivery Sequence File (DSF) and other sources of
updates such as current surveys and locally provided sources.
MAF/TIGER database (MTDB) – The Census Bureau’s nationwide geographic database, which
integrates the Master Address File (MAF) and Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding
and Referencing (TIGER) files.
MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) – A 5-digit code assigned by the Census
Bureau to classify and describe geographic objects or features in the MAF/TIGER database and
its output products.
Metadata – describes the data content, coordinate system/projection, author, source, and
other characteristics of GIS files.
Minor civil division (MCD) – The primary governmental or administrative division of a county in
29 states and the Island Areas having legal boundaries, names, and descriptions. The MCDs
represent many different types of legal entities with a wide variety of characteristics, powers,
and functions depending on the state and type of MCD. In some states, some or all of the
incorporated places also constitute MCDs. MCDs are identified by a variety of terms, such as
town (in eight states), township, and/or district. They include both functioning and
nonfunctioning government entities.
Municipio —A type of governmental unit that is the primary legal subdivision of Puerto Rico.
The Census Bureau treats the municipio as the statistical equivalent of a county.
Non-city style address – The Census Bureau’s definition of a non-city style address is one that
does not have a house number and/or street name or may not include a complete house
number and street name address. This includes rural route and box number address and
highway contract route addresses, etc., which may include a box number, post office boxes and
drawers, and general delivery.
Nonvisible feature – The Census Bureau defines a nonvisible feature as one that is not visible
on the ground and/or in imagery such as a city or county boundary through space, a property
line, or line-of-sight extension of a road.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

A-5

Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) – A Census Bureau program offered every 10
years that allows identified participants, following established criteria and guidelines, to review
and update existing statistical geographies and delineate new statistical geographies as
appropriate. The standard statistical geographies include census tracts, block groups, census
designated places, and census county divisions.
Place – A concentration of population either legally bound as an incorporated place or
identified by the Census Bureau as a census designated place.
PSAP official liaison – A person at the PSAP participating government or organization identified
to serve as the primary point of contact for PSAP.
PSAP technical contact – A person serving as the technical point of contact for a PSAP
participant that likely conducts the actual program work using the Census Bureau’s Geographic
Update Partnership Software (GUPS) or paper maps (for tribal participants).
Regional Census Center (RCC) – Temporary offices set up approximately two years prior to the
decennial census. The geographic staff from the Regional Offices are assigned to their
respective RCC and assist with the execution of various geographic operations as well as
provide support for the field operations conducted during the decennial.
Regional Office (RO) – One of the permanent Census Bureau offices responsible for the Census
Bureau’s office and field operations within its region.
Retracting – The Census Bureau defines retracting as substantially changing the boundaries of a
census tract so that comparability over decades is lost.
Shapefile – Digital representations of geographic features, such as roads and boundaries used
to create maps. A shapefile stores non-topological geometry and attribute information for the
spatial features in a dataset. The Census Bureau provides county-based shapefiles in Esri
shapefile format.
Special use census tract/block group – A type of census tract or block group designated as a
specific use type (e.g., state park or large lake) and has an official name (e.g. Cleburne State
Park or Lake Minnetonka). Special use geographies should contain no (or very little) population
or housing, and must not create a noncontiguous census tract/block group.
Standard statistical geographic entity (standard statistical geographies) – A geographic entity
specifically defined and delineated (census tract, block group, census designated place, census
county division) so that the Census Bureau may tabulate data for it. Designation as a statistical
entity neither conveys nor confers legal ownership, entitlement, or jurisdictional authority.
Street segment – The portion of a street or road between two features that intersect that
street or road, such as, other streets or roads, railroad tracks, streams, and governmental unit
boundaries. The Census Bureau records the known address ranges for every street segment
with city-style addresses.
Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER)—The Census Bureau’s
digital map, including the geographic coordinates and names of streets, water features, other
linear features, and boundaries for all jurisdictions and statistical areas that provide the
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

A-6

geospatial framework for collecting and tabulating census data. TIGER also contains the
structure coordinates of address records in the Master Address File (MAF) and address ranges
along street features used for geocoding MAF records to census geography.
Visible feature – The Census Bureau defines a visible feature as one that can be seen on the
ground and/or in imagery. Visible features include a street, railroad tract, major above ground
transmission line or pipeline, stream, shoreline, fence, distinctly defined mountain ridge, or
cliff. A non-standard visible feature is a visible feature that may not be clearly defined on the
ground (such as a ridgeline), may be seasonal (such as an intermittent stream), or may be
relatively impermanent (such as a fence). The Census Bureau generally requests verification
that nonstandard visible features used for statistical geographies pose no problem during
fieldwork necessary to conduct a census or survey.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

A-7

APPENDIX B. 2020 CENSUS PSAP CRITERIA
The population and housing unit criteria for the standard statistical geographies in the 2020
Census PSAP. In Part One: of the Respondent Guide, individual tables reflect each of the
geographies separately. This table shows the four standard statistical geographies and their
associated population and housing criteria in one table, with the exception of the special use
census tracts and block groups. The criteria for special use geographies is located in the
respective chapters for census tracts and block groups.
Table 62: Standard Statistical Geographies and their Population and Housing Criteria
Standard statistical
Nests Within
Population Criteria
Housing Unit Criteria
geography
Census tracts
County
Optimum
4,000
Optimum
1,600
Minimum
1,200
Minimum
480
Maximum
Block groups

Census Tract

Census designated
places (CDPs)

State

Census county
divisions (CCDs)

County

U.S. Census Bureau

8,000

Optimum
1,500
Minimum
600
Maximum
3,000
A CDP cannot have zero
population and zero housing
units.
None

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

Maximum

3,200

Optimum
None
Minimum
240
Maximum
1,200
A CDP cannot have zero
population and zero housing
units.
None

B-1

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

C-1

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

C-2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

C-3

APPENDIX D. COUNTY SUBDIVISIONS MAP

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

D-1

APPENDIX E. SUPPLEMENTAL SOURCES FOR PSAP REVIEW
This section describes four supplemental sources to consider using while performing PSAP
review: TIGERweb, American Indian Areas layer, area landmark and point landmark layers, and
parcel boundaries. Not all of these sources may be available or applicable to each participants’
universe of counties.
TIGERweb
The Census Bureau’s TIGERweb online map viewer, located at
, allows participants to view the Census Bureau's
2010 census geographies layers outside of the GUPS environment. TIGERweb allows viewing, at
street level detail, features such as roads, waterways, and county, place/city, CDP, census
tracts, block groups and other boundaries, and satellite imagery.
Participants may find this additional tool beneficial to visualize the 2010 census tracts and block
groups for comparison to their 2020 proposed plan in order to verify the changes or determine
if there is a need to make additional changes. Because it resides outside of GUPS, participants
can open TIGERweb in a separate window or on a second, dual monitor for a side-by-side visual
comparison. Follow the steps in Table 63 for instructions on accessing and using TIGERweb.
Table 63: Steps to Display the TIGERweb Online Map Viewer
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Navigate to the TIGERweb web site located at: . TIGERweb
currently supports Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Google Chrome
internet browsers.

Step 2

Click the TIGERweb Applications tab.

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

E-1

Step
Step 4

Action and Result
After opening TIGERweb the map display, navigation tools, the Layers panel, a legend, and map
vintage becomes visible.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

E-2

Step 5

The features and geographic areas contained in the map services do not immediately appear
because each layer has a range of zoom levels at which it will display. In other words, visibility of
layers is scale dependent. More details appear when zooming in on the map. Table 64 provides a
summary of many of TIGERweb tools and functionality.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

E-3

Table 64: TIGERweb Tools and Functions
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
The vertical Zoom In Scale Bar, shown on the left. Click on the ‘+’ to zoom in for more detail or
click on the ‘-’ to zoom out for less detail. By rolling the wheel on the computer’s mouse,
participants can zoom in or zoom out from the current scale.
Note: At Zoom level 6, counties appear; at zoom level 9, Census Tracts and Places appear, at
zoom level 10, Roads and Railroads appear, and at zoom level 13, Block Groups appear.

Step 2

Step 3

U.S. Census Bureau

Click the Legend tool at the top of the screen to view the Detailed Legend and layers
symbology.

Click the Detailed Legend to see at what zoom level the layer and labels appear.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

E-4

Step
Step 4

Step 5

Action and Result
Click off the Legend and back in the Layers panel to turn them on or off to display boundaries
for only active layers. The example shows the Census Block Groups and Census Blocks
unchecked.

One of the easiest ways to determine information for any given entity is to use the Identify
button along the top right of the TIGERweb window.

TIGERweb allows PSAP participants to quickly locate an entity visually using the Zoom In tool
or by using the Query button to search for a census tract or block group by its geographic ID,
also known as its GEOID.
To locate a 2010 Census Tract:
Select the Query button along the top right of the TIGERweb window.

From the Select Map drop-down menu, select Census Tracts and Blocks.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

E-5

Step

Action and Result

Step 7

Select to highlight the Census Tracts from the Select Layer(s) list.
Enter the census tracts GEOID number to locate. The GEOID is an 11-digit number that
represent the following: two-digit State FIPS code followed with the three-digit County FIPS
code and then the six-digit census tract code (e.g.“01001020100” is the numeric GEOID of
census tract 0201.00 in 01001).

Click Submit.
Step 8

To locate a 2010 Block Group:
Execute the same steps described above, except from the Census Tracts and Blocks menu
select the Census Block Groups from the Select Layer(s) list.
Enter the block group’s GEOID number. The block group GEOID is a 12-digit number that
represent the following: two-digit State FIPS code followed with the three-digit County FIPS
code followed with the six-digit census tract code and the one-digit block group code (e.g.,
“010010201001” is the numeric GEOID of block group 1 in 01001, census tract 0201.00).

Click Submit.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

E-6

Step
Step 9

Step 10

Action and Result
Click the Query Results tab to the left of the map. TIGERweb displays the result(s) of the query.

If participants click the value within the query result section, TIGERweb displays the Info panel
containing attribute data for the queried entity. Minimize or close the Info panel by clicking on
the “-“ or “X” symbols in the top right of the Info panel, respectively.

TIGERweb displays the selected entity (block group 010010201001) highlighted in the center of
the map.
Step 11

U.S. Census Bureau

Change the transparency of each layer within the Layers panel by moving the sliding bar below
the layer name to the left or right.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

E-7

Step
Step 12

Step 13

Action and Result
TIGERweb allows users to select landmass, satellite imagery, or terrain as a background of the
map display from the upper right corner of the map view. The Landmass displays by default
when opening TIGERweb. To change options, click the button to toggle through all three
choices. Select the Satellite button to display satellite imagery.

Click the Print button when using TIGERweb to print and save a map. The PRINT window
displays.

From the PRINT window, select a Map Title, Map Layout, Map Format, then Click the
Generate Map to create a map and print.

With the tools and functionality described above, participants can navigate their working
county outside of GUPS and may find this easier for comparison sake.
American Indian Areas Layer
The American Indian Areas layer within GUPS provides a supplemental source for
understanding what entities cause tracts to code in the 94XX range and can serve as a very
strong legal feature for establishing and correcting tract and block group boundaries.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

E-8

Note: This layer will not exist within GUPS for counties without an American Indian Area.

Although tribal statistical geography falls under a different universe for review, the 94XX code
series is reserved for standard census tracts that are delineated either within or primarily to
cover an American Indian Reservation or off-reservation trust land while also adhering to the
standard census tract criteria. Some areas of the country, primarily in the Southwest, have
counties with the majority of tracts coded to the 94XX range. Major changes to reservation
areas happen infrequently, so the Census Bureau does not anticipate that PSAP will produce
any new 94XX coded tracts.
IMPORTANT: 94XX are not tribal tracts but a special use area with a type denoted as tribal. Tribal tracts
are a part of a distinct system, separate from standard census geography.

Area and Point Landmark Layers
As a tool for determining whether a census tract or block group could be a special land use
area, it can sometimes be helpful to activate the area landmark (arealm) or point landmark
(pointlm) layers within GUPS. While providing a useful visual, many landmarks do not qualify as
special use areas because of their areal extent. Additionally, existing landmarks may not have
any distinguishing features in aerial imagery to help with drawing boundaries and may not
necessarily map to the extent of the special land use geographic entity. As a supplemental
layer, area landmarks give participants another tool to describe a special land use area that is
apparent directly from the visible land use characteristics.
Parcel Boundaries
In some situations, non-visible, legal, linear features can be preferred as boundaries for census
tracts and block groups. At the smallest scale, participants can use parcel boundaries for
reference to developments or contiguous personal plots if no other solution for splitting an
area is present. Parcel boundaries are particularly useful when working census tracts that
contain neighborhoods characterized by cul-de-sacs that form ‘dangling’ edges in the database,
meaning that there is frequently not a closed circuit of visible features available to connect all
of the housing units associated with the development.
Participants with access to digital map data for parcels can utilize the Manage Layers toolbar to
add in external data. Review Section 8.4.3 for details on using the specific buttons with respect
to the local data type.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

E-9

APPENDIX F. MAF/TIGER FEATURE CLASSIFICATION CODES
The MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) is a 5-digit code assigned by the Census
Bureau to classify and describe geographic objects or features in Census Bureau MAF/TIGER
products. GUPS participants may need these codes if they edit existing or add new linear
features for creating new statistical boundaries.
An electronic list of MTFCCs is located within the technical documentation for the TIGER/Line
Shapefiles on the Census Bureau’s website . Within that specific documentation, it is Appendix E.
MTFCC
C3022
C3023

C3024
C3026
C3027
C3061

C3062
C3066
C3067
C3071
C3074

C3075

C3076
C3077
C3078
C3079
C3080

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 65: MTFCC and Descriptions
Feature Class
Description
Mountain Peak or
A prominent elevation rising above the surrounding level of the
Summit
Earth’s surface.
Island
An area of dry or relatively dry land surrounded by water or low
wetland [including archipelago, atoll, cay, hammock, hummock,
isla, isle, key, moku and rock].
Levee
An embankment flanking a stream or other flowing water
feature to prevent overflow.
Quarry (not water-filled), An area from which commercial minerals are or were removed
Open Pit Mine or Mine
from the Earth; not including an oilfield or gas field.
Dam
A barrier built across the course of a stream to impound water
and/or control water flow.
Cul-de-sac
An expanded paved area at the end of a street used by vehicles
for turning around. For mapping purposes, the Census Bureau
maps it only as a point feature.
Traffic Circle
A circular intersection allowing for continuous movement of
traffic at the meeting of roadways.
Gate
A movable barrier across a road.
Toll Booth
A structure or barrier where a fee is collected for using a road.
Lookout Tower
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
observation.
Lighthouse Beacon
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
transmission of light and possibly sound generally to aid in
navigation.
Tank/Tank Farm
One or more manmade structures, each higher than its
diameter, used for liquid (other than water) or gas storage or for
distribution activities.
Windmill Farm
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from
the wind.
Solar Farm
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from
the sun.
Monument or Memorial
A manmade structure to educate, commemorate, or
memorialize an event, person, or feature.
Boundary Monument
A material object placed on or near a boundary line to preserve
Point
and identify the location of the boundary line on the ground.
Survey Control Point
A point on the ground whose position (horizontal or vertical) is
known and can be used as a base for additional survey work.
2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

F-1

MTFCC
C3081

Feature Class
Locality Point

C3085

Alaska Native Village
Official Point
American Indian Area

G2100

G2120
G2130

Hawaiian Home Land
Alaska Native Village
Statistical Area

G2140

Oklahoma Tribal
Statistical Area

G2150

State-designated Tribal
Statistical Area

G2160

Tribal Designated
Statistical Area

G2170

American Indian Joint Use
Area
Alaska Native Regional
Corporation

G2200

G2300

Tribal Subdivision

G2400

Tribal Census Tract

G2410

Tribal Block Group

G3100

Combined Statistical Area

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
A point that identifies the location and name of an unbounded
locality (e.g., crossroad, community, populated place or locale).
A point that serves as the core of an Alaska Native village and is
used in defining Alaska Native village statistical areas.
A legally defined state- or federally recognized reservation
and/or off-reservation trust land (excludes statistical American
Indian Areas).
A legal area held in trust for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.
A statistical geographic entity that represents the residences,
permanent and/or seasonal, for Alaska Natives who are
members of or receiving governmental services from the
defining legal Alaska Native Village corporation.
A statistical entity identified and delineated by the Census
Bureau in consultation with federally recognized American
Indian tribes that have no current reservation, but had a former
reservation in Oklahoma.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the
Census Bureau by a state-appointed liaison for a staterecognized American Indian tribe that does not currently have a
reservation and/or lands in trust.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the
Census Bureau by a federally recognized American Indian tribe
that does not currently have a reservation and/or offreservation trust land.
An area administered jointly and/or claimed by two or more
American Indian tribes.
Corporate entities established to conduct both business and
nonprofit affairs of Alaska Natives pursuant to the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-203). There are
twelve geographically defined ANRCs and they are all within and
cover most of the State of Alaska (the Annette Island Reserve-an
American Indian reservation-is excluded from any ANRC). The
boundaries of ANRCs have been legally established.
Administrative subdivisions of federally recognized American
Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, or Oklahoma
tribal statistical areas (OTSAs). These entities are internal units
of self-government or administration that serve social, cultural,
and/or economic purposes for the American Indians on the
reservations, off-reservation trust lands, or OTSAs.
A relatively small and permanent statistical subdivision of a
federally recognized American Indian reservation and/or offreservation trust land, delineated by American Indian tribal
participants or the Census Bureau for the purpose of presenting
demographic data.
A cluster of census blocks within a single tribal census tract
delineated by American Indian tribal participants or the Census
Bureau for the purpose of presenting demographic data.
A grouping of adjacent metropolitan and/or micropolitan
statistical areas that have a degree of economic and social
integration, as measured by commuting.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

