The U. S. Census uses many spatial units to analyze and aggregate data. Below are examples of the different units available through NHGIS, listed in order of scale:
SEE ALSO Note on using Spatial Data
*Units marked with an asterisk may be larger than, or cross boundaries of larger scale units
About : The United States is divided into four regions: Northeast , South, Midwest, and West (including Alaska and Hawaii).
Spatial Scope : United States and the District of Columbia. Does not include Puerto Rico other territories and dependencies
Use: Regions are used as analytic units in the Decennial Census, American Community Survey (ACS), Current Population Survey (CPS), Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners (SBO), and the Population Estimates Program.
