Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

Definitions, common uses and explanations of 1,500+ key market research terms and phrases.

What are Census Areas?

Research Topics:
Census Data
Industry/Market Focus:
Government
Content Type:
Glossary
Share Print

Census Areas Definition

Areas defined by the U.S. Census Bureau including four census regions and nine census divisions.

Census areas are geographic divisions defined by official government census data. For instance, the United States Census Bureau has established four census regions, nine census divisions and 73,057 census tracts within the nation. Generally speaking, census areas typically are smaller than states and larger than individual cities, which provides a middle ground for analyzing regional trends and demographics. For businesses, census areas are key to demographic, economic and social data that allows marketing professionals to understand diverse markets. This data includes information such as age, income, education levels and household size. Such insights can identify growth opportunities, adapt to regional variations and create customer-centric approaches.

Who relies on census areas?

Businesses use data from census areas to understand local markets, plan targeted campaigns and allocate resources. Marketing professionals rely on census areas to tailor their strategies based on regional demographic strategies. Government agencies and non-profits use insights from census area data to make decisions regarding community development, resource allocation and social programs.

Why should I care about census areas?

Data from census areas provides insights into localized consumer behavior that can be used to refine marketing strategies, target audiences and maximize outreach. Businesses that tap into the findings can help correctly align products, services and messages with characteristics of each region.