F-2

MTFCC
G3110

Feature Class
Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

G3120

Metropolitan Division

G3200

Combined New England
City and Town Area

G3210

New England City and
Town Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

G3220

New England City and
Town Division

G3500

Urban Area

G4000

State or Equivalent
Feature

G4020

County or Equivalent
Feature

G4040

County Subdivision

G4050

Estate

G4060
G4110

Subbarrio (Subminor Civil
Division)
Incorporated Place

G4120

Consolidated City

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
An area containing a substantial population nucleus together
with adjacent communities having a high degree of economic
and social integration with that core, as measured by
commuting. Defined using whole counties and equivalents.
A county or grouping of counties that is a subdivision of a
Metropolitan Statistical Area containing an urbanized area with
a population of 2.5 million or more.
A grouping of adjacent New England city and town areas that
have a degree of economic and social integration, as measured
by commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus together
with adjacent communities having a high degree of economic
and social integration with that core, as measured by
commuting. Defined using Minor Civil Divisions (MCDs) in New
England.
A grouping of cities and towns in New England that is a
subdivision of a New England City and Town Area containing an
urbanized area with a population of 2.5 million or more.
Densely settled territory that contains at least 2,500 people. The
subtypes of this feature are Urbanized Area (UA), which consists
of 50,000 + people and Urban Cluster, which ranges between
2,500 and 49,999 people.
The primary governmental divisions of the United States. The
District of Columbia is treated as a statistical equivalent of a
state for census purposes, as is Puerto Rico.
The primary division of a state or state equivalent area. The
primary divisions of 48 states are termed County, but other
terms are used such as Borough in Alaska, Parish in Louisiana,
and Municipio in Puerto Rico. This feature includes independent
cities, which are incorporated places that are not part of any
county.
The primary divisions of counties and equivalent features for the
reporting of Census Bureau data. The subtypes of this feature
are Minor Civil Division, Census County Division/Census Subarea,
and Unorganized Territory. This feature includes independent
places, which are incorporated places that are not part of any
county subdivision.
Estates are subdivisions of the three major islands in the United
States Virgin Islands (USVI).
Legally defined divisions (subbarrios) of minor civil divisions
(barrios-pueblo and barrios) in Puerto Rico.
A legal entity incorporated under state law to provide generalpurpose governmental services to a concentration of
population. Incorporated places are generally designated as a
city, borough, municipality, town, village, or, in a few instances,
have no legal description.
An incorporated place that has merged governmentally with a
county or minor civil division, but one or more of the
incorporated places continues to function within the
consolidation. It is a place that contains additional separately
incorporated places.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

F-3

MTFCC
G4210

Feature Class
Census Designated Place

G4300

Economic Census Place

G5020

Census Tract

G5030

Block Group

G5035

Block Area Grouping

G5040

Tabulation Block

G5200

Congressional District

G5210

State Legislative District
(Upper Chamber

G5220

State Legislative District
(Lower Chamber)

G5240

Voting District

G5400

Elementary School
District
Secondary School District

G5410
U.S. Census Bureau

Description
A statistical area defined for a named concentration of
population and the statistical counterpart of an incorporated
place.
The lowest level of geographic area for presentation of some
types of Economic Census data. It includes incorporated places,
consolidated cities, census designated places (CDPs), minor civil
divisions (MCDs) in selected states, and balances of MCDs or
counties. An incorporated place, CDP, MCD, or balance of MCD
qualifies as an economic census place if it contains 5,000 or
more residents, or 5,000 or more jobs, according to the most
current data available.
Relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a County or
equivalent feature delineated by local participants as part of the
Census Bureau’s Participant Statistical Areas Program.
A cluster of census blocks having the same first digit of their
four-digit identifying numbers within a Census Tract. For
example, block group 3 (BG 3) within a Census Tract includes all
blocks numbered from 3000 to 3999.
A user-defined group of islands forming a single census
tabulation block. A BAG must: (1) consist of two or more islands,
(2) have a perimeter entirely over water, (3) not overlap, and (4)
not cross the boundary of other tabulation geographies, such as
county or incorporated place boundaries.
The lowest-order census defined statistical area. It is an area,
such as a city block, bounded primarily by physical features but
sometimes by invisible city or property boundaries. A tabulation
block boundary does not cross the boundary of any other
geographic area for which the Census Bureau tabulates data.
The subtypes of this feature are Count Question Resolution
(CQR), current, and census.
The 435 areas from which people are elected to the U.S. House
of Representatives. Additional equivalent features exist for state
equivalents with nonvoting delegates or no representative. The
subtypes of this feature are 106th, 107th, 108th, 109th, and
111th Congressional Districts, plus subsequent Congresses.
Areas established by a state or equivalent government from
which members are elected to the upper or unicameral chamber
of a state governing body. The upper chamber is the senate in a
bicameral legislature, and the unicameral case is a single house
legislature (Nebraska).
Areas established by a state or equivalent government from
which members are elected to the lower chamber of a state
governing body. The lower chamber is the House of
Representatives in a bicameral legislature.
The generic name for the geographic features, such as precincts,
wards, and election districts, established by state, local, and
tribal governments for the purpose of conducting elections.
A geographic area within which officials provide public
elementary grade-level educational services for residents.
A geographic area within which officials provide public
secondary grade-level educational services for residents.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

F-4

MTFCC
G5420

Feature Class
Unified School District

G6120

Public-Use Microdata
Area

G6300

Traffic Analysis District

G6320

Traffic Analysis Zone

G6330

Urban Growth Area

G6350
G6400

ZIP Code Tabulation Area
(Five-Digit)
Commercial Region

H1100

Connector

H2025

Swamp/Marsh

H2030
H2040
H2041
H2051

Lake/Pond
Reservoir
Treatment Pond
Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound

H2053
H2060
H2081

Ocean/Sea
Gravel Pit/Quarry filled
with water
Glacier

H3010

Stream/River

H3013

Braided Stream

H3020

Canal, Ditch or Aqueduct

K1225

Crew-of-Vessel Location

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
A geographic area within which officials provide public
educational services for all grade levels for residents.
A decennial census area with a population of at least 100,000 or
more persons for which the Census Bureau provides selected
extracts of household-level data that are screened to protect
confidentiality.
An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs) and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for
tabulating journey-to-work and place-of-work data. A Traffic
Analysis District (TAD) consists of one or more Traffic Analysis
Zones (TAZs).
An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs) and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for
tabulating journey-to-work and place-of-work data.
An area defined under state authority to manage urbanization
that the Census Bureau includes in the MAF/TIGER® System in
agreement with the state.
An approximate statistical-area representation of a U.S. Postal
Service (USPS) 5-digit ZIP Code service area.
For the purpose of presenting economic statistical data,
municipios in Puerto Rico are grouped into commercial regions.
A known, but nonspecific, hydrographic connection between
two nonadjacent water features.
A poorly drained wetland, fresh or saltwater, wooded or grassy,
possibly covered with open water [includes bog, cienega, marais
and pocosin].
A standing body of water that is surrounded by land.
An artificially impounded body of water.
An artificial body of water built to treat fouled water.
A body of water partly surrounded by land [includes arm, bight,
cove and inlet].
The great body of salt water that covers much of the earth.
A body of water in a place or area from which commercial
minerals were removed from the Earth.
A body of ice moving outward and down slope from an area of
accumulation. An area of relatively permanent snow or ice on
the top or side of a mountain or mountainous area [includes ice
field and ice patch].
A natural flowing waterway [includes anabranch, awawa,
branch, brook, creek, distributary, fork, kill, pup, rio, and run].
A natural flowing waterway with an intricate network of
interlacing channels.
An artificial waterway constructed to transport water, to irrigate
or drain land, to connect two or more bodies of water, or to
serve as a waterway for watercraft [includes lateral].
A point or area in which the population of military or merchant
marine vessels at sea are assigned, usually being at or near the
home port pier.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

F-5

MTFCC
K1231
K1235

Feature Class
Hospital/Hospice/Urgent
Care Facility
Juvenile Institution

K1236

Local Jail or Detention
Center

K1237

Federal Penitentiary,
State Prison, or Prison
Farm
Other Correctional
Institution

K1238

K1239

K1246
K2110

Convent, Monastery,
Rectory, Other Religious
Group Quarters
Community Center
Military Installation

K2165

Government Center

K2167

Convention Center

K2180

Park

K2181

National Park Service
Land
National Forest or Other
Federal Land

K2182

K2183

Tribal Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2184

State Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2185

Regional Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2186

County Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2187

County Subdivision Park,
Forest, or Recreation
Area

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
One or more structures where the sick or injured may receive
medical or surgical attention [including infirmary].
A facility (correctional and non-correctional) where groups of
juveniles reside; this includes training schools, detention
centers, residential treatment centers and orphanages.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the
confinement of adult persons in lawful detention, administered
by a local (county, municipal, etc.) government.
An institution that serves as a place for the confinement of adult
persons in lawful detention, administered by the federal
government or a state government.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the
confinement of adult persons in lawful detention, not elsewhere
classified or administered by a government of unknown
jurisdiction.
One or more structures intended for use as a residence for those
having a religious vocation.
Community Center.
An area owned and/or occupied by the Department of Defense
for use by a branch of the armed forces (such as the Army, Navy,
Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard), or a state owned area for
the use of the National Guard.
A place used by members of government (either federal, state,
local, or tribal) for administration and public business.
An exhibition hall or conference center with enough open space
to host public and private business and social events.
Parkland defined and administered by federal, state, and local
governments.
Area—National parks, National Monuments, and so forth—
under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.
Land under the management and jurisdiction of the federal
government, specifically including areas designated as National
Forest, and excluding areas under the jurisdiction of the
National Park Service.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of an
American Indian tribe.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
state government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
regional government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
county government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
minor civil division (town/township) government.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

F-6

MTFCC
K2188

K2191

Feature Class
Incorporated Place Park,
Forest, or Recreation
Area
Private Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area
Other Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area (quasipublic, independent park,
commission, etc.)
Post Office

K2193
K2194
K2195
K2196
K2400

Fire Department
Police Station
Library
City/Town Hall
Transportation Terminal

K2424
K2432

Marina
Pier/Dock

K2451

Airport or Airfield

K2452

Train Station, Trolley or
Mass Transit Rail Station

K2453

Bus Terminal

K2454

Marine Terminal

K2455

Seaplane Anchorage

K2456

K2459

Airport—Intermodal
Transportation
Hub/Terminal
Airport—Statistical
Representation
Park and Ride
Facility/Parking Lot
Runway/Taxiway

K2460

Helicopter Landing Pad

K2540

University or College

K2189
K2190

K2457
K2458

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
municipal government.
A privately owned place or area set aside for recreation or
preservation of a cultural or natural resource.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of
some other type of government or agency such as an
independent park authority or commission.
An official facility of the U.S. Postal Service used for processing
and distributing mail and other postal material.
Fire Department.
Police Station.
Library.
City/Town Hall.
A facility where one or more modes of transportation can be
accessed by people or for the shipment of goods; examples of
such a facility include marine terminal, bus station, train station,
airport and truck warehouse.
A place where privately owned, light-craft are moored.
A platform built out from the shore into the water and
supported by piles. This platform may provide access to ships
and boats, or it may be used for recreational purposes.
A manmade facility maintained for the use of aircraft [including
airstrip, landing field and landing strip].
A place where travelers can board and exit rail transit lines,
including associated ticketing, freight, and other commercial
offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit mass motor vehicle
transit, including associated ticketing, freight, and other
commercial offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit water transit or
where cargo is handled, including associated ticketing, freight,
and other commercial offices.
A place where an airplane equipped with floats for landing on or
taking off from a body of water can debark and load.
A major air transportation facility where travelers can board and
exit airplanes and connect with other (i.e. non-air) modes of
transportation.
The area of an airport adjusted to include whole 2000 census
blocks used for the delineation of urban areas
A place where motorists can park their cars and transfer to other
modes of transportation.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by airplanes for
taking off and landing at an airport.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by helicopters for
taking off and landing.
A building or group of buildings used as an institution for postsecondary study, teaching, and learning [including seminary].

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

F-7

MTFCC
K2543

Feature Class
School or Academy

K2545

K2561
K2582

Museum, Visitor Center,
Cultural Center, or Tourist
Attraction
Golf Course
Cemetery

K2586

Zoo

K3544

Place of Worship

L4010

Pipeline

L4020

Powerline

L4031

Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift

L4110

Fence Line

L4121
L4125

Ridge Line
Cliff/Escarpment

L4130

Point-to-Point Line

L4140

Property/Parcel Line
(Including PLSS)

L4150

Coastline

L4165

Ferry Crossing

P0001
P0002

Nonvisible Linear
Legal/Statistical Boundary
Perennial Shoreline

P0003

Intermittent Shoreline

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
A building or group of buildings used as an institution for
preschool, elementary or secondary study, teaching, and
learning [including elementary school and high school].
An attraction of historical, cultural, educational or other interest
that provides information or displays artifacts.
A place designed for playing golf.
A place or area for burying the dead [including burying ground
and memorial garden].
A facility in which terrestrial and/or marine animals are confined
within enclosures and displayed to the public for educational,
preservation, and research purposes.
A sanctified place or structure where people gather for religious
worship; examples include church, synagogue, temple, and
mosque.
A long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground,
with pumps and valves for flow control, used to transport fluid
(e.g., crude oil, natural gas), especially over great distances.
One or more wires, often on elevated towers, used for
conducting high-voltage electric power.
A conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers
suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers.
A manmade barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc.,
usually made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent
entrance, to confine, or to mark a boundary.
The line of highest elevation along a ridge.
A very steep or vertical slope [including bluff, crag, head,
headland, nose, palisades, precipice, promontory, rim and
rimrock].
A line defined as beginning at one location point and ending at
another, both of which are in sight.
This feature class may denote a nonvisible boundary of either
public or private lands (e.g., a park boundary) or it may denote a
Public Land Survey System or equivalent survey line.
The line that separates either land or Inland water from Coastal,
Territorial or Great Lakes water. Where land directly borders
Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water, the shoreline
represents the Coastline. Where Inland water (such as a river)
flows into Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water, the closure
line separating the Inland water from the other class of water
represents the Coastline.
The route used to carry or convey people or cargo back and
forth over a waterbody in a boat.
A legal/statistical boundary line that does not correspond to a
shoreline or other visible feature on the ground.
The more-or-less permanent boundary between land and water
for a water feature that exists year-round.
The boundary between land and water (when water is present)
for a water feature that does not exist year-round.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

F-8

MTFCC
P0004

R1011

Feature Class
Other non-visible
bounding Edge (e.g.,
Census water boundary,
boundary of an aerial
feature)
Railroad Feature (Main,
Spur, or Yard)

R1051

Carline, Streetcar Track,
Monorail, Other Mass
Transit

R1052

Cog Rail Line, Incline Rail
Line, Tram

S1100

Primary Road

S1200

Secondary Road

S1400

Local Neighborhood
Road, Rural Road, City
Street

S1500

Vehicular Trail (4WD)

S1630

Ramp

S1640

S1710

Service Drive usually
along a limited access
highway
Walkway/Pedestrian Trail

S1720

Stairway

S1730

Alley

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
A bounding Edge that does not represent a legal/statistical
boundary, and does not correspond to a shoreline or other
visible feature on the ground. Many such Edges bound area
landmarks, while many others separate water features from
each other (e.g., where a bay meets the ocean).
A line of fixed rails or tracks that carries mainstream railroad
traffic. Such a rail line can be a main line or spur line, or part of a
rail yard.
Mass transit rail lines (including lines for rapid transit, monorails,
streetcars, light rail, etc.) that are typically inaccessible to
mainstream railroad traffic and whose tracks are not part of a
road right-of-way.
A special purpose rail line for climbing steep grades that is
typically inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic. Note that
aerial tramways and streetcars (which may also be called
“trams”) are accounted for by other MTFCCs and do not belong
in R1052.
Primary roads are generally divided, limited-access highways
within the interstate highway system or under state
management, and are distinguished by the presence of
interchanges. These highways are accessible by ramps and may
include some toll highways.
Secondary roads are main arteries, usually in the U.S. Highway,
State Highway or County Highway system. These roads have one
or more lanes of traffic in each direction, may or may not be
divided, and usually have at-grade intersections with many other
roads and driveways. They often have both a local name and a
route number.
Generally, a paved non-arterial street, road, or byway that
usually has a single lane of traffic in each direction. Roads in this
feature class may be privately or publicly maintained. Scenic
park roads would be included in this feature class, as would
(depending on the region of the country) some unpaved roads.
An unpaved dirt trail where a four-wheel drive vehicle is
required. These vehicular trails are found almost exclusively in
very rural areas. Minor, unpaved roads usable by ordinary cars
and trucks belong in the S1400 category.
A road that allows controlled access from adjacent roads onto a
limited access highway, often in the form of a cloverleaf
interchange. These roads are unaddressable and do not carry a
name in the MAF/TIGER System.
A road, usually paralleling a limited access highway, that
provides access to structures along the highway. These roads
can be named and may intersect with other roads.
A path that is used for walking, being either too narrow for or
legally restricted from vehicular traffic.
A pedestrian passageway from one level to another by a series
of steps.
A service road that does not generally have associated
addressed structures and is usually unnamed. It is located at the
rear of buildings and properties and is used for deliveries.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

F-9

MTFCC
S1740

S1780
S1820

Feature Class
Private Road for service
vehicles (logging, oil
fields, ranches, etc.)
Internal U.S. Census
Bureau use
Parking Lot Road
Bike Path or Trail

S1830

Bridle Path

S2000

Road Median

S1750

U.S. Census Bureau

Description
A road within private property that is privately maintained for
service, extractive, or other purposes. These roads are often
unnamed.
Internal U.S. Census Bureau use.
The main travel route for vehicles through a paved parking area.
A path that is used for manual or small, motorized bicycles,
being either too narrow for or legally restricted from vehicular
traffic.
A path that is used for horses, being either too narrow for or
legally restricted from vehicular traffic.
The unpaved area or barrier between the carriageways of a
divided road.

