To view tract or block boundaries use our mapping application, TIGERweb. The following instructions provide an example of how to view census tract boundaries in the city of San Francisco.

1. Open the TIGERweb Viewer.
2. From the Map Layers window, select the box next to Census Tracts and Blocks. Expand this category by clicking on the tiny + sign and then uncheck Census Block Groups and Census Blocks. You may need to wait to zoom into an area to be able to uncheck these boxes as they will be greyed out when you are looking at a larger area.
3. Also, select the box next to Places and County Subdivisions.
4. Click on the Query tool, which looks like a globe and binoculars and is located in the upper right hand portion of the screen.
5. From the Select Map dropdown, select Places and County Subdivisions.
6. Within the Select Layer box, select Incorporated Places.
7. In the Name field, type San Francisco and click Submit Query.
8. The map will zoom to San Francisco, CA and the incorporated place boundary will appear as a highlighted red line.
9. Using the Zoom and Pan tools, position the map to view the census tract boundaries.

In addition to TIGERweb, we also offer tract and block maps in PDF format.

Census Tract Reference Maps illustrate census tract boundaries within counties. They also include boundaries for political areas such as cities. They show streets and other physical features, but do not show smaller area entities such as block groups or blocks. Tract Reference Maps are available by county.

Block maps are the most detailed maps, showing all geographic areas to the level of census blocks. Block maps are available by American Indian Area, consolidated city, county, county subdivision, place, subbarrio, and estate. If you are not working with block groups or blocks, you will find it easier to work with the simpler, less detailed tract maps.

Both Census Tract Reference Maps and Census Block Maps are available for download on the Census Bureau's Reference Maps Web site. Under Census Reference Maps, click on the year next to Census Tract Maps or Census Block Maps to access the maps in PDF.