Essential OnSite Solution vocabulary

Below are some common terms you will encounter when using OnSite Solution.

CBSA

CBSA is an acronym for Core-based Statistical Areas, also known as metropolitan areas that contain at least one urban area with a population of at least 10,000 people.

Census blocks

A block is the smallest unit for which the U.S. Census Bureau reports a full range of demographic statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau provides redistricting data at the block level, which is the lowest level of census geography.

Census block group

A unit of U.S. census geography that is a cluster of census blocks having the same first digit of their 4-digit code within a census tract. There are about 700 residents per block group. A block group is a subdivision of a census tract.

Census tract

A small, geographic statistical subdivision within counties containing an average of approximately 4,000 inhabitants that have statistically comparable population characteristics, economic status, and living conditions.

County

The primary legal subdivision of all U.S. states, except Alaska and Louisiana. The U.S. Census Bureau uses counties or equivalent entities (boroughs in Alaska, parishes in Louisiana, the District of Columbia in its entirety, and municipios in Puerto Rico) as statistical subdivisions.

DMA

DMA is an acronym for Designated Market Areas, also known as major markets. Major markets are based on the Nielsen Media Research television market.

Geocode

A geographic information system (GIS) operation for converting street addresses, such as user point data, into spatial data that can be displayed as features on a map, usually by referencing address information from a street segment data layer.

Map type

A map depicting background reference information such as landforms, roads, landmarks, and political boundaries, onto which other thematic information is placed. Sometimes called a basemap, a map type is used for locational reference and often includes a geodetic control network as part of its structure.

NAICS

NAICS is an acronym for North American Industry Classification System that is used by business and government to classify and measure economic activity in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The NAICS was released in 1997 and has largely replaces the older SIC system.

SIC

SIC is an acronym for Standard Industrial Classification that is a United States government system for classifying industries by a four-digit code. Established in 1937, SIC is being implemented by the six-digit NAICS. Certain government departments and agencies, such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) still use SIC codes.

Standard geography

A standard geography is an area surrounded by a defined border, such as states, counties, core-based statistical areas (CBSA), or designated market areas (DMAs). In the OnSite Solution, standard geographies are country specific based on the active country.

Study area

The geographic area treated in an analysis.

Thematic map

A map designed to convey information about a single topic or theme, such as population density or demographics.