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

F-10

APPENDIX G. ACCEPTABLE LINEAR FEATURES FOR STATISTICAL
BOUNDARIES
Below is a list of linear features that make acceptable or questionable statistical geography
boundaries. Refer to this list while reviewing existing boundaries, but also when creating new
geographies or modifying existing boundaries. Except in instances described in Table 4 for nonvisible boundaries, this appendix is the source for the Census Bureau during their review of
participant submissions. A complete list of MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Codes (MTFCCs) is
located on the Census Bureau’s geography reference website:
.
Table 66: Acceptable Linear Features for Statistical Boundaries
Feature Name
MTFCC
Acceptable Questionable
Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift
L4031
X
Alley
S1730
X
Bike Path or Trail
S1820
X
Braided Stream
H3013
X
Bridle Path/Horse Trail
S1830
X
Canal, Ditch, or Aqueduct
H3020
X
(intermittent)
Canal, Ditch, or Aqueduct
H3020
X
(perennial)
Carline, Streetcar Track,
R1051
X
Monorail, Other Mass Transit
Rail
Cliff/Escarpment
L4125
X
Cog Rail Line, Incline Rail Line, R1052
X
Tram
Dam
C3027
X
Fence Line
L4110
X
Ferry Crossing
L4165
X
Intermittent Shoreline
P0003
X
Interstate Highway or Primary S1100
X
Road with limited access
Levee
C3024
X
Local Neighborhood Road,
S1400
X
Rural Road, City Street
Parking Lot Road
S1780
X
Perennial Shoreline
P0002
X
Pier/Dock
K2432
X
Pipeline (above ground)
L4010
X
Point-to-Point Line
L4130
X
Power line (above ground,
L4020
X
high tension)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

G-1

Feature Name
Primary Road without limited
access, US Highway, State
Highway, or County Highway,
Secondary and connecting
roads
Private Driveway
Private Road for service
vehicles (logging, oil fields,
ranches, etc.)
Property/Parcel Line (PLSS,
airport, airfield, military
installation or other)
Railroad Feature (Main, Spur,
or Yard)
Ridge Line
Runway/Taxiway
Service Drive/Service Road
(usually along limited access
highway)
Stairway
Stream/River (intermittent)
Stream/River (perennial)
Vehicular Trail (4WD)
Walkway/Pedestrian Trail

U.S. Census Bureau

MTFCC
S1200

Acceptable
X

Questionable

S1750
S1740

X
X

L4140

R1011

L4121
K2459
S1640

X
X
X

S1720
H3010
H3010
S1500
S1710

X
X
X

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

X
X

G-2

APPENDIX H. STANDARD STREET TYPE ABBREVIATIONS
The street name types and their abbreviations shown below provide background to PSAP
participants that may need to add linear features in order to split statistical geographies. Use
the standard street type abbreviations to assign the street type to any newly added linear
features that are streets.
Table 67: Standard Street Type Abbreviations
Street Type
Standard Abbreviation
ALLEY
ANEX
ARCADE
AVENUE
BAYOU
BEACH
BEND
BLUFF
BLUFFS
BOTTOM
BOULEVARD
BRANCH
BRIDGE
BROOK
BROOKS
BURG
BURGS
BYPASS
CAMP
CANYON
CAPE
CAUSEWAY
CENTER
CENTERS
CIRCLE
CIRCLES
CLIFF
CLIFFS
CLUB
COMMON
COMMONS
CORNER
CORNERS
COURSE
COURT
COURTS
COVE
COVES
CREEK
CRESCENT
CREST
CROSSING
U.S. Census Bureau

ALY
ANX
ARC
AVE
BYU
BCH
BND
BLF
BLFS
BTM
BLVD
BR
BRG
BRK
BRKS
BG
BGS
BYP
CP
CYN
CPE
CSWY
CTR
CTRS
CIR
CIRS
CLF
CLFS
CLB
CMN
CMNS
COR
CORS
CRSE
CT
CTS
CV
CVS
CRK
CRES
CRST
XING

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

H-1

U.S. Census Bureau

Street Type

Standard Abbreviation

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

H-2

U.S. Census Bureau

Street Type

Standard Abbreviation

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

H-3

U.S. Census Bureau

Street Type

Standard Abbreviation

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

H-4

U.S. Census Bureau

Street Type

Standard Abbreviation

VILLAGE
VILLAGES
VILLE
VISTA
WALK
WALKS
WALL
WAY
WAYS
WELL
WELLS

VLG
VLGS
VL
VIS
WALK
WALK
WALL
WAY
WAYS
WL
WLS

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

H-5

APPENDIX I.

SHAPEFILE NAMES

County-based shapefiles exist for use within GUPS. Participants need not worry about opening
these files independently from GUPS. The information in this section serves as basic metadata
about the files used by GUPS. Not all files listed below appear in each county’s data. For
example, the Consolidated Cities layer only exists in counties with that type of geography.
PVS_18_v2__.shp, where is the number corresponding FIPS
number for the state and county, (e.g. “24001” corresponds to Allegany County, Maryland) and
is the abbreviation for the shapefile layer, describe in detail below.
For example, PVS_18_v2_curtracts_24001.shp is the current census tract shapefile layer for
Allegany County, Maryland. The source of the current census tracts is still the 2010 geography,
but if spatial updates occurred to the 2010 census tracts, they exist in this layer, not the
tract2010 layer. Files in this set of shapefiles correspond to the 2010 geographies vintage in
GUPS.
Table 68: County Shapefiles Names (PVS_18_v2_)
Shapefile Layer

American Indian Areas (AIA) – Legal

aial

American Indian Areas (AIA) – Statistical

aias

American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Legal

aitsl

American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Statistical

aitss

Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRC) – State 02
only

anrc

Area Landmark

arealm

Block Area Groups
Block Groups

Metropolitan Statistical Area/Metropolitan Statistical Area
Census County Divisions
Congressional Districts
Census Designated Place

cbsa
ccd
cd
cdp

Consolidated Cities

concity

Counties and Equivalent Areas

county

Census Tracts - Current
All Lines

curtracts
edges

Elementary School Districts

elsd

Topological Faces (2-cells with all geocodes)

faces

Hawaiian Home Lands (HHL) – State 15 only

hhl

County Subdivisions - Legal

U.S. Census Bureau

bag

mcd

New England City and Town Areas

necta

Offsets

offset
2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

I-1

Shapefile Layer
Incorporated Places
Point Landmarks

place
pointlm

2010 Public Use Microdata Areas
Secondary School Districts

puma2010
scsd

State Legislative Districts Lower

sldl

State Legislative Districts Upper

sldu

Subbarrios – State 72 only
Census Blocks - Current
2010 Census Blocks

submcd
tabblock
tabblock2010

2010 Traffic Analysis Delineation

tad2010

2010 Traffic Analysis Zones

taz2010

2010 Census Tracts

tracts2010

Census Urban Areas

uac

Urban Growth Area

uga

Unified School Districts
Hydrography - Area

unsd
water

Relationship Tables
Address Ranges

addr

Topological Faces - Area Landmark Relationship
Topological Faces - Area Hydrography Relationship
Linear Feature Names - Fielded

areafaces
hydrofaces
allnames

PVS_18_v3__.shp correspond to the 2020 proposed plans in GUPS. They
follow the same naming convention as the v2 files. Only four layers exist for this version of
shapefiles geography: block groups, census tracts, edges, and faces.
Table 69: County Shapefile Names (PVS_18_v3_)
Shapefile Layer

Block Groups

Census Tracts - Current

curtracts

All Lines

edges

Topological Faces (2-cells with all geocodes)

faces

Figure 24 shows an example of a Windows Explorer window with the PVS_18_v2 and
PVS_18_v3 county shapefiles.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

I-2

Figure 24. Windows Explorer Example of County Shapefiles (v2 and v3)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

I-3

APPENDIX J.

SHAPEFILE LAYOUTS

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 70: Edges Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_edges)
Length
Type
Description
10
Integer Feature ID
8
String
Type of shape (Polyline)
2
String
FIPS State code
3
String
FIPS County code
10
Integer TIGER/Line Permanent Edge ID
10
Integer TIGER/Line Permanent Face ID (left)
10
Integer TIGER/Line Permanent Face ID (right)
5
String
MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code
Indication to a respondent when their entity boundary
1
String
has changed through spatial enhancement
Decoded feature name with abbreviated qualifier,
40
String
direction, and feature type
22
Double Spatial Tmeta ID
1
String
Spatial type
Redistricting Data Project participant’s submitted
1
String
request of an EDGE for selection as a block boundary
Indicates the status of an EDGE for a selection as a
1
String
block boundary
1
String
New BBSP flag
4
String
Type of linear feature update
150
String
Justification of change
10
String
Left To address
10
String
Right To address
10
String
Left From address
10
String
Right From address
5
String
Left 5-digit ZIP Code
5
String
Right 5-digit ZIP Code
1
String
Extension type
10
Date
Date of last MAF/TIGER update to the edge
1
String
Route type
80
String
Used internally by GUPS during digitizing

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

J-1

Table 71: Address Ranges Attribute File (PVS_18_v2_addr)
Attribute Field Length
Type
Description
OID
8
String
Object ID
TLID
10
Integer TIGER/Line Permanent Edge ID
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County code
FROMHN
12
String
From house number
TOHN
12
String
To house number
SIDE
1
String
Side of feature indicator flag (L or R)
ZIP
5
String
5-digit ZIP Code
PLUS4
4
String
ZIP+4 Code
LFROMADD
10
String
Left From address
LTOADD
10
String
Left To address
RFROMADD
10
String
Right From address
RTOADD
10
String
Right To address
ZIPL
5
String
Left 5-digit ZIP Code
ZIPR
5
String
Right 5-digit ZIP Code
ZIP4L
4
String
Left ZIP+4 Code
ZIP4R
4
String
Right ZIP+4 Code

Attribute Field
FID
Shape
STATEFP
COUNTYFP
TRACTCE
BLKGRPCE
BLKGRPID
CHNG_TYPE
EFF_DATE
BGTYP
RELATE
JUSTIFY
VINTAGE
POP10
HOUSING10
TRACTID
SITE_NAME
JSTFY_CNTG
JSTFY_SLU
EDITED

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 72: Block Groups Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_bg)
Length
Type
Description
10
Integer
Feature ID
7
String
Type of shape (Polygon)
2
String
FIPS State code (48)
3
String
FIPS County code (251)
6
String
Census tract code (130204)
1
String
Block group code (1)
12
String
STATEFP, COUNTYFP, TRACTCE, and BLKGRPCE
(482511302041)
2
String
Code for type of area update (E, B, M, and G)
8
Date
Effective date
1
String
Block group characteristic flag
120
String
Relationship description
150
String
Justification of change to attribute of block group
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
10
Integer
2010 population count
10
Integer
2010 housing unit count
11
String
STATEFP, COUNTYFP, and TRACTCE (48251130204)
100
String
Special use block group name
150
String
Justification entered by participant to retain
noncontiguous statistical geography
150
String
Justification entered by participant for a special use
measurement threshold
1
String
GUPS updates to indicate an edit by the participant

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

J-2

Table 73: Census Tracts - Current Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_curtracts)
Attribute Field Length
Type
Description
FID
10
Integer Feature ID
Shape
7
String
Type of shape (Polygon)
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State code (48)
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County code (251)
TRACTCE
6
String
Census tract code (130204)
NAME
100
String
TRACTCE, decimal point, and two-digit suffix (if
applicable) (1302.04)
TRACTID
11
String
STATEFP, COUNTYFP, and TRACTCE (48251130204)
NEW_CODE
6
String
Newly generated census tract code following change
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Code for type of area update (E, M, B, and G)
EFF_DATE
8
Date
Effective date
TRACTTYP
1
String
Census tract characteristic flag
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
String
Justification of change to attribute of census tract
TRACTLABEL
7
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
POP10
10
Integer 2010 population count
HOUSING10
10
Integer 2010 housing unit count
SITE_NAME
100
String
Special use census tract name
JSTFY_CNTG
150
String
Justification entered by participant to retain
noncontiguous statistical geography
JSTFY_SLU
150
String
Justification entered by participant for a special use
measurement threshold
JSTFY_NAME
150
String
Justification entered by participant when the name is
changed
JSTFY_RES
150
String
Justification entered by participant for a reservation
related issue

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

J-3

Table 74: Census County Divisions Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_ccd)
Attribute Field Length
Type
Description
FID
10
Integer Feature ID
Shape
7
String
Type of shape (Polygon)
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County code
COUSUBFP
5
String
FIPS 55 County Subdivision code
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
COUSUBNS
8
String
ANSI feature code for the county subdivision
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area description
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional status
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS 55 Class code describing an entity
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Code for type of area update (E, M, B, and G)
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
String
Justification of change
NAME
100
String
Entity name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
JSTFY_CNTG
150
String
Justification entered by participant to retain
noncontiguous statistical geography
JSTFY_NAME
150
String
Justification entered by participant when the name of
the statistical geography is changed
Table 75: Census Designated Place Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_cdp)
Attribute Field Length
Type
Description
FID
10
Integer
Feature ID
Shape
7
String
Type of shape (Polygon)
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County code
PLACEFP
5
String
FIPS 55 Place code
PLACENS
8
String
ANSI feature code for the place
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
LSAD
2
String
Legal / Statistical Area description
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional status
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS 55 class code describing and entity
PARTFLG
1
String
Indicates if only part of a feature is represented (Y or N)
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Code for type of area update (E, B, G, and X)
EFF_DATE
8
Date
Effective date or vintage
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
String
Justification of change
NAME
100
String
Entity name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
POP10
10
Integer
2010 population count
HOUSING10
10
Integer
2010 housing unit count
JSTFY_NAME
150
String
Justification entered by participant when the name of
the statistical geography is changed

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census PSAP Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

J-4

PSAP Quick Reference Guides

G-600
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: Tribal Block Groups
A tribal block group 1 is a statistical geographic subdivision of a tribal census tract. Tribal block groups are
defined by the Census Bureau in cooperation with tribal officials to provide meaningful, relevant, and
reliable data for small geographic areas within the boundaries of federally recognized American Indian
reservations (AIRs) and/or off-reservation trust lands (ORTLs) without the imposition of state or county
boundaries. The Census Bureau uses tribal block groups in the tabulation and presentation of data from
the decennial census and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Census Bureau criteria specify that tribal block groups must:
• Nest within tribal census tract boundaries and by default, nest within the American Indian
reservation (AIR) and off-reservation trust land (ORTL) boundaries.
• Cover the entire AIR and/or ORTL. However, defining tribal census tracts and tribal block groups
is optional.
• Comprise a reasonably compact and contiguous land area. A non-contiguous tribal block group
is permitted if there are physically separate areas that would not meet population or housing
unit requirements on their own, in which case the non-contiguous area must be combined with
other nearby land area to form the tribal block group.
• Meet the population and/or housing unit thresholds as specified in Table 1. A tribal block group
that exceeds thresholds, either above or below, may remain unchanged with justifications. For
federally recognized American Indian tribes with AIRs and ORTLs that have fewer than 1,200
residents, the Census Bureau will define one tribal census tract and one tribal block group that
encompasses the entirety of the AIR or ORTL.
• Use the letter range A through K (except "I," which could be confused with a number "1") to
identify and code the tribal block groups within a tribal census tract. Census blocks will be
numbered uniquely within county-based block groups, and thus there will not be a direct
relationship between a tribal block group and the census block number.
Census Bureau guidelines recommend that tribal block groups:
• Have boundaries that follow visible features (e.g., roads, rivers) or other acceptable features
(e.g., tribal subdivision, incorporated place, and minor civil division boundaries).

Tribal block group was delineated under Tribal Statistical Areas Program (TSAP) in 2010.

G-600
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
Block Group Type
Tribal Block Groups

Table 1: Block Group Thresholds
Population Threshold
Housing Unit
Threshold
Min.: 600
Min.: 240

Area Measurement
Threshold
None

Max.: 3,000

None

Max.: 1,200

Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

G-610
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: Tribal Census Tracts
Tribal census tracts are statistical geographic units defined by the U.S. Census Bureau in cooperation
with tribal officials to provide meaningful, relevant, and reliable data for small geographic areas within
the boundaries of federally recognized American Indian reservations (AIRs) and/or off-reservation trust
lands (ORTLs). As such, they meet the unique statistical data needs of federally recognized American
Indian tribes. The delineation of tribal census tracts allows for an unambiguous presentation of census
tract-level data specific to the federally recognized AIR and/or ORTL. Tribal census tract geography is
maintained separately from standard county-based census tract geography. Ideally, tribal census tracts
remain consistent between censuses making it possible to compare statistics for the same geographic
area from decade to decade. Therefore, we request that you do not change the outer boundaries of any
census tracts when making census tract updates, unless it is a correction due to boundary or feature
inaccuracy. The Census Bureau uses tribal census tracts in the tabulation and presentation of data from
the decennial census and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Census Bureau criteria specify that tribal census tracts must:
• Nest within an individual American Indian reservation (AIR) or off-reservation trust land (ORTL).
• Cover the entire land and water area of an AIR and/or ORTL.
• Be reasonably compact and contiguous. Non-contiguous boundaries are permitted only when a
physically separate area would not meet population and housing unit count requirements for a
separate tribal census tract.
• Meet the population/housing unit thresholds as specified in Table 1. A tract that exceeds
thresholds, either above or below, may remain unchanged with justifications. For federally
recognized American Indian tribes with AIRs and ORTLs that have fewer than 1,200 residents,
the Census Bureau will define one census tract that encompasses the entirety of the AIR or
ORTL.
• Have codes that are six characters long with a leading "T" alphabetic character followed by five
numeric codes having an implied decimal between the fourth and fifth character; for example,
T01000 translates as tribal census tract 10.
Census Bureau guidelines recommend that tribal census tracts:
• Have boundaries that follow visible features (e.g., roads, rivers) or other acceptable features
(e.g., tribal reservation, tribal subdivision, incorporated place, and minor civil division
boundaries).
• Be merged when tribal census tracts are below the minimum population (1,200) or housing unit
(480) count with adjacent tribal census tracts. Participants should split any tribal census tracts
above maximum population (8,000) or housing unit (3,200) counts into multiple tribal census
tracts. When revising tribal census tracts, participants should aim to meet or exceed the
optimum population (4,000) or housing unit (1,600) thresholds to increase the reliability of
sample data for tribal census tracts.

