Census Block Groups of Loudoun County, VA (2010)

Data format: SDE Feature Class

File or table name: GISDBB.GISBROW.CENSUS2010_BLOCKGROUPS_POLY

Coordinate system: Lambert Conformal Conic

Theme keywords: boundaries, boundary, Census, American Community Survey, demographic, boundaries

Abstract: This GIS layer contains the geographical boundaries of the 2010 census block groups for Loudoun County, Virginia. The 2010 Census block group boundaries are used for Census Bureau statistical data tabulation purposes, including the 2010 Decennial Census and American Community Surveys. Census block groups are part of the sub-county census geography hierarchy of tracts, block groups, and blocks. The three census geographies nest to each other, forming a hierarchy of census tract, followed by block groups, and then blocks, with blocks being the smallest. A census block group is a cluster of census blocks within the same census tract that have the same first digit of their four-digit census block numbers within a census tract. For example, block group 3 within census tract 610700 is a cluster of all the blocks numbered from 3000 to 3999 in that census tract. Block groups are uniquely numbered within census tracts, with the block group's valid range being 0 to 9. Block Groups are designed to be relatively homogeneous units with respect to population characteristics, economic status, and living conditions, census tracts and generally contain between 600 and 3,000 people or 240 and 1,200 housing units. This 2010 Census block group GIS layer's boundaries are based on the U.S. Census Bureau Census 2010 TIGER/Line files. The boundaries are an extract of aerial photography and cartographic information, such as roads and streams, from the Loudoun County GIS system. Census block groups are bounded on all sides by visible features, such as roads, streams, lakes, power lines, and railroad tracks, and/or by non-visible boundaries such as town and county boundaries, and short line-of-sight extensions of streets and roads.

FGDC and ESRI Metadata:

Metadata elements shown with blue text are defined in the Federal Geographic Data Committee's (FGDC) Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM). Elements shown with green text are defined in the ESRI Profile of the CSDGM. Elements shown with a green asterisk (*) will be automatically updated by ArcCatalog. ArcCatalog adds hints indicating which FGDC elements are mandatory; these are shown with gray text.

Identification Information:


Citation:
Citation information:
Originators: Loudoun County, VA, Department of Management and Financial Services


Title:
Census Block Groups of Loudoun County, VA (2010)
*File or table name: GISDBB.GISBROW.CENSUS2010_BLOCKGROUPS_POLY


Publication date: 19Jan12
*Geospatial data presentation form: vector digital data


Publication information:
Publication place: Leesburg, VA
Publisher: Loudoun County, VA

Online linkage: see distribution information


Description:
Abstract:
This GIS layer contains the geographical boundaries of the 2010 census block groups for Loudoun County, Virginia.  The 2010 Census block group boundaries are used for Census Bureau statistical data tabulation purposes, including the 2010 Decennial Census and American Community Surveys.  

Census block groups are part of the sub-county census geography hierarchy of tracts, block groups, and blocks.  The three census geographies nest to each other, forming a hierarchy of census tract, followed by block groups, and then blocks, with blocks being the smallest.  A census block group is a cluster of census blocks within the same census tract that have the same first digit of their four-digit census block numbers within a census tract.  For example, block group 3 within census tract 610700 is a cluster of all the blocks numbered from 3000 to 3999 in that census tract.  Block groups are uniquely numbered within census tracts, with the block group's valid range being 0 to 9.  

Block Groups are designed to be relatively homogeneous units with respect to population characteristics, economic status, and living conditions, census tracts and generally contain between 600 and 3,000 people or 240 and 1,200 housing units.  

This 2010 Census block group GIS layer's boundaries are based on the U.S. Census Bureau Census 2010 TIGER/Line files. The boundaries are an extract of aerial photography and cartographic information, such as roads and streams, from the Loudoun County GIS system.  Census block groups are bounded on all sides by visible features, such as roads, streams, lakes, power lines, and railroad tracks, and/or by non-visible boundaries such as town and county boundaries, and short line-of-sight extensions of streets and roads.

Purpose:
Census block groups are used in demographic analyses of Loudoun County.  Census block groups are used to gain a detailed picture of population, housing, economic, and other demographic characteristics within a given area.

