APRIL 5, 2001

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
TIGER/Line Redistricting Census 2000

Census TIGER(R) and TIGER/Line(R) are registered trademarks of the
U.S. Census Bureau.  Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft
Corporation.  ADOBE and Acrobat Reader are trademarks of Adobe Systems
Inc.  ZIP Code and ZIP+4 are trademarks of the U.S. Postal Service.

All legal boundaries and names are as of January 1, 2000.  The boundary
information in the TIGER/Line files for both legal and statistical 
entities are for Census Bureau statistical data collection and 
tabulation purposes only; their depiction and designation for 
statistical purposes does not constitute a determination of 
jurisdictional authority or rights of ownership or entitlement.

WHAT ARE TIGER/LINE FILES

The TIGER/Line files were created from the Census Bureau's TIGER
(Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing) data base
of selected geographic and cartographic information. TIGER was developed
at the Census Bureau to support the mapping and related geographic
activities required by the decennial and economic censuses and sample
survey programs.  TIGER/Line files are made available to the public and
are typically used by people to provide the digital map base for their
Geographic Information System or mapping software.

This DVD (or CD-ROM) does not contain software to display or generate maps, 
nor is the data on this DVD (or CD-ROM) in the form of a map image.  To 
create maps with the data on this DVD (or CD-ROM), one would typically use 
a Geographic Information System package or other mapping software.  The 
Census Bureau cannot provide help in how to use this data with specific 
software packages.  The TIGER/line files are provided in ASCII text format 
only.  Users are responsible for converting or translating the files into 
a format used by their specific software package.   

For information on how to use the TIGER/Line data with a specific
software package one should contact the company that produced the
software. For information on companies that sell products that use
TIGER/Line data or that provide various TIGER/Line-related services refer
to the "Vendor's List" on the TIGER Page at the Census Bureau's World Wide
Web site described below.

ACCESSING TIGER/LINE FILES

The TIGER/Line files are distributed on DVD (or CD-ROM) and on the Census 
Bureau's Internet site (www.census.gov).  This README.TXT file references 
both the disc and Internet distribution methods.  For those downloading the 
TIGER/Line files from the Internet, unless otherwise noted, you can find  
the supplementary files mentioned below through links from the TIGER/Line 
download page.

WHAT'S NEW - KEY CHANGES

The TIGER/Line files in this version were originally produced as the 
official version of the TIGER/Line files delivered to the official 
recipients under Public Law 94-171 and to redistricting officials in 
the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.  The
Redistricting Census 2000 TIGER/Line files do not include files for
the Island Areas.  The Census Bureau will produce another version of
the TIGER/Line files, the Census 2000 TIGER/Line files, later in 2001
which will include files for the Island Areas.

This version of the TIGER/Line files does NOT contain the ZIP Code 
Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) and the address ranges are of approximately 
the same vintage as those appearing in the 1999 TIGER/Line files.  That
is, the Census Bureau is producing the Redistricting Census 2000 TIGER/Line
files in advance of the computer processing that will ensure that the 
address ranges in the TIGER/Line files agree with the final Master Address
File (MAF) used for tabulating Census 2000.  At a later date in 2001, the
Census Bureau will produce another version of the TIGER/Line files, titled
Census 2000 TIGER/Line, which will have ZCTA codes and updated address ranges.

TIGER/LINE AND ACCOMPANYING FILES

The Redistricting Census 2000 TIGER/Line files contain digital 
cartographic data and are accompanied by documentation and related files. 
These files are distributed on DVD (also known as Digital Versatal Disc 
or Digital Video Disc) and on the Census Bureau's Internet site 
(www.census.gov).  It may also be distributed as a disc-on-demand CD-ROM 
product.  On the Internet site (select the "TIGER" link from the home page) 
there are links to the directory/folder for each state where the individual 
files are stored.  Other links lead one to the accompanying files.