G-610
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
Census Tract Type
Tribal Census Tracts

Table 1: Tribal Census Tract Thresholds
Threshold Type
Optimum
Population
4,000
Housing unit
1,600

Minimum
1,200
480

Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

Maximum
8,000
3,200

G-615
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: Census Designated Places
Census designated places (CDPs) are statistical geographic entities representing closely settled,
unincorporated communities that are locally recognized and identified by name. They are statistical
equivalents of incorporated places, with the primary differences being the lack of both a legally defined
boundary and an active, functioning governmental structure, chartered by the state and administered
by elected officials. The purpose of CDPs is to provide meaningful statistics for well-known,
unincorporated communities. The U.S. Census Bureau uses CDPs in the tabulation and presentation of
data from the decennial census, the American Community Survey (ACS), the Economic Census, and the
Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) Program.
Census Bureau criteria and guidelines 1 specify that CDPs:
• Constitute a single, named, closely settled center of population.
o Multiple communities may be combined to form a single CDP, with a hyphenated name, when
the identities of the communities have become so intertwined that the communities are
commonly perceived and referenced as a single place.
o Two communities with separate identities may be combined to form a single CDP, with a
hyphenated name, when there are no distinguishable or suitable features in the landscape that
can be used as a boundary between the communities.
• Consist of a contiguous cluster of census blocks comprising a single piece of territory and containing
a mix of residential, nonresidential, and commercial uses. Some predominantly residential
communities, such as colonias, small rural communities, and unincorporated resort and retirement
communities may also be recognized as CDPs.
• Cannot be located partially or entirely within an incorporated place or another CDP.
• Can be located in more than one county but cannot cross state boundaries.
• Contain at least some population or housing units.
• Cannot have both zero population and zero housing units. The Census Bureau may request a
justification for CDPs delineated with fewer than ten housing units.
• Boundaries should follow visible features.
o Exception is when the boundary is coincident with the nonvisible boundary of a state, county,
American Indian area (AIA), or incorporated place or minor civil division (MCD) in states where
those boundaries tend to remain unchanged over time.
o Or, the boundary may follow other nonvisible features in instances where reliance upon visible
features would result in overbounding of the CDP in order to include housing units on both sides
of a road or street feature.
• May not have the same name as an adjacent or nearby incorporated place. Adding a directional to
the name to differentiate it is not acceptable if that name is not in local use.
• Can have a name change from 2010 Census if the new name provides a better identification of
the community.
• Boundaries of a pre-existing CDP can be adjusted or a CDP can be deleted if it is no longer relevant.
Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

The criteria outlined herein apply to the United States, including American Indian reservations and offreservation trust lands.

G-615PR
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: Census Designated Places
Census designated places (CDPs) are statistical geographic entities representing closely settled,
unincorporated communities that are locally recognized and identified by name. They are statistical
equivalents of incorporated places, with the primary differences being the lack of both a legally defined
boundary and an active, functioning governmental structure, chartered by the state and administered
by elected officials. The purpose of CDPs is to provide meaningful statistics for well-known,
unincorporated communities. The U.S. Census Bureau uses CDPs in the tabulation and presentation of
data from the decennial census, the Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS), and the Longitudinal
Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) Program.
Census Bureau criteria and guidelines specify that CDPs:
• Constitute a single, named, closely settled center of population.
o Multiple communities may be combined to form a single CDP, with a hyphenated name, when
the identities of the communities have become so intertwined that the communities are
commonly perceived and referenced as a single place.
o Two communities with separate identities may be combined to form a single CDP, with a
hyphenated name, when there are no distinguishable or suitable features in the landscape that
can be used as a boundary between the communities.
• Consist of a contiguous cluster of census blocks comprising a single piece of territory and containing
a mix of residential, nonresidential, and commercial uses. Some predominantly residential
communities, such as small rural communities, and unincorporated resort and retirement
communities may also be recognized as CDPs.
• Cannot be located partially or entirely within an incorporated place or another CDP.
• Can be located in more than one municipio; however, zonas urbanas are generally located only in
the municipio bearing the same name.
• Contain at least some population or housing units.
• Cannot have both zero population and zero housing units. The Census Bureau may request a
justification for CDPs delineated with fewer than ten housing units.
• Boundaries should follow visible features.
o Exception is when the boundary is coincident with the nonvisible boundary of a municipio.
o Or, the boundary may follow other nonvisible features in instances where reliance upon visible
features would result in overbounding of the CDP in order to include housing units on both sides
of a road or street feature.
• Can have a name change from 2010 Census if the new name provides a better identification of
the community.
• When editing the name of an existing zona urbana or comunidad or creating a new zona urbana or
comunidad, append “zona urbana” (or “ZA”) or “Comunidad” to the name.
• Boundaries of a pre-existing CDP can be adjusted or a CDP can be deleted if it is no longer relevant.
Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

G-620
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: Tribal Designated Statistical Areas
Tribal-designated statistical areas (TDSAs) are statistical geographic areas identified and delineated by
the U.S. Census Bureau in partnership with federally recognized tribes that do not have a reservation or
off-reservation trust land and are not located in Alaska, Hawaii, or Oklahoma. The primary purpose for
delineating a TDSA is to obtain meaningful statistical data for a recognized tribe within a specific
geographic area encompassing a substantial concentration of tribal members. The Census Bureau uses
TDSAs in the tabulation and presentation of data from the decennial census and the American
Community Survey (ACS).
Census Bureau criteria specify that each TDSAs must:
• Not include military areas.
• Have the name determined by the associated tribe, in conjunction with the Census Bureau. The
Census Bureau will evaluate the submitted name to ensure it is clearly distinguishable from the
name of any other legal or statistical American Indian Area.
• Be named for the tribe that has the largest population currently residing within the TDSA and/or
the tribe that is most commonly associated with the area encompassed by the TDSA.
• Contain some American Indian population and housing.
• Not overlap with, or completely surround, an American Indian reservation (AIR), off-reservation
trust land, or state designated tribal statistical area.
• Not include more water area than land area.
Census Bureau guidelines recommends that each TDSA:
• Be comparable in area to the AIRs and/or off-reservation trust lands of other tribes with similar
numbers of members in the same state and/or region.
• Have a significant population of American Indians and the majority should be members
of the tribe.
• Have a minimum population of 1,200 or a minimum housing unit count of 480.
• Include an area where there is structured/organized tribal activity, including tribal headquarters,
tribal service centers, meeting areas and buildings, ceremonial grounds, tribally owned
businesses, etc.
• Not contain large areas without housing or population. The Census Bureau suggests a minimum
density of three housing units per square mile.
• Be contiguous.
• Only include a water area if it maintains contiguity, provides a generalized version of the
shoreline, or is completely surrounded by land area that is included in the TDSA.
• Have boundaries that preferably follow visible, physical features such as rivers, streams,
shorelines, roads, and ridgelines.
• Only follow nonvisible boundaries if they are legally defined boundaries of AIRs, off-reservation
trust lands, states, counties, or incorporated places.
• Only add nonvisible lines as a boundary if other acceptable boundary features are not available
and they aid in meeting other specific TDSA delineation criteria and guidelines.
Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

G-621
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: State Designated Tribal Statistical Areas
State-designated tribal statistical areas (SDTSAs) are geographic areas identified and delineated by the
U.S. Census Bureau in partnership with a governor-designated state official for state-recognized tribes
that are not federally recognized and are not located within Alaska, Hawaii, or Oklahoma. The primary
purpose for delineating a SDTSA is to obtain meaningful statistical data for a recognized tribe within a
specific geographic area encompassing a substantial concentration of tribal members. The Census
Bureau uses SDTSAs in the tabulation and presentation of data from the decennial census and the
America Community Survey (ACS).
Census Bureau criteria specify that each SDTSA must:
• Not include military areas.
• Be delineated in a state only if the tribe is officially recognized by that state.
• Have the name determined by the associated tribe, in conjunction with the Census Bureau and
the state liaison responsible for its delineation. The Census Bureau will evaluate the submitted
name to ensure it is clearly distinguishable from the name of any other legal or statistical
American Indian Area (AIA).
• Be named for the tribe that has the largest population currently residing within the SDTSA
and/or the tribe that is most commonly associated with the area encompassed by the SDTSA.
• Contain some American Indian population and housing.
• Not overlap with, or completely surround, an American Indian reservation (AIR), off-reservation
trust land, or a tribal designated statistical area.
• Not include more water area than land area.
Census Bureau guidelines recommend that each state-designated tribal statistical area (SDTSA):
• Be comparable in area to the AIRs and/or off-reservation trust lands of other tribes with similar
numbers of members in the same state and/or region.
• Have a significant population of American Indians and the majority should be members
of this tribe.
• Have a minimum population of 1,200 or a minimum housing unit count of 480.
• Include an area where there is structured/organized tribal activity, including tribal headquarters,
tribal service centers, meeting areas and buildings, ceremonial grounds, tribally owned
businesses, etc.
• Not contain large areas without housing or population. The Census Bureau suggests a minimum
density of three housing units per square mile.
• Be contiguous.
• Only include a water area if it maintains contiguity, provides a generalized version of the
shoreline, or is completely surrounded by land area that is included in the SDTSA.
• Have boundaries that preferably follow visible, physical features such as rivers, streams,
shorelines, roads, and ridgelines.
• Only follow nonvisible boundaries if they are legally defined boundaries of AIRs, off-reservation
trust lands, states, counties, or incorporated places.
• Only add nonvisible lines as a boundary if other acceptable boundary features are not available
and they aid in meeting other SDTSA specific delineation criteria and/or guidelines.

Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

G-622
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas
Alaska Native village statistical areas (ANVSAs) are statistical geographic entities representing the
permanent and/or seasonal residences for Alaska Natives who are members of, or receiving
governmental services from, the defining Alaska Native village (ANV) located within the region and
vicinity of the ANV's historic and/or traditional location. The primary purpose of delineating an ANVSA is
to produce meaningful, relevant, and reliable statistical data for Alaska Natives and their ANVs. The
Census Bureau uses ANVSA boundaries in the tabulation and presentation of data from the decennial
census and American Community Survey (ACS).
An ANV is eligible to delineate an ANVSA if it is either:
1. Recognized by and eligible to receive services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA),
2. Recognized pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) as either a Native village
or Native group.
Recognition is determined by inclusion of an ANV on the BIA’s list of recognized tribes or by addenda to
the list as published by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. ANCSA recognition is determined by inclusion of an
ANV on the list of ANCSA-recognized Native villages and Native groups maintained by Bureau of Land
Management, (Alaska Region Office).
Census Bureau criteria specify that ANVSAs must:
• Be located in areas of historical and traditional significance for the ANV as referenced in either:
o BIA-recognized name for an ANV.
o Former BIA-recognized name for an ANV.
o Bureau of Land Management ANCSA-recognized name.
• Encompass the densely settled part of the ANV.
• Not overlap, or completely surround, another ANVSA or American Indian reservation.
• Have their entire area located within 50 miles of the ANV point location.
• Not include more water area than land area.
• Not include military installations or area within a Census 2010 urbanized area.
• Be named to match the corresponding ANV name listed in the Federal Register Notice, Vol 73,
No. 214/Tuesday, November 4, 2008.
Census Bureau guidelines recommend that ANVSAs:
• Be delineated within the Alaska Native regional corporation boundary in which it is located.
• Encompass no more than 325 sq. miles in area.
• Have the majority of their housing units, even if only seasonably used, occupied by
Alaska Natives.
• Have a significant part of the population who are Alaska Native during at least one season or
three months and the majority should be members of the delineating ANV.
• Not contain large areas without housing or population. Census Bureau suggests a minimum
density of three housing units per square mile.
• Be contiguous.
• Only include water area if it maintains contiguity, provides a generalized version of the

G-622
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
•
•
•

shoreline, or is completely surrounded by land area that is included in the ANVSA.
Have boundaries that preferably follow visible, physical features such as rivers, streams,
shorelines, glaciers, roads trails, and ridgelines.
Only follow nonvisible boundaries if they are legally defined boundaries of Alaska Native
regional corporations, boroughs, or cities in Alaska.
Only use nonvisible lines for an ANVSA boundary if other acceptable boundary features
are not available.
Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

G-623
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Areas
Oklahoma tribal statistical areas (OTSAs) are identified and delineated by the U.S. Census Bureau and
federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma that had a former American Indian reservation (AIR) in
Oklahoma. The Census Bureau intends OTSAs to represent the former AIRs that existed in the Indian and
Oklahoma territories prior to Oklahoma statehood in 1907. OTSAs provide a way to obtain data
comparable to that provided to federally recognized tribes that currently have an AIR. The Census
Bureau uses OTSAs and their tribal subdivisions in the tabulation and presentation of data from the
decennial census and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Tribal subdivisions are units of self-government and/or administration within an AIR and/or offreservation trust lands (OTRL) for a federally recognized tribe or an OTSA, that serve social, cultural,
and/or legal purposes for the tribal government. Tribal subdivisions delineated within OTSAs are
considered “statistical geographic entities” by the Census Bureau and are specifically termed “statistical
tribal subdivisions” because the larger OTSA is also considered a statistical geographic entity. These
subdivisions are delineated or updated with the OTSAs through PSAP.
Census Bureau criteria specify that OTSAs must:
• Be located completely within the current boundaries of the State of Oklahoma.
• Be named by the tribe or tribes that are responsible for delineating each OTSA, and must be
clearly distinguishable from the name of any other OTSA. The name of an OTSA must reflect one
or more of the following conditions:
• Tribe or tribes associated with the former AIR represented by the OTSA;
• Tribes that have historically resided within the area of the OTSA;
• Tribes that have significant population currently residing within the OTSA; and/or
• Name(s) of the tribe(s) commonly associated with the area encompassed by the OTSA.
• The Census Bureau will evaluate the submitted name to ensure the criteria listed above are
applied properly, and the name is clearly distinguishable from the name of any other legal or
statistical American Indian Areas (AIAs).
• Contain some American Indian population and housing.
• Not overlap with, or completely surround, an American Indian reservation, off-reservation trust
land, or a tribal designated statistical area.
• Not include more water area than land area.
Census Bureau guidelines recommend that each OTSA:
• Retain the same boundaries as those delineated for the 2010 Census, to the extent possible.
• Follow the last legal boundaries used by their former AIR.
• Eliminate joint-use areas, if possible.
• Delineate census designated places (CDPs) representing unincorporated communities located
within their own OTSA.
• Add nonvisible lines as a boundary only if other acceptable boundary features are not available
and they aid in meeting other specific OTSA delineation criteria and/or guidelines.
Census Bureau guidelines recommend that tribal subdivisions of OTSAs:
• Completely cover all of an OTSA or at least the major contiguous portion.
• Represent units of self-government or administration within the OTSA.

G-623
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
•
•
•

Not be used to define separate, discrete communities whose boundaries encompass a
concentration of population and housing – these should be defined as CDPs within the OTSA.
Have a name that reflects the name cited in recent tribal legal documentation and/or used by
the tribal government for administrative purposes.
Be noncontiguous if OTSA consists of multiple, noncontiguous parts.
Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

G-625
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: State American Indian Reservations
State American Indian reservations (SAIRs) and their legal boundaries are established pursuant to state
law. States with state-recognized tribes that are not also federally recognized each have their own
unique laws that recognize specific tribes or establish a formal process by which tribes apply for state
recognition. For the 2010 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau solicited changes to the boundaries of SAIRs
from the state government through the State Reservation Program. Although these are legal
boundaries, for the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau is requesting that the governor for each affected
state appoint a liaison to review the boundaries of any currently existing SAIRs and, if applicable,
provide the boundaries for any new SAIRs to the Census Bureau via the 2020 Census PSAP. The Census
Bureau uses SAIRs in the tabulation and presentation of data from the decennial census and American
Community Survey (ACS).
•
•
•
•
•
•

Acceptance of boundary changes to SAIRs require clear legal documentation supporting any and
all changes involving these boundaries.
By definition, SAIR boundaries cannot cross state lines unless the SAIR and tribe is separately
recognized in each state.
SAIRs may not include territory within federally recognized American Indian reservations (AIRs)
or off-reservation trust lands (ORTLs).
Census Bureau will identify each SAIR with the name submitted by the state liaison providing the
boundary for the area.
The SAIR name should reflect the specific name cited in the legal records establishing the SAIR.
The Census Bureau also accepts additions and updates to features such as roads or rivers on or
near the SAIR, as well as address range break information at the boundaries.
Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

G-640
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: Block Groups
A block group is a statistical geographic subdivision of a census tract. Local participants are provided an
opportunity to review and if necessary, suggest updates to the boundaries and attributes of the block
groups in their geographic area through the 2020 Census PSAP. The U.S. Census Bureau uses block
groups in the tabulation and presentation of data from the decennial census and the American
Community Survey (ACS).
Census Bureau criteria specify that standard block groups must:
• Nest within census tract boundaries.
• Cover the entire land and water area of each census tract.
• Be reasonably compact and contiguous.
• Meet the population and/or housing unit thresholds as specified in Table 1. For counties that have
fewer than 1,200 residents, the Census Bureau will define one census tract and one block group that
encompasses the entirety of the county.
• Have no more than nine block groups (excluding water blocks) contained within a single census
tract.
• Have a unique code, between 0 and 10, within each census tract. To identify each standard block
group, a single-digit code is used that will correspond to the first digit in the code of each block
encompassed by the block group (e.g., all blocks within block group 3 will be numbered in the 3000
range). A zero is to be used to denote a water-only block group.
Census Bureau guidelines recommend that standard block groups:
• Have boundaries that follow visible features (e.g., roads, rivers) or other acceptable
features (e.g. incorporated place, minor civil division, and American Indian reservation boundaries).
• Be delineated as a special use block group if coextensive with a special use census tract,
encompassing an employment center, large airport, public park, public forest, or large water body
with no (or very little) population or housing units.
Table 1: Block Group Thresholds
Block Group Type

