Before you are able to find data for your community, you need to have available a precise geographical definition of your service area. This means you will need a set of boundaries (north, south, east, west) for the area which you need data.

Which of the following best describes your area?

a few blocks
a neighborhood
a cluster of neighborhoods
a borough

example --> I am interested in the Northwest Bronx (street map), a region that includes several neighborhoods, so I would select a cluster of neighborhoods.

note --> The New York State Social Indicator Project has created a new mapping and database tool that displays 2000 census data at the tract level. The mapping features are the best we've seen so far. Click on the Map Application link at the top of page and go to your region to get started. It's pretty user friendly and click on the print button at the top of your map once you're ready if you want to save it as an image.

The new NYC Oasis website provides a similar service. It also allows you to view an aerial photograph of your target area.

click here to use the NYS Social Indicator Project Mapping tool
click here to visit the NYC Oasis Mapping tool