The City Block as a Unit for Recording and Analyzing Urban Data

Abstract

Tabulations by city blocks make possible many uses of small area data beyond those which can be made from census tract tabulations. Block data can be economically analyzed and summarized by the use of summary punched cards. Some uses of block data are illustrated from the St. Louis experience. Suggestions are presented for new census data needed by blocks. The publication of a local block map and street directory facilitates the compilation of new data to supplement those obtained from the decennial census. Despite the many uses and advantages of block data, they do not replace census tract tabulations which meet a somewhat different need.