Population Threshold
Min.: 600

Housing Unit
Threshold
Min.: 240

Area Measurement
Threshold
None

Standard Block
Groups

Max.: 3,000

Max.: 1,200

None

Special Use Block
Groups

None (or very little) or
within the standard
block group
thresholds

At least comparable in
land area size to
surrounding block groups

Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

G-640PR
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: Block Groups
A block group is a statistical geographic subdivision of a census tract. Local participants are provided an
opportunity to review and, if necessary, suggest updates to the boundaries and attributes of the block
groups in their geographic area through the 2020 Census PSAP. The U.S. Census Bureau uses block
groups in the tabulation and presentation of data from the decennial census and the Puerto Rico
Community Survey (PRCS).
Census Bureau criteria specify that block groups must:
• Nest within census tract boundaries.
• Cover the entire land and water area of each census tract.
• Be reasonably compact and contiguous.
• Meet the population and/or housing unit thresholds as specified in Table 1. For municipios that have
fewer than 1,200 residents, the Census Bureau will define one census tract and one block group that
encompasses the entirety of the municipio.
• Have no more than nine block groups (excluding water blocks) contained within a single
census tract.
• Have a unique code, between 0 and 9, within a census tract. To identify each standard block group,
a single-digit code is used that will correspond to the first digit in the code of each block
encompassed by the block group (e.g., all blocks within block group 3 will be numbered in the 3000
range). A zero is to be used to denote a water-only block group.
Census Bureau guidelines recommend that block groups:
• Have boundaries that follow visible features (e.g., roads, rivers) or other acceptable
features (e.g. barrio, barrio-pueblo and subbario boundaries).
• Be delineated as a special use block group if coextensive with a special use census tract,
encompassing an employment center, large airport, park, forest, or large water body with
no (or very little) population or housing units.
Table 1: Block Group Thresholds
Block Group Type

Population Threshold
Min.: 600

Housing Unit
Threshold
Min.: 240

Area Measurement
Threshold
None

Standard Block
Groups

Max.: 3,000

Max.: 1,200

None

Special Use Block
Groups

None (or very little) or
within the standard
block group
thresholds

At least comparable in
land area size to
surrounding block groups

Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

G-650
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: Census Tracts
Census tracts are relatively permanent geographic divisions of a county or county equivalent. The purpose of
the census tract is to provide a set of nationally consistent, relatively small statistical units, with stable
boundaries, that facilitate analysis of data across time. The U.S. Census Bureau prioritizes the comparability
of census tracts from decade to decade. Therefore, we request that you do not change the outer boundaries
of any census tracts when making census tract updates, unless it is a correction due to boundary or feature
inaccuracy. The Census Bureau uses census tracts in the tabulation and presentation of data from the
decennial census and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Census Bureau criteria specify that census tracts must:
• Nest within county boundaries.
• Cover the entire land and water area of the county.
• Be reasonably compact and contiguous.
• Meet the population/housing unit thresholds as specified in Table 1. For counties that have fewer than
1,200 residents, the Census Bureau will define one census tract that encompasses the entirety of the
county.
• Have census tract codes ranging from 1 to 9989 that must be unique within each county. Special use
tract codes must range from 9800 to 9899. The acceptable range of census tract suffixes for split census
tracts is from .01 to .98.
Census Bureau guidelines recommend that census tracts:
• Have boundaries that follow visible features (e.g., roads, rivers) or other acceptable features (e.g., tribal
reservation, tribal subdivision, incorporated place, and minor civil division boundaries).
• Be merged when census tracts are below the minimum population (1,200) or housing unit (480) count
with adjacent census tracts. Participants should split any census tracts above maximum population
(8,000) or housing unit (3,200) counts into multiple census tracts. When revising tracts, participants
should aim to meet or exceed the optimum population (4,000) or housing unit (1,600) thresholds to
increase the reliability of sample data for census tracts.
Table 1: Census Tract Thresholds

Census Tract Type

Threshold Type

Optimum

Minimum

Maximum

Standard Census
Tracts

Population

4,000

1,200

8,000

Housing Unit

1,600

480

3,200

Area measurement

At least
comparable
in size to
surrounding
census tracts

Employment

Suggested minimum of 1,200 workers or
jobs

Special Use Census
Tracts
(Encompassing an
employment center,
large airport, park,
forest, or large water
body with no (or very
little) population or
housing units)

Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

G-650PR
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: Census Tracts
Census tracts are relatively permanent geographic divisions of a municipio. The purpose of the census tract is
to provide a set of nationally consistent, relatively small statistical units, with stable boundaries, that
facilitate analysis of data across time. The U.S. Census Bureau prioritizes the comparability of census tracts
from decade to decade. Therefore, we request that you do not change the outer boundaries of any census
tracts when making census tract updates, unless it is a correction due to boundary or feature inaccuracy. The
Census Bureau uses census tracts in the tabulation and presentation of data from the decennial census and
the American Community Survey (ACS).
Census Bureau criteria specify that census tracts must:
• Nest within municipio boundaries.
• Cover the entire land and water area of the municipio.
• Be reasonably compact and contiguous.
• Meet the population/housing unit thresholds as specified in Table 1. For municipios that have fewer than
1,200 residents, the Census Bureau will define one census tract that encompasses the entirety of the
municipio.
• Have census tract codes ranging from 1 to 9989 that must be unique within each municipio. Special
use tract codes must range from 9800 to 9899. The acceptable range of census tract suffixes is
from .01 to .98.
Census Bureau guidelines recommend that census tracts:
• Have boundaries that follow visible features (e.g., roads, rivers) or other acceptable
features (e.g., incorporated place and barrio).
• Be merged when census tracts are below the minimum population (1,200) or housing unit (480) count
with adjacent census tracts. Participants should split any census tracts above maximum population
(8,000) or housing unit (3,200) counts into multiple census tracts. When revising tracts, participants
should aim to meet or exceed the optimum population (4,000) or housing unit (1,600) thresholds to
increase the reliability of sample data for census tracts.
Table 1: Census Tract Thresholds

Census Tract Type

Threshold Type

Optimum

Minimum

Maximum

Standard Census
Tracts

Population

4,000

1,200

8,000

Housing Unit

1,600

480

3,200

Area measurement

At least comparable
in size to
surrounding
standard census
tracts.

Population

Either none, or must be within standard census
tract thresholds

Special Use Census
Tracts

Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

G-660
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Reference: Census County Divisions
Census county divisions (CCDs) are sub-county statistical geographic areas that usually represent a single
contiguous area consisting of one or more communities, economic centers, or major land use areas in a
county or county equivalent. Ideally, CCD boundaries remain consistent between censuses, facilitating
comparison of statistics from one decade to another. CCDs have no legal status and are defined only for
the tabulation and presentation of statistical data. The U.S. Census Bureau uses CCDs in the tabulation
and presentation of data from the decennial census, the American Community Survey (ACS), and the
Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) Program.
CCDs are established in 21 states where minor civil divisions (MCDs) either do not exist or have been
unsatisfactory for reporting statistical data. CCDs exist in the following states:
Alabama
Alaska 1
Arizona
California

Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia

Hawaii
Idaho
Kentucky
Montana

Nevada
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Oregon

South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Washington

Wyoming

Census Bureau criteria and guidelines specify that CCDs:
• Center on one or more places, typically an incorporated place or an unincorporated community, and
encompass additional surrounding territory that together form a cohesive community area. In some
cases, the CCD may center on a major area of significantly different topography, land use, or
ownership (e.g. military installation or American Indian reservation).
• Comprise a reasonably compact, continuous land area, generally with road access to all areas within
the CCD.
• Nest within state and county boundaries.
• Have boundaries that follow visible features (e.g. roads, rivers) or other acceptable
features (e.g. federally recognized American Indian reservation boundaries, conjoint city limits, or
boundaries of federal, state, or locally managed lands. The Census Bureau may also accept
nonstandard visible features and/or nonstandard potentially non-visible features, on a case-by-case
basis, when visible and/or stable identifiable boundaries are not available.
• Encompass one or more contiguous census tracts, or multiple CCDs should constitute a single
census tract.
• Establish/maintain a set of sub-county units that have stable boundaries and recognizable names.
• Must not have their existing name changed unless a compelling reason is provided.
• Name should clearly identify the extent of the CCD. Newly created CCDs will usually be named based
on the largest population center or historically central place within it. When a CCD contains multiple
centers with relatively equal importance, the CCD name may represent the two or three centers.
CCDs may also be named after:
o An American Indian reservation.
o A prominent land use area.
o A prominent physical feature.
o A distinctive region.
o If there is no clear cultural focus or topographic name that may be applied, a CCD name must
consist of:
 The county name and a compass direction of the CCD location within the county, or
1

In Alaska, census subareas are the county subdivision equivalents to CCDs.

G-660
OMB Control No: 0607-1003


A major place name and a compass direction of the CCD location relative to the place.

Any name used as a CCD name must also be recognized by the Board on Geographic Names for federal
use and appear in the Geographic Names Information System maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Refer to the Respondent Guide for complete instructions.

PSAP Quick Program Guides

Q-900
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003

2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Quick Program Guide for Digital Download of the Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)
Initial Steps

1) Obtain materials from the PSAP website: :
• 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) GUPS Respondent Guide.
• 2020 Census PSAP Digital Quick Program Guide.
• 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guides.
• Download GUPS – .
2) Review the appropriate GUPS respondent guide and Quick Program Guide before beginning any updates.

Download and Install GUPS
1)
2)
3)
4)

5)
6)
7)
8)

Download the GUPS tool from the website to the computer.
Unzip the file and extract all contents of the unzipped package to a folder on the computer.
Click on the file named Setup-9.0-X.bat to start the installation.
When the installer opens, the Welcome to the QGIS GUPS Setup Wizard screen will appear. Follow the instructions on the
Wizard and click the Next button.
The License Agreement screen will appear. Review the License Agreement and click I Agree button to continue the install
process.
The Choose Install Location screen will appear. Click the Browse button to choose the location where GUPS will be
installed. The Census Bureau recommends installation of the application at the default location shown (C:\Program
Files\QGIS GUPS). Click Next to continue the install process.
The Choose Components screen will appear. Click Install to continue.
The software should take 5 to 10 minutes to complete the install. When the install is complete, the Completing the QGIS
GUPS Setup Wizard screen will appear. To complete the install, click the Finish button at the bottom of the screen.

Start New PSAP Project

Double-click the QGIS icon on the desktop [QGIS splash screen appears].
Click Close (X) on QGIS Tips screen [Map Management dialog page opens].
Use the Program drop-down box to select Participant Statistical Areas Program.
Select User Type.
• Standard statistical area reviewers, select County Based Users, follow step 5.
• Tribal statistical area reviewers, select Tribal Statistical Review, skip to step 6
5) Use the State dropdown box to select the appropriate state.
• Use the Working County drop-down box to select the county for review and update.
• Do not select any Adjacent Counties, highlighted in yellow, unless planning to download the data from Census
Web (see step 7 below).
• Click the Open button.
• Skip to step 7.
6) Use the Entity Type dropdown box select the entity you represent (Reservation/Trust Land).
• Use the Entity Name dropdown box to select the entity to update.
• Do not select any Adjacent Counties, highlighted in yellow and unchecked, unless planning to download the
data from Census Web (see step 7 below).
• Click the Open button.
7) Use the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location drop-down box to select Census Web. The other options are used by
participants receiving DVD materials.
• Suggested option: Census Web.
• If errors are experienced accessing data using the Census Web option, contact the Census Bureau.
• Files load into GUPS and are ready for updates.
• If reference to adjacent counties is needed, refer to the Getting Started with GUPS chapter of the appropriate
2020 Census PSAP respondent guide.

1)
2)
3)
4)

Q-900
OMB Control No.: 0607-1003
Perform Statistical Area Review/Updates

For County Based Users:
• Review the 2020 Census proposed statistical areas and compare to the 2010 Census statistical areas, or begin with the
2010 Census statistical areas.
• Update the 2020 Census proposed statistical areas or the 2010 Census statistical areas as necessary.
For Tribal Reviewers:
• Review the 2010 Census statistical areas.
• Update the 2010 Census statistical areas as necessary.

Perform Quality Control

Use the validation tools provided in GUPS to review changes before returning updates to the Census Bureau:
• PSAP/TSR Criteria Review Tool.
• Review Change Polygon Tool.
• Geography Review Tool.

Create Return Zip Files

1) Select Export to Zip icon on the PSAP toolbar.
2) From the Select Output Type dialog box select Export for Census button to create a file to return to the Census Bureau.
(The file naming convention is as follows: psap20__return.zip).
3) Click OK. A window opens showing the location of the of the output file on the local system. This is the file to return to the
Census Bureau as described in the next steps.

Return Updates Using the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM)

1) Open an internet browser window and enter the SWIM URL: .
2) Participants who already have a SWIM account should enter their email address and password. Skip to step 4 below.
3) Participants who do not have a SWIM account click Register Account:
• Enter the 12-digit SWIM token provided by the Census Bureau.
• If additional SWIM accounts are needed, please contact the Census Bureau.
• Create a password following the five criteria below:
• It must be 8 characters in length.
Note: SWIM email and passwords are
• It must have at least one upper case character.
case sensitive.
• It must have at least one lower case character.
• It must have at least one number.
• It must have at least one special character (valid characters are: #, !, $, &, ?, ~). Do not use commas.
• Complete the registration information form.
4) Login to SWIM:
• Select Start New Upload button.
• Select Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) radio button
• Input information on subsequent SWIM screens using instructions from the SWIM chapter of the appropriate 2020
Census PSAP respondent guide.

Contact Information

Please contact the U.S. Census Bureau for questions:
• Email: .
• Phone: 1-844-788-4921.
• Website: .

Q-905
OMB Control No: 0607-1003

2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
DVD Quick Program Guide for Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)
Initial Steps

Note: GUPS, 2020 Census PSAP partnership shapefiles, and 2020 Census PSAP reference materials are located on two DVDs.
1) Obtain materials from the DVD or PSAP website: :
• 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) GUPS Respondent Guide.
• 2020 Census PSAP DVD Quick Program Guide.
• 2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference Guides.
• Download GUPS from the DVD or website: .
2) Review the appropriate GUPS respondent guide and Quick Program Guide before beginning any updates.

Install GUPS

Note: When DVD 1 is inserted in the DVD player, the GUPS installation should run automatically. If it does not, please navigate to
your DVD drive and begin with step 3, below.
1) Insert DVD 1 into the CD/DVD drive of your computer.
2) Follow the directions on the screen.
3) Click the Setup-9.0-X.bat to start the installation.
4) When the installer opens, the Welcome to the QGIS GUPS Setup Wizard screen will appear. Follow the instructions on the
Wizard and click the Next button.
5) The License Agreement screen will appear. Review the License Agreement and click I Agree button to continue the install
process.
6) The Choose Install Location screen will appear. Click the Browse button to choose the location where GUPS will be
installed. The Census Bureau recommends installation of the application at the default location shown (C:\Program
Files\QGIS GUPS). Click Next to continue the install process.
7) The Choose Components screen will appear. Click Install to continue.
8) The software should take 5 to 10 minutes to complete the install. When the install is complete, the Completing the QGIS
GUPS Setup Wizard screen will appear. To complete the install, click the Finish button at the bottom of the screen.
9) Note: The software should run automatically for those requesting a DVD. If it does not, please navigate to the DVD drive
and begin with Step 3, above).

Start New PSAP Project

Double-click the QGIS icon on your desktop [QGIS splash screen appears].
Click Close (X) on QGIS Tips screen [Map Management dialog page opens].
Use the Program drop-down box to select Participant Statistical Areas Program.
Select User Type.
• Standard statistical area reviewers, select County Based Users, follow step 5.
• Tribal statistical area reviewers, select Tribal Statistical Review, skip to step 6
5) Use the State drop-down box to select the appropriate state.
• Use the Working County drop-down box to select the county for review and update.
• Do not select any Adjacent Counties, highlighted in yellow, unless planning to download the data from
Census Web (see step 7 below).
• Click the Open button.
• Skip to step 7.
6) Use the Entity Type drop-down box select the entity you represent (Reservation/Trust Land).
• Use the Entity Name drop-down box to select the entity to update.
• Click the Open button.
7) Use the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location drop-down box to select the location from which to pull the
county’s/entity’s shapefiles. (Options include: Census Web, CD/DVD, and My Computer).
• Suggested option: Census Web.
• If errors are experienced accessing data using the Census Web option, insert DVD 2 and use the Select Data
Folder, Directory or Location drop-down box to select the CD/DVD option. Participants must select the

1)
2)
3)
4)

Q-905
OMB Control No: 0607-1003
“shape” directory on DVD 2 and not the specific files within that directory. This will load in the shapefiles
provided on DVD 2 into GUPS.
• Files will load into GUPS and are ready for updates.
• If reference to adjacent counties is needed, refer to the Getting Started with GUPS chapter of the
appropriate 2020 Census PSAP respondent guide.

Perform Statistical Area Review/Updates

Perform Quality Control

Create Return Zip Files

Return Updates Using the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM)

1) Open an internet browser window and enter the SWIM URL: .
2) Participants who already have a SWIM account should enter their email address and password. Skip to step 4 below.
3) Participants who do not have a SWIM account click Register Account:
• Enter the 12-digit SWIM token provided by the Census Bureau.
• If additional SWIM accounts are needed, please contact the Census Bureau.
• Create a password following the five criteria below:
• It must be 8 characters in length.
Note: SWIM email and passwords are
• It must have at least one upper case character.
case sensitive.
• It must have at least one lower case character.
• It must have at least one number.
• It must have at least one special character (valid characters are: #, !, $, &, ?, ~). Do not use commas.
• Complete the registration information form.
4) Login to SWIM:
• Select Start New Upload button.
• Select Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) radio button.
• Input information on subsequent SWIM screens using instructions from the SWIM chapter of the appropriate
2020 Census PSAP respondent guide.

Contact Information

Please contact the U.S. Census Bureau for questions:
• Email: .
• Phone: 1-844-788-4921.
• Website: .

