The first Guide to State and Local Census Geography (1990 CPH-I-18) was issued in June 1993 as a joint venture between the US Census Bureau and the Association of Public Data Users (APDU). The book contained an overview of census geography and had information about key geographic concepts for each state as it related to the 1990 Census.

The US Census Bureau updated this publication based on geography for the 2010 Census and is making it available as a web publication. The format of this publication is similar to the 1993 publication in that it has information about the census geography of each state. This edition of the publication includes:

• Basic information about the state or equivalent:
  • 2010 Census Population
  • Land Area
  • Density
  • Capital
  • Date Became a State
  • Bordering States
  • International Borders
  • Postal Abbreviation
  • FIPS/ANSI Code
• History
• American Indian Areas
• Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas and Related Statistical Areas
• Counties
• County Subdivisions
• Places
• Census Tracts/Block Groups/Blocks
• Congressional Districts
• School Districts
• State Legislative Districts
• ZIP Code Tabulation Areas
• Other Information of General Geographic Interest (select states)
• Historical Centers of Population
• Most Populous, Largest in Area, and Most Densely Populated Areas
• Lists of Entities

The rankings in the basic information section refer to the 50 states only and exclude the state equivalents of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Island Areas.