# Episode 6: Find Tables and Profiles

Navigates detailed tables, subject tables, profiles, and comparison profiles.

## Sources and attribution

- [Discovering the American Community Survey](https://www.census.gov/data/academy/courses/discovering-the-american-community-survey.html) by Vicki Mack and U.S. Census Bureau; published by U.S. Census Bureau Census Academy.
- [Data Tables](https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/data/data-tables.html) by U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; published by U.S. Census Bureau.
- [General Plan](https://www.torranceca.gov/Government/Departments-Offices/Departments-Offices/Community-Development/Planning-Division/Comprehensive-Planning/General-Plan) by City of Torrance; published by City of Torrance.

This episode is an independent study production based on the sources listed above. Source attribution does not imply affiliation, approval, sponsorship, or endorsement by any author, publisher, or institution.

## License

U.S. Government work not subject to copyright in the United States; third-party material excluded; Copyrighted local government webpage; facts summarized with attribution, no expressive text reproduced

## Production notes

Independent educational production. Not an official U.S. Census Bureau or City of Torrance course, not endorsed or certified by either, and not legal or statistical advice. The narration is an original synthesis. Verify current law, guidance, course requirements, and source terms before relying on it.

Stable episode ID: `1348acd2-e397-5733-8c59-924ac188f2e1`

## Transcript

This episode focuses on data products. Census data becomes useful when the population, measure, geography, and time period are stated before anyone searches for a number.

Detailed tables provide the most variables and include estimates and margins of error. Subject tables organize selected measures around a topic. Data profiles summarize characteristics, and comparison profiles emphasize change.

A table identifier communicates product and concept. Read the title, universe, annotation symbols, and variable labels before downloading. Filters in data dot census dot gov should be saved or documented so another person can repeat the search.

Profiles are useful for orientation, but a policy claim may require the underlying detailed table. Export machine-readable data when calculations matter, and preserve an untouched copy of the download.

Torrance application segment. This local application is separate from the Census Academy instruction. The cited City of Torrance primary source is General Plan, published at https://www.torranceca.gov/Government/Departments-Offices/Departments-Offices/Community-Development/Planning-Division/Comprehensive-Planning/General-Plan. For a local analysis, translate a General Plan question into a documented table search instead of treating a profile as a policy conclusion. Do not present City policy or administrative records as Census Bureau findings, and do not present a federal estimate as adopted City policy.

Keep a reproducibility packet containing the question, source URLs, exact vintage, table or query, geography codes, raw result, calculations, and uncertainty note. This narration is an original synthesis of cited U.S. Census Bureau government works and separately cited City of Torrance material. Third-party videos, software, graphics, and linked works are excluded. This product uses Census Bureau information but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau. It is not an official City product and does not imply City endorsement.