On the DVD (or CD-ROM) the TIGER/Line data is stored in the TIGER 
directory in subdirectories by state.  Each state subdirectory is named 
using the two-digit FIPS code and the Post Office abbreviation for the 
state (ex. 02_AK for Alaska).  Within the state subdirectory each county 
file has the name TGRssccc.ZIP, where the "ss" is the state FIPS code 
and "ccc" is the county FIPS code. 

The data for each county (or statistically equivalent entity) is stored  
in a single compressed file that, when decompressed, results in up to  
17 separate files representing each of the TIGER/Line record types that 
exist for that county.  Some counties did not require all of the 17 
record types and therefore will have less than 17 files. If the types 
of data contained in record types 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and Z are not appropriate 
for a given county then the files for those record types will NOT be 
included.  The name of each of these files uses a modification of the 
above convention (TGRssccc.RTx) where "x" is the Record Type.  Appendix A 
of the TIGER/line documentation provides a list of counties and their FIPS 
codes by state.  The data in these files is in a  standard ASCII format.  
The Census bureau does NOT release the TIGER/Line data in vendor-specific 
GIS/mapping software formats.

Information on the content of each record type can be found in Chapter 6
of the TIGER/Line documentation.  Information on decompressing the data
files is found below under the heading "DATA COMPRESSION".  

The files use the TIGER/Line record formats as described in the
accompanying documentation.  When decompressed they are fixed length
ASCII with record separators (carriage return, line feed). 

ADDITIONAL FILES:

COUNTSss.TXT

Each DVD (or CD-ROM) contains COUNTSss.TXT files in the subdirectory
for each state under the TIGER directory of the disc.  If you are 
downloading from the Census Internet site they can be found in the 
appropriate state folder.  The file name will have the appropriate 
state FIPS code in place of "ss" in the file name.  The COUNTSss.TXT 
files show the counts for the number of records for each record type 
by county for all states that are included on the DVD (or CD-ROM).  
Note that all counties are listed for a given state.  The layout of
COUNTSss.TXT is  as follows:

FIPS state code       16:17
FIPS county code      20:22
Creation date         25:30
Record type           33:33
Record Count          36:43

An important aspect of the COUNTSss.TXT file is the "Creation Date"
information for these files.  This date is the date the TIGER/Line file
was created from a benchmark of the TIGER data base.  The process of 
creating TIGER/Line files involves extracting the appropriate data from 
various internal data sets to create what we term a TIGER/Line benchmark.  
Essentially this benchmark is a snapshot in time of our TIGER data bases 
which are constantly being updated.  From this benchmark we create the 
TIGER/Line files for use in our operations.  Depending on the nature of 
the operation for which the files are being created, this process can 
proceed over several months as the sets of files for individual states
are created.  The VERSION CODE field in TIGER/Line identifies the
benchmark used and one can determine the vintage of the file from the
information in this field (see page 2-1 of the TIGER/Line documentation). 
However, occasionally errors are found in the benchmark or in the
software that produces the TIGER/Line files.  Corrections are made to the
benchmark file and then a new TIGER/Line is created from the benchmark. 
In these situations the VERSION CODE for the original and corrected files
would be the same but the "Creation Date" information in the
COUNTSss.TXT file would reflect the different vintages.   

README.TXT

The document that you are presently reading.

DOCUMENTATION

The documentation for the TIGER/Line files is contained in the TECHDOC
subdirectory of the DVD (or CD-ROM).   The file name is TGRPL2K.PDF and 
is provided in the PDF format which requires the ADOBE(TM) Acrobat Reader 
(version 3.0 or 4.0).  We are including the installation software for the 
Windows 95 (ar40eng.exe) version (4.05) of the reader in the TECHDOC/ACROREAD 
DVD (or CD-ROM) directory. 

