Page images
PDF
EPUB

where available on a broad range of subjects, including population, vital statistics, health, education, income, labor force, communications, agriculture, defense, and other areas. See Section 31. The industrial outlook tables, previously in Section 31, have been deleted since we were unable to update them. For a complete list of new tables, see Appendix VI, pp. 947.

We have also slightly modified our headnotes to provide table-specific examples of how unit indicators are interpreted.

Statistical Abstract on other mediaThe Abstract is available in its entirety on the Internet and, an enhanced version, on CDROM (except for a few copyrighted tables deleted by the request of source organizations). Our Internet site, <http://www.census.gov/ statab/www>, contains this 1999 edition and earlier editions of the book, as well as summary items-Statistics in Brief, Frequently Requested Tables, and State Rankings, which will be updated as time allows. State and County Profiles is also on the site.

The CD-ROM version of the Abstract is enriched with links from tables to the Internet sites of appropriate government agencies. In addition, links are provided to the underlying spreadsheets (both .WK1 and .XLS) from which the data in the tables are based. Ordering information for the CD-ROM is located in the inside back cover.

Statistics for states and metropolitan areas-Extensive data for the states and metropolitan areas of the United States can be found in the State and Metropolitan Area Data Book: 1997-98. It features 859 data items covering everything from age and agriculture to wages and welfare for the 50 states and the District of Columbia with United States totals for comparison. Also included are over 150 data items for metropolitan areas (MAs), 43 items for component counties of MAs, and 3 population items for central cities of MAS.

This publication, as well as selected rankings of the states and metropolitan areas, is available on our Internet site at <http:// www.census.gov/statab/www/smadb.html>. Some data items that appear in the book from private sources are not available on the Internet or CD-ROM versions because we did not receive copyright permission to release the data items in these formats. The CDROM version also includes links from the data tables to spreadsheets (both .WK1 and .XLS) with the data and pertinent geographic information, to contributing government agency Internet sites, and to related source notes and explanations. See the inside back cover for ordering information.

Limitations of the data-The contents of this volume were taken from many sources. All data from either censuses and surveys or from administrative records are subject to error arising from a number of factors: Sampling variability (for statistics based on samples), reporting errors in the data for individual units, incomplete coverage, nonresponse, imputations, and processing error. (See also Appendix III, pp. 924-942.) The Census Bureau cannot accept the responsibility for the accuracy or limitations of the data presented here, other than those for which it collects. The responsibility for selection of the material and for proper presentation, however, rests with the Bureau.

For additional information on data presented-Please consult the source publications available in local libraries or write to the agency indicated in the source notes. Write to the Census Bureau only if it is cited as the source.

Suggestions and comments-Users of the Statistical Abstract and its supplements (see inside back cover) are urged to make their data needs known for consideration in planning future editions. Suggestions and comments for improving coverage and presentation of data should be sent to the Director, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233.

Statistical Abstract User Survey-Inserted in this edition is the eighth user survey taken periodically to ask for your suggestions on various aspects of the Abstract and related publications. Your input will help us to maintain the usefulness of the Compendia program. If the questionnaire is missing and you would like to participate in the survey, you may obtain one by writing to us: U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Compendia Staff, ACSD, FOB 4, Room 1109, Washington DC 20233 or e-mail us at compendia@census.gov.

vi Preface

Example of Table Structure

No. 1093. Private Shipyards—Summary: 1980 to 1999 (For calendar year, unless noted. (178.0 represents 178,000)]

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Source: 1980 and 1985, Shipbuilders Council of America, Arlington, VA., unpublished data; beginning 1990, U.S. Maritime Administration, unpublished data.

[blocks in formation]

To Determine the Figure It Is Necessary to Multiply the
Number Shown by the Unit Indicator:

Employment - 178.0 × 1,000 = 178,000 (Almost 180 thousand)
Unfinished work - 2,070 x 1,000,000 - $2,070,000,000 (over $2 billion).

When a table presents data with more
than one unit indicator, they are found
in the headnotes and column headings
(Tables 2 and 4), spanner (Table 52),
stub (Table 82), or unit column (shown
above). When the data in a table are
shown in the same unit indicator, it is
shown in boldface as the first part of
the headnote (Table 2). If no unit indica-
tor is shown, data presented are in
absolute form (Table 1).

