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pdfVoting District Project Participant Guide
Instructions for Participants with User Supplied GIS Software
U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
census.gov
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Table of Contents
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement ............................................................... iv
Section 1.
Introduction................................................................................ 1
1.1
Background............................................................................................. 1
1.2
Purpose .................................................................................................. 1
1.3
Document Structure ................................................................................ 2
Section 2.
VTDP Workflow .......................................................................... 3
2.1
RDP Liaison ............................................................................................ 3
2.2
Obtaining Census Shapefiles .................................................................. 3
Shapefile Projection ............................................................................ 4
2.2.1.
2.3
Updating Census Bureau Shapefiles ...................................................... 4
2.4
Voting District Updates ........................................................................... 5
2.5
Linear Feature Review ............................................................................ 9
2.6
Area Landmark Review......................................................................... 12
2.7
Legal Boundary Review and Update ..................................................... 15
Section 3.
Create Data Submission File .................................................. 19
3.1
Submitting Voting District Updates ........................................................ 19
3.2
Submitting Linear Feature Review Updates ......................................... 20
3.3
Submitting Area Landmarks and Area Hydrography Updates ............... 20
3.4
Submitting Legal Boundary Updates ..................................................... 21
3.5
Create Zip File Containing All Changes ................................................ 23
Section 4.
File Submission through Secure Web Incoming Module ..... 24
4.1
Login Page ........................................................................................... 24
4.2
Welcome Page ..................................................................................... 26
4.3
Geographic Program Page ................................................................... 26
4.4
Select a .ZIP File to Upload .................................................................. 28
4.5
Thank You Page ................................................................................... 28
Appendices........................................................................................................ 29
APPENDIX A
Updates Allowed by MTFCC ................................................. A-1
APPENDIX B
Street Type Abbreviations .................................................... B-1
APPENDIX C
MTFCC Descriptions ............................................................. C-1
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APPENDIX D Shapefile Data Dictionary ......................................................D-1
APPENDIX E Acronyms.................................................................................E-1
APPENDIX F VTD Participation Support........................................................F-1
Figures
Figure 1: SWIM Login Screen ............................................................................. 24
Figure 2: SWIM Account Registration Screen ..................................................... 25
Figure 3: Password Requirements ...................................................................... 25
Figure 4: SWIM Welcome Screen (no previous files uploaded)............................ 26
Figure 5: SWIM Welcome Screen (files previously uploaded) ............................. 26
Figure 6: SWIM Geographic Program Page ........................................................ 27
Figure 7: SWIM Select a State Page (for RDP) ................................................... 27
Figure 8: Select a .ZIP File to Upload Page ........................................................ 28
Figure 9: Thank You Page .................................................................................. 28
Tables
Table 1: Partnership Shapefiles for Updating for Review and Updating................. 5
Table 2: Required Attributes for Voting District Updates........................................ 8
Table 3: Required Attributes for Linear Feature Updates .................................... 12
Table 4: Acceptable MTFCCs for New Area Landmarks/Hydrographic Areas.....13
Table 5: Required Attributes for Area Landmark and Area Hydrography Updates
.....................................................................................................................14
Table 6: Required Attributes for Annexations and Deannexations....................... 17
Table 7: Required Attributes for Boundary Corrections ....................................... 18
Table 8: Area Landmark Updates Permitted...................................................... A-1
Table 9: Linear Feature Updates Permitted ....................................................... A-2
Table 10: Street Type Abbreviations.................................................................. B-1
Table 11: Complete List of MTFCC Descriptions ............................................... C-1
Table 12: Shapefile Layer Names/Tables .......................................................... D-1
Table 13: American Indian Areas - Legal........................................................... D-2
Table 14: American Indian/Alaska Native Areas - Statistical .............................. D-3
Table 15: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions - Legal ...................................... D-4
Table 16: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions - Statistical............................... D-5
Table 17: Alaska Native Regional Corporations ............................................... D-5
Table 18: Block Size Indicator ........................................................................... D-6
Table 19: Congressional Districts ...................................................................... D-7
Table 20: Hawaiian Homelands ......................................................................... D-8
Table 21: School Districts .................................................................................. D-9
Table 22: State Legislative Districts (Upper/Senate)............................................ D-9
Table 23: State Legislative Districts (Lower/House)......................................... D-10
Table 24: Urban Growth Areas ........................................................................ D-11
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Table 25: Census Block Groups ..................................................................... D-12
Table 26: Census Blocks - Current ................................................................. D-12
Table 27: Census Blocks - Census 2010 ........................................................ D-12
Table 28: Census Tracts................................................................................. D-13
Table 29: Census Designated Places ............................................................. D-13
Table 30: Consolidated City............................................................................ D-14
Table 31: County and Equivalent Areas.......................................................... D-15
Table 32: County Subdivisions - Legal (MCD) ................................................ D-15
Table 33: County Subdivisions - Statistical (CCD) ......................................... D-16
Table 34: Incorporated Place.......................................................................... D-16
Table 35: States and Equivalent Areas.......................................................... D-17
Table 36: Subarrios.......................................................................................... D-17
Table 37: Edges (All Lines)............................................................................. D-18
Table 38: Area Landmark ............................................................................... D-19
Table 39: Hydrography Area........................................................................... D-19
Table 40: Point Landmarks ............................................................................. D-20
Table 41: Topological Faces - Geographic Entity Relationships..................... D-20
Table 42: Topological Faces - Area Landmark Relationships........................ D-21
Table 43: Topological Faces - Hydrography Area Relationships ................... D-22
Table 44: Address Ranges ............................................................................. D-22
Table 45: Linear Feature Names .................................................................... D-22
Table 46: Voting Districts ................................................................................ D-23
Table 47: Acronyms .......................................................................................... E-1
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Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, nor shall a person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of
information displays a current valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Control Number. This collection is voluntary. The authority for conducting this
collection comes from Title 13 United States Code (U.S.C.), Sections 16, 141,
and 193.
The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 0607-0988. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 217
hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and
reviewing the collection of information.
Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing
the burden should be directed to:
Paperwork Reduction 0607-0988
United States Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road, Room 4H177
Washington, DC 20233
The Census Bureau issued a Federal Register Notice to revise its confidentiality
pledge language to address the new cybersecurity screening requirements:
Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected
from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Page iv
Section 1.
1.1
Introduction
Background
Public Law (P.L.) 94-171 stipulates that the U.S. Census Bureau work in a
nonpartisan manner with the states to identify and provide the small-area
population counts necessary for legislative redistricting. The Census Bureau is
required to provide these counts within one year of Census Day, to the governor
and the officers or public bodies responsible for redistricting in each state. For the
2020 Census, the Census Bureau must deliver the counts by April 1, 2021.
The Census Redistricting & Voting Rights Data Office (CRVRDO) implements the
requirements of P.L. 94-171 through five phases of the 2020 Redistricting Data
Program (RDP):
Phase 1: Block Boundary Suggestion Project (BBSP)
Phase 2: Voting District Project (VTDP)
Phase 3: Delivery of the 2020 P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data Files
Phase 4: Collection of Post-2020 Redistricting Plans
Phase 5: Review of 2020 Census Redistricting Data Program and Recommendations for
Census 2030
1.2
Purpose
This document addresses Phase 2: Voting District Project (VTDP) of the RDP.
Through the VTDP, liaisons designated by the legislative leadership in each
state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, have the opportunity to submit
their voting district boundaries (e.g. precincts, wards), codes, and names to the
Census Bureau as well as suggest additional updates to other geographic areas
as they did in the BBSP.
The Voting District Project has two distinct parts – initial delineation, which is
referred to as VTD, and verification, referred to as VTDV. If you are submitting
VTD boundaries as part of the 2020 Redistricting Data Program (RDP) for the
first time for a county, that is an initial delineation. During verification, the state
has the opportunity to review the boundaries they submitted to ensure the
Census Bureau processed them as expected. If further updates are needed,
the states can make those updates using the same methodology used in initial
delineation. Detailed information on submitting updates—during initial
delineation or verification-- is available in Section 2 of this document.
This guide is intended for state participants who choose to use their own
Geographic Information System (GIS) software, rather than the Geographic
Update Partnership Software (GUPS) provided by the Census Bureau, for
reviewing, verifying and/or modifying the Census Bureau supplied shapefiles.
The GUPS is the Census Bureau’s recommended tool for geographic updates,
including voting district updates, in the VTDP. We strongly recommend that
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Section 1. Introduction
Page 1
VTDP participants use GUPS. For more information on GUPS, please contact
the CRVRDO at 301-763-4039 or rdo@census.gov.
This document assumes that if you are not using GUPS, you are skilled in the
use of your own GIS software. Regardless of whether you plan to use GUPS or
your own GIS, the Census Bureau requires that entities update Census Bureau
shapefiles, rather than submitting a locally derived shapefile from an in-house
GIS.
1.3
Document Structure
Section 1 of this document provide background information on the VTDP and
this User Guide.
Section 2 provides the specific information for reviewing VTDS during verification
and making allowable updates to voting districts, linear features, areal and
hydrographic features, and legal geographies (incorporated places, minor civil
divisions and counties) whether for initial delineation or verification.
Section 3 summarizes the fields required and the naming conventions for the
submission files.
Section 4 describes the procedures for submitting the files to the Census
Bureau using our Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM).
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Section 1. Introduction
Page 2
Section 2.
VTDP Workflow
The VTDP participant is not required to perform all the update activities
permitted. Work is performed at a county level and should be submitted to the
Census Bureau on a flow basis, as each county is completed. Submitting work
on a flow basis permits the CRVRDO and the Census Bureau to review the files
early in the process and provide feedback as necessary.
2.1
RDP Liaison
The Census Bureau works with the State Redistricting Data Program nonpartisan
Liaison, designated by the governor and legislative leadership of each state at
the beginning of the RDP. To maintain a nonpartisan relationship, the Census
Bureau only accepts completed work from the designated RDP Liaison or their
designated technical representatives.
Any work performed on behalf of the State Redistricting Data Program Liaison,
such as by a county or a contractor, must be submitted to the State Liaison for
review and approval. The State RDP Liaison will submit the work to the Census
Bureau if they approve the work. If the State RDP Liaison determines that VTDP
work completed by a designee requires changes or additional work, it is the State
Liaison’s responsibility to decide whether to make the changes or return the
project to their designee for further updates.
The State RDP Liaison will submit completed, county-level files on a flow basis to
the Census Bureau through the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM). They
should not hold files to submit all at once. Files should be submitted as each
county is completed, especially at the beginning of the update period, so that the
Census Bureau can provide feedback if there are errors, omissions, or other
concerns.
