You asked for a description of the functions of a state data center (SDC). You wanted to know which states, in addition to Connecticut, do not have active centers and what it previously cost to operate such a center in Connecticut. The Office of Fiscal Analysis will provide information on the last question.

SUMMARY

SDCs are official sources of demographic, economic, and social statistics and maps produced by the Census Bureau. The SDCs make the data available to state, regional, and local governments, and non-governmental data users at no charge or cost-recovery basis. The SDCs also provide access to data collected by state and local agencies and other sources. The SDCs provide training and technical assistance in accessing and using data for research, administration, planning, and decision making by local governments, businesses, and other interested data users. They work with affiliated data centers in other agencies, academic institutions, and other organizations. A Census Bureau website, http: //www. census. gov/, describes the bureau's SDC program and provides links to individual SDCs.

This memo describes the functions of the Maryland, New York, and Texas SDCs, which the Census Bureau cited as being exemplary. These centers provide a wide array of services in addition to providing access to census data. For example, the Maryland SDC monitors socioeconomic and housing trends to order to provide the baseline for planning for growth and development in the state. In New York, the SDC publishes the state's Business Fact Book, which provides economic indicators for the state and its metropolitan areas, regions and counties, and comparison data for other states. The Texas SDC prepares population estimates and projects that are used for many functions, including preparation of the state budget and redistricting.

Connecticut's center is unique in that it is currently the only “dormant” center according to staff at the Census Bureau, which coordinates and supports SDCs. The Census Bureau is currently working on a memorandum of understanding with the state regarding the future of the Connecticut SDC.

STATE DATA CENTER FUNCTIONS

Maryland

The Maryland Department of Planning coordinates the SDC program in Maryland. The center provides technical assistance and services to state, regional and local governments, the private sector, and the general public. The center monitors development trends and analyzes social, economic and other characteristics. It prepares population, housing, employment, labor force, and income projections that provide the baseline for planning for growth and development in the state. A statewide network of center affiliates provides additional localized services.

The center's website, http: //www. mdp. state. md. us, provides access to a wide range of census data, as well as data from other federal and state sources. These data include such things as building permits, state rankings for a wide range of variables, and county business patterns. The center publishes a wide range of population, economic, education, and housing data in its annual Statistical Handbook.

The center also analyzes data, for example determining the extent of income inequality in the state and trends in residential development in and outside of the state's priority funding areas. It projects elementary school enrollment, by jurisdiction, through 2014 and overall population, by age group and labor force participation, through 2030. It uses data from the Internal Revenue Service to track migration between Maryland and other states. In 2002, the center conducted a study of the effectiveness of empowerment zones in Baltimore. In 2005, it made a presentation before the Baltimore/Washington Chamber of Commerce regarding the potential implications of actions by the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission. It also made a presentation for its affiliates on trends in housing sales.

The center's website also has links to a wide range of maps, including congressional and legislative election district maps; thematic maps of demographic, economic, and housing variables; and Zip code maps. The website also allows users to download geographic information system (GIS) data.

New York

The New York State Data Center serves as New York's primary repository of economic and demographic data. The center provides an extensive set of U. S. census data, including several categories of population and housing data and the current population survey.

The center publishes the state's on-line Business Fact Book, which provides economic indicators for the state and its metropolitan areas, regions and counties. It also provides comparison data for other states. The center's website, http: //www. nylovesbiz. com/, has links to data series published by other state and federal agencies, such as state and county personal income data published by the U. S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and business incorporation data published by the New York State Department of State.

The center's geography and mapping website gives interactive access to geographic boundary files, census data for various levels of statistical and political geography (counties, metropolitan areas, etc. ). It also has thematic maps illustrating various economic and demographic characteristics of the population. The site gives GIS users access to boundary files for all census statistical geographies, state governmental units, and legislative districts. Statewide files are available as well as individual counties. The site provides data analysts with a large collection of 2000 Census data for the same geographies as the boundary files.

The SDC operates through about 50 state, local, and university coordinating and affiliate organizations around the state. Its coordinating agencies are the Cornell Institute for Social and Economic Research, the state library, and the state Office of Real Property Services (which has a variety of roles with regard to property taxation, including the approval of tax mapping programs). Its local affiliates include such bodies as regional planning boards, health systems agencies, and the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce.

Texas

The Texas SDC, http: //txsdc. utsa. edu/, is housed at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Each year, the center estimates the total populations of counties and places in the state and estimates county populations by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Every other year it produces projections of the population of the state and each county by each of these variables. State and local agencies use the estimates and projections for a wide range of functions, including the preparation of the state budget, redistricting, highway planning, and guiding the Texas National Guard's recruiting programs.

The center provides data, demographic analysis, technical assistance, and program coordination. The center can conduct specialized analyses for census, economic, and GIS data. It responds to requests for information and provides technical assistance regarding demographic and geographic concepts computerized data files. It offers workshops and training on: (1) data sources and uses, (2) basic methods of demographic analysis, (3) methods of estimating and projecting population, and (4) microcomputer use of census data.

The SDC staff make presentations to governmental, business, and civic groups, ranging from the Governor's Select Tax Committee to the Girl Scouts of Dallas. The 2005 presentations addressed such things as the implications of projected population trends on health care and education and demographic and socioeconomic change in rural Texas.

In 2002, the center published The Texas Challenge in the Twenty-First Century: Implications of Population Change for the Future of Texas for the Texas Legislative Council. The report is a broad assessment of the implications of population change for public service demand and costs in the state. In 2004, it published an addendum to the U. S. census, which provided data on population changes between 2000 and 2004.

The center works with a network of 37 organizations across the state, including universities and state and local agencies. The Texas Natural Resources Institute acts as the state's clearinghouse for maps, aerial photos, and digital natural resources data. The State Library, which provides access to print material. The state's 24 councils of government and are the frontline providers of printed data. Last year, the network filled over 45,000 requests for data.

KM: ro