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Finding census data on the Web using ABS Internet maps

Using the census maps on the ABS Website is one simple way to help you find the Census information. To find what you are after using the maps follow these simple steps -

• Open the Australian Bureau of Statistics home page www.abs.gov.au
• Click on the Census link. This appears as a text link on the ABS home page. (You can also click on the hypergraphic Census logo on the home page)
• Click on Free Data - 2001 Census
• Click on Main Area (Locations) by Map

- This opens a map of Australia. To use the map you need freeware called svg viewer to be installed. If it is not installed, or an older version of the viewer is detected, the user is taken to the Adobe site and offered a free download. This is a very simple process.

- Once installed the viewer helps you to navigate to the geographic area you are interested in. Try running the mouse across the map to highlight different areas - the name of that area will be displayed above the map. Links below this information offer free data downloads and text based Census Snapshots. There is clear information about what is free data and what is costed data.

- As an example, click on Victoria and then click on the north east area of the state. Drill down through Ovens-Murray to Wodonga and then Indigo (S) -Part A. Then click on the View Indigo (S) - Part A Snapshot link.

- A new page opens. This offers first a zipped file (.zip) containing the 'Basic Community Profile' and is followed by links to text covering a whole range of interesting census topics.

- The zipped file requires WinZip or equivalent software for de-compression. This is freely available and very commonly used software. The file itself is a spreadsheet so is opened in Excel or any other spreadsheet application.