Supplemental information:
Loudoun County's block groups were delineated by Loudoun County Government during the Census Bureau's Participant Statistical Areas Program for the 2010 Census.  The 2010 Census block layer has been modified from the Census Bureau's Tiger line file. Users should be aware that the Census's Tiger line data is devised from a mix of national and local GIS data sets.  When the Tiger line data is overlaid with Loudoun County Government's detailed GIS layers it can be determined that the Census Bureau's Tiger line boundaries in some cases are slightly off from the actual location of the physical features, natural features, and governmental units such as town boundaries that they are designated to follow. The 2010 Loudoun census block group layer was generated by Loudoun County so that the block group boundaries would overlay with the features in Loudoun County's GIS data sets that the boundary are designated to follow.

The 2010 Census block group boundaries are used for Census Bureau statistical data tabulation purposes, including the 2010 Decennial Census and American Community Surveys.  The American Community Survey replaced the long form of the decennial Census.  The American Community Survey data sets are released annually.  The 2010 to 2019 American Community Survey one-year data sets, the 2008-2010 through 2018-2020 three-year data sets, and the 2006-2010 through 2016-2020 five-year data sets will all use the 2010 Census block group geographies for statistical tabulation purposes.

Data are stored in the corporate ArcSDE Geodatabase as a polygon feature class.  The coordinate system is Virginia State Plane (North), Zone 4501, datum NAD83 HARN (vertical datum, if applicable, NAVD88), US Survey foot units.

*Language of dataset: en


Time period of content:
Time period information:
Single date/time:
Calendar date: 19Jan12

Currentness reference:
publication date

Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance and update frequency: None planned until 2020 Census

Spatial domain:
Bounding coordinates:
*West bounding coordinate: -77.963439
*East bounding coordinate: -77.323973
*North bounding coordinate: 39.326230
*South bounding coordinate: 38.844263

Local bounding coordinates:
*Left bounding coordinate: 11635727.443366
*Right bounding coordinate: 11815632.016717
*Top bounding coordinate: 7166506.778835
*Bottom bounding coordinate: 6992630.694961

Keywords:
Theme:
Theme keywords: boundaries, boundary, Census, American Community Survey, demographic
Theme keyword thesaurus: none

Theme:
Theme keywords: boundaries
Theme keyword thesaurus: ESRI ArcIMS Topic Categories

Place:
Place keywords: Virginia, Loudoun, County, 51107
Place keyword thesaurus: none

Access constraints: none
Use constraints:
Every reasonable effort has been made to assure the accuracy of these data. Loudoun County, Virginia does not assume any liability arising from the use of these data.  These data are provided without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular service.  Reliance on these data is at the risk of the user.
These data were generated for use by Loudoun County and are available to the public.  These data are intended for use at 1:2400 scale or smaller.  Acknowledgement of Loudoun County would be appreciated in products derived from this data.

Point of contact:
Contact information:
Contact organization primary:
Contact organization: Loudoun County, VA, Department of Management and Financial Services
Contact position: Demographer


Contact address:
Address type: mailing and physical address
Address:
803 Sycolin Rd, Suite 104
Address:
MS 61
City: Leesburg
State or province: VA
Postal code: 20175
Country: USA

Hours of service: 8:30-5:00 EST, M-F



Security information:
Security classification: Public Information

*Native dataset format: SDE Feature Class
*Native data set environment:
Microsoft Windows Vista Version 6.0 (Build 6002) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.1.4000


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Data Quality Information:


Attribute accuracy:
Attribute accuracy report:
Retention of attribute accuracy throughout the personal geodatabase or shapefile to ArcSDE geodatabase feature class coversion process was ensured by a manual or automatic QA/QC programmatic check. To meet satisfactory QA/QC requirements the input coverage and output feature class must have, on a record by record basis, identical attribution when comparing all concatenated fields to all the user-defined attribution.

Logical consistency report:
Topologically clean

Completeness report:
Features may have been eliminated or generalized due to scale and intended use. To assist Loudoun County, Virginia in the maintenance of the data, please provide any information concerning discovered errors, omissions, or other discrepancies found in the data.

Positional accuracy:
Horizontal positional accuracy:
Horizontal positional accuracy report:
Retention of coordinate accuracy throughout the personal geodatabase or shapefile to ArcSDE geodatabase feature class conversion process was ensured by a manual or automatic QA/QC programmatic check. To meet satisfactory QA/QC requirements the input coverage and output feature class must have the same record total, and on a record by record basis, area, perimeter, and length differential of less than +/- 0.5%.

Lineage:
Source information:
Source citation:
Citation information:
Originators: U.S. Census Bureau


Title:
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Decennial Census summary file.


