Philadelphia Studies: Social & Cultural

Most census map needs can be filled with online resources, like Social Explorer, listed below. Print collections of census maps are also listed below.

Online

• Social Explorer
  Map census data by census tract from 1940 to the present, Philadelphia and nationwide. Data downloadable to Excel, or as map images.
• American FactFinder
• TIGER Data
  The Census Bureau's shapefiles and KMLs of census geography, roads, and other landmarks.
• National Historic Geographic Information System
  Shapefiles of Philadelphia census tracts from 1920 to 2010, blocks and block groups from 1990 to 2010.
• 1940 Enumeration District Maps, Philadelphia
  From NARA.
• Philadelphia Data and Maps, 1940-2000
  Census tract data and shapefiles, 1940-2000, blocks and block groups 1990-2000 (may be preferable to use Social Explorer and NHGIS listed above); Philadelphia mayoral election data, 1999, with shapefiles for voting district and ward.
• 1880 Enumeration District Boundaries
  From the Urban Transition Historical GIS Project, enumeration district boundaries in shapefile and web map formats.
   

Print

1990 Census

• 1990 Census: P.L. 94-171 county block maps: Philadelphia County
  Print volume depicts block, block group, census tract, and voting district geography. Van Pelt Reference Stacks, G3824.P5 E25 S4 U55a.

1980 Census

• 1980 Census tracts and blocks, Philadelphia City Planning Commission
  Print maps at Van Pelt Reference Stacks, HA730.P45 N55
• Block statistics (maps) Philadelphia, Pa.-N.J. standard metropolitan statistical area
  Print maps at Van Pelt Reference Stacks, HA730.P45 B56
• Census tract street index

  1980 census edition with zip code tables, Van Pelt Reference Desk, F 157 .D4 D38.

1970 Census

• Urban atlas: tract data for standard metropolitan statistical areas: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-New Jersey
  Choropleth maps presenting population and socioeconomic data. In print at Van Pelt Reference Atlas Cases, G 3824 .P5 1974 U55.
• 1970 Census of housing. Block statistics. Philadelphia, Pa.-N.J. urbanized area
  Final report HC(3)-204 [= Volume III, number 204]. In print at Van Pelt Reference Atlas Cases, HD 7293 .A512 1972 v.3 no.204.

1960 Census

• Population and Housing, Philadelphia 1960
  Census tract maps from the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. In Fine Arts Library Locked Case.
• Census of housing, 1960. Volume III, City blocks: Philadelphia, Pa.
  Final report HC(3)-344. Washington, D.C.: U.S. GPO, 1962.

1950 Census

• Census tract index to Philadelphia streets and house numbers
  Philadelphia: Health and Welfare Council, 1952. Van Pelt Reference: HA 730 .P45 C46
• Census of Housing 1950
  See Volume 5, part 143, Philadelphia, Pa at Van Pelt: HD 7293 .A4883 and Lippincott: HD 7293 .A4883.

1940 Census

• 16th census of the United States, 1940. Housing : Supplement to the first series, housing bulletin for Pennsylvania : Philadelphia block statistics.
  At Van Pelt Reference Stacks : HD7293 .A486 1942.

1930 Census

• Census tract index to Philadelphia streets and house numbers
  Van Pelt Reference: HA730 .P45 C46

1910 Census

• Cross index to selected city streets and enumeration districts, 1910 census
  Typescript index reproduced on fiche indexing city streets and census enumeration districts for 39 cities in the 1910 federal population census. On microfiche.

1890-1920 Census

• Census descriptions of geographic subdivisions and enumeration districts, 1830-1950
  Printed tables describing boundaries of decennial census enumeration districts. Philadelphia EDs are listed on reels 15 (1890), 37 (1910), and 56 (1920). 1900 Census ED descriptions are in process.

1880 Census

• An urban finding aid for the 1880 federal population census of Philadelphia
  Printed tables describing boundaries of decennial census enumeration districts. Philadelphia EDs are listed on reels 15 (1890), 37 (1910), and 56 (1920). 1900 Census ED descriptions are in process.

1790 Census onwards

Prior to the 1970 Census, Philadelphia's decennial census geography was tied closely to its political ward geography. Consult Daly and Weinberg's Genealogy of Philadelphia County subdivisions for historic ward boundary changes.