Included here are ADOBE's instructions for the installation of the Reader 
software: "Copy this software to the hard drive of your computer and run it.  
It will install the Windows 95 version of the ADOBE Reader software on your 
computer.  If there is a failure at any point during the installation of 
Acrobat Reader, the installer performs a complete uninstall. For this reason, 
it is  important not to close the installer application by clicking its close 
box in the upper right corner of the background window after clicking the 
"Thank You" dialog box that appears at the end of the installation. If you 
wait for a second or two, the installer will automatically close the background 
windows after the installation is complete."

When the installation is complete you can view the TIGER/Line documentation by 
running the ADOBE Reader and selecting the TGRPL2K.PDF file from the "Open" 
menu.  To get the ADOBE Reader for other computer platforms visit the ADOBE 
Web site for the proper software (http://www.adobe.com).

METADATA

Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) compliant metadata is included on the 
DVD/CD-ROM in the TIGER subdirectory.  It is also available from the Census 
Internet download site. 

DATA COMPRESSION

The TIGER/Line data on this disk has been compressed into an archive file to  
save space and reduce the number of disks required for the data and to 
facilitate downloading from the Internet.  If the files were not compressed 
it would require over 40 CD-ROM disks to hold the data needed to cover the 
entire United States.  Use software compatible with PK-ZIP 1.93A or higher 
to decompress the data.

Info-ZIP's software (Zip, Unzip and related utilities) are examples of packages 
that can be used.  The Info-ZIP software is free and can be obtained as source 
code or executables from various bulletin boards and on line services software 
archive sites.  There are versions for many computer platforms.  One site from 
which this software can be downloaded is: 
ftp://ftp.freesoftware.com/pub/infozip/info-zip.html.

KNOWN PROBLEMS AND ANOMALIES WITH THIS TIGER/LINE DATA SET:

Additional problems or anomalies may be identified in the Redistricting 
Census 2000 TIGER/Line file DVD/CD-ROMs at a later date.  Users should refer to
the Redistricting Census 2000 TIGER/Line Errata and User Notes at URL:
http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger

VOTING DISTRICTS

The voting district names for Baldwin County, Alabama provided to the Census
Bureau during the Census 2000 Redistricting Data Program initially were not 
correct.  Although incorrect, the voting district names that appear in Record 
Type C of the Redistricting Census 2000 TIGER/Line file for Baldwin County, 
Alabama match the voting district names that appear in the Public Law 94-171 
Redistricting Data file.  The correct names are provided in a separate file 
on the DVD or appropriate CD-ROM or on the Internet.  The correct names are 
provided as an ASCII text file and as separate ASCII file that uses the
Record Type C record layout.  Using the file in Record Type C layout, users 
can locate and replace the Record Type C records that have the incorrect 
voting district names with Record Type C records containing the correct 
voting district names.

Several voting district names in Jackson, Platte, and St. Louis Counties,
Missouri are incorrect in Record Type C of the Redistricting Census 2000
TIGER/Line files.  The misspelling of a voting district name in St. Louis
County resulted in two separate voting districts appearing in the 
Redistricting Census 2000 TIGER/Line.  After correcting the spelling of 
the voting district name for VTD 231 in St. Louis County, voting district
231 and 232 have identical names and should be a single voting district.  
The correct names are provided in separate files on the DVD or appropriate 
CD-ROM or on the Internet.  The correct names are provided as an ASCII text 
file and as separate ASCII files for each county using the Record Type C 
record layout.  Using the files in Record Type C layout, users can locate 
and replace the Record Type C records that have the incorrect voting 
district names with Record Type C records containing the correct voting 
district names.

In the Town of Amesbury (FIPS code 01185) in Essex County, Massachusetts
(25009), Amesbury Precinct 2 (VTD 306) is incorrectly included as part of
Amesbury Precinct 1 (VTD 305).  That is, the area shown in the Redistricting
Census 2000 TIGER/Line files as Amesbury Precinct 1 (VTD 305) comprises the
area of both Amesbury Precinct 1 (VTD 305) and Amesbury Precinct 2 (VTD 306).