PSAP Information Guides

2020 Census
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Information Guide
W-100
Issued October 2018

WHAT IS THE 2020 CENSUS PSAP?
The 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas
Program (PSAP) enables invited participants to
review and update selected statistical area boundaries for 2020 Census data tabulation following
U.S. Census Bureau guidelines and criteria. The
Census Bureau will use the defined statistical areas
to tabulate data for the 2020 Census, American
Community Survey (ACS), and the Economic Census.
There are two types of statistical geographies eligible
for review under the 2020 Census PSAP. The first
is standard statistical geography and the second is
tribal statistical geography.
Standard statistical geographies include:
• Census tracts.
• Block groups.
• Census designated places (CDPs).
• Census county divisions (CCDs), in selected states.
Tribal statistical geographies include:
• Tribal census tracts (TCTs).
• Tribal block groups (TBGs).
• Census designated places (CDPs).
• Tribal designated statistical areas (TDSAs).
• State designated tribal statistical areas (SDTSAs).
• Alaska Native village statistical areas (ANVSAs).
• Oklahoma tribal statistical areas (OTSAs).
• Statistical tribal subdivisions.

The Census Bureau initially solicits 2020 Census
PSAP participation from our 2010 Census PSAP
participants. Where no previous partner exists, the
Census Bureau attempts to solicit new partners. The
Census Bureau strongly recommends 2020 Census
PSAP participants seek input from other census data
users and stakeholders regarding the delineation of
2020 Census statistical areas.
The Census Bureau may modify, and if necessary,
reject statistical geographic areas and/or their
boundaries submitted by participants that do not
meet established criteria and guidelines.

WHY PARTICIPATE IN THE 2020 CENSUS PSAP?
The 2020 Census PSAP is the only opportunity prior
to the 2020 Census for regional planning agencies
(RPAs); councils of governments (COGs); Alaska
Native Regional Associations (ANRAs); and tribal,
state, county, and local governments (including the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) to review and
update the selected statistical areas. Examples of how
these data are used include:
• Prepare grant applications to fund community
and regional development, education, agriculture, energy, and environmental programs, as well
as other needed community improvements and
enhancements.
• Plan for future community needs.
The next opportunity to review and delineate statistical areas is planned for the 2030 Census.

WHAT IS NEW FOR THE 2020 CENSUS PSAP?
The former Tribal Statistical Areas Program (TSAP) is
included as part of the 2020 Census PSAP. Federally
recognized tribes and state tribal liaisons are invited
to update tribal statistical geographies in the 2020
Census PSAP.
To reduce participant burden, the Census Bureau will
create 2020 Census statistical area suggestions for
review and update by all 2020 Census PSAP participants. Participants may accept the Census Bureau’s
2020 Census proposed statistical areas, update the
2020 Census proposed statistical areas, or use the
2010 Census statistical area geography as a base to
make updates.
Participants reviewing standard statistical area
geographies are required to use the Census Bureau’s
Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) to
delineate updates. The GUPS runs in QGIS, which is
an open source Geographic Information System (GIS).
GUPS contains all functionality required to make
2020 Census PSAP updates, executes automated
checks for program criteria compliance, and creates
standardized data output files for Census Bureau processing. The GUPS is available on DVD or available for
download from the Census Bureau’s Web site at
during the 2020 Census
PSAP delineation phase.
Tribal participants reviewing tribal block groups,
tribal census tracts, or CDPs may elect to use the
GUPS or Census Bureau provided paper map products to review and edit tribal statistical geographies.
Participants using the GUPS must use the Secure
Web Incoming Module (SWIM) to send their updates.
The SWIM is the official Web portal for uploading
partnership materials to the Census Bureau and is
found at .
Participants reviewing ANVSAs, OTSAs, OTSA tribal
subdivisions, TDSAs, or SDTSAs are provided Census
Bureau paper map products to review and edit tribal
statistical areas.

2020 CENSUS PSAP FEDERAL REGISTER
NOTICE
The 2020 Census PSAP Federal Register notice is
available at . The Federal
Register notice includes detailed information on standard and tribal statistical areas geography criteria
and guidelines.

2020 CENSUS PSAP SCHEDULE
Date

Event

March–May 2018

Contact 2010 Census PSAP participants to inquire about 2020 Census PSAP
participation.

July 2018

2020 Census PSAP invitation materials sent to participants.

September 2018

Final criteria for standard statistical areas published.

January 2019

2020 Census PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 calendar days to
submit updates.

January 2019

2020 Census PSAP Webinar trainings begin.

July 2019

2020 Census PSAP participants notified of delineation phase closeout.

January 2020

2020 Census PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar days to
review updates.

2 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Information Guide

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 CENSUS PSAP PREPARATION
CHECKLIST
9 Review the 2020 Census PSAP schedule and
determine staffing and budget needs.
9 Identify the primary 2020 Census PSAP contact for your government or organization.
9 Identify the technical 2020 Census PSAP
contact for your government or organization.
9 Review the 2020 Census PSAP criteria and
guidelines.

Review the 2020 Census PSAP criteria and
guidelines.
Review the 2020 Census PSAP criteria and guidelines
for census tracts, block groups, CDPs, and, if applicable to your state, CCDs. Tribal participants should
review the 2020 Census PSAP criteria and guidelines
for tribal statistical geographies for which they are
eligible. Criteria and guidelines for all 2020 Census
PSAP statistical areas are published in the Federal
Register at .

9 Seek 2020 Census PSAP stakeholder input.

Seek 2020 Census PSAP stakeholder input.

9 Establish a meeting schedule for
stakeholders during the 2020 Census PSAP
delineation phase.

Contact local governments and planning organizations in your service area for input into the review and
update of statistical areas for the 2020 Census PSAP.

9 Conduct research on local housing unit and
population data trends.

Establish a meeting schedule for stakeholders during
the 2020 Census PSAP delineation phase.

9 Identify potential CDPs for delineation during
the 2020 Census PSAP.
9 Attend a 2020 Census PSAP Webinar
training.
9 Review and update 2020 Census PSAP delineation phase materials.
9 Review and update 2020 Census PSAP verification phase materials.

Review the 2020 Census PSAP schedule and
determine staffing and budget needs.
Plan for the number of staff needed to review and
update statistical geographies prior to the start of the
delineation phase scheduled for January 2019.
Identify the primary 2020 Census PSAP contact.
The primary 2020 Census PSAP contact will coordinate the 2020 Census PSAP review and update activities. Past primary PSAP contacts have included planning directors, executive directors, COG presidents,
or other persons with decision-making authority.
Identify the 2020 Census PSAP technical contact.
The technical 2020 Census PSAP contact will conduct the technical review work or manage the technical staff. Consider whether this person will be available for the verification phase of the 2020 Census
PSAP.

U.S. Census Bureau

Coordinate stakeholder meetings during the delineation phase to review the Census Bureau’s 2020
Census proposed statistical areas, and subsequent
updates, to seek consensus among stakeholders.
Conduct research on local housing unit and
population data trends.
Conduct research to determine where housing unit
and population growth or decline have occurred since
2010. Determine whether there are areas of future
change that may affect the delineation of statistical
areas based on housing unit and population criteria
beyond the 2020 Census.
Identify potential CDPs for definition during the
2020 Census PSAP.
Work with local stakeholders to identify potential
CDPs. CDPs can be delineated for the 2020 Census
PSAP for unincorporated, named places with concentrations of housing units or population.
Attend a 2020 Census PSAP Webinar training.
Training Webinars will offer “hands-on” experience using the 2020 Census PSAP materials. Selftraining aids and Webinars will be available online
on the 2020 Census PSAP Web site. In addition, the
2020 Census PSAP Respondent Guides will contain
detailed instructions and examples for conducting
your statistical area review.

2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Information Guide 3

Review and update 2020 Census PSAP delineation
phase materials.

Review and update 2020 Census PSAP verification
phase materials.

You have 120 calendar days from receipt of materials to conduct your 2020 Census PSAP review and
return updates to the Census Bureau. The time it will
take to complete your 2020 Census PSAP review and
submit your updates depends on the geographic territory and number of changes.

After updating statistical areas based on 2020
Census PSAP participants’ submissions, the Census
Bureau will provide verification products to participants. You have 90 calendar days from the receipt
of your verification materials to conduct the 2020
Census PSAP verification review and respond to the
Census Bureau.

QUESTIONS
For more information about 2020 Census PSAP, call
1-844-788-4921, e-mail us at , or visit our Web site at .

4 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Information Guide

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 1.

2020 CENSUS PSAP STANDARD STATISTICAL AREAS CRITERIA—Con.
Statistical area

Nationwide
wall-to-wall
coverage

Primary purpose

Geography
nests
within

2020 Census
population
criteria

2020 Census
housing unit
criteria

Optimum: 4,000

Optimum: 1,600

Minimum: 1,200

Minimum: 480

Maximum: 8,000

Maximum: 3,200

CENSUS TRACTS
Standard
census tract
Special use

Boundary continuity.

Yes

County

Data comparability.
No

Distinguish areas of
little or no population
that have a specific
type of land use.

County

Population Threshold =
Little/None or must be within the
standard census tract threshold.
Employment threshold (suggested): Minimum of 1,200 jobs/
workers.

Large water bodies.

Area Measurement Thresholds:
• Should be comparable in land
area size to surrounding census tracts
BLOCK GROUPS
Standard
block group

Form the geographic
framework within which
census blocks are
numbered.

Yes

Census
Tract

Minimum: 600

Minimum: 240

Maximum: 3,000

Maximum: 1,200

Census
Tract

Population Threshold =
Little/None or must be within the
standard block group threshold.

Smallest area for which
demographic characteristics are produced
from the American
Community Survey
(ACS).
Special use

Distinguish areas of
little or no population
that have a specific
type of land use AND
are coextensive with a
special land use census
tract.
Large water bodies.

Employment threshold (suggested): Minimum of 600 jobs/
workers.
Area Measurement Thresholds:
• Should be comparable in
land area size to surrounding
block groups

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Information Guide 5

Table 1.

2020 CENSUS PSAP STANDARD STATISTICAL AREAS CRITERIA—Con.
Statistical area
Census
designated
places (CDPs)

Primary purpose
Place-level statistics
for well-known, closely
settled named localities
that are not part of an
incorporated place.

Nationwide
wall-to-wall
coverage
No, CDPs
capture
distinct
communities.

Geography
nests
within
State

Mix of residential and
commercial areas.

Census county
divisions
(CCDs)

Provide data for subcounty units that have
stable boundaries and
recognizable names.
Usually represents one
or more communities,
economic centers, or
major land uses.

Partial—
CCDs and
minor civil
divisions
(MCDs)
together provide national
coverage.

County

2020 Census
population
criteria

2020 Census
housing unit
criteria

Should have
population during at least one
entire season (at
least 3 consecutive months) of
the year.

Should have
higher housing
unit (or population) density
than surrounding area.

None

If less than 10
housing units,
Census Bureau
will ask for an
explanation.

CCDs exist in
21 states.1

CCDs exist in the following states:

Alabama
Alaska (referred to as census subarea)
Arizona
California
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Kentucky

Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Washington
Wyoming

6 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Information Guide

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 2.

2020 CENSUS PSAP TRIBAL STATISTICAL AREAS CRITERIA—Con.
Statistical area

Primary purpose

Coverage

Geography
nests within

2020 Census
population
criteria

2020 Census
housing unit
criteria

Optimum: 4,000

Optimum: 1,600

Minimum: 1,200

Minimum: 480

Maximum: 8,000

Maximum: 3,200

TRIBAL CENSUS TRACTS (TCTs)
TCT
(Conceptually
similar and
equivalent
to standard
census tract.)

Meet unique statistical needs of federally
recognized American
Indian reservation (AIR)
and/or off-reservation
trust land (ORTL).
Tract-level data without
the imposition of state
or county boundaries.

Entire land
and water
area of the
AIR and/or
ORTL must
be covered
by one or
more TCTs.

Federally
recognized
AIR or
ORTL.
(Identified
uniquely to
distinguish
from standard census
tract.)

(Fewer than
2,400 = 1 TCT
coextensive
with AIR and/or
ORTL.)

Data comparability.
Special use

Distinguish areas of
little or no population
that have a specific
type of land use.
Large water bodies.

Population Threshold =
Little/None or must be within the
standard census tract threshold.
Employment threshold (suggested): Minimum of 1,200 jobs/
workers.
Area Measurement Thresholds:
• Should be comparable in land
area size to surrounding tribal
census tracts.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Information Guide 7

Table 2.

2020 CENSUS PSAP TRIBAL STATISTICAL AREAS CRITERIA—Con.
Statistical area

Primary purpose

Coverage

Geography
nests within

2020 Census
population
criteria

2020 Census
housing unit
criteria

TRIBAL BLOCK GROUPS (TBGs)
TBG
(Conceptually
similar and
equivalent to
standard block
group.)

Smallest area for which
demographic characteristics are produced
from the American
Community Survey
(ACS).
Maintained separately
from standard countybased block groups to
meet unique statistical needs of federally
recognized AIR and/or
ORTL.

Special use

Because TCTs
must cover
the entire
area of each
AIR and/
or ORTL, by
definition,
TBGs also
must cover
the entire
area of each
AIR and/or
ORTL.

TCT

Minimum: 600

Minimum: 240

(Identified
uniquely to
distinguish
from
standard
block
group.)

Maximum: 3,000

Maximum: 1,200

(Equal to or
fewer than
1,200 = 1 TBG
coextensive with
TCT, AIR, and/or
ORTL.)

Population Threshold =
Little/None or must be within the
standard block group threshold.

Distinguish areas of
little or no population
that have a specific
type of land use AND
are coextensive with a
special land use tribal
census tract.

Employment threshold (suggested): Minimum of 600 jobs/
workers.
Area Measurement Thresholds:

Large water bodies.

• Should be comparable in land
area size to surrounding tribal
block groups.
OTHER TRIBAL STATISTICAL GEOGRAPHIES
Census
designated
places (CDPs)

Place-level statistics
for well-known, closely
settled named localities
that are not part of an
incorporated place.
Mix of residential and
commercial areas.

CDPs capture distinct
communities.

State
(Tribes that
would like
to delineate
CDPs for
communities
partially or
completely
outside the
boundaries
of their legal
or statistical
area should
work with
the primary
participants
for those
areas.)

8 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Information Guide

Should have
population during at least one
entire season (at
least 3 consecutive months) of
the year.

Should have
higher housing
unit (or population) density
than surrounding area.
If less than 10
housing units,
Census Bureau
will ask for an
explanation.

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 2.

2020 CENSUS PSAP TRIBAL STATISTICAL AREAS CRITERIA—Con.
Statistical area

Primary purpose

Coverage

Provide meaningful
Tribal
designated
statistical data for fedstatistical areas erally recognized tribes
(TDSAs)
that do not have an AIR
or ORTL and are not
based in Alaska, Hawaii,
or Oklahoma.
Enhance the ability for data users to
make more meaningful
comparisons, over time,
between data for both
legal and statistical
American Indian Areas
(AIAs).

Provide meaningState tribal
designated
ful statistical data for
statistical areas state-recognized tribes
(STDSAs)
that are not federally
recognized, do not have
a state-recognized AIR
or ORTL, and are not
based in Alaska, Hawaii,
or Oklahoma.
Enhance the ability for data users to
make more meaningful
comparisons, over time,
between data for both
legal and statistical
AIAs.

U.S. Census Bureau

Relates to
distribution of tribal
members and
American
Indians
receiving
governmental
services from
the tribe.

Geography
nests within
United
States—
excluding
Alaska,
Hawaii, and
Oklahoma.
(Can cross
state
boundaries.)

2020 Census
population
criteria

2020 Census
housing unit
criteria

Minimum = 200

Minimum = 480

American Indian
population
makes up large
proportion of
population and
majority of that
population are
members of
the delineating
tribe.

Housing unit
density of at
least 3 housing
units per square
mile.

Should not
include large
numbers of
people and
households not
affiliated with
the tribe.
Relates to
distribution of tribal
members and
American
Indians
receiving
governmental
services from
the tribe.

State in
which the
respective tribe
is officially
recognized.

Minimum = 200

Minimum = 480

American Indian
population
makes up large
proportion of
population and
majority of that
population are
members of
the delineating
tribe.

Housing unit
density of at
least 3 housing
units per square
mile.

Should not
include large
numbers of
people and
households not
affiliated with
the tribe.

2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Information Guide 9

Table 2.

2020 CENSUS PSAP TRIBAL STATISTICAL AREAS CRITERIA—Con.
Statistical area

Primary purpose

Provide meaningful, relAlaska Native
village
evant, and reliable stastatistical areas tistical data for Alaska
(ANVSAs)
Natives and their Alaska
Native villages (ANVs)
that are federally
recognized by Bureau
of Indian Affairs (BIA)
or recognized pursuant to Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act
(ANCSA) as either a
Native Village or Native
Group.

Coverage
State of
Alaska—
represent
relatively
densely
settled portion of each
ANV.

Geography
nests within
Alaska
Native
Regional
Corporation
(ANRC).

2020 Census
population
criteria
Significant
proportion of
the population
during at least
one season of
the year (at
least 3 consecutive months) is
Alaska Native
and the majority are members
of the defining
ANV.

2020 Census
housing unit
criteria
Majority of
housing units,
permanent
and/or seasonal, should
be for Alaska
Natives who
are members
of or receiving
governmental
services from
the defining
ANV.
Should not
include large
areas that are
unpopulated or
have no housing
units.
Should have
housing unit
density of at
least 3 housing
units per square
mile.

Oklahoma
Provide a way to obtain
tribal statistical data comparable to that
areas (OTSAs)
provided to federally
recognized tribes that
currently have an AIR.

Represent
the former
AIRs that
existed in the
Indian and
Oklahoma
territories
prior to
Oklahoma
statehood in
1907.

Statistical
tribal
subdivisions

OTSA
Federally
recognized
tribes in
Oklahoma
with a defined
OTSA.

Provide a way to obtain
data for units of selfgovernment and/or
administrations within
an OTSA.

State of
Oklahoma.
(Cannot
overlap
with any
other AIA
at the same
level of the
geographic
hierarchy.)

10 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Information Guide

Must contain some
American Indian
population.

Must contain
some American
Indian housing
units.

Must contain some
American Indian
population.

Must contain
some American
Indian housing
units.

