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Historical GIS: Data Sources

Census Data

National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
Provides aggregate census data and GIS-compatible boundary files for the United States between 1790 and 2013.
Social Explorer
Download or create interactive maps and tables using 220 years of demographic data with over 20,000 socio-economic indicators between 1790 and the present. Includes all decennial censuses, American Community Surveys, and two religion surveys.

Location Data

USGS Domestic Names Database
A key source for finding geographic coordinates. Limit searches by county, state, and features ("cemetery," "lake," "school," "populated place," etc.) Use the advanced search for results to appear with a "decimal" coordinates display.