Some voting district names in Brazos County, Texas (48041) are incorrect in 
the Redistricting Census 2000 TIGER/Line files.  A file showing the corrected 
voting district names are provided as a separate file on the DVD or appropriate 
CD-ROM or on the Internet.  The corrected voting district names are provided 
in a separate ASCII file that uses the Record Type C record layout.  Using the 
file in Record Type C layout, users can locate and replace the Record Type C 
records that have the incorrect voting district names with Record Type C 
records containing the correct voting district names.  

STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

For Census 2000, states were afforded the opportunity to define their state
legislative districts (upper and lower chambers) using their actual boundaries.
The state of Ohio participated in this optional component of the program by
providing approximated legislative districts.  For further information 
regarding Ohio's submission please contact the Census 2000 Redistricting
Data Office at (301) 457-4039 or via e-mail at RDO@census.gov.

Kanawha County, West Virginia has two senate districts: 8 and 17.  Both 
districts are coextensive in territory with the county and there is no 
boundary between them.  The Census Bureau represents this area with a 
single State Legislative District code: 817.

SCHOOL DISTRICT NAMES

The community school district names assigned to the New York city school
districts are incorrect in Record Type C of the Redistricting Census 2000
TIGER/Line files for the Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond
Counties.  Correct names are provided in separate files on the DVD or
appropriate CD-ROM or on the Internet.  The correct names are provided as
an ASCII text file and as separate ASCII files for each county using the
Record Type C record layout.  Using the files in Record Type C layout,
users can locate and replace the Record Type C records that have the 
incorrect community school district names with Record Type C records 
containing the corrected community school district names.

School district names assigned to federally operated school districts in 
Cumberland, Haywood, Hoke, Jackson, Oslow, and Swain Counties in North 
Carolina are incorrect in Record Type C of the Redistricting Census 2000 
TIGER/Line files.  Correct names are provided in separate files on the DVD
or appropriate CD-ROM or on the Internet.  The correct names are provided
as an ASCII text file and as separate ASCII files for each county using
the Record Type C record layout.  Using the files in Record Type C layout,
users can locate and replace the Record Type C records that have the
incorrect school district names with Record Type C records containing the
corrected school district names.

MISSING METROPOLITAN AREA CODES

Frye Island town (FIPS code (27025) and Long Island town (FIPS code 41067) 
in Cumberland County, Maine (23005) are in the Portland, ME MSA (MSA code 
6400) but are erroneously shown in the Redistricting Census 2000 TIGER/Line 
files with a blank MSA code in Record Type S.  Those Record Type S records 
in Cumberland County, ME with a COUSUB field = 27025 or a COUSUB field =
41067 should have MSACMSA = 6400.

MISSING PLACE CODES

The Census Bureau has found seven blocks in three consolidated cities that
are missing FIPS place codes.  The following are the FIPS place codes that 
should be associated with these blocks:

ST  COU   TRACT    BLOCK   PLACE
09  009   150200   2999    47515 
13  059   130500   2021    09068
13  059   130500   2023    09068
13  059   140600   1008    03440
13  059   140600   1009    03440
47  037   017100   1001    52006
47  037   017100   1008    52006

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS

The congressional district codes in this TIGER/Line file found in the Record 
Types listed below may contain errors and should NOT be used.  These codes 
were improperly extracted from the internal Census TIGER data base.

Record Type A, Field CD106
Record Type S, Field CDCU

We suggest that data users build the 106th Congressional District layer in 
their spatial data base by using the information in the geographic header 
of the Public Law 94-171 data files when they become available.  This can 
be accomplished by matching the state-county-census tract-census block 
codes between your Redistricting Census 2000 TIGER/Line based system and 
the state-county-census tract-census block-106th Congressional District 
codes in the P.L. 94-171 data file.

The extraction of the 106th Congressional District codes will be corrected 
for the production of the Census 2000 TIGER/Line files later this Spring.

