Census Geography Maps

The Census Bureau uses a variety of levels of geography assist with counting population and estimating various characteristics. The three found within the City of Cambridge are blocks, blockgroups, and census tracts. It is the last of these, census tracts, that form the basic unit for data collection dissemination.

As populations change so do tract boundaries. Prior to the 2000 Census, it appears that tract boundaries within Cambridge had undergone little change for several decades. The 2000 saw minor adjustments, most notably a small area adjacent to Gore Street Park was shifted from tract 3521 to 3522.

Due to increasing population and changes in rules governing census tract populations, the 2010 Census saw several changes in tract boundaries:

• Tract 3521 was split into Tracts 3521.01 and 3521.02.
• Tract 3531 was split into Tracts 3531.01 and 3531.02.
• A block bounded by Auburn, Pleasant, and River Streets moved from Tract 3533 to Tract 3534.
• A block bounded by Cambridge, Hampshire and Line Streets and the Somerville Border, just west of Inman Square, moved from Tract 3537 to Tract 3539.
• A block at the intersection of Brattle, James, and Mason Streets shifted to Tract 3541 from Tract 3540.
• A small area beyond the intersection of Richdale Avenue and Raymond Street, encompassing part of a condominium development, shifted from Tract 3547 to Tract 3546.
• A number of other small adjustments occurred, which did not affect populated areas.

These files are in PDF format and require use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.

• 2010 Census Geography: Census Tract, Blockgroup and Block Boundaries and Numbers
• 2010 Census Tract Boundaries
• 2000 Census Geography: Census Tract, Blockgroup and Block Boundaries and Numbers
• 2000 Census Tract Boundaries
• 1990 Census Tract Boundaries