A full-scale implementation of the NAPP 1880 U.S. Census data set using dimensional modeling and data-warehousing technology

Data warehousing is a high-performance database technology for the processing of complex data cubes that can be aggregated and crosstabulated in a wide variety of ways. Individual-level U.S. 1880 census records can be analyzed using this technology to extract information not available from printed census volumes, if hierarchically structured code lists for numerical census variables can be converted into analytical dimensions that drive the crossclassification methods. Problems encountered in the construction of a full-scale warehouse, containing millions of records for Northeastern industrial states, are examined and resolved. Also, deficiencies in census-supplied information on occupations are identified, and a new occupational-coding system is implemented to facilitate remedying of these deficiencies in future, as new information from noncensus data sources becomes available.