Publication date: Feb 2011
Geospatial data presentation form: vector digital data


Type of source media: online
Source contribution:
Demographic data source for population, housing units, and households for census block groups

Source information:
Source citation:
Citation information:
Originators: U.S. Census Bureau


Title:
U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line files


Publication date: October 2010


Type of source media: online
Source contribution:
Provided the foundation upon which census blocks were drawn.  The 2010 Census blocks were the basis for devising the census tract boundaries.

Source time period of content:
Time period information:
Single date/time:
Calendar date: October 2010

Source currentness reference:
publication date

Process step:
Process description:
Census block shapefile downloaded from the U.S. Census Bureau.  Overlaid the Census Bureau shapefile with with Loudoun County Government's detailed GIS layers to determine the actual location of the physical features, natural features, and governmental units such as town boundaries that the census blocks are designated to follow.  Digitized lines using Loudoun County Government's detailed GIS layers.  Created the block group layer by spatially dissolving the census block layer.

Process date: 2011


Process contact:
Contact information:
Contact organization primary:
Contact organization: Office of Mapping and Geographic Information (OMAGI)
Contact position: Land Records Staff


Process step:
Process description:
Metadata imported.

Process date: 20110602
Process time: 16372800


Source used citation abbreviation:
O:\data\Metadata\Templates\MFS_Master_FGDC.xml


Process step:
Process description:
Dataset copied.

Process date: 20110603
Process time: 14404900


Source used citation abbreviation:
\\firma.intranet.col\tdata\maint\Census\Data\MakeCensusFeatureClasses.gdb


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Spatial Data Organization Information:


Indirect spatial reference method:
Loudoun County


*Direct spatial reference method: Vector


Point and vector object information:
SDTS terms description:
*Name: GISDBB.GISBROW.CENSUS2010_BLOCKGROUPS_POLY
*SDTS point and vector object type: G-polygon
*Point and vector object count: 163

SDTS terms description:
SDTS point and vector object type: Label point
Point and vector object count: 161

SDTS terms description:
SDTS point and vector object type: GT-polygon composed of chains
Point and vector object count: 161

SDTS terms description:
SDTS point and vector object type: Point
Point and vector object count: 812

SDTS terms description:
SDTS point and vector object type: Label point
Point and vector object count: 0

ESRI terms description:
*Name: GISDBB.GISBROW.CENSUS2010_BLOCKGROUPS_POLY
*ESRI feature type: Simple
*ESRI feature geometry: Polygon
*ESRI topology: FALSE
*ESRI feature count: 163
*Spatial index: TRUE
*Linear referencing: FALSE


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Spatial Reference Information:


Horizontal coordinate system definition:
Coordinate system name:
*Projected coordinate system name: NAD_1983_HARN_StatePlane_Virginia_North_FIPS_4501_Feet
*Geographic coordinate system name: GCS_North_American_1983_HARN

Planar:
Map projection:
*Map projection name: Lambert Conformal Conic
Lambert conformal conic:
*Standard parallel: 38.033333
*Standard parallel: 39.200000
*Longitude of central meridian: -78.500000
*Latitude of projection origin: 37.666667
*False easting: 11482916.666667
*False northing: 6561666.666667

Planar coordinate information:
*Planar coordinate encoding method: coordinate pair
Coordinate representation:
*Abscissa resolution: 0.000256
*Ordinate resolution: 0.000256
*Planar distance units: survey feet

Geodetic model:
*Horizontal datum name: D_North_American_1983_HARN
*Ellipsoid name: Geodetic Reference System 80
*Semi-major axis: 6378137.000000
*Denominator of flattening ratio: 298.257222

Vertical coordinate system definition:
Altitude system definition:
Altitude datum name: Not Applicable
*Altitude resolution: 1.000000
Altitude distance units: Not Applicable
*Altitude encoding method: Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

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Entity and Attribute Information:


Detailed description:
*Name: GISDBB.GISBROW.CENSUS2010_BLOCKGROUPS_POLY


Entity type:
*Entity type label: GISDBB.GISBROW.CENSUS2010_BLOCKGROUPS_POLY
*Entity type type: Feature Class
*Entity type count: 163
Entity type definition:
polygon feature class
Entity type definition source:
ESRI

Attribute:
*Attribute label: OBJECTID
*Attribute alias: OBJECTID
*Attribute definition:
Internal feature number.
*Attribute definition source:
ESRI

*Attribute type: OID
*Attribute width: 4
*Attribute precision: 10
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute domain values:
*Unrepresentable domain:
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.