U.S. Census Bureau

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Alaska Native Regional Associations (ANRAs). The
12 regional nonprofit associations in Alaska (incorporated under State Law in 1973) whose boundaries
became the basis of the for-profit regional corporations (Alaska Native Regional Corporations [ANRC])
pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement
Act (ANCSA) (as amended) (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.
[2000]). Regional nonprofit associations were created to administer social, education, and health services for Alaska Native people in their region.
Alaska Native villages (ANVs). Constitute associations, bands, clans, communities, groups, tribes, or
villages recognized pursuant to the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (Public Law 92-203).
Alaska Native village statistical areas (ANVSAs).
Statistical geographic entities that represent the
more densely settled portions of ANVs.
American Community Survey (ACS). An ongoing survey that collects demographic and housing
characteristics data, January through December,
to provide every community with the information
they need to make important decisions. The Census
Bureau releases new data every year, in the form of
estimates, in a variety of tables, tools, and analytical
reports.
American Indian reservations (AIRs). Areas that
have been set aside by the United States for the use
of tribes, the exterior boundaries of which are more
particularly defined in the final tribal treaties, agreements, executive orders, federal statutes, secretarial
orders, or judicial determinations. The Bureau of
Indian Affairs (BIA) maintains a list of all federally
recognized tribal governments and makes final determination of the inventory of federal AIRs.
American Indian tribal subdivisions. Described
as additions, administrative areas, areas, chapters,
county districts, communities, districts, or segments
and are legal administrative subdivisions of federally
recognized AIRs and ORTLs or are statistical subdivisions of OTSAs.

Census county divisions (CCDs). Statistical geographic entities in 21 states where MCDs either do not
exist or change too frequently for reporting comparable census data over time. The primary goal of the
CCD program is to establish and maintain a set of
subcounty units that have stable boundaries and recognizable names. In most cases census tracts should
nest within CCDs, but in less populated counties
CCDs should nest within census tracts.
Census designated places (CDPs). Statistical geographic entities representing closely settled, unincorporated communities that are locally recognized
and identified by name. CDPs are the statistical
equivalents of incorporated places, with the primary
differences being the lack of both a legally defined
boundary and an active, functioning governmental
structure, chartered by the state and administered by
elected officials.
Census tracts. Small, relatively permanent statistical
subdivisions of a county or equivalent entity that provide a stable set of geographic units for the presentation of statistical data. Census tracts generally have
a population ranging from 1,200 to 8,000, with an
optimum population of 4,000.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS). A collection of computer hardware, software, and geographic data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and
displaying all forms of geographically referenced
information.
Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS). A
customized GIS, based on the open-source platform
QGIS, provided by the Census Bureau to facilitate
the participation and submission of statistical area
updates for the 2020 Census PSAP.
Master Address File/Topologically Integrated
Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/
TIGER) System. A digital (computer-readable) geographic database that automates the mapping and
related geographic activities required to support the
Census Bureau’s census and survey programs.

Block groups. Statistical geographic divisions of census tracts that generally contain population ranging
from 600 to 3,000 and are used to present data and
control block numbering within a census tract.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Information Guide 11

Minor civil divisions (MCDs). Primary governmental
or administrative divisions of a county in many states
(parishes in Louisiana) and the county equivalents in
Puerto Rico and the Island Areas.
Off-reservation trust lands (ORTLs). Areas for which
the United States holds title in trust for the benefit of
a tribe (tribal trust land) or for an individual American
Indian (individual trust land).
Oklahoma tribal statistical areas (OTSAs). Statistical
entities identified and delineated by the Census
Bureau in consultation with federally recognized
American Indian tribes that had a former reservation
in Oklahoma. OTSAs generally follow the boundaries
of former reservations.
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program
(PSAP). A decennial census program that allows
invited participants to review and update selected
statistical area boundaries following Census Bureau
guidelines and criteria.

Tribal block groups (TBGs). Statistical geographic
divisions of tribal census tracts (TCTs) that generally
contain population ranging from 600 to 3,000 and
are used to present data and control block numbering within a TCT. TBGs are defined independently of
the standard county-based block group delineation.
Tribal census tracts (TCTs). Small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of federally recognized
AIRs or ORTLs that provide a stable set of geographic units for the presentation of statistical data.
TCTs generally have a population ranging from 1,200
to 8,000, with an optimum population of 4,000. TCTs
are defined independently of the standard countybased tract delineation.
Tribal designated statistical areas (TDSAs).
Statistical entities identified and delineated by federally recognized American Indian tribes that do not
currently have a federally recognized land base (reservation or off-reservation trust land).

State designated tribal statistical areas (SDTSAs).
Statistical entities for state-recognized American
Indian tribes that do not have a state-recognized land
base (reservation).

12 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Information Guide

U.S. Census Bureau

Censo del 2020
Programa de Áreas Estadísticas Participantes
(PSAP)
Guía Informativa
W-100
Publicado en octubre del 2018

¿QUÉ ES EL PSAP DEL CENSO DEL 2020?
El Programa de Áreas Estadísticas Participantes
del Censo del 2020 (PSAP) permite a los participantes invitados revisar y actualizar límites de áreas
estadísticas seleccionadas para la tabulación de
datos del Censo del 2020 siguiendo las normas y criterios de la Oficina del Censo de los EE. UU. (Oficina
del Censo). La Oficina del Censo usará las áreas
estadísticas definidas para tabular datos del Censo
del 2020, la Encuesta sobre la Comunidad de Puerto
Rico (PRCS) y el Censo Económico.
Las geografías estadísticas estándar cumplen con
los requisitos para la revisión en conformidad con el
PSAP del Censo del 2020.
Entre las geografías estándar están:
•• Sectores censales.
•• Grupos de bloques.
•• Lugares designados del censo (CDP).
Inicialmente, la Oficina del Censo solicita la participación en el PSAP del Censo del 2020 a nuestros
participantes en el PSAP del Censo del 2010. En los
casos en que no existan socios anteriores, la Oficina
del Censo trata de captar nuevos socios. La Oficina
del Censo recomienda encarecidamente a los participantes en el PSAP del Censo del 2020 que les pidan
a otros usuarios y entidades interesadas en los datos
del censo su aporte con respecto a la delineación de
las áreas estadísticas del Censo del 2020.
La Oficina del Censo puede modificar, y si es necesario rechazar, las áreas geográficas estadísticas, y/o
sus límites, presentados por los participantes que no
cumplan los criterios y normas establecidos.

¿POR QUÉ PARTICIPAR EN EL PSAP DEL
CENSO DEL 2020?
El PSAP del Censo del 2020 es la única oportunidad
antes del Censo del 2020 para que las agencias de
planificación regional (RPA), consejos de gobierno
(COG), Asociaciones Regionales de Nativos de Alaska
(ANRA) y los gobiernos tribales, estatales, de condado y locales (incluyendo el Distrito de Columbia
y Puerto Rico) para revisar y actualizar las áreas
estadísticas seleccionadas. Por ejemplo, estos datos
se usan para:
•• Preparar solicitudes de subsidios para financiar
programas comunitarios y regionales de desarrollo, educación, agricultura, energía y ambientales, al igual que otras mejoras y avances comunitarios necesarios.
•• Planificar para las necesidades futuras de la
comunidad.
La próxima oportunidad para revisar y delinear las
áreas estadísticas se planifica para el Censo del 2030.

¿QUÉ HAY DE NUEVO PARA EL PSAP DEL
CENSO DEL 2020?
Con el fin de reducir el esfuerzo de los participantes,
la Oficina del Censo va a crear sugerencias para
todos los participantes en el PSAP del Censo del
2020 de áreas estadísticas del Censo del 2020 para
que se revisen y se actualicen. Los participantes
pueden aceptar las áreas estadísticas del Censo del
2020 que proponga la Oficina del Censo, actualizar
las áreas estadísticas del Censo del 2020 que se
propongan, o pueden usar la geografía de las áreas
estadísticas del Censo del 2010 como base para
hacer actualizaciones.

Los participantes que revisen geografías de áreas
estadísticas estándar tienen que usar el Software
de Colaboración para la Actualización Geográfica
(GUPS) de la Oficina del Censo para delinear las
actualizaciones. El GUPS opera en QGIS, que es un
Sistema de Información Geográfica (GIS) de código
abierto. El GUPS contiene toda la funcionalidad que
se requiere para hacer actualizaciones del PSAP del
Censo del 2020, ejecuta verificaciones automatizadas del cumplimiento de los criterios del programa y
crea archivos de salida de datos estandarizados para
el procesamiento que realiza la Oficina del Censo.
El GUPS está disponible en DVD o disponible para
descargarlo del sitio web de la Oficina del Censo
durante la fase
de delineación del PSAP del Censo del 2020.
Los participantes que usen GUPS tienen que usar
el Módulo Entrante de Web Segura (SWIM) para
enviar sus actualizaciones. SWIM es el portal oficial

de internet para cargar materiales de asociación a la
Oficina del Censo, y se encuentra en
.

AVISO DEL PSAP DEL CENSO DEL 2020 DEL
REGISTRO FEDERAL
El Aviso del PSAP del Censo del 2020 del Registro
Federal está disponible en . El Aviso del Registro Federal incluye información detallada sobre criterios y normas de geografías de las áreas estadísticas tribales y estándar.

PREGUNTAS
Para recibir más información sobre el PSAP del Censo
del 2020, llame gratis al 1-844-788-4921, envíenos un
correo electrónico a ,
o visite nuestro sitio web .

CALENDARIO DEL PSAP DEL CENSO DEL 2020
Fecha

Evento

Marzo a mayo
del 2018

Se establece contacto con los participantes del PSAP del Censo del 2010 para preguntar
sobre la participación en el PSAP del Censo del 2020.

Julio del 2018

Se envían los materiales de invitación del PSAP del Censo del 2020 a los participantes.

Septiembre del
2018

Publicación de los criterios finales de las áreas estadísticas estándar.

Enero del 2019

Comienza la fase de delineación del PSAP del Censo del 2020. Los participantes tienen
120 días calendario para enviar las actualizaciones.

Enero del 2019

Comienzan las capacitaciones del PSAP del Censo del 2020 en seminarios web.

Julio del 2019

Se informa a los participantes en el PSAP del Censo del 2020 del cierre de la fase de
delineación.

Enero del 2020

Comienza la fase de verificación del PSAP del Censo del 2020. Los participantes tienen
90 días calendario para revisar las actualizaciones.

2 Guía Informativa del Programa de Áreas Estadísticas Participantes (PSAP) del Censo del 2020

U.S. Census Bureau

LISTA DE VERIFICACIÓN PREPARATORIA
PARA EL PSAP DEL CENSO DEL 2020
99 Revisar el calendario del PSAP del Censo del
2020 y determinar las necesidades de personal y presupuesto.

ejecutivos, presidentes de COG y otras personas con
autoridad para tomar decisiones.
Identificar el contacto técnico del PSAP del Censo
del 2020.

99 Identificar el principal contacto del PSAP
del Censo del 2020 para su gobierno u
organización.

El contacto técnico del PSAP del Censo del 2020 va a
llevar a cabo el trabajo de la revisión técnica o dirigir
al personal técnico. Considere si esta persona va a
estar disponible para la fase de verificación del PSAP
del Censo del 2020.

99 Identificar el contacto técnico del PSAP
del Censo del 2020 para su gobierno u
organización.

Revisar los criterios y normas del PSAP del Censo
del 2020.

99 Revisar los criterios y normas del PSAP del
Censo del 2020.
99 Pedir el aporte de las entidades interesadas
del PSAP del Censo del 2020.
99 Establecer un calendario de encuentros para
las entidades interesadas durante la fase de
delineación.
99 Llevar a cabo una investigación de las tendencias de datos de unidades de vivienda y
población a nivel local.
99 Identificar CDP potenciales para la delineación durante el PSAP del Censo del 2020.
99 Asistir a una capacitación del PSAP del
Censo del 2020 por seminario web.
99 Revisar y actualizar los materiales de la fase
de delineación del PSAP del Censo del 2020.
99 Revisar y actualizar los materiales de la fase
de verificación del PSAP del Censo del 2020.

Revisar el calendario del PSAP del Censo del
2020 y determinar las necesidades de personal y
presupuesto.
Planificar el número de empleados necesarios para
revisar y actualizar las geografías estadísticas antes
de empezar la fase de delineación programada para
enero del 2019.
Identificar el principal contacto del PSAP del Censo
del 2020.
El contacto principal del PSAP del Censo del 2020 va
a coordinar las actividades de revisión y actualización
del PSAP. Entre los contactos del PSAP en el pasado
se cuentan directores de planificación, directores

U.S. Census Bureau

Revisar los criterios y normas del PSAP del Censo del
2020 para los sectores censales, grupos de bloques
y CDP. Los Criterios y normas de todas las áreas
estadísticas del PSAP del Censo del 2020 están publicados en el Registro Federal en
.
Pedir el aporte de las entidades interesadas del
PSAP del Censo del 2020.
Ponerse en contacto con los gobiernos locales y las
organizaciones de planificación en su área de servicio
para recibir su aporte sobre la revisión y actualización
del PSAP del Censo del 2020.
Establecer un calendario de encuentros para las
entidades interesadas durante la fase de delineación.
Coordinar reuniones con las entidades interesadas
durante la fase de delineación para revisar las áreas
estadísticas propuestas por la Oficina del Censo para
el Censo del 2020 y posteriores actualizaciones para
lograr el consenso entre las entidades interesadas.
Llevar a cabo una investigación de las tendencias de
datos de unidades de vivienda y población a nivel
local.
Llevar a cabo una investigación para determinar
dónde hubo crecimiento o disminución de las unidades de vivienda y la población desde el 2010.
Determinar si hay áreas donde habrá cambios que
puedan afectar la delineación de áreas estadísticas,
de acuerdo con criterios de unidades de vivienda y
población después del Censo del 2020.

Guía Informativa del Programa de Áreas Estadísticas Participantes (PSAP) del Censo del 2020 3

Identificar CDP potenciales para su definición
durante el Censo del 2020.

Revisar y actualizar los materiales de la fase de
delineación del PSAP del Censo del 2020.

Colaborar con las entidades locales interesadas para
identificar CDP potenciales. Se pueden delinear los
CDP para el PSAP del Censo del 2020 para lugares
no incorporados con nombre y con concentraciones
de unidades de vivienda o de población.

Usted tiene 120 días calendario desde el momento en
que reciba sus materiales para realizar su revisión del
PSAP del Censo del 2020 y enviar sus actualizaciones a la Oficina del Censo. El tiempo que le tomará
completar su revisión del PSAP del Censo del 2020
y enviar sus actualizaciones dependerá del territorio
geográfico y el número de cambios.

Asistir a una capacitación del PSAP del Censo del
2020 por seminario web.
Los seminarios web de capacitación ofrecerán experiencia práctica con los materiales del PSAP del Censo
del 2020. Habrá materiales de autocapacitación y
seminarios web disponibles en internet en el sitio web
del PSAP del Censo del 2020. Además, las Guías para
responder del PSAP del Censo del 2020 van a contener instrucciones detalladas y ejemplos para llevar
a cabo su revisión de áreas estadísticas.

Revisar y actualizar los materiales de la fase de
verificación del PSAP del Censo del 2020.
Después de actualizar las áreas estadísticas de
acuerdo con la información de los participantes en
el PSAP del Censo del 2020, la Oficina del Censo les
va a proporcionar a los participantes los productos
de verificación. Usted tiene 90 días calendario desde
que reciba sus materiales de verificación para realizar
su revisión de verificación del PSAP del Censo del
2020 y responder a la Oficina del Censo.

4 Guía Informativa del Programa de Áreas Estadísticas Participantes (PSAP) del Censo del 2020

U.S. Census Bureau

CRITERIO PARA LAS ÁREAS ESTADÍSTICAS ESTÁNDAR DEL PSAP DEL CENSO DEL 2020
Área estadística

Propósito principal

Cobertura
nacional total

Geografía
dentro de

Criterio de
población del
Censo del 2020

Criterio de
unidad de
vivienda del
Censo del 2020

SECTORES CENSALES
Sector censal
estándar

Uso especial

Continuidad de límites

Sí

Municipio

Comparabilidad de los
datos
Distinguir las áreas
de poca o ninguna
población que tienen
un uso específico del
terreno

Municipio

Óptimo: 4,000

Óptimo: 1,600

Mínimo: 1,200

Mínimo: 480

Máximo: 8,000

Máximo: 3,200

Umbral de población = Poco/
Ninguno o tiene que estar dentro
del umbral estándar del sector
censal
Umbral de empleo (sugerido) =
Un mínimo de 1,200 empleos/
trabajadores

Cuerpos de agua
grandes

Umbral de medición de área
= Debería ser comparable en
cuanto al tamaño del área del
terreno con los sectores censales
que lo rodean
GRUPOS DE BLOQUES
Grupo de
Forma el marco
bloque estándar geográfico dentro del
cual se enumeran los
bloques censales

Sí

Sector
censal

Mínimo: 600

Mínimo: 240

Máximo: 3,000

Máximo: 1,200

La menor área para
la cual se producen
características
demográficas para
la Encuesta sobre la
Comunidad de Puerto
Rico (PRCS)
Uso especial

Distinguir las áreas
de poca o ninguna
población que tienen
un uso específico de la
tierra Y coinciden con
un sector censal que
hace uso especial del
terreno
Cuerpos de agua
grandes

U.S. Census Bureau

Sector
censal

Umbral de población = Poco/
Ninguno o tiene que estar dentro
del umbral estándar del bloque
censal
Umbral de empleo (sugerido)
= Un mínimo de 600 empleos/
trabajadores
Umbral de medición de área
= Debería ser comparable en
cuanto al tamaño del área
del terreno con los grupos de
bloques que lo rodean

Guía Informativa del Programa de Áreas Estadísticas Participantes (PSAP) del Censo del 2020 5

CRITERIO PARA LAS ÁREAS ESTADÍSTICAS ESTÁNDAR DEL PSAP DEL CENSO DEL 2020
Área estadística

Propósito principal

Lugares
Designados del
Censo (CDP)

Estadísticas a nivel de
lugar para lugares bien
conocidos, densamente
poblados y con nombre
que no son parte de un
lugar incorporado
Mezcla de áreas
residenciales y
comerciales

Cobertura
nacional total
No, los CDP
capturan
comunidades
distintas

Geografía
dentro de
Estado

Criterio de
población del
Censo del 2020
Debe tener
población al
menos durante
una temporada
completa (al
menos 3 meses
consecutivos)
del año

6 Guía Informativa del Programa de Áreas Estadísticas Participantes (PSAP) del Censo del 2020

Criterio de
unidad de
vivienda del
Censo del 2020
Debe tener una
mayor densidad
de unidades
de vivienda (o
población) que
las áreas que lo
rodean
Si son menos
de 10 unidades
de vivienda,
la Oficina del
Censo pedirá
una explicación

U.S. Census Bureau

GLOSARIO DE TÉRMINOS
Divisiones civiles menores (MCD). Principales divisiones gubernamentales o administrativas de un condado en muchos estados (parroquias en Luisiana) y
equivalentes de condado en Puerto Rico y las Áreas
Insulares.
Encuesta sobre la Comunidad de Puerto Rico
(PRCS). Una encuesta continua que recopila datos
de características demográficas y de vivienda, desde
enero hasta diciembre, para proporcionarles a todas
las comunidades la información que necesitan para
tomar decisiones importantes. La Oficina del Censo
publica nuevos datos todos los años, en forma de
estimaciones, en una variedad de tablas, herramientas e informes analíticos.
Grupos de bloques. Divisiones geográficas estadísticas de sectores censales que por lo general contienen
una población de entre 600 y 3,000 habitantes y se
usan para presentar datos y controlar la numeración
de los bloques dentro de un sector censal.
Lugares Designados del Censo (CDP). Entidades
geográficas estadísticas que representan comunidades no incorporadas densamente pobladas que
están reconocidas localmente e identificadas por
nombre. Los CDP son equivalentes estadísticos de los
lugares incorporados, con la principal diferencia de
que no tienen un límite legal definido ni una estructura gubernamental activa y en funcionamiento,
reconocida por el estado y administrada por funcionarios electos.