2.2
Obtaining Census Shapefiles
In order to verify and/or submit voting district boundaries and other geographic
updates, the Census Bureau requires participants to review and update Census
Bureau- supplied partnership shapefiles. There are two ways for participants to
access the partnership shapefiles:
•
•
Download the partnership shapefiles from the DVD provided in the participant
package;
Download the partnership shapefiles from the Census FTP site:
.
The planned block shapefiles are included on the DVD but are stored separately
from the partnership shapefiles on the Census Bureau’s FTP site. They can be
downloaded by state from the FTP site: .
The partnership shapefiles are downloaded in a zip file and reflect the legal
boundaries effective as of January 1, 2018, and the VTD submissions provided to
the Census Bureau from January 2018 through May 2018. The zip file name
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Section 2. VTDP Workflow
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begins with “partnership_shapefiles_18v2”. When unzipped, the names of the
shapefiles begin with the prefix PVS_18_v2. For example, the edges shapefile is
named PVS_18_v2_edges_ (two digit state code and three digit county
code).
Note: The FTP site may contain different vintages of the partnership shapefiles. For
VTDP, make sure to use vintage 2 (v2) shapefiles that begin with the prefix
PVS_18_v2.
2.2.1
Shapefile Projection
If you plan to use any of your own data files for reference, we recommend that
you re-project your data files to match those provided by the Census Bureau to
ensure correct alignment of the data. However, returned shapefiles may be in
any projection as long as the projection information and the *.prj file are
provided.
All shapefiles provided by the Census Bureau are in the following unprojected
geographic based coordinate system:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2.3
GCS_NAD83
Angular Unit: Degree (0.017453292519943299)
Prime Meridian: Greenwich (0.000000000000000000)
Datum: D_North_American_1983
Spheroid: GRS_1980
Semi-major Axis: 6378137.000000000000000
Semi-minor Axis: 6356752.314140356100000000
Inverse Flattening: 298.257222101000020000
Updating Census Bureau Shapefiles or Submitting “No
Changes”
Participants should use the following provided partnership shapefiles for their
review and, if necessary to submit updates. If you previously submitted VTD
boundaries the PVS_18_v2_vtd_ shapefile should reflect the boundaries
you provided. We may have adjusted the boundaries slightly to align them to
existing geography in MAF/TIGER. After you review the shapefile, if the
boundaries are correct and do not require any further updates, please notify us
that the county does not require any updates, by emailing us at rdo@census.gov
with a statement indicating the county code , county name, and that no
changes are needed. No further action is required.
If after you review the VTDs you determine corrections or further updates
should be made, or if you are submitting your VTD boundaries for the first
time, we recommend making a copy of any shapefile for which you plan to
provide updates. Update the shapefile as needed and export the updates
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following the guidance in Section 3 of this document.
Table 1: Partnership Shapefiles for Review and Updating
Filename
Used For
PVS_18_v2_vtd_
Voting district updates.
PVS_18_v2_faces_
Voting district updates.
PVS_18_v2_edges_
Linear feature review and updates (adds,
deletes, attribute updates).
PVS_18_v2_arealm_
Area landmark and area hydrography
review and updates.
PVS_18_v2_place_
Incorporated place legal boundary
updates.
PVS_18_v2_mcd_
Minor civil division legal boundary
updates.
PVS_18_v2_county_
County legal boundary updates.
The Census Bureau requires that the returned shapefiles have specific name
attributes and characteristics in order for us to accept them as submissions. The
attribute table layout will vary depending on which geography or shapefile you
are updating.
All participants must have the ability to edit a Census Bureau shapefile. Again,
the Census Bureau requires that participants update Census Bureau shapefiles
with changes, rather than submitting their own local GIS shapefile. If participants
must add features to complete area entity updates (e.g. county, MCD, place,
area landmark), a separate linear feature update layer needs to be created.
Please create linear feature update layers and change polygons using only the
current partnership shapefiles. We recommend you create and submit your
updates following this procedure:
1) Make a copy of the provided partnership shapefile that you wish to edit.
2) Make updates to the file copy.
3) Export the updates into a ‘changes’ shapefile, following the naming conventions,
and zipping the shapefiles as described in Section 3.
4) Submit the shapefiles as described in Section 4.
2.4
Voting District Updates
When working to review and prepare a Voting District (VTD) file for submission
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Section 2. VTDP Workflow
Page 5
to the Census Bureau, it is critical that you use and update the Census
partnership file(s), and that the required fields are present and correctly
attributed (see Table 2: Required Attributes for Voting District Updates).
Files submitted that do not align with Census geography will have
unpredictable outcomes or may not be able to be applied to the Census
Bureau’s MAF/TIGER database. VTD delineations must also meet the following
criteria:
•
VTDs must be contained within a single county and may not cross the census
supplied county boundaries.
•
VTD relationships with other geographies must use current Census
geography.
•
If a legal boundary (i.e. incorporated place boundary) needs to be updated to
accurately reflect its spatial relationship to a VTD, please submit the boundary
corrections to the legal entities as described in Section 2.7.
•
Counties should have wall-to-wall VTD coverage.
o
•
VTDs are often, but not required to be, named.
o
•
•
We request that you code all areas, including water, to a VTD. If you do
not code each area, the Census Bureau will assign the code of “ZZZZZZ”
to the unassigned areas. This allows us to ensure we have all areas
coded to a VTD.
If a name is not supplied, the Census Bureau will use the VTD code as
the name. Names can be up to 120 characters and can include spaces,
alphanumeric, and special characters. Names will appear on Census
Bureau data and geographic products, including the P.L. 94-171 Census
Redistricting Data Summary File, when the data are released after the
2020 Census.
VTDs require a Legal and Statistical Description (LSAD). There are three LSAD
values allowed for VTDs:
o
Other (00): This is indicated when the words “Voting District” are not
associated with the name. For example, a District named “Sample” with
an LSAD of “00” would appear as “Sample.”
o
Prefix (V1): This is indicated when the words “Voting District” come before
the name. For example, a District named “Sample” with an LSAD of “V1”
would appear as “Voting District Sample.”
o
Suffix (V2): This is indicated when the words “Voting District” come
after the name. For example, a District named “Sample” with an LSAD
of “V2” would appear as “Sample Voting District.”
VTDs must be identified as “actual” or “pseudo.” This is indicated in the VTDI
field by entering an “A” or a “P”.
o
An “actual” VTD is one that exactly matches the precincts or other
election areas in your state.
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Section 2. VTDP Workflow
Page 6
o
•
A “pseudo” VTD is one that does not exactly represent the voting district
spatially. For example, states may choose to identify a super voting
district composed of smaller voting districts within their VTD framework
and may wish to identify the super voting district as pseudo. This is an
appropriate approach to the submission of the VTD plans.
o
VTDs must have a functional status. This is indicated in the Funcstat
field. Of the attribute table. There are two applicable functional statuses
for VTDs: nonfunctioning, and statistical.
o
Actual VTDs are considered nonfunctioning. If the VTDI
field= A, the functional status is nonfunctioning. Enter “N” in
the FUNCSTAT field.
o
Pseudo VTDs are considered statistical. If the VTDI
field= P, the functional status is statistical. Enter “S” in
the FUNCSTAT field.
VTDs must have a MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code of G5240. This is
indicated in the MTFCC field, and identifies the geography as that of a
VTD.
•
VTDs must be submitted as vintage 90, which means that is a current
geography. (Other geographies, for example VTDs that exist in the 2000
Census would have a vintage other than 90.) This is indicated in the
VINTAGE field.
Note: If you have a tabular equivalency file defining which 2010 Census
blocks comprise each VTD for your entire state, please contact us
at rdo@census.gov or 301-763-4039 for other submission options.
If you submitted a VTD file during the initial delineation and upon
review in verification realize you need to make additional updates,
please follow the procedures in Section 2.4.1. If you are submitting
VTDs for a county for the first time (initial delineation submission), we
recommend two possible methods for creating a VTD submission file:
starting with your own VTD layer, described in Section 2.4.2, or starting
with a blank faces layer, described in Section 2.4.3. In all cases, you must
make sure the submission file is named properly and includes all required
attributes, as shown in Table 2.
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Table 2: Required Attributes for Voting District Updates
Voting District
ST
COU
VTDST
VTDI
LSAD
NAME
FUNCSTAT
MTFCC
VINTAGE
X
X
X
X
X
X*
X
X (G5240)
X (90)
* If your state has names for their VTDs, we strongly suggest that you
supply the names in the file. If your state does not have names for their
VTDs, we will use the VTD code (VTDST) for the name.
2.4.1
Using the Census 2020 VTD layer (for VTDV)
to create your VTDV Submission
1. Symbolize the faces layer (PVS_18_v2_faces_) by VTD code (VTDST).
2. When moving faces between VTDs, do so by changing the VTDST
codes on the record of the face being moved to those of the receiving
VTD. You may need to add a new linear feature to split the face if the
VTD boundary itself splits the face. If splitting faces, change the same
fields of the face piece being moved. Remember that you must also
submit a linear feature changes file. (See Section 2.5.)
3. Once all faces have been assigned to the appropriate VTD, dissolve
the Faces layer on the VTD code.
4. Using the dissolved output, which should now match your required boundaries,
update/review (add if needed) all of the required fields for the VTD submission
layer. (See Table 2.)
5. Rename the file as described in Section 3.1.
2.4.2
Using your own VTD layer to create your VTD Submission
1. Generate internal polygon centroids for the Faces layer.
(PVS_18_v2_faces_) preserving the FACEID field.
2. Perform a spatial join of the newly generated centroids to your VTD layer. This
creates an output of centroids with the matching VTD codes. You may want to
export this as a new layer to make it permanent and easier to use in the next
steps.
3. In the original polygon Faces layer, delete the values in the VTDST field
if values exist. They would only exist if you have already submitted VTDs
during initial delineation and are trying to resubmit the entire county’s
VTDs now.
4. Perform an attribute join between the centroid layer created in Step 2 and the
original Faces layer on the FACEID. Copy the VTDST codes from the centroid
layer to the Faces layer into the VTDST field.
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5. Symbolize the original Faces layer by VTD code. This should approximate your
VTD boundaries but may require some cleanup.
6. Review the new Faces symbolized by VTD code layer.
7. Move Faces as necessary to other VTDs by changing the VTDST code on the
record of the face being moved to the VTD code of the receiving VTD. You may
need to add a new linear feature to split the face if the VTD boundary itself splits
the face. If splitting faces, change the VTDST code of the face piece being
moved. Remember you must also submit a linear feature changes file. (See
Section 2.5.)