Attribute:
*Attribute label: SHAPE
*Attribute alias: Shape
*Attribute definition:
Feature geometry.
*Attribute definition source:
ESRI

*Attribute type: Geometry
*Attribute width: 4
*Attribute precision: 0
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute domain values:
*Unrepresentable domain:
Coordinates defining the features.


Attribute:
*Attribute label: GR_FIPSSTCO
*Attribute alias: GR_FIPSSTCO
Attribute definition:
Federal Information Processing State and County Code. It is a five digit code that identifies the state and county of the census block group.  The first two digits designate the state and are the state FIPS code. The last three digits designate the county and are the County FIPS code
Attribute definition source:
Loudoun County

*Attribute type: String
*Attribute width: 5
*Attribute precision: 0
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute domain values:
Unrepresentable domain:
See Overview Description


Attribute:
*Attribute label: GR_TRACT2010
*Attribute alias: GR_TRACT2010
Attribute definition:
the census tract that the block group is within
Attribute definition source:
Loudoun County

*Attribute type: String
*Attribute width: 6
*Attribute precision: 0
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute domain values:
Unrepresentable domain:
The census tract number is a six digit number designated by the U.S. Census Bureau


Attribute:
*Attribute label: GR_BLOCKGROUP2010
*Attribute alias: GR_BLOCKGROUP2010
Attribute definition:
One digit number that identifies the census block group within a census tract
Attribute definition source:
Loudoun County

*Attribute type: String
*Attribute width: 1
*Attribute precision: 0
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute domain values:
Unrepresentable domain:
It is the first digit of the U.S. Census Bureau four digit identifying number of a census block within a tract


Attribute:
*Attribute label: GR_GEOID2010
*Attribute alias: GR_GEOID2010
Attribute definition:
The federal information process codes.
Attribute definition source:
Loudoun County

*Attribute type: String
*Attribute width: 19
*Attribute precision: 0
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute domain values:
Unrepresentable domain:
This is the complete ID for the census block group. It is a 12 digit number that contains the state, county, tract, and block group codes to uniquely identify each census block group in the United States. It is a combination of the GR_FIPSSTCO, GR_TRACT2010, and GR_BLOCKGROUP2010


Attribute:
*Attribute label: GR_POP2010
*Attribute alias: GR_POP2010
Attribute definition:
population of the block group
Attribute definition source:
Loudoun County

*Attribute type: Integer
*Attribute width: 4
*Attribute precision: 10
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute domain values:
Unrepresentable domain:
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Decennial Census tabulated number


Attribute:
*Attribute label: GR_HUNITS2010
*Attribute alias: GR_HUNITS2010
Attribute definition:
housing unit count for the block group
Attribute definition source:
Loudoun County

*Attribute type: Integer
*Attribute width: 4
*Attribute precision: 10
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute domain values:
Unrepresentable domain:
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Decennial Census tabulated number


Attribute:
*Attribute label: GR_HHLDS2010
*Attribute alias: GR_HHLDS2010
Attribute definition:
households of the block group. Households are occupied housing units
Attribute definition source:
Loudoun County

*Attribute type: Integer
*Attribute width: 4
*Attribute precision: 10
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute domain values:
Unrepresentable domain:
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Decennial Census tabulated number


Attribute:
*Attribute label: GR_UPD_DATE
*Attribute alias: GR_UPD_DATE
Attribute definition:
Date feature class created or modified.
Attribute definition source:
Loudoun County

*Attribute type: Date
*Attribute width: 36
*Attribute precision: 0
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute domain values:
Enumerated domain:
Enumerated domain value: Date value that is automatically generated

Attribute:
*Attribute label: GR_UPD_USER
*Attribute alias: GR_UPD_USER
Attribute definition:
Not for public distribution.  Internal User ID of editor creating or modifying feature class.
Attribute definition source:
Loudoun County

*Attribute type: SmallInteger
*Attribute width: 2
*Attribute precision: 5
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute:
*Attribute label: DB2GSE.ST_Area(SHAPE)
*Attribute alias: DB2GSE.ST_Area(SHAPE)
Attribute definition:
Area of census blockgroup in internal units
Attribute definition source:
Loudoun County

