Chicago Research Data Center

The Chicago Research Data Center provides an opportunity for researchers to perform statistical analyses on non-public microdata from the U.S. Census Bureau and other government agencies. The center is a collaboration between the Census Bureau and a consortium consisting of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois.

Access to microdata sets will be given for approved research projects only.

Please note that individuals or organizations seeking statistical or public-use datasets should visit the Census Bureau website.

Chicago RDC Data

The following types of data are available at the Chicago Research Data Center.

Economic data

  • Censuses and surveys of business establishments and firms
  • With very few exceptions, no public use files exist for these surveys

Demographic data

  • Censuses and surveys of households and individuals
  • Data are NOT public use files
  • Complete geography (in many cases down to the block)
  • Items such as income are not top-coded
  • Individual identifiers such as name, address, and Social Security numbers are not included

National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data

  • Projects will require both NCHS and Chicago RDC approval
  • NCHS will create a custom extract database for each project
  • Additional information is available on the NCHS RDC webpage

Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) data

  • Projects will require both AHRQ and Chicago RDC approval
  • AHRQ will create a custom extract database for each project
  • Additional information is available on the AHRQ RDC webpage

Proposal Guidelines

The Center for Economic Studies (CES) of the U.S. Census Bureau provides the official proposal guidelines for all RDCs.

Successful proposals will demonstrate the following components:

  • Potential to benefit Census Bureau data programs
  • Scientific merit
  • Evidence of feasibility
  • Clear need for non-public data
  • Minimal risk of disclosure

Proposal Process

Preliminary proposals must be submitted to the RDC administrator at least one month before the final submission deadline. Researchers also need to set up an account on the CES website.

Before writing a proposal, researchers are strongly encouraged to contact the Chicago RDC Administrator. Given the restricted nature of the data, the proposal must address the risks of disclosing confidential information as well as how the project will benefit the Census Bureau’s data collection programs. These issues might be unfamiliar to researchers who have not already conducted research at a Census RDC. Staff can assist researchers in preparing proposals that will adequately address these issues.

Researcher responsibilities: Remainder of the process:
Contact CRDC Administrator Proposal sent to peer reviewers (within and outside Census)
Determine project feasibility Reviews returned to CES
Set up online account Reviews and proposals reviewed by Census Review Board
Submit preliminary proposal Census contacts researcher with final decision
Submit final proposal

Limitations

To maintain confidentiality, limitations are placed on the type and quantity of output that researchers are allowed to remove from the center.

  • The Census Bureau must approve all statistical output removed from the center.
  • Supplementary documentation is required for release of output.
  • The clearance process can take three weeks or longer. Be sure to discuss timelines with RDC staff.
  • Projects must emphasize output from statistical models as opposed to tabular output.
  • Release of intermediate or tabular output is not allowed due to complementary disclosure risks.
  • Advisors of graduate students should expect to visit the center to look over intermediary output.
  • The Census Bureau has final say on what is cleared for release.
  • The Census Bureau considers it important not only to avoid disclosure of confidential information but also to avoid the perception of disclosure.

Disciplinary Measures

Security policies are taken very seriously. Researchers will be held accountable for their actions and may be subject to disciplinary measures ranging from termination of project to fines of up to $250,000 and/or five years or less of imprisonment.

Literature on Disclosure Analysis

Federal Statistical Research Data Centers

Other Research Data Centers:

Please contact the administrator of the Chicago Census Research Data Center, and have a conversation about the project and data needs. Administrator will work with the researcher to craft a proposal.

Administrator:

Shahin Davoudpour, PhD
Survey Statistician and Administrator
Federal Statistical Research Data Center, Chicago-Fed
U.S. Census Bureau