Lab 7: Census Distribution Data

This week’s lab consisted of turning census data into visible representations on maps. For this, we downloaded and used data from the United States’ 2000 census found at www.census.gov for Black, Asian, and Some Other Race. Next, we exported statistics from Excel into ArcMap 10.1, adding the governments’ statistics to the base layer of the United States. After manipulating data tables and modifying map symbology by choosing a lighter grey-scale for lower population in percent and a dark grey-scale for high populations in percent, the contrast between layers fluidly portrayed our data. As a result we were able to visually convey the spatial-distribution of those numbers.

For the distribution of people in the 2000 census, we see a heavy concentration of Blacks in the southeastern U.S. spanning from Texas eastward to northern Florida all the way up to New York. The central west coast and small areas in the central United States like Michigan and Chicago, significantly house more Black people than central and northwestern United States. Seeing how the concentration of Black people is located on the southeastern portion of the country, we can assume historical factors such as slavery and immigration have played a role in dictating their location. Taking into consideration history and contemporary statistics from 2011 which says the total Black population in the U.S is 13.1% (www.census.gov), we can see a fanning spread of Black folks across the country especially in California and Nevada.

Asian populations are found predominately on coastal regions on the west coast. High populations are also centered on the east coast of the United States with strong concentrations in Alaska and Hawaii. Throughout the central U.S, small clusters of Asians are visible, but great distances between proximal locations are the trend eastward and westward, while a north to south line can be seen. Historical factors of immigration contributes to the location of the majority of the Asian population. 2011 population statistics claim the total Asian population is 5.1% (www.census.gov), and like the Black population, is also underrepresented in total numbers in several areas.

Some other race alone statistics are much stronger on the west coast and central U.S than previous map diagrams. People on census forms are allowed to claim an “other” racial category, possibly skewing numbers that could add to Black or Asian representation. California, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado contain a large population of people claiming this category. Census forms are subjectively created, so speculation can only abound as to the reasons why persons choose to be independent of given racial categories.

Further exploration of population statistics over time can give us insight into why people choose to move the way they do. GIS allows us to visually represent these trends and manage data. If we begin to ask questions, analyze evident statistics, and explore possible answers, our portrayal of data becomes more meaningful. With the analytic tools GIS offers, answers to questions we pose can contain powerful socio-political ramifications. Thus, it becomes imperative that we use GIS to our full capabilities, asking more questions when we can.