Social Explorer allows users to map data from recent and historical U.S. Census results. The map above indicates the percentage of families living in poverty in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, during the 2000 Census (1999 data).  Dark green represents the lowest rate of poverty; dark red represents the highest rate of poverty.

Follow these instructions to generate a map using U.S. Census data.

1. Select the Social Explorer link provided above.

2.  Select "Maps" from the menu near the top of the window.

3. Select "Start Now" under U.S. Demography. (Social Explorer continues to add additional datasets.)

4. Click "Change Data" from the menu option in the upper left corner. A larger menu appears.

5. Select the desired Census year using the sliding bar at the top of this menu. Then choose a data category (e.g. education) from the list of icons, and the specific data point (e.g. bachelor's degree) you wish to map.

6. On the map, zoom in to the geographical area you need.  As you get closer, the map breaks up into Census Tracts.

7. You may click on individual Census Tracts and other geographical units for more detail.