Automated Digitization of the Censuses of Housing Block Statistics, 1940-1970

Jeffrey Lin, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Daniel Moulton, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Isaac Rand, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Robyn Smith, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

Beginning in 1940, the Censuses of Housing Block Statistics represent the earliest, comprehensive, small-geography US Census Bureau estimates of the quantity and condition of housing units in US cities. We develop automated methods to digitize both tabular data and block maps from page scans of the original census publications, 1940--1970. These methods include both traditional image-processing techniques and machine learning and build on existing NHGIS tabular and geospatial census tract data. We plan to distribute code, training data, and digitized block statistics for 16 major cities.

No extended abstract or paper available

 Presented in Session 154. Mobility, Networks, and Housing