Pieds-à-Terres & Interpreting the Vacancy Rate

… the October 26, 2014, New York Times story Pied-à-Neighborhood states “In a three-block stretch of Midtown, from East 56th Street to East 59th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue, 57 percent, or 285 of 496 apartments, including co-ops and condos, are vacant at least 10 months a year. From East 59th Street to East 63rd Street, 628 of 1,261 homes, or almost 50 percent, are vacant the majority of the time, according to data from the Census Bureau’s 2012 American Community Survey.” The story reviews use of these data and draws conclusions about homeowner vacancy based on these data. Read the story to get the complete picture.

There are a few issues here that may be worth considering. These issues generalize to other situations involving interpretation of vacancy rates; issues at the core of using decision-making information.

The homeowner vacancy rate is the proportion of the homeowner housing inventory which is vacant for sale. It is computed by dividing the number of vacant units for sale only by the sum of owner-occupied units and vacant units that are for sale only, and then multiplying by 100.

The area “East 56th Street to East 59th Street” between “between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue” is also Census 2010 block group 360610112021. The area “East 59th Street to East 63rd Street” between “between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue” is also Census 2010 block group 360610114011 and block group 360610114012. These three contiguous block groups are shown in the map graphic below — highlighted with red hatch pattern.

Three Block Group Study Area

Click graphic for larger view. View created using CV XE GIS.

Interpretation, Conclusions and Alternatives
The statement “The Census Bureau tracks vacancy rates to find out who lives in Manhattan full time.” is only loosely accurate. But accepting it, here are some other issues with the inferences made …

1. Time dimension — the 2012 American Community Survey 5-year estimates (ACS 2012) are estimates centric to 2010, not 2012, and thus 4 years old. Some respondents responded as long ago as 2008. The statistical program reference/title is 2012, but the estimates are not.

2. Estimate Margin of Error — the block group level estimates have a relatively high margin of error. The actual values might be higher or lower by a noteworthy margin.

3. More accurate vacancy rate data from Census 2010? … the Census 2010 vacancy rate data are known to relate to 2010 whereas the ACS 2012 5-year estimates are centric to 2010 but are actually for the survey period from 2008 to 2012. In addition, the Census 2010 data are available at the census block level. Finally, there is no estimation error with the Census 2010 data (since those data are not estimates).

All said and done, using Census 2010 might bolster the argument rather than diminishing it. We would need to dive into an examination of the numbers to find out more.

USA TODAY County Diversity Analyses: 1960-2060

.. USA TODAY uses ProximityOne county demographic projections to 2060 to analyze patterns of diversity. See main story.  See related Web section.

The USA TODAY Diversity Index shows diversity has surged in the last 50 years and is expected to continue rising. The U.S. index rose from 20 in 1960 to 55 in 2010. Driven by changing attitudes and a record wave of immigration, the pace of change varies widely, sometimes even in adjacent counties.

The diversity index measures the degree of racial and ethnic diversity of the population. The percentage of each race (White, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian) and Hispanic origin/ethnicity are used to calculate the chance that any two people are from different groups. The index ranges from 0 (no diversity) to 100 (highest diversity).

From USA TODAY main story … “USA TODAY used Census data to calculate the chance that two random people are different by race or ethnicity and came up with a Diversity Index to place every county on a scale of 0 to 100. The nationwide USA TODAY Diversity Index hit 55 in 2010, up sharply from 20 in 1960 and 40 as recently as 1990. In South Orange, the index is 59.

This is just the beginning. Barring catastrophe or a door-slam on immigration, the Diversity Index is on track to top 70 by 2060, according to a USA TODAY analysis of population projections by ProximityOne of Alexandria, Va. That means there will be less than a 1-in-3 chance that the next person you meet will share your race or ethnicity, whatever it is: white, black, American Indian, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Hispanic.

As people from varying cultures and races come together or collide, local governments and other institutions deal with a host of new issues, from conflicts over spending and diverse hiring to violence in the streets and language barriers.”

USA TODAY Analyses of ProximityOne Projections to 2060
• Main story — Second immigration wave lifts diversity to record high
• Interactive mapping: Mapping the USA’s Diversity: 1960-2060
• About ProximityOne projections used in the USA TODAY analyses

ProximityOne Neighborhood Diversity Analyses

Mapping Diversity Patterns

Click graphic for larger view.
Credits: Paul Overberg, USA TODAY Amanda Astey, Sarah Frostenson, Anthony DeBarros, Gannett Digital
Source: USA TODAY analysis of data from Census Bureau; NHGIS, University of Minnesota; ProximityOne, Alexandria, VA

Viewing National Diversity Patterns by Race/Origin Charts

Click graphic for larger view.
Credits: Paul Overberg, USA TODAY Amanda Astey, Sarah Frostenson, Anthony DeBarros, Gannett Digital
Source: USA TODAY analysis of data from Census Bureau; NHGIS, University of Minnesota; ProximityOne, Alexandria, VA

Viewing Change by State: 1960 – 2010 – 2060

Click graphic for larger view.
Source: USA TODAY analysis of data from Census Bureau; NHGIS, University of Minnesota; ProximityOne, Alexandria, VA

Get the Diversity Profile for Your County
Visit the main story. Scroll down to the interactive section shown below, illustrating the chart and data for Maricopa County, AZ and Arizona. Key in a county name of interest to view the chart and data for that location.

Maricopa County, AZ Diversity Patterns

Click graphic for larger view.
Credits: Tory Hargo, Paul Overberg, Mitchell Thorson, USA TODAY
Source: USA TODAY analysis of data from Census Bureau; NHGIS, University