*Attribute type: Double
*Attribute width: 0
*Attribute precision: 0
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute domain values:
Unrepresentable domain:
Positive whole value that is automatically generated


Attribute:
*Attribute label: DB2GSE.SdeLength(SHAPE)
*Attribute alias: DB2GSE.SdeLength(SHAPE)
Attribute definition:
Perimeter of census blockgroup in internal units
Attribute definition source:
Loudoun County

*Attribute type: Double
*Attribute width: 0
*Attribute precision: 0
*Attribute scale: 0


Attribute domain values:
Unrepresentable domain:
Positive whole value that is automatically generated


Overview description:
Entity and attribute overview:
BL_FIPSSTCO: Federal Information Processing State and County Code

Entity and attribute detail citation:
51107 - Virginia (51) and Loudoun County (107)

Overview description:
Entity and attribute overview:
REQUIRED:<"list proper 2-letter Prefix> FL_UPD_SOURCE: Source that created or modified feature class

Entity and attribute detail citation:
0              Undetermined
1              Legacy 
2              County
3              Contract

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Distribution Information:


Distributor:
Contact information:
Contact organization primary:
Contact organization: Loudoun County, VA, Office of Mapping and Geographic Information (OMAGI)
Contact position: Public Information Counter


Contact address:
Address type: mailing and physical address
Address:
1 Harrison Street S.E., 2nd floor
Address:
MS 65
City: Leesburg
State or province: VA
Postal code: 20175
Country: USA

Contact voice telephone: (703)771-5778
Contact facsimile telephone: (703)771-5075


Contact electronic mail address: mapping@loudoun.gov


Hours of service: 8:00-4:30 EST, M-F



Resource description: Offline Data


Distribution liability:
Every reasonable effort has been made to assure the accuracy of these data. Loudoun County, Virginia does not assume any liability arising from the use of these data.  These data are provided without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular service.  Reliance on these data is at the risk of the user.

Standard order process:
Digital form:
Digital transfer information:
Format name: GDB
Format specification:
ESRI Personal Geodatabase Feature Class

Digital transfer option:
Offline option:
Offline media: DVD

Digital form:
Digital transfer information:
Format name: SHP
Format specification:
ESRI Shapefile

Digital transfer option:
Offline option:
Offline media: DVD

Digital form:
Digital transfer information:
Format name: DXF
Format specification:
AutoCad Digital Exchange File

Digital transfer option:
Offline option:
Offline media: DVD

Fees: Loudoun County distributes spatial data in ArcGIS database or shapefile & DXF format for the cost of reproduction. Countywide spatial datasets may be purchased for $22 per DVD for up to 4.5 GB of data. There is a $100 surcharge to purchase countywide topography, and a $3 charge if the item is to be mailed. If the customer wants the data in DXF format and/or would like OMAGI to custom select specific geographic areas of the County, there is an additional $7 per 15 minute increment labor charge. Select aerial imagery is also available.
Ordering instructions:
Size limit: 4.5 GB. Visit our website at: http://www.loudoun.gov/omagi, click on "Loudoun County Mapping Documents & Order Forms."  The "Forms" directory will lead you to custom & standard (countywide) data order forms.

Hardcopy maps may also be available; please contact the Mapping Office Public Information Counter for more information regarding all data requests.


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Metadata Reference Information:


*Metadata date: 20111020


*Language of metadata: en


Metadata contact:
Contact information:
Contact organization primary:
Contact organization: Loudoun County, VA, OMAGI
Contact position: Metadata Specialist


Contact address:
Address type: mailing and physical address
Address:
1 Harrison Street SE, 2nd Floor
Address:
MS 65
City: Leesburg
State or province: VA
Postal code: 20175
Country: USA

Contact voice telephone: (703)771-5778
Contact facsimile telephone: (703)771-5075


Contact electronic mail address: mapping@loudoun.gov


Hours of service: 8:00-4:30 EST, M-F



*Metadata standard name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
*Metadata standard version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
*Metadata time convention: local time


Metadata use constraints:
This metadata reflects the source Geodatabase format and specific elements may not apply if your data is exported to SHP or DXF products. User must be aware that changes to data schema occur during data export that may not be reflected in this metadata, which represents Loudoun County's corporate geodatabase. Acknowledgement of Loudoun County would be appreciated in the use of this metadata.


Metadata extensions:
*Online linkage: http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
*Profile name: ESRI Metadata Profile

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