Census blocks are the smallest geographic area for which the Census Bureau collects and tabulates decennial census data. These units are formed by streets, streams and other bodies of water, other visible physical and cultural features and the legal boundaries shown on Census Bureau maps. In 1990, the Census Bureau tabulated data for 7,020,924 census blocks.
the smallest area for which the Census Bureau collects and tabulates decennial census data. A geographic area normally bounded on all sides by visible features such as streets, roads, streams and railroad tracks, and occasionally by non-visible boundaries such as city or county limits, property lines, and short, imaginary extensions of streets or roads.
A subdivision of a census tract, a block is the smallest geographic unit for which the Census Bureau tabulates 100-percent data. Many blocks correspond to individual city blocks bounded by streets, but blocks -- especially in rural areas - may include many square miles and may have some boundaries that are not streets. The Census Bureau established blocks covering the entire nation for the first time in 1990. Previous censuses back to 1940 had blocks established only for part of the nation. Over 8 million blocks are identified for Census 2000. Census Geography: A Quick Primer (PDF 123kb)
The smallest unit of census geography for which population data are reported. Census blocks are designated by the Census Bureau and are generally bounded by physical features such as roads, creeks, or railroads, though in some cases they may be bounded by nonvisible features such as city limits.
The smallest geographical area, bounded by visible boundaries, for which census data are collected. Census blocks make up census block groups that make up census tracts.
Usually a well-defined rectangular area bounded by streets or roads. It may be irregular in shape and may be bounded by physical features such as railroads or streams. Census block do not cross boundaries of countries, tracts, or block numbering areas.
The smallest unit of geography used by the Census Bureau for counting people. Blocks are almost always bounded by visible features such as roads and rivers.
The smallest geographical unit for which the US Census Bureau collects and tabulates decennial census information. Census blocks are bounded on all sides by visible features (such as streets) or non visible features (such as township lines). To protect privacy, a minimum of demographic information is reported at this level.
The smallest unit of census geography for which the Census Bureau collects data. The boundaries for these areas are generally streets or other notable physical features.
A census block is the smallest geographic unit used by the United States Census Bureau for tabulation of 100-percent data (data collected from all houses, rather than a sample of houses). Several blocks make up block groups, which again make up census tracts. There are on average about 39 blocks per block group, but there are variations.