8. Once all faces have been assigned to the appropriate VTD, dissolve the Faces
layer on the VTD code.
9. Using the dissolved output, which should now match your required boundaries,
update/review (add if needed) all of the required fields for the VTD submission
layer. (See Table 2.)
10. Rename the file as described in Section 3.1.
2.4.3
Using Blank Faces to create your VTD Submission
1. In the Faces layer (PVS_17_v2_faces_), delete (blank) the values in the
VTDST field if values exist. They would only exist if you have already submitted
VTDs during initial delineation.
2. Assign new VTD codes to each Face in the Faces layer as required. You may
need to add a new linear feature to split the face if the VTD boundary itself splits
the face. If splitting faces, assign the VTDST code to the appropriate face piece.
(See Section 2.5.)
3. Once all faces have been assigned to the appropriate VTD, dissolve the Faces
layer on the VTD code.
4. Using the dissolved output, which should now match your required boundaries,
update/review (add if needed) all of the required fields for the VTD submission
layer. (See Table 2.)
5. Rename the file as described in Section 3.1.
2.5
Linear Feature Review
All linear feature updates must be submitted back to the Census Bureau by
updating the PVS_18_v2_edges_ shapefile and exporting all
changes into a participant created shapefile named
vtd19__ln_changes.
It is important that Census Bureau data reflect the most recent linear features to
ensure that new or previously missed housing units located along these features
are identified and located. Pay particular attention to any areas that have
experienced recent population growth or construction activities, as these are the
most likely to possess new or altered linear features (e.g., new streets in
subdivisions or privately maintained roads that serve as public streets; please
exclude private driveways).
In order to submit linear feature updates, participants must create a separate
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Section 2. VTDP Workflow
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linear feature update layer. Additionally, if VTD, area landmark, or legal boundary
changes are made and use newly digitized edges from you, you must update or
create that edge in the linear feature update layer.
To create the linear feature update layer, we recommend that you begin by
making a copy of the PVS_18_v2_edges_ for editing. Update that
shapefile and export the changes into a new file named
vtd19__ln_changes, where is the state county code. Make
sure you include the required fields in the return file as shown in Table 3.
To review the linear features, we suggest that you begin by symbolizing the
linear feature update layer based on the MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code
(MTFCC). A description of all MTFCCs can be found in Appendix B. The basic
groupings of the MTFCCs are as follows:
Sxxxx = Roads;
Rxxxx = Railroads;
Pxxxx = Nonvisible Features;
Lxxxx = Other Linear Features; and
Hxxxx = Hydrography.
Once the edges layer is copied and symbolized, bring in other Census provided
shapefiles (e.g., CD, SLDL, SLDU, incorporated places, etc.) and any local data
layers that may be helpful. Census provided shapefiles are described in
Appendix D. In your review, please note the following:
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Section 2. VTDP Workflow
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1. Missing Road Features - If a road, subdivision, etc. is missing from the Census
Bureau’s edges shapefile, add the feature and provide the name and MTFCC in
the attribute table. Feature name is required for any added primary or secondary
roads (MTFCC = S1100 or S1200). Feature names for local roads
(MTFCC=S1400) are encouraged. The CHNG_TYPE field also needs to be
updated to 'AL'.
2. Extraneous Linear Features - If a feature in the Census Bureau’s edges layer
does not exist, flag the feature by updating the attribute table with 'DL' in the
CHNG_TYPE field. Do not actually delete the feature in the file. We need to
receive this feature back with the DL change type so we know to remove it from
our geographic database, MAF/TIGER.
3. Spatial Inaccuracies - For our purposes, a feature is considered spatially
inaccurate only if it is represented in the shapefile more than 7.6 meters from its
actual location or it is positionally (topologically) inaccurate in relation to other
features and boundaries (e.g., a stream appears on the east side of the road,
when it should be on the west side) in a way that would affect the assignment of
housing units to legal entities, census tracts, and/or census blocks. If a feature is
in the incorrect location in the Census Bureau’s edges layer, flag the feature for
deletion (CHNG_TYPE=DL) in the attribute table, and add it as a new line
(CHNG_TYPE=AL) in the correct location, being certain to apply the census
attributes from the feature being “deleted” (moved), most critically the TLID. Do
not attempt to reshape an edge by moving shape points. These will not be
recognized or processed.
4. Incorrect or Missing Names or MTFCCs - Correct or add the name and/or
MTFCC in the attribute table and add 'CA' in the CHNG_TYPE field. We will only
accept names on roads, railroads, and hydrographic features.
5. Nonvisible edges - parcel lines, pipelines, and power lines will only be accepted
when they are being used to define a boundary and should remain unnamed.
Note: In addition to wholescale realignments, there are other updates that we will
not accept due to our representation requirements. For example, if a user
deletes both lanes of an interstate and adds a single line to replace the
deleted interstate, we will not accept these changes.
Required Attributes -Each linear feature update must have the required
attributes and corresponding change type populated in the attribute table.
The change type field (CHNG_TYPE) must be populated with either ‘AL’,
indicating an added line, ‘DL’, indicating a deleted line, or ‘CA’, indicating the
feature was renamed or given a different MTFCC. All required attributes are
shown in Table 3.
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Section 2. VTDP Workflow
Page 11
Table 3: Required Attributes for Linear Feature Updates
CHNG_TYPE
TLID
FULLNAME
MTFCC
Add Feature
X(‘AL’)
Only required
if performing a
reshape
Required if
MTFCC is S1100,
S1200. Optional if
MTFCC is S1400
X
Delete Feature
X(‘DL’)
X
Rename
Feature
X(‘CA’)
X
X
X
Change
Feature MTFCC
X(‘CA’)
X
X
Note X= Required Field
Address Range Updates
Existing address ranges are not shown in our outgoing shapefiles; however,
address ranges can be found in the ADDR.dbf table and can be joined to the
edges shapefile through a many-to-one join.
The Census Bureau accepts, but does not encourage, address range data as
part of the linear feature update layer. Since we have internal update processes
and other programs for creating and maintaining address ranges, we are unlikely
to use address range data submitted through this program to update our
database.
2.6
Area Landmark Review
All area landmark and area hydrography updates must be submitted back
to the Census Bureau in a participant created shapefile named
vtd19__alndk_changes.
The Census Bureau accepts updates to area landmarks and area hydrography
as part of the VTDP.
Allowable updates include:
•
•
•
•
Boundary corrections (adding and removing area);
Creating a new area landmark or hydrographic area;
Removing an area landmark or hydrographic area; and
Changing or adding a name.
If your state plans to reallocate prisoners during redistricting, you may wish to
review the existing area landmarks with MTFCCs K1235, K1236, K1237, and
K1238, which represent areas with prison populations.
In order to submit area landmark and area hydrography updates, participants
must create a separate change polygon layer for area landmarks and area
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Section 2. VTDP Workflow
Page 12
hydrography. It is recommended that you make a copy of the area landmarks
shapefile (PVS_18_v2_arealm_) for editing and then export all changes
into the vtd19__alndk_changes file.
Note: If you are making changes to areal landmarks during VTDP and during these
edits you add, delete, or change the edges involved in the boundary of an areal
landmark, you are also updating the linear features layer. Please extract the
changes and submit this layer named vtd19__ln_changes, where
is the state county code. (See Section 2.5).
If you add a new area landmark or hydrographic area, the Census Bureau will
process your submission in conjunction with other sources to add the area to the
MAF/TIGER database. Table 4 shows the MTFCCs for the types of area
landmarks and hydrographic areas that can be updated (names, boundaries,
etc.) during VTDP.
Table 4: Acceptable MTFCCs for New Area Landmarks/Hydrographic Areas
DESCRIPTION
C3023
Island
H2030
Lake/Pond
H2040
Reservoir
H2041
Treatment Pond
H2051
Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound
H2081
Glacier
K1231
Hospital/Hospice/Urgent Care Facility
K1235
Juvenile Institution
K1236
Local Jail or Detention Center
K1237
Federal Penitentiary, State Prison, or Prison Farm
K2110
Military Installation
K2180
Park
K2181
National Park Service Land
K2182
National Forest or Other Federal Land
K2183
Tribal Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
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Section 2. VTDP Workflow
Page 13
DESCRIPTION
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
K2188
Incorporated Place Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
K2189
Private Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
K2190
Other Park, Forest, or Recreation Area (quasi-public,
independent park, commission, etc.)
K2424
Marina
K2457
Airport - Area Representation
K2540
University or College
K2561
Golf Course
K2582
Cemetery
Each area landmark or area hydrography update must have the required
attributes and corresponding change type populated. If you are modifying an
existing area landmark or hydrographic feature, preserve the existing AREAID for
the feature in the AREAID field of the attribute table.
Table 5: Required Attributes for Area Landmark and Area Hydrography Updates
FULLNAME
CHNG_TYPE
RELATE
X
X(‘B’)
X(‘IN’)
X
X
X(‘B’)
X(‘OUT’)
X
Boundary
Correction
MTFCC
AREAID
(Add Area)
Boundary
Correction
(Remove Area)
Delete Landmark
X(‘X’)
X
X
Change Landmark
Name
X
X(‘G’)
New Landmark
X
X(‘E’)
X
Note X= Required Field
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Section 2. VTDP Workflow
Page 14
2.7
Legal Boundary Review and Update
All legal boundary updates must be submitted back to the Census Bureau
in a participant created shapefile. The shapefile name depends on the type
of geography you are updating (see Section 3). Additionally, we request
that you supply a whole entity file to accompany any legal boundary
updates or boundary corrections that you make. A whole entity file is a
shapefile that shows the entity being modified in its post-modification
entirety.
At the recommendation of many states, the Census Bureau is continuing to
provide the opportunity for states to review and update legal boundaries in
Phase 2 (VTDP) of the RDP.
During the initial delineation phase and the subsequent verification phase of the
VTDP, state redistricting participants may submit legal boundary updates
(annexations and deannexations) and boundary corrections for counties, MCDs,
incorporated places, and consolidated cities. The opportunity to make these legal
boundary updates and boundary corrections will not be included in the second
round of verification.
If you want to report a new county, MCD, incorporated place, or
consolidated city, or delete an existing one, please call the CRVRDO at 301763-4039, or email rdo@census.gov.
