GPS to Census Tract?

July 9, 2007 2:15 PM

How can I convert GPS to Census boundaries?

I want to convert latitude-longitude pairs to a unit of census measurement -- namely, the census tract. I also want this to happen offline -- without querying any online databases/scripts -- and to be automated. I'm looking specifically to do this within the NYC metropolitan area, or Manhattan at least.

What's the best way to do this? Any tips appreciated. I'm somewhat comfortable with coding Perl, C/C++, Java, etc.

Thanks!

posted by suedehead to computers & internet (3 comments total)

a) Spatial database extensions. PostGIS or MySQL-spatial are two examples

b) Year 2000 census tracts as shapefiles

c) Add A to B

d) The resulting database can return a tract ID for a given X&Y pair, or a true/false answer to 'is this point in tract N?'.
posted by genghis at 2:25 PM on July 9, 2007

Oh, and I'm assuming that a DB is OK if you can carry it about with you. Also:

e) Thank $deity that you live somewhere that these boundary files are in the public domain. Most of us aren't remotely as fortunate.
posted by genghis at 2:30 PM on July 9, 2007

Incredible! I had chanced upon the shapefiles, but not the spatial database extensions.. Wow! Thanks so much.
posted by suedehead at 11:11 PM on July 9, 2007