Vertical rules are used to separate inde-
pendent sections of a table, (Table 1),
or in tables where the stub is continued
into one or more additional columns
(Table 2).

Averages-An average is a single num-
ber or value that is often used to repre-
sent the "typical value" of a group of
numbers. It is regarded as a measure of
"location" or "central tendency" of a
group of numbers.

The arithmetic mean is the type of average used most frequently. It is derived by summing the individual item values of a particular group and dividing the total by the number of items. The arithmetic mean is often referred to as simply the "mean" or "average."

The median of a group of numbers is the middle number or value when each item in the group is arranged according to size (lowest to highest or visa versa); it generally has the same number of items above it as well as below it. If there is an even number if items in the group, the median is taken to be the average of the two middle numbers. Per capita (or per person) quantities. A per capita figure represents an average computed for every person in a specified group (or population). It is derived by taking the total for an item (such as income, taxes, or retail sales) and dividing it by the number of persons in the specified population.

Guide to Tabular Presentation ix

Index numbers-An index number is the measure of difference or change, usually expressed as a percent, relating one quantity (the variable) of a specified kind to another quantity of the same kind. Index numbers are widely used to express changes in prices over periods of time but may also be used to express differences between related subjects for a single point in time.

To compute a price index, a base year or period is selected. The base year price (of the commodity or service) is then designated as the base or reference price to which the prices for other years or periods are related. Many price indexes use the year 1982 as the base year; in tables this is shown as

"1982-100." A method of expressing the price relationship is: The price of a set of one or more items for a related year (e.g. 1990) divided by the price of the same set of items for the base year (e.g. 1982). The result multiplied by 100 provides the index number. When 100 is subtracted from the index number, the result equals the percent change in price from the base year.

Average annual percent change-
Unless otherwise stated in the Abstract
(as in Section 1, Population), average
annual percent change is computed by
use of a compound interest formula.
This formula assumes that the rate of
change is constant throughout a speci-
fied compounding period (1 year for
average annual rates of change). The
formula is similar to that used to com-
pute the balance of a savings account
which receives compound interest.
According to this formula, at the end of
a compounding period the amount of
accrued change (e.g. school enrollment
or bank interest) is added to the
amount which existed at the beginning
the period. As a result, over time (e.g.,
with each year or quarter), the same
rate of change is applied to a larger and
larger figure.

The exponential formula, which is
based on continuous compounding, is
often used to measure population
change. It is preferred by population
experts because they view population
and population-related subjects as
changing without interruption, ever
ongoing. Both exponential and com-
pound interest formulas assume a con-
stant rate of change. The former, how-
ever, applies the amount of change
continuously to the base rather than at
the end of each compounding period.
When the average annual rates are small
(e.g., less than 5 percent) both formulas
give virtually the same results. For an
explanation of these two formulas as

x Guide to Tabular Presentation

they relate to population, see U.S. Census Bureau, The Methods and Materials of Demography, Vol. 2, 3d printing (rev.), 1975, pp. 372-381.

Current and constant dollarsStatistics in some tables in a number of sections are expressed in both current and constant dollars (see, for example, Table 733 in Section 14, Income). Current dollar figures reflect actual prices or costs prevailing during the specified year(s). Constant dollar figures are estimates representing an effort to remove the effects of price changes from statistical series reported in dollar terms. In general, constant dollar series are derived by dividing current dollar estimates by the appropriate price index for the appropriate period (for example, the Consumer Price Index). The result is a series as it would presumably exist if prices were the same throughout, as in the base year-in other words as if the dollar had constant purchasing power. Any changes in this constant dollar series would reflect only changes in real volume of output, income, expenditures, or other measure.

Explanation of Symbols

The following symbols, used in the tables throughout this book, are explained in condensed form in footnotes to the tables where they appear: - Represents zero or rounds to less than half the unit of measurement shown.

B Base figure too small to meet statistical standards for reliability of a derived figure.

D Figure withheld to avoid disclosure pertaining to a specific organization or individual.

NA Data not enumerated, tabulated, or otherwise available separately.

NS Percent change irrelevant or insignificant.

S Figure does not meet publication standards for reasons other than that covered by symbol B, above.

X Figure not applicable because column heading and stub line make entry impossible, absurd, or meaningless.

Z Entry would amount to less than half the unit of measurement shown.

In many tables, details will not add to the totals shown because of rounding.

« PreviousContinue »