U.S. Census Maps

Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a helpful way to analyze large amounts of data such as U.S. Census Data. In this Lab we used data from the 2000 U.S. Census. Retrieving the data once collected by the bureau is a simple process of downloading information. Fixing the data so that it is fit for GIS analysis is a little more difficult because it takes a lot of attention to detail to ensure that this info in portrayed in a proper manner. As a beginner with GIS, this exercise was tedious but it was helpful in learning basics.

According to the U.S. Census 2000, the black population is more concentrated on the Eastern side of the states. Even more specifically, the Southern region of the east side is the most populated in comparison the rest of the United States. In this part of the U.S., Black populations range from over 50% to about 80%. This is an extremely high percentage as compared to the rest of the population percentages, most of which are under 12%.

The term "Other Population" is defined by individuals who do not fall under the categories: White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. In comparison to the Other Population concentrations in other counties, these individuals are concentrated on the West Coast with the highest concentrations in some Southern California counties and Texas. Most of these said counties in California and Texas have counties with populations ranging between 24% to 43%.

The percentage of Asian population is relatively evenly widespread across the country in comparison to the other percentages of Asians. The highest concentrations are in the Southern California region. The rest of the populations across the United States are low, most of which are less than 5%. This five percent is a small percentage compared to the 20-46% concentrated in the Southern California region.