Note: All annexations, deannexations, and boundary corrections must be submitted
back to the Census Bureau in a participant created shapefile. (Refer to Section
3.4 for a description of required submission files, names, and attributes by entity
type.) If you make changes to legal boundaries during VTDP and during these
edits you add, delete, or change the edges involved in the boundary, you must
also be updating the linear features layer. Please extract the linear changes and
submit this layer in addition to the appropriate legal boundary (area) change
layer(s). Refer to Section 2.4 for more information.
The Census Bureau will reconcile the boundary submissions with the appropriate
local governments as part of our Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS).
Although legal documentation (effective date, authorization type, and
documentation number) is not required for boundary corrections submitted
through the VTDP, we strongly encourage you to submit the documentation for
any legal updates (annexations and deannexations) to expedite our ability to
reconcile and process those changes you are reporting.
You do not have to provide the actual legal paperwork as documentation for the
Census Bureau to process the change as a legal change; however, you do need
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Section 2. VTDP Workflow
Page 15
to provide the effective date, authorization type, and documentation number.
Annexations and de-annexations submitted without documentation should be
submitted as boundary corrections.
It is important to note that the Census Bureau cannot guarantee we will make
these updates, as we may first have to adjudicate the updates with the official
BAS contact.
Annexations and Deannexations
In order to submit an annexation or deannexation, you must create a separate
change polygon layer showing the spatial differences between the boundary
represented in the Census Bureau-provided partnership shapefile and your
updated boundary. We recommend that you make a copy of the relevant entity’s
partnership shapefile for editing, and then export all the changes into the
submission changes shapefile. See Section 3 for the submission file naming
requirements. The submission file must include all required attributes and the
corresponding change type must be populated, as shown in Table 6.
The name field (NAME) in the attribute table should be populated with the name
of the geographic entity affected. The change type field (CHNG_TYPE) should
indicate whether the change is an annexation (A) or deannexation (D).
The effective date field (EFF_DATE) should be populated with the date of the
ordinance, resolution, or local law authorizing the annexation or deannexation. If
available, the authorization type field (AUTHTYPE) should be populated with the
type of documentation authorizing the change (i.e., ordinance, resolution, local
law, other). The documentation field (DOCU) should be populated with the
documentation number.
Table 6: Required Attributes for Annexations and Deannexations
NAME
CHNG_T YPE
EFF_DATE
AUTHTYPE
DOCU
Annexation
X
X(‘A’)
X
X
X
Deannexation
X
X(‘D’'
X
X
X
RELATE
Note X= Required Field
Boundary Corrections
As with annexations and deannexations, you must create individual change
polygons for each boundary correction. These can be contained in the same
changes layer as the annexations and deannexations. Each boundary correction
must have the required attributes and corresponding change type. The name
field (NAME) must be populated with the name of the corrected legal entity. The
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Section 2. VTDP Workflow
Page 16
change type field (CHNG_TYPE) must be populated with a ‘B’ to indicated
boundary correction. The relate field (RELATE) must be populated with ‘IN’,
indicating the corrected area is within the named legal entity, or ‘OUT’, indicating
the corrected area is outside of the named legal entity.
Table 7: Required Attributes for Boundary Corrections
Boundary
Correction
NAME
CHNG_TYPE
EFF_DATE
AUTHTYPE
DOCU
RELATE
X
X(‘B’)
X(‘IN’)
X
X(‘B’)
X(‘OUT’)
(Add Area)
Boundary
Correction
(Remove
Area)
Note X= Required Field
Please review all changes to ensure that the correct boundary-to-feature
relationships are being created or maintained. The Census Bureau is aware that
many governments base their legal boundaries on cadastral (parcel-based) rightof-way mapping; however, the Census Bureau bases maps on spatial data that is
topologically integrated. Therefore, when housing units are not affected, we
suggest you snap your boundaries to nearby street centerlines (or rivers,
railroads, etc.) wherever applicable. This will help establish a more accurate
population count for entities.
Boundary Correction Criteria
Because the Census Bureau uses a topologically integrated database, we cannot
process all types of boundary corrections for inclusion in MAF/TIGER. The
Census Bureau will accept, adjudicate, and process boundary corrections that:
•
•
The existing boundary has been digitized incorrectly or appears in the incorrect
location; and
The overall shape of the geographic entity is maintained and no feature-toboundary relationships are dissolved.
The Census Bureau will not accept boundary corrections that:
•
•
•
Are along county boundaries unless there is a written agreement between the
two counties that documents the correct location of the boundary;
Dissolve boundary-to-feature relationships (roads, rivers, railroads, etc.) if the
difference is less than thirty feet; or
Have a width of less than thirty feet over the entire polygon.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Section 2. VTDP Workflow
Page 17
Note: The Census Bureau will snap any entity boundary correction to a MAF/TIGER
feature when it exists within thirty feet of that feature.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Section 2. VTDP Workflow
Page 18
Section 3.
Create Data Submission File
The Census Bureau requires that the returned shapefiles have specific attributes
and characteristics in order to accept them as legitimate submissions. Below are
the specifications for shapefiles in your VTDP Submission.
All returned shapefiles as well as any supporting documentation should be
placed in a .ZIP file named vtd19__return.zip prior to being submitted
to the Census Bureau, where is the 2 digit state and three digit county
FIPS code.
3.1
Submitting Voting District Updates
Unlike other updated area features, we ask that you send the complete VTD
shapefile to the Census, rather than the changes.
To submit your initial VTD updates, please name the shapefile
‘vtd19__complete_vtd where is the state and county FIPS
code.
If you already submitted VTD boundaries and are submitted updates to those
boundaries as part of VTD Verification, please name the shapefile
vtdv19__complete_vtd.
All VTDs should have the following attributes filled out.
The field names should be in all CAPITAL letters.
ST
•
2 character state FIPS code
COU
•
3 character county FIPS code
VTDST
•
6 character code
VTDI
•
A (Actual)
•
P (Pseudo)
LSAD
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Section 3. Create Data Submission File
Page 19
•
00 (None)
•
V1 (Prefix)
•
V2 (Suffix)
NAME
•
Name
FUNCSTAT
•
N Nonfunctioning legal entity (for Actual VTDs)
•
S Statistical Entity (for Pseudo VTDs)
MTFCC
•
G5240 (MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code for all VTDs)
VINTAGE
• 90 (For all Submissions)
3.2
Submitting Linear Feature Review Updates
Once you have completed all linear feature updates, export the updated edges to
a shapefile named ‘vtd19__ln_changes where is the state
and county FIPS code. Updated edges would be those with where you have
populated the CHNG_TYPE field (as per the instructions in Section 2.5):
•
•
•
AL (Add Line)
DL (Delete Line)
CA (Change Attribute)
Additionally, the linear features change shapefile should be updated and included
if there are VTD, area landmark or legal boundary updates that include newly
added or moved edges.
3.3
Submitting Area Landmarks and Area Hydrography
Updates
If any updates were completed for area landmarks or area hydrography, export
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Section 3. Create Data Submission File
Page 20
the updated records to a shapefile named ‘vtd19__alndk_changes’.
The file should include all area landmark polygons where the CHNG_TYPE Field
is populated with:
•
B (Boundary Correction)
•
E (New Landmark)
•
G (Change Name or MTFCC)
•
X (Delete)
Additionally, the linear features that were modified (added or reshaped) to make
these changes should be included in the vtd19__ln_changes return file
with the appropriate actions:
•
•
3.4
AL — if you drew a new line;
DL — if you are deleting a previous boundary of an area landmark
Submitting Legal Boundary Updates
If you want to report a new county, MCD, incorporated place or consolidated city,
or delete an existing one, please contact the CRVRDO at 301-763-4039 or email
rdo@census.gov. If you are reporting other legal boundary changes and/or
corrections, the Census Bureau requires that you submit a change polygon file
for each entity type you are reporting change for.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Section 3. Create Data Submission File
Page 21
As stated in Section 2.7, we request that you supply a whole entity file, in
addition to a change file, to accompany any legal boundary updates or boundary
corrections that you make to assist us in making updates. If you made legal
boundary updates, then include the following files in your submission, as
applicable to the type of legal boundary update made:
MCD Change Polygon Shapefile
The file should include all change polygons where CHNG_TYPE Field is
populated with:
•
A (Annexation)
•
B (Boundary Correction)
•
D (Deannexation)
Return File Name: vtd19__changes_cousub.shp
Whole Entity File Name: vtd19__wholeentity_cousub.shp
Incorporated Place Change Polygon Shapefile
The file should include change polygons where CHNG_TYPE Field is populated
with:
•
A (Annexation)
•
B (Boundary Correction)
•
D (Deannexation)
Return File Names:vtd19__changes_incplace.shp
Whole Entity File Name: vtd19__wholeentity_incplace.shp
Consolidated City Change Polygon Shapefile
The file should include change polygons where CHNG_TYPE Field is populated
with:
•
A (Annexation)
•
B (Boundary Correction)
•
D (Deannexation)
Return File Names:vtd19__changes_ concity.shp
Whole Entity File Name: vtd19__wholeentity_ concity.shp
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Section 3. Create Data Submission File
Page 22
3.5
Create Zip File Containing All Changes
All returned shapefiles and whole entity shapefiles for a county, as well as any
supporting documentation, should be placed in a .zip file prior to submitting the
return to the Census Bureau: File Name:vtdv19__return.zip.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Section 3. Create Data Submission File
Page 23
Section 4.
File Submission through Secure Web
Incoming Module
The Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM) is a tool for U.S. Census Bureau
partners to send their geospatial data to a Census Bureau server. For security
reasons, we cannot accept files sent via email or through our former ftp site.
The Census Bureau provides each State Redistricting Data Program Liaison a
SWIM token to establish a personal SWIM account. Once registered, you will no
longer need the token to log into the system. You will use your SWIM account to
submit updates for all phases of the 2020 Redistricting Data Program. If you are
a participant for other Census Bureau geographic programs, you may use your
SWIM account to submit files for these other geographic programs too.
If you have submitted files for any Census Bureau geographic programs, use the
same SWIM account.
Note: For the Redistricting Data Program, including the Phase 2 VTDP, the Census
Bureau will only accept files submitted by the State RDP Liaison. If a county,
agency, or contractor performs work on behalf of the state, the files must be sent
to the State Liaison for review, approval, and submission.
To access the SWIM, enter the following URL in a new browser window:
. Follow the directions below for account
access and file upload.
4.1
Login Page
The Login page is the first page you will see:
Figure 1: SWIM Login Screen
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Section 4. File Submission through SWIM
Page 24
If you already have a SWIM Account:
1. Enter your Email address and Password.
2. Click the Login button, which directs you to the Welcome page.
If you do not yet have a SWIM Account:
1. Click the Register Account button, which directs you to the Account
Registration page.
