Narratives written for earlier metadata of this data set sometimes did not match the FGDC sections. Where necessary, hypertext pointers were used to avoid rewriting the narrative. This coverage contains Census Tract boundaries and associated demographic data.
Census tracts are small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county.
Census tracts usually have between 2,500 and 8,000 persons and, when first delineated, are designed to be homogenous with respect to population characteristics, economic status, and living conditions. The spatial size of census tracts varies widely depending on the density of settlement. Census tract boundaries are delineated with the intention of being maintained over a long time so that census. Census tracts are referred to as 'tracts' in all 1990 census data products. The demographic data were taken from the STF3A files and attached to the polygonal boundaries.