ADDRESS ANOMALIES IN PUERTO RICO 

The TIGER/Line files contain some address range coverage for Puerto Rico. 
However, use of this information for geocoding purposes may be
problematic and the data user should proceed with caution.  These address
ranges are preliminary attempts at using Puerto Rico address ranges
in Census Bureau files.  Due to the lack of software or resources to handle
some of the more unique aspects of addressing in Puerto Rico, the address
ranges were entered without the standard edits and quality checks used in
other parts of the United States. Improvements in software and address
standardization for Puerto Rico are expected in the future.  At present, 
there are inconsistencies, overlaps, and duplication of address ranges. 
Address ranges may lack alpha character prefixes or have hyphenated
prefixes. The files also lack the community names used in a four-line
address that the U.S. Postal Service requires to avoid duplicate addresses. 
Errors in the reference files, and other factors may limit the usefulness
of this product for geocoding purposes. 

ROAD  FEATURE  ANOMALIES

The Census Bureau extracts TIGER/Line files from the TIGER data base
which is continually updated. During the clerical update process for some 
Redistricting Census 2000 TIGER/Line files errors caused anomalies to be 
introduced into some chains represented in Record Types 1 and 2. For these 
cases road features may appear in the Redistricting Census 2000 TIGER/Line 
files unconnected to other road features (so-called floating features) or 
severely skewed in relation to surrounding line features of any type.  We 
correct these errors as we find them, however, it is likely that some still 
exist. 

Another road feature anomaly is the sporadic occurrence of road segments
with a misclassified Census Feature Class Code (CFCC).  The result is that
complete chains for the affected road features will have segments with
different CFCC values assigned erroneously.  This problem could affect
applications that use the CFCC values for network analysis, routing, or for
assigning symbology to a feature when creating a map.  We believe that
these errors were introduced inadvertently during an updating operation to
edit address range information on new as well as existing records.  We are 
continuing to correct these as they are discovered.  

MISMATCH - P.L. 94-171 GEOGRAPHIC HEADER INFORMATION AND REDISTRICTING
CENSUS 2000 TIGER/LINE FILES

The Geographic Header files released with the redistricting data for each
state have some fields that are not always completely filled by their
required content, listed below.  All of these fields are left-justified 
in the P.L. 94-171 data files, but only the NAME field should have been 
left-justified.  All of the other fields should have been right-justified.
This would match their presentation in the Redistricting Census 2000 
TIGER/Line files, for the fields that represent a code or nominal value
identifying a geographic area (VTD, SLDU, SLDL, and TAZ), and allow 
unambiguous interpretation of the fields that represent integer values 
(AREALAND, AREAWATR, and POP100).  The formatting will be corrected
starting with the Summary File 1 (SF1) and Summary File 2 (SF2) state
files.

Field      In PL94-171 Geographic Header   Correct Formatting
VTD        Left-justified, blank filled    Right-justified, blank filled
SLDU       Left-justified, blank filled    Right-justified, blank filled
SLDL       Left-justified, blank filled    Right-justified, blank filled
TAZ        Left-justified, blank filled    Right-justified, blank filled
AREALAND   Left-justified, blank filled    Right-justified, blank filled
AREAWATR   Left-justified, blank filled    Right-justified, blank filled
POP100     Left-justified, blank filled    Right-justified, blank filled
 
QUESTIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Questions about the Census TIGER/Line files and future plans for this and
other TIGER-related products may be directed to the Products and
Services Staff of the Geography Division at (301) 763-1128 or to the 
e-mail address geo.tiger@census.gov.

General information about TIGER-related products is available from the
TIGER page on the Census Bureau's World Wide Web site
(http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/). This Web site also is a source
of information that is of specific interest to TIGER/Line users and of
general interest regarding the geographic programs at the Census Bureau. 
As appropriate, additional information about this product will be posted,
such as ERRATA or USER NOTES.