2. Enter the 12 digit Registration Token number provided to you by the Census
Bureau.
3. Complete all other fields.
4. Click the Submit button.
Figure 2: SWIM Account Registration Screen
Figure 3: Password Requirements
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Section 4. File Submission through SWIM
Page 25
4.2
Welcome Page
The Welcome Page is where you initiate the file upload process. Because the
SWIM tracks files submitted and the submission date, the page appearance will
change after you have successfully uploaded files.
1. To submit a file, click the Start New Upload button.
Figure 4: SWIM Welcome Screen (no previous files uploaded)
Figure 5: SWIM Welcome Screen (files previously uploaded)
4.3
Geographic Program Page
The Geographic Program Page allows you to select the Census partnership
program for which you are submitting data.
1. Click on the radio button next to Redistricting Data Program – BBSP-VTD (RDP).
2. Click the Next button.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Section 4. File Submission through SWIM
Page 26
Figure 6: SWIM Geographic Program Page
After choosing the Redistricting Data Program (RDP) – BBSP-VTD, you will
be directed to specify the state for which you are submitting data.
3. From the drop down list, click on your state name.
4. Click on the Next button.
Figure 7: SWIM Select a State Page (for RDP)
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Section 4. File Submission through SWIM
Page 27
4.4
Select a .ZIP File to Upload
Files for upload must be in a .zip format. You can upload only one .zip file at a
time.
1. Click on the + Add File button.
2. Navigate to the directory on your computer to choose the .zip file to upload.
3. Complete the Comments box, including pertinent information about data
projection or supporting documentation.
4. Click on the Next button.
Figure 8: Select a .ZIP File to Upload Page
4.5
Thank You Page
The “Thank You” page confirms the receipt of your file submission. If you do not
have any additional files to upload, click on Log Out. The Census Bureau will
acknowledge the receipt of the uploaded file. If you have additional files to
upload, click on Upload Form. This choice returns you to the Welcome screen.
Figure 9: Thank You Page
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Section 4. File Submission through SWIM
Page 28
Appendices
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendicies
Page 29
APPENDIX A Updates Allowed by MTFCC
The following three tables list, by MTFCC, the geographic updates permitted for
area landmarks, linear features, and point landmarks.
Table 8: Area Landmark Updates Permitted
MTFCC
DESCRIPTION
C3023
Island
H2030
Lake/Pond
H2040
Reservoir
H2041
Treatment Pond
H2051
Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound
H2081
Glacier
K1231
Hospital/Hospice/Urgent Care Facility
K1235
Juvenile Institution
K1236
Local Jail or Detention Center
K1237
Federal Penitentiary, State Prison, or Prison Farm
K2110
Military Installation
K2180
Park
K2181
National Park Service Land
K2182
National Forest or Other Federal Land
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
K2188
Incorporated Place Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
K2189
Private Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
K2190
Other Park, Forest, or Recreation Area (quasi-public,
independent park, commission, etc.)
K2424
Marina
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix A. Updates Allowed by MTFCC
Page A-1
MTFCC
DESCRIPTION
K2457
Airport - Area Representation
K2540
University or College
K2561
Golf Course
K2582
Cemetery
Table 9: Linear Feature Updates Permitted
*These features are only accepted as adds when used as a boundary for
geographic area or as a suggested block boundary.
MTFCC
DESCRIPTION
C3024
Levee
C3027
Dam
H3010
Stream/River
H3013
Braided Stream
H3020
Canal, Ditch, or Aqueduct
K2432
Pier/Dock
K2459
Runway/Taxiway
L4010
Pipeline*
L4020
Power Line*
L4110
Fence Line*
L4121
Ridge Line*
L4125
Cliff/Escarpment*
L4130
Point-to Point Line*
L4140
Property/Parcel Line (includes PLSS)*
L4165
Ferry Crossing*
P0001
Nonvisible Legal/Statistical Boundary
P0002
Perennial Shoreline
P0003
Intermittent Shoreline
P0004
Other non-visible bounding edge (e.g., Census water
boundary, boundary of areal feature)
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix A. Updates Allowed by MTFCC
Page A-2
MTFCC
DESCRIPTION
R1011
Railroad Feature (Main, Spur, or Yard
R1051
Carline, Streetcar Tract Monorail, Other Mass
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 along a limited access highway
S1730
Alley
S1740
Private Road for service vehicles (logging, oil fields,
ranches, etc.)
S1820
Bike Path or Trail
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix A. Updates Allowed by MTFCC
Page A-3
APPENDIX B Street Type Abbreviations
The MAF/TIGER system uses the U.S. Postal Service standard abbreviations for
street name types. The table below lists the street name type and the standard
abbreviation to use when updating or adding street names to the MAF/TIGER
system.
Table 10: Street Type Abbreviations
Street Name 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
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix B. Street Type Abbreviations
Page B-1
Street Name Type
Standard Abbreviation
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
CROSSROAD
XRD
CROSSROADS
XRDS
CURVE
CURV
DALE
DL
DAM
DM
DIVIDE
DV
DRIVE
DR
DRIVES
DRS
ESTATE
EST
ESTATES
ESTS
EXPRESSWAY
EXPY
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix B. Street Type Abbreviations
Page B-2
Street Name Type
Standard Abbreviation
EXTENSION
EXT
EXTENSIONS
EXTS
FALL
FALL
FALLS
FLS
FERRY
FRY
FIELD
FLD
FIELDS
FLDS
FLAT
FLT
FLATS
FLTS
FORD
FRD
FORDS
FRDS
FOREST
FRST
FORGE
FRG
FORGES
FRGS
FORK
FRK
FORKS
FRKS
FORT
FT
FREEWAY
FW Y
GARDEN
GDN
GARDENS
GDNS
GATEWAY
GTWY
GLEN
GLN
GLENS
GLNS
GREEN
GRN
GREENS
GRNS
GROVE
GRV
GROVES
GRVS
HARBOR
HBR
HARBORS
HBRS
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix B. Street Type Abbreviations
Page B-3
Street Name Type
Standard Abbreviation
HAVEN
HVN
HEIGHTS
HTS
HIGHWAY
HW Y
HILL
HL
HILLS
HLS
HOLLOW
HOLW
INLET
INLT
ISLAND
IS
ISLANDS
ISS
ISLE
ISLE
JUNCTION
JCT
JUNCTIONS
JCTS
KEY
KY
KEYS
KYS
KNOLL
KNL
KNOLLS
KNLS
LAKE
LK
LAKES
LKS
LAND
LAND
LANDING
LNDG
LANE
LN
LIGHT
LGT
LIGHTS
LGTS
LOAF
LF
LOCK
LCK
LOCKS
LCKS
LODGE
LDG
LOOP
LOOP
MALL
MALL
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix B. Street Type Abbreviations
Page B-4
Street Name Type
Standard Abbreviation
MANOR
MNR
MANORS
MNRS
MEADOW
MDW
MEADOWS
MDWS
MEWS
MEWS
MILL
ML
MILLS
MLS
MISSION
MSN
MOTORWAY
MTWY
MOUNT
MT
MOUNTAIN
MTN
MOUNTAINS
MTNS
NECK
NCK
ORCHARD
ORCH
OVAL
OVAL
OVERPASS
OPAS
PARK
PARK
PARKS
PARK
PARKWAY
PKWY
PARKWAYS
PKWY
PASS
PASS
PASSAGE
PSGE
PATH
PATH
PIKE
PIKE
PINE
PNE
PINES
PNES
PLACE
PL
PLAIN
PLN
PLAINS
PLNS
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix B. Street Type Abbreviations
Page B-5
Street Name Type
Standard Abbreviation
PLAZA
PLZ
POINT
PT
POINTS
PTS
PORT
PRT
PORTS
PRTS
PRAIRIE
PR
RADIAL
RADL
RAMP
RAMP
RANCH
RNCH
RAPID
RPD
RAPIDS
RPDS
REST
RST
RIDGE
RDG
RIDGES
RDGS
RIVER
RIV
ROAD
RD
ROADS
RDS
ROUTE
RTE
ROW
ROW
RUE
RUE
RUN
RUN
SHOAL
SHL
SHOALS
SHLS
SHORE
SHR
SHORES
SHRS
SKYWAY
SKWY
SPRING
SPG
SPRINGS
SPGS
SPUR
SPUR
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix B. Street Type Abbreviations
Page B-6
Street Name Type
Standard Abbreviation
SPURS
SPUR
SQUARE
SQ
SQUARES
SQS
STATION
STA
STRAVENUE
STRA
STREAM
STRM
STREET
ST
STREETS
STS
SUMMIT
SMT
TERRACE
TER
THROUGHWAY
TRWY
TRACE
TRCE
TRACK
TRAK
TRAFFICWAY
TRFY
TRAIL
TRL
TRAILER
TRLR
TUNNEL
TUNL
TURNPIKE
TPKE
UNDERPASS
UPAS
UNION
UN
UNIONS
UNS
VALLEY
VLY
VALLEYS
VLYS
VIADUCT
VIA
VIEW
VW
VIEWS
VWS
VILLAGE
VLG
VILLAGES
VLGS
VILLE
VL
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix B. Street Type Abbreviations
Page B-7
Street Name Type
Standard Abbreviation
VISTA
VIS
WALK
WALK
WALKS
WALK
WALL
WALL
WAY
WAY
WAYS
WAYS
WELL
WL
WELLS
WLS
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix B. Street Type Abbreviations
Page B-8
APPENDIX C MTFCC Descriptions
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. The table below describes
each code. You can download a more comprehensive version of the table at
http://www.census.gov/geo/reference/mtfcc.html.
Table 11: Complete List of MTFCC Descriptions
MTFCC
Feature Class
Feature Class Description
C3022
Mountain Peak or
Summit
C3023
Island
C3024
Levee
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]
An embankment flanking a stream or other flowing water feature to
prevent overflow.
C3026
Quarry (not
water-filled),
Open Pit Mine or
Mine
C3027
Dam
C3061
Cul-de-sac
C3062
Traffic Circle
C3066
C3067
Gate
Toll Booth
C3071
Lookout Tower
C3074
Lighthouse
Beacon
C3075
Tank/Tank Farm
C3076
Windmill Farm
C3077
Solar Farm
C3078
Monument or
Memorial
C3079
Boundary
Monument Point
An area from which commercial minerals are or were removed
from the Earth; not including an oilfield or gas field.
A barrier built across the course of a stream to impound water
and/or control water flow.
An expanded paved area at the end of a street used by vehicles
for turning around. For mapping purposes, the U.S. Census
Bureau maps it only as a point feature.
A circular intersection allowing for continuous movement of traffic
at the meeting of roadways.
A movable barrier across a road.
A structure or barrier where a fee is collected for using a road.
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
observation.
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
transmission of light and possibly sound generally to aid in
navigation.
One or more manmade structures, each higher than its diameter,
used for liquid (other than water) or gas storage or for distribution
activities.
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from
the wind.
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from
the sun.
A manmade structure to educate, commemorate, or memorialize
an event, person, or feature.
A material object placed on or near a boundary line to preserve
and identify the location of the boundary line on the ground.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix C. MTFCC Descriptions
Page C-1
MTFCC
Feature Class
Feature Class Description
C3080
Survey Control
Point
C3081
Locality Point
C3085
Alaska Native
Village Official
Point
A point that serves as the core of an Alaska Native village and is
used in defining Alaska Native village statistical areas.
G2100
American Indian
Area
A legally defined state- or federally recognized reservation and/or
off-reservation trust land (excludes statistical American Indian
areas).
G2120
Hawaiian Home
Land
A legal area held in trust for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.
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
G2200
Alaska Native
Regional
Corporation
G2300
Tribal Subdivision
G2400
Tribal Census
Tract
G2410
Tribal Block
Group
A point on the ground whose position (horizontal or 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 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 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
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix C. MTFCC Descriptions
Page C-2
MTFCC
Feature Class
G3100
Combined
Statistical Area
G3110
Metropolitan and
Micropolitan
Statistical Area
G3120
Metropolitan
Division
G3200
G3210
G3220
Combined New
England City and
Town Area
New England
City and Town
Metropolitan and
Micropolitan
Statistical Area
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)
G4110
Incorporated
Place
G4120
Consolidated City
Feature Class Description
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 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
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix C. MTFCC Descriptions
Page C-3
MTFCC
Feature Class
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)
G5240
Voting District
G5400
Elementary
School District
Feature Class Description
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 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.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix C. MTFCC Descriptions
Page C-4
MTFCC
G5410
G5420
G6120
Feature Class
Feature Class Description
Secondary
School District
Unified School
District
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 U.S. Census Bureau includes in the MAF/TIGER® Database
in agreement with the state.
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
Lake/Pond
Reservoir
Treatment Pond
Bay/Estuary/Gulf/
Sound
Ocean/Sea
Gravel Pit/Quarry
filled with water
H2051
H2053
H2060
H2081
Glacier
H3010
Stream/River
H3013
Braided Stream
H3020
Canal, Ditch or
Aqueduct
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]
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix C. MTFCC Descriptions
Page C-5
MTFCC
Feature Class
K1225
Crew-of-Vessel
Location
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.
K1231
Hospital/Hospice/
Urgent Care
Facility
One or more structures where the sick or injured may receive
medical or surgical attention. [including infirmary]
K1235
Juvenile
Institution
K1236
Local Jail or
Detention Center
K1237
K1238
K1239
K1246
K2110
K2165
K2167
Federal
Penitentiary,
State Prison, or
Prison Farm
Other
Correctional
Institution
Convent,
Monastery,
Rectory, Other
Religious Group
Quarters
Community
Center
Military
Installation
Government
Center
Convention
Center
K2180
Park
K2181
National Park
Service Land
K2182
National Forest
or Other Federal
Land
K2183
K2184
Tribal Park,
Forest, or
Recreation Area
State Park,
Forest, or
Recreation Area
Feature Class Description
A facility (correctional or 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.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix C. MTFCC Descriptions
Page C-6
MTFCC
K2185
K2186
K2187
K2188
K2189
K2190
Feature Class
Regional Park,
Forest, or
Recreation Area
County Park,
Forest, or
Recreation Area
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
(quasi-public,
independent
park,
commission,
K2191
Post Office
K2193
K2194
K2195
K2196
Fire Department
Police Station
Library
City/Town Hall
K2400
Transportation
Terminal
K2424
Marina
K2432
Pier/Dock
K2451
Airport or Airfield
K2452
Train Station,
Trolley or Mass
Transit Rail
Station
K2453
Bus Terminal
Feature Class Description
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 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.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix C. MTFCC Descriptions
Page C-7
MTFCC
Feature Class
K2454
Marine Terminal
K2455
K2456
K2457
K2458
K2459
K2460
K2540
K2543
Seaplane
Anchorage
Airport—
Intermodal
Transportation
Hub/Terminal
Airport—
Statistical
Representation
Park and Ride
Facility/Parking
Lot
Runway/Taxiway
Helicopter
Landing Pad
University or
College
School or
Academy
K2561
Museum, Visitor
Center, Cultural
Center, or Tourist
Attraction
Golf Course
K2582
Cemetery
K2586
Zoo
K3544
Place of Worship
L4010
Pipeline
L4020
Powerline
L4031
Aerial
Tramway/Ski Lift
L4110
Fence Line
L4121
Ridge Line
L4125
Cliff/Escarpment
K2545
Feature Class Description
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 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 man-made 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]
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix C. MTFCC Descriptions
Page C-8
MTFCC
L4130
L4140
Feature Class
Point-to-Point
Line
Property/Parcel
Line (Including
PLSS)
L4150
Coastline
L4165
Ferry Crossing
P0001
P0002
P0003
P0004
R1011
R1051
Nonvisible Linear
Legal/Statistical
Boundary
Perennial
Shoreline
Intermittent
Shoreline
Other non-visible
bounding Edge
(e.g., Census
water boundary,
boundary of an
areal feature)
Railroad Feature
(Main, Spur, or
Yard)
Carline, Streetcar
Track, Monorail,
Other Mass
Transit
R1052
Cog Rail Line,
Incline Rail Line,
Tram
S1100
Primary Road
S1200
Secondary Road
S1400
Local
Neighborhood
Feature Class Description
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.
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
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix C. MTFCC Descriptions
Page C-9
MTFCC
Feature Class
Road, Rural
Road, City Street
S1500
Vehicular Trail
(4WD)
S1630
Ramp
S1640
S1720
Service Drive
usually along a
limited access
highway
Walkway/Pedestr
ian Trail
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
S1710
S1750
Feature Class Description
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 MAF/TIGER.
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.
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.
Note: The information in this table was last updated in November 2016.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix C. MTFCC Descriptions
Page C-10
APPENDIX D Shapefile Data Dictionary
The Census Bureau’s partnership shapefiles consist of numerous layers and
their accompanying tables representing different geographies. Table 12 lists
the shapefile layer name and the geography each layer represents. Table
13 through Table 46 list the data table for each of the layers listed in Table
12, with the attribute fields, their length, type, and description.
Table 12: Shapefile Layer Names/Tables
GEOGRAPHIC
LEVEL
NAME
American Indian Areas (AIA) - Legal
County/State
Aial
American Indian/Alaska Native Areas (AIANA) - Statistical
County/State
Aias
American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Legal
County/State
Aitsl
American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Statistical
County/State
Aitss
Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRC)
County/State
Anrc
Area Landmark
County only
Arealm
Block Area Grouping
County/State
Bag
Census Block Groups
County only
Bg
Block Size Indicator
County only
Block
Metropolitan/ Micropolitan Statistical Area
County/State
Cbsa
County Subdivisions – Statistical
County/State
Ccd
Congressional Districts (CD)
County/State
Cd
Census Designated Places (CDP)
County/State
Cdp
Consolidated Cities
County only
Concity
Counties and Equivalent Areas
County/State
County
Census Tracts
County only
Curtracts
Edges (All Lines)
County only
Edges
School Districts (Elementary)
County/State
Elsd
County Subdivisions – Legal
County/State
Mcd
New England City and Town Area
County/State
Necta
Offsets
County only
Offset
Incorporated Places
County/State
Place
Point Landmarks
County only
Pointlm
SHAPEFILE LAYER
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-1
GEOGRAPHIC
LEVEL
NAME
Public Use Microdata Areas – Census 2010
County/State
Puma2010
School Districts (Secondary)
County/State
Scsd
State Legislative Districts (Lower/House)
County/State
Sldl
State Legislative Districts (Upper/Senate)
County/State
Sldu
State only
State
Subbarrios
County only
Submcd
Census Blocks - Current
County only
Tabblock
Census Blocks – Census 2010
County only
Tabblock2010
Traffic Analysis Districts – Census 2010
County only
Tad2010
Traffic Analysis Zone
County only
Taz2010
Tribal Block Group
County/State
Tbg
Census Tracts – Census 2010
County/State
Tracts2010
Urban Area/ Urban Cluster – Census 2010
County/State
Uac
Urban Growth Areas (UGA)
County only
Uga
School Districts (Unified)
County/State
Unsd
Voting District
County only
VTD
Hydrography - Area
County only
Water
Address Ranges (Relationship Table)
County
Addr
Linear Feature Names (Relationship Table)
County
Allnames
Topological Faces - Area Landmark Relationship
County
Areafaces
Topological Faces (Listing of faces with all geocodes)
County
Faces
Topological Faces - Area Hydrography Relationship
County
Hydrofaces
SHAPEFILE LAYER
States and Equivalent Areas
Table 13: American Indian Areas - Legal
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP*
3
String
FIPS County Code
AIANNHCE
4
String
Census AIANNH Code
COMPTYP
1
String
AIANNHFSR
1
String
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Indicates if reservation (or equivalent) or
off- reservation trust land is present, or
both
Flag indicating level of recognition of an American
Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian tribe or
group.
Page D-2
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
AIANNHNS
8
String
ANSI numeric identifier for AIANNH Areas
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional Status
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS55 class code describing entity
PARTFLG*
1
String
Part Flag Indicator
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
DOCU
120
String
Supporting documentation
FORM_ID
4
String
Record ID for any boundary update
AREA
10
Numeric (3
decimal
places)
Acreage of area update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
NAME
100
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
Table 14: American Indian/Alaska Native Areas - Statistical
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP*
3
String
FIPS County Code
AIANNHCE
4
String
Census AIANNH Code
COMPTYP
1
String
AIANNHFSR
1
Indicates if reservation (or equivalent) or
off- reservation trust land is present, or
both
Flag indicating level of recognition of an American
Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian tribe or
group.
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
AIANNHNS
8
String
ANSI numeric identifier for AIANNH Areas
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional Status
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS55 class code describing entity
PARTFLG*
1
String
Part Flag Indicator
String
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-3
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
NAME
100
String
Name
Table 15: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions - Legal
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP*
3
String
FIPS County Code
AIANNHCE
4
String
Census AIANNH Code
TRIBSUBCE
1
String
Census Tribal subdivision
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
AIANNHNS
8
String
ANSI numeric identifier for AIANNH Areas
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional Status
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS55 class code describing entity
PARTFLG*
1
String
Part Flag Indicator
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
DOCU
120
String
Supporting documentation
FORM_ID
4
String
Record ID for any boundary update
AREA
10
Numeric (3
decimal
places)
Acreage of area update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
NAME
100
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
AIANNHFSR
1
String
Flag indicating level of recognition of an American
Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian tribe or
group.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-4
Table 16: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions - Statistical
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP*
3
String
FIPS County Code
AIANNHCE
4
String
Census AIANNH Code
TRIBSUBCE
1
String
Census Tribal subdivision
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
AIANNHNS
8
String
ANSI numeric identifier for AIANNH Areas
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional Status
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS55 class code describing entity
PARTFLG*
1
String
Part Flag Indicator
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
DOCU
120
String
Supporting documentation
FORM_ID
4
String
Record ID for any boundary update
AREA
10
Numeric
(3 decimal
places)
Acreage of area update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
NAME
100
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
AIANNHFSR
1
String
Flag indicating level of recognition of an American
Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian tribe or
group.
Table 17: Alaska Native Regional Corporations
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
STRING
FIPS STATE CODE
COUNTYFP*
3
STRING
FIPS COUNTY CODE
ANRCFP
5
STRING
FIPS ANRC CODE (STATE BASED)
ANRCCE
2
STRING
CURRENT CENSUS ANRC CODE
NAMELSAD
100
STRING
NAME WITH TRANSLATED LSAD
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-5
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
LSAD
2
STRING
LEGAL/STATISTICAL AREA DESCRIPTION
AIANNHNS
8
STRING
ANSI NUMERIC IDENTIFIER FOR AIANNH
AREAS
FUNCSTAT
1
STRING
FUNCTIONAL STATUS
CLASSFP
2
STRING
FIPS55 CLASS CODE DESCRIBING ENTITY
PARTFLG*
1
STRING
PART FLAG INDICATOR
CHNG_TYPE
2
STRING
TYPE OF AREA UPDATE
EFF_DATE
8
STRING
EFFECTIVE DATE OR VINTAGE
DOCU
120
STRING
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
FORM_ID
4
STRING
RECORD ID FOR ANY BOUNDARY UPDATE
AREA
10
NUMERIC
(3
DECIMAL
PLACES)
ACREAGE OF AREA UPDATE
RELATE
120
STRING
RELATIONSHIP DESCRIPTION
JUSTIFY
150
CHAR
JUSTIFICATION
NAME
100
STRING
NAME
VINTAGE
2
STRING
VINTAGE UPDATED WITH RETURNED DATA
AIANHFSR
1
STRING
FLAG INDICATING LEVEL OF RECOGNITION OF
AN AMERICAN INDIAN, ALASKA NATIVE, OR
NATIVE HAWAIIAN TRIBE OR GROUP.
Table 18: Block Size Indicator
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
TRACTCE
6
String
Census Tract Code
BLOCKCE
4
String
Tabulation Block Number
BLOCKID
19
String
FIPS State Code, FIPS County Code, Census Tract
Code, Tabulation Block Number, Census Block
Suffix 1, Census Block Suffix 2
AREALAND
14
Numeric (3
decimal
places)
Current Area Land in Square Meters
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-6
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
AREAWATER
10
Numeric (3
decimal
places)
Current Area Water in Square Meters
LWBLKTYP
1
String
Land/Water Block Type: B = Both Land and Water; L
= Land; W = Water
PERIMETER
9
String
Perimeter of Block in Square Meters
SHAPEIDX
9
String
(√ (4πA/P2), where A=Area of block & P = Perimeter
of block
BLKSZIND
1
String
Block Size Indicator
Table 19: Congressional Districts
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP*
3
String
FIPS County Code
CDFP
2
String
Congressional District Code
CDTYP
1
String
Congressional District Type
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Type of Area Update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective date or vintage
NEW_CODE
2
String
New Congressional District Code
RELTYPE1
2
String
Relationship Type 1
RELTYPE2
2
String
Relationship Type 2
RELTYPE3
2
String
Relationship Type 3
RELTYPE4
2
String
Relationship Type 4
RELTYPE5
2
String
Relationship Type 5
REL_ENT1
8
String
Relationship Entity 1
REL_ENT2
8
String
Relationship Entity 2
REL_ENT3
8
String
Relationship Entity 3
REL_ENT4
8
String
Relationship Entity 4
REL_ENT5
8
String
Relationship Entity 5
RELATE
120
String
Relationship Description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-7
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
CDSESSN
3
String
Congressional District Session Code
NAME
100
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional Status
Table 20: Hawaiian Homelands
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP*
3
String
FIPS County Code
AIANNHCE
4
String
Census AIANNH Code
COMPTYP
1
String
NAMELSAD
100
String
AIANNHNS
8
String
ANSI numeric identifier for AIANNH Areas
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional Status
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS55 class code describing entity
PARTFLG*
1
String
Part Flag Indicator
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
DOCU
120
String
Supporting documentation
FORM_ID
4
String
Record ID for any boundary update
AREA
10
Numeric (3
decimal
places)
Acreage of area update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
AIANNHFSR
1
String
Flag indicating level of recognition of an American
Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian tribe or
group.
NAME
100
String
Name
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Indicates if reservation (or equivalent) or
off- reservation trust land is present, or
both
Name with translated LSAD
Page D-8
Table 21: School Districts
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP*
3
String
FIPS County Code
SDLEA
5
String
Current Local Education Agency Code
NAME
100
String
Name of School District
LSAD
2
Integer
Legal/Statistical Area Description
HIGRADE
2
String
Highest grade for which the district is financially
responsible
LOGRADE
2
String
Lowest grade for which the district is financially
responsible
PARTFLG*
1
String
Part Flag Indicator
POLYID
4
String
Record ID for each update polygon for linking
back to the submission log
CHNG_TYPE
1
String
Type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
FUNCSTAT
3
String
Functional Status
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
Table 22: State Legislative Districts (Upper/Senate)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP*
3
String
FIPS County Code
SLDUST
3
String
SLD Upper Chamber Code
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
PARTFLG*
1
String
Part Flag Indicator
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
NEW_NAME
100
String
New SLDU Name
NEW_CODE
3
String
New SLDU Code
RELTYPE1
2
String
Relationship Type 1
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-9
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
RELTYPE2
2
String
Relationship Type 2
RELTYPE3
2
String
Relationship Type 3
RELTYPE4
2
String
Relationship Type 4
RELTYPE5
2
String
Relationship Type 5
REL_ENT1
8
String
Relationship Entity 1
REL_ENT2
8
String
Relationship Entity 2
REL_ENT3
8
String
Relationship Entity 3
REL_ENT4
8
String
Relationship Entity 4
REL_ENT5
8
String
Relationship Entity 5
RELATE
120
String
Relationship Description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
LSY
4
String
Legislative Session Year
NAME
100
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional Status
Table 23: State Legislative Districts (Lower/House)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP*
3
String
FIPS County Code
SLDLST
3
String
SLD Lower Chamber Code
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
PARTFLG*
1
String
Part Flag Indicator
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
NEW_NAME
100
String
New SLDL Name
NEW_CODE
3
String
New SLDL Code
RELTYPE1
2
String
Relationship Type 1
RELTYPE2
2
String
Relationship Type 2
RELTYPE3
2
String
Relationship Type 3
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-10
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
RELTYPE4
2
String
Relationship Type 4
RELTYPE5
2
String
Relationship Type 5
REL_ENT1
8
String
Relationship Entity 1
REL_ENT2
8
String
Relationship Entity 2
REL_ENT3
8
String
Relationship Entity 3
REL_ENT4
8
String
Relationship Entity 4
REL_ENT5
8
String
Relationship Entity 5
RELATE
120
String
Relationship Description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
LSY
4
String
Legislative Session Year
NAME
100
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional Status
Table 24: Urban Growth Areas
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
UGACE
5
String
Urban Growth Area Code
UGATYP
1
String
Urban Growth Area Type
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
PARTFLG
1
String
Part Flag Indicator
CHNG_TYPE
1
String
Type of Area Update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
AREA
10
Double
Acreage of Update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship Description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
NAME
100
String
Name
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-11
Table 25: Census Block Groups
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
TRACTCE
6
String
Census Tract Code
BLKGRPCE
1
String
Block Group Code
BLKGRPID
12
String
FIPS State Code, FIPS County Code,
Census Tract Code, Block Group Code
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Type of Area Update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
BGTYP
1
String
Block Group Characteristic Flag
RELATE
120
String
Relationship Description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
Table 26: Census Blocks - Current
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
STATEFP10
2
String
FIPS 2010 State Code
COUNTYFP10
3
String
FIPS 2010 County Code
TRACTCE10
6
String
Census Tract Code
BLOCKCE
4
String
Tabulation Block Number
SUFFIX1CE
2
String
Census Block Suffix 1
SUFFIX2CE
2
String
Census Block Suffix 2
String
FIPS State Code, FIPS County Code,
Census Tract Code, Tabulation Block
Number, Census Block Suffix 1, Census
Block Suffix 2
BLOCKID
19
Table 27: Census Blocks - Census 2010
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP10
2
String
FIPS 2010 State Code
COUNTYFP10
3
String
FIPS 2010 County Code
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-12
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
TRACTCE10
6
String
Census Tract Code
BLOCKCE
4
String
Tabulation Block Number
BLOCKID10
15
String
FIPS State Code, FIPS County Code,
Census Tract Code, Tabulation Block
Number
PARTFLG
1
String
Part Flag Indicator
HOUSING10
9
Integer
2010 Housing
POP10
9
Integer
Census 2010 population count
Table 28: Census Tracts
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
3
String
FIPS County Code
TRACTCE
6
String
Census Tract Code
NAME
100
String
Name
TRACTID
11
String
FIPS State Code, FIPS County Code,
Census Tract Code
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
TRACTTYP
1
String
Tract Characteristic Flag
RELATE
120
String
Relationship Description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
TRACTLABEL
7
String
Tract number used for LUCA geocoding
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
COUNTYFP
Table 29: Census Designated Places
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP*
3
String
FIPS County Code
PLACEFP
5
String
FIPS 55 Place Code
PLACENS
5
String
ANSI feature code for the place
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-13
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
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 an entity
PARTFLG
1
String
Part Flag Indicator
CHNG_TYPE
1
String