Sectores censales. Pequeñas subdivisiones estadísticas de un condado relativamente permanentes o
entidades equivalentes que proveen un conjunto
estable de unidades geográficas para la presentación
de datos estadísticos. Los sectores censales por lo
general tienen una población de entre 1,200 y 8,000
habitantes, con una población óptima de 4,000.
Sistema de Archivo Maestro de Direcciones/
Archivos de Codificación y Referencia Geográficas
Integradas Topológicamente (MAF/TIGER). Una
base de datos geográficos digital (que pueden leer
las computadoras) que automatiza la confección de
mapas y las actividades geográficas relacionadas que
son necesarias para apoyar los programas de censos
y encuestas de la Oficina del Censo.
Sistema de Información Geográfica (GIS). Un conjunto de hardware de computación, software y datos
geográficos para capturar, administrar, analizar y
mostrar todas las formas información de referencia
geográfica.
Software de Colaboración para la Actualización
Geográfica (GUPS). Un GIS personalizado, basado en
una plataforma QGIS de código abierto, provisto por
la Oficina del Censo para facilitar la participación y el
envío de actualizaciones de áreas estadísticas para el
PSAP del Censo del 2020.

Programa de Áreas Estadísticas Participantes
(PSAP) del Censo del 2020. Un programa del censo
decenal que les permite a los participantes invitados
revisar y actualizar los límites de las áreas estadísticas
seleccionadas siguiendo las normas y criterios de la
Oficina del Censo.

U.S. Census Bureau

Guía Informativa del Programa de Áreas Estadísticas Participantes (PSAP) del Censo del 2020 7

PSAP Postcards

P-300

P-300
OMB Control no: 0607-1003

U.S. Census Bureau
2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Delineation Phase Response Postcard
The U.S. Census Bureau received the product preference form from your government/organization indicating how
you would like to receive the PSAP delineation materials. Please follow instructions on the letter in this package to
review delineation materials for your statistical geographies.
Please check the first box if you will have changes to submit to the Census Bureau’s 2020 proposed plan for the
standard census tracts and block groups or to the existing boundaries for all other statistical geographies. Check the
second box if you will not have any changes to submit.
Check only one of the following boxes after reviewing the 2020 Census PSAP Materials:
☐ I plan to submit changes.
☐ I do not plan to submit changes (I plan to accept the 2020 proposed plans for standard census tracts and block
groups and existing boundaries for all other statistical geographies).
Please print your name, then sign, and date below before mailing back to the Census Bureau.

_________________________

__________________________ ________________

Print name

Signature

PSAP-P-300 (12-2018)

Date

P-300PR

P-300PR
OMB Control no: 0607-1003

_________________________

__________________________ ________________

Print name

Signature

PSAP-P-300PR (12-2018)

Date

PSAP Templates and CD/DVD ReadMe.txt Files

AIA_NAME_BASID_TribalTract_TribalBG_BASID
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD
Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_TBD

AIA_NAME
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente

TTRACTCE NAME
T00100 T001
T00100 T001
T00200 T002
T00300 T003
T00300 T003
T00400 T004
T00400 T004
T00500 T005
T00500 T005
T00600 T006
T00600 T006
T00700 T007
T00700 T007
T00800 T008
T00800 T008
T00800 T008
T00900 T009
T00900 T009
T01000 T010
T01000 T010
T01000 T010

TBLKGRPCE TRACTPOPTRACTHOUTBGPOP TBGHOUSING AIA_NAME_AIA_NAME_BASID_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
A
2,613
2,497
1,782
1,573 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
924 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
B
2,613
2,497
831
A
2,436
2,124
2,436
2,124 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
905 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
A
1,916
1,506
1,229
B
1,916
1,506
687
601 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
865 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
A
2,051
2,267
652
1,402 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
B
2,051
2,267
1,399
A
3,179
2,896
1,781
1,925 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
B
3,179
2,896
1,398
971 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
A
2,613
2,713
1,354
1,424 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
B
2,613
2,713
1,259
1,289 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
A
1,462
1,616
535
499 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
1,117 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
C
1,462
1,616
927
A
3,635
2,761
1,617
1,169 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
1,267 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
B
3,635
2,761
1,683
C
3,635
2,761
335
325 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
A
3,032
2,654
986
923 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
B
3,032
2,654
2,046
1,731 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
A
1,844
1,945
327
275 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
1,182 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing
B
1,844
1,945
913
C
1,844
1,945
604
488 Agua Caliente_Agua Caliente_TBD_TribalTract_TribalBG_2010Pop_Housing

STATEFP
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06

COUNTYFP
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075

TRACTCE TRACTYP
010201
010202
010401
010402
010701
010702
010901
010902
011001
011002
010101
010102
011101
011102
012001
012002
012203
012204
012403
012404
012405
012406
012503
012504
012801
012802
013001
013002
013401
013402
015201
015202
015401
015402
015701
015702
016101
016102
016601
016602
017803
017804
020101
020102

06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06

075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075

020201
020202
020601
020602
020701
020702
020801
020802
025501
025502
026201
026202
031401
031402
033001
033002
035101
035102
045201
045202
047903
047904
060701
060702
060703
060704
061101
061102
017602
017603
017604
017605
061401
061402
061501
061502
061503
061504
061505
061506
061507
061508
061509
061510
061511

06
06
06
06
06

075
075
075
075
075

061512
061513
061514
017903
990200

STATEFP
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06

COUNTYFP
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075

TRACTCE
010100
010100
010200
010200
010201
010201
010402
010402
010500
010500
010900
010900
010902
010902
011000
011000
011001
011002
011002
011100
011100
011100
011100
011101
011102
011102
011102
011200
011200
011700
011700
011700
011700
011901
011901
011902
011902
012001
012001
012002
012002
012100
012100
012201
012201
012201

BLKGRPCE
3
4
4
5
4
5
1
2
3
4
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
3
4
4
5
6
7
5
1
2
4
4
5
3
4
5
6
3
4
3
4
2
3
1
3
3
4
3
4
5

BLKGRPID
TRACTYP
060750101003
060750101004
060750102004
060750102005
060750102014
060750102015
060750104021
060750104022
060750105003
060750105004
060750109004
060750109005
060750109024
060750109025
060750110004
060750110005
060750110014
060750110023
060750110024
060750111004
060750111005
060750111006
060750111007
060750111015
060750111021
060750111022
060750111024
060750112004
060750112005
060750117003
060750117004
060750117005
060750117006
060750119013
060750119014
060750119023
060750119024
060750120012
060750120013
060750120021
060750120023
060750121003
060750121004
060750122013
060750122014
060750122015

BGTYP

06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06

075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075

012201
012201
012201
012202
012202
012301
012301
012302
012302
012302
012302
012401
012401
012401
012401
012401
012402
012402
012402
012402
012403
012403
012403
012403
012404
012404
012404
012404
012501
012501
012502
012502
012502
012502
012503
012503
012601
012601
012800
012800
013101
013101
013101
013101
013200
013200
013400

6
7
8
2
3
3
4
3
4
5
6
3
4
5
6
7
4
5
6
7
1
2
4
6
1
2
5
7
3
4
3
4
5
6
1
3
2
3
5
6
3
4
5
6
4
5
4

060750122016
060750122017
060750122018
060750122022
060750122023
060750123013
060750123014
060750123023
060750123024
060750123025
060750123026
060750124013
060750124014
060750124015
060750124016
060750124017
060750124024
060750124025
060750124026
060750124027
060750124031
060750124032
060750124034
060750124036
060750124041
060750124042
060750124045
060750124047
060750125013
060750125014
060750125023
060750125024
060750125025
060750125026
060750125031
060750125033
060750126012
060750126013
060750128005
060750128006
060750131013
060750131014
060750131015
060750131016
060750132004
060750132005
060750134004

06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06

075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075

013400
013401
013402
013402
013500
013500
015100
015100
015200
015200
015200
015200
015201
015202
015202
015202
015500
015500
015900
015900
015900
015900
016000
016000
016100
016100
016100
016100
016101
016101
016101
016101
016101
016101
016102
016102
016300
016300
016400
016400
016900
016900
017000
017000
017601
017601
017601

5
4
1
5
3
4
3
4
4
5
6
7
7
1
2
6
4
5
3
4
5
6
2
3
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
6
8
5
7
4
5
3
4
3
4
4
5
1
5
6

060750134005
060750134014
060750134021
060750134025
060750135003
060750135004
060750151003
060750151004
060750152004
060750152005
060750152006
060750152007
060750152017
060750152021
060750152022
060750152026
060750155004
060750155005
060750159003
060750159004
060750159005
060750159006
060750160002
060750160003
060750161005
060750161006
060750161007
060750161008
060750161011
060750161012
060750161013
060750161014
060750161016
060750161018
060750161025
060750161027
060750163004
060750163005
060750164003
060750164004
060750169003
060750169004
060750170004
060750170005
060750176011
060750176015
060750176016

06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06

075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075

017601
017601
017601
017602
017602
017602
017603
017603
017604
017604
017604
017605
017605
017605
017605
017801
017801
017802
017802
017802
017802
017802
017802
017803
017803
017804
017804
017804
017804
017804
017804
017902
017902
017902
017903
017903
017903
017904
018000
018000
018000
018000
020100
020100
020200
020200
020200

7
8
9
2
3
9
1
9
1
2
9
1
2
3
8
3
4
3
4
5
6
7
8
5
8
1
2
3
4
5
7
1
2
3
1
2
3
2
3
4
5
6
5
6
4
5
6

060750176017
060750176018
060750176019
060750176022
060750176023
060750176029
060750176031
060750176039
060750176041
060750176042
060750176049
060750176051
060750176052
060750176053
060750176058
060750178013
060750178014
060750178023
060750178024
060750178025
060750178026
060750178027
060750178028
060750178035
060750178038
060750178041
060750178042
060750178043
060750178044
060750178045
060750178047
060750179021
060750179022
060750179023
060750179031
060750179032
060750179033
060750179042
060750180003
060750180004
060750180005
060750180006
060750201005
060750201006
060750202004
060750202005
060750202006

06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06

075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075

020200
020201
020201
020201
020201
020202
020202
020202
020202
020402
020402
020402
020402
020601
020601
020700
020700
020700
020700
021600
021600
022600
022600
022704
022704
023003
023003
023300
023300
025501
025501
025502
025502
025900
026001
026001
026001
026001
026303
026303
030102
030102
060100
060100
060400
060400
060700

7
1
2
5
7
2
3
4
6
3
4
5
6
3
4
4
5
6
7
3
4
1
3
3
4
3
4
2
3
1
2
3
4
4
3
4
5
6
3
4
4
5
2
3
2
3
4

060750202007
060750202011
060750202012
060750202015
060750202017
060750202022
060750202023
060750202024
060750202026
060750204023
060750204024
060750204025
060750204026
060750206013
060750206014
060750207004
060750207005
060750207006
060750207007
060750216003
060750216004
060750226001
060750226003
060750227043
060750227044
060750230033
060750230034
060750233002
060750233003
060750255011
060750255012
060750255023
060750255024
060750259004
060750260013
060750260014
060750260015
060750260016
060750263033
060750263034
060750301024
060750301025
060750601002
060750601003
060750604002
060750604003
060750607004

06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
06

075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075
075

060700
060700
060700
060700
060700
060701
060703
060704
061000
061000
061100
061100
061200
061200
061400
061400
061400
061400
061401
061401
061401
061402
061402
061402
061402
061500
061500
061500
061501
061501
061501
061501
061503
061503
061503
061503
061503
061504
061504
061504
061504
061505
061505
061505
061505
061506
061506

5
6
7
8
9
9
7
6
3
4
4
5
3
4
1
4
5
6
1
2
4
1
2
5
6
7
8
9
1
2
2
7
1
2
3
4
8
3
7
8
9
1
2
4
7
3
5

060750607005
060750607006
060750607007
060750607008
060750607009
060750607019
060750607037
060750607046
060750610003
060750610004
060750611004
060750611005
060750612003
060750612004
060750614001
060750614004
060750614005
060750614006
060750614011
060750614012
060750614014
060750614021
060750614022
060750614025
060750614026
060750615007
060750615008
060750615009
060750615011
060750615012
060750615012
060750615017
060750615031
060750615032
060750615033
060750615034
060750615038
060750615043
060750615047
060750615048
060750615049
060750615051
060750615052
060750615054
060750615057
060750615063
060750615065

06
06
06

075
075
075

061506
061506
061506

6
8
9

060750615066
060750615068
060750615069

Document ID: C-820_Readme
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-820_PSAP_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas

Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

PDF file(s) of paper maps

We encourage you to contact the Census Bureau with any questions about PSAP.
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Email:
Website:
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-820_PSAP_Disc_Contents.txt

Document ID: C-821_Readme
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-821_PSAP_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas

Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

PDF file(s) of paper maps

Document ID: C-822_Readme
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-822_PSAP_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Tribal Designated Statistical Areas

Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

PDF file(s) of paper maps

Document ID: C-824_Readme
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-824_PSAP_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Areas

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Designated Places

Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

PDF file(s) of paper maps

Document ID: C-830_Readme
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-830_PSAP_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: State American Indian Reservations

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: State Designated Tribal Statistical Areas

Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

PDF file(s) of paper maps

Document ID: C-880_Readme_Data_Disc
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-880_PSAP_Data_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Tracts

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Block Groups

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Designated Places

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census County Divisions

Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

DVD Quick Program Guide for Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)

2020 Proposed Changes List

Shapefiles
We encourage you to contact the Census Bureau with any questions about PSAP.
Phone: 1-844-788-4921
Email:
Website:
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-880_PSAP_Data_Disc_Contents.txt

Document ID: C-880_Readme_GUPS_Disc
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-880_PSAP_GUPS_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)

Document ID: C-880-ALT_Readme_Data_Disc
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-880-ALT_PSAP_Data_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Tracts

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Block Groups

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Designated Places

Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

DVD Quick Program Guide for Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)

2020 Proposed Changes List

Document ID: C-880PR_Readme_Data_Disc
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-880PR_PSAP_Data_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Tracts

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Block Groups

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Designated Places

Standard GUPS Respondent Guide

DVD Quick Program Guide for Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)

2020 Proposed Changes List

Document ID: C-880PR_Readme_GUPS_Disc
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-880PR_PSAP_GUPS_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)

Document ID: C-890_Readme_Data_Disc
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-890_PSAP_Data_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Tribal Block Groups

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Tribal Census Tracts

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Designated Places

Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

DVD Quick Program Guide for Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)

2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts List

Shapefiles

PDF file(s) of paper maps

Document ID: C-890_Readme_GUPS_Disc
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-890_PSAP_GUPS_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)

Document ID: C-890-ALT1_Readme_Data_Disc
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-890-ALT1_PSAP_Data_Disc_Contents
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Tribal Block Groups

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Designated Places

Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

DVD Quick Program Guide for Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)

2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts List

Shapefiles

PDF file(s) of paper maps

Document ID: C-890-ALT2_Readme_Data_Disc
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-890-ALT2_PSAP_Data_Disc_Contents
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Designated Places

Tribal GUPS Respondent Guide

Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

DVD Quick Program Guide for Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)

2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts List

Shapefiles

PDF file(s) of paper maps

Document ID: C-891_Readme
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-891_PSAP_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Tribal Block Groups

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Tribal Census Tracts

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Designated Places

Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts List

PDF file(s) of paper maps

Document ID: C-891-ALT1_Readme
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-891-ALT1_PSAP_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Tribal Block Groups

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Designated Places

Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts List

PDF file(s) of paper maps

Document ID: C-891-ALT2_Readme
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) File: ReadMe_C-891-ALT2_PSAP_Disc_Contents.txt
U.S. Census Bureau
Geography Division
This Compact Disk/Digital Video Disk (CD/DVD) contains information needed by PSAP participants. You do not have
to read/print all of the attachments.
You can also find information about PSAP at our website:

WHAT MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CD/DVD?
The materials you receive on the CD/DVD are outlined below:

2020 Census PSAP Quick Reference: Census Designated Places

Tribal Paper Respondent Guide

2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts List

PDF file(s) of paper maps

File Type	application/pdf
Author	Beth Clarke Tyszka (CENSUS/DCMD FED)
File Modified	2018-11-28
File Created	2018-11-28