Type of Area Update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
RELATE
120
String
Relationship Description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
NAME
100
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
Table 30: Consolidated City
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
CONCITYFP
5
String
FIPS 55 Place Code
CONCITYCE
4
String
Census Consolidated City Code
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
PLACENS
8
String
ANSI feature code for the place
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional Status
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS 55 Class Code describing an entity
CHNG_TYPE
1
String
Type of Area Update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
DOCU
120
String
Supporting Documentation
FORM_ID
4
String
(GUPS and Web BAS only)
AREA
10
Double
Acreage of Update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship Description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-14
Table 31: County and Equivalent Areas
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
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
1
String
Type of area update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
DOCU
120
String
Supporting Documentation
FORM_ID
4
String
(GUPS and Web BAS only)
AREA
10
Double
Acreage of Area Update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
NAME
100
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
Table 32: County Subdivisions - Legal (MCD)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
COUSUBFP
5
String
FIPS 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
1
String
Type of Area Update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-15
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
DOCU
120
String
Supporting Documentation
FORM_ID
4
String
(GUPS and Web BAS only)
AREA
10
Double
Acreage of Update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship Description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
NAME
100
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
Table 33: County Subdivisions - Statistical (CCD)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
COUSUBFP
5
String
FIPS 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
1
String
Type of Area Update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship Description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
NAME
100
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
Table 34: Incorporated Place
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP*
3
String
FIPS County Code
PLACEFP
5
String
FIPS 55 Place Code
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
PLACENS
8
String
ANSI feature code for the place
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-16
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional Status
CLASSFP
2
String
FIPS 55 Class Code describing an entity
PARTFLG
1
String
Part Flag Indicator
CHNG_TYPE
1
String
Type of Area Update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
DOCU
120
String
Supporting Documentation
FORM_ID
4
String
(GUPS and Web BAS only)
AREA
10
Double
Acreage of Update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship Description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
NAME
100
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
Table 35: States and Equivalent Areas
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
3
String
USPS State Abbreviation
NAME
10
Integer
Name
LSAD
5
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
STATENS
120
String
ANSI feature code for the state
STATEUSPS
Table 36: Subarrios
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
COUSUBFP
5
String
FIPS County Subdivision Code
SUBMCDFP
5
String
FIPS Sub-minor Civil Division Code
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-17
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
SUBMCDNS
8
String
ANSI feature code for the sub-minor civil
division
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
CHNG_TYPE
1
String
Type of Area Update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
AREA
10
Double
Acreage of Update
RELATE
120
String
Relationship Description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
FORM_ID
4
String
(GUPS and Web BAS only)
NAME
100
String
Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional Status
Table 37: Edges (All Lines)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
State FIPS Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
County FIPS Code
TLID
10
Integer
Permanent Edge ID
TFIDL
10
Integer
Permanent Face ID (Left)
TFIDR
10
Integer
Permanent Face ID (Right)
MTFCC
5
String
MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code
FIDELITY
1
String
Indication to a respondent when their entity
boundary has changed through spatial
enhancement
FULLNAME
120
String
Prefix qualifier code, prefix direction code,
prefix type code, base name, suffix type code,
suffix qualifier code
SMID
22
String
Spatial Tmeta ID
VTDFLG
1
String
2010 block boundary suggestion
CBBFLG
1
String
Planned 2020 block boundary
VTD_2020
1
String
VTD Participant suggested 2020 Census
block boundary
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Type of linear update
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-18
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
LTOADD
10
String
Left To Address
RTOADD
10
String
Right To Address
LFROMADD
10
String
Left From Address
RFROMADD
10
String
Right From Address
ZIPL
5
String
Left Zip Code
ZIPR
5
String
Right Zip Code
Table 38: Area Landmark
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
MTFCC
5
String
MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code
FULLNAME
120
String
Prefix direction code, prefix type code, base
name, suffix type code, suffix direction code
AREAID
10
Integer
Landmark identification number
ANSICODE
8
String
ANSI code for area landmarks
CHNG_TYPE
1
String
Type of Area Landmark update
EFF_DATE
8
String
Effective Date or Vintage
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
BAG
3
String
Block Area Grouping
Table 39: Hydrography Area
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
ANSICODE
8
String
ANSI code for hydrography area
MTFCC
5
String
MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code
FULLNAME
120
String
Prefix direction code, prefix type code, base
name, suffix type, suffix type code, suffix
direction code
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-19
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
CHNG_TYPE
1
String
Type of Area Update
HYDROID
10
String
Hydrography Identification Number
RELATE
120
String
Relationship description
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
Table 40: Point Landmarks
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
3
String
FIPS County Code
POINTID
10
Integer
Point Landmark Identification Number
ANSICODE
8
Char
Official Code for Federal Agency use
MTFCC
5
String
MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code
FULLNAME
120
String
Prefix type code, base name, suffix type code
CHNG_TYPE
1
String
Type of Area Update
JUSTIFY
150
Char
Justification
COUNTYFP
Table 41: Topological Faces - Geographic Entity Relationships
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
TFID
20
Integer
Permanent Face ID
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
TRIBSUBCE
3
String
Census Tribal Subdivision
TTRACTCE
6
String
Tribal Census Tract Code
TBLKGRPCE
1
String
Tribal Census Block Group Code
AIANNHCE
4
String
Census AIANNH Code
COMPTYP
1
String
ANRCFP
5
String
SLDUST
3
String
SLD Upper Chamber Code
SLDLST
3
String
SLD Lower Chamber Code
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Indicates if reservation (or equivalent) or
off- reservation trust land is present, or
both
FIPS ANRC Code
Page D-20
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
ELSD
5
String
Current ELSD Local Education Agency
(LEA) Code
SCSD
5
String
Current SCSD Local Education Agency
(LEA) Code
UNSD
5
String
Current UNSD Local Education Agency
(LEA) Code
CDFP
2
String
Congressional District Code
TRACTCE
6
String
Census Tract Code
UACE
5
String
Census Urban Area Code
CBSAFP
5
String
County-Based Metropolitan-Micropolitan Code
NECTAFP
5
String
New England City and Town Area Code
BLKGRPCE
1
String
Census Block Group Code
BLOCKCE
4
String
Tabulation Block Number
SUFFIX1CE
2
String
Census Block Suffix 1
SUFFIX2CE
2
String
Census Block Suffix 2
TAZCE
6
String
Traffic Analysis Zone Code
TADCE
8
String
Traffic Analysis District Code
MPOCE
8
String
Metropolitan Planning Organization Code
PUMACE10
5
String
SUBMCDFP
5
String
FIPS 55 Sub-minor Civil Division Code
UGACE
5
String
Urban Growth Area Code
STATEFP10
2
String
FIPS 2010 State Code
COUNTYFP10
3
String
FIPS 2010 County Code
TRACTCE10
6
String
Census 2010 Tract Code
PLACEFP
5
String
FIPS 55 Place Code
COUSUBFP
5
String
FIPS 55 County Subdivision Code
CONCITYFP
5
String
FIPS 55 Place Code
CDSESSN
3
String
6
String
2010 Voting District Code
1
String
Land/Water Flag
VTDST
LWFLG
DESCRIPTION
Public Use Microdata Area Code
Congressional District Session
Table 42: Topological Faces - Area Landmark Relationships
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
TFID
20
Integer
Permanent Face ID
AREAID
22
Integer
Object ID
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-21
Table 43: Topological Faces - Hydrography Area Relationships
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
TFID
20
Integer
Permanent Face ID
HYDROID
22
Integer
Object ID
Table 44: Address Ranges
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
TLID
22
Integer
TIGER Line 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 Indicator Flag
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
Table 45: Linear Feature Names
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
OID
22
Integer
Object ID
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
NAME
100
String
Name
PREDIR
2
String
Prefix Direction code component of feature
name
PRETYP
3
String
Prefix Type code component of feature name
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-22
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
PREQUAL
2
String
Prefix Qualifier code component of feature
name
SUFDIR
2
String
Suffix Direction code component of feature
name
SUFTYP
3
String
Suffix Type code component of feature name
SUFQUAL
2
String
Suffix Qualifier code component of feature
name
MTFCC
5
String
MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code
PAFLAG
1
String
Primary/Alternate flag
Table 46: Voting Districts
ATTRIBUTE FIELD
LENGTH
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATEFP
2
String
FIPS State Code
COUNTYFP
3
String
FIPS County Code
VTDST
6
String
Voting District Code
NAMELSAD
100
String
Name with translated LSAD
VTDI
1
String
Voting District Indicator
LSAD
2
String
Legal/Statistical Area Description
CHNG_TYPE
2
String
Type of Area Update
ORIG_NAME
100
String
Original VTD Name
ORIG_CODE
6
String
Original VTD Code
RELATE
120
String
Relationship
NAME
100
String
Voting District Name
VINTAGE
2
String
Vintage updated with returned data
FUNCSTAT
1
String
Functional Status
JUSTIFY
150
String
Justification
MTFCC
5
String
MTFCC Code
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix D. Shapefile Data Dictionary
Page D-23
APPENDIX E Acronyms
The table below lists the acronyms used throughout the Voting District Project
GUPS User’s Guide and the explanation of these abbreviations.
Table 47: Acronyms
ACRONYM
EXPLANATION
BAS
Boundary and Annexation Survey
BAG
Block Area Grouping
BBSP
Block Boundary Suggestion Project
CRVRDO
Census Redistricting & Voting Rights Data Office
FIPS
Federal Information Processing Standard
GUPS
Geographic Update Partnership Software
MAF/TIGER
MCD
MTFCC
RDP
SWIM
VTD
VTDP
Master Address File/Topologically Integrated Geographic and
Encoding Reference (System)
Minor Civil Division
MAF TIGER Feature Classification Code
Redistricting Data Program
Secure Web Incoming Module
Voting District
Voting District Project
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix E. Acronyms
Page E-1
APPENDIX F VTD Participation Support
Direct all questions, regarding the Voting District Project, both procedural and
GUPS technical questions to:
Census Redistricting & Voting Rights Data Office: (301) 763-4039;
rdo@census.gov.
Direct technical questions regarding SWIM to: geo.swim@census.gov.
Voting District Project Participant Guide
Appendix F. VTD Participation Support
Page F-1
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Voting District Project Non-GUPS User’s Guide |
| Author | U.S.Census Bureau |
| File Modified | 2018-11-09 |
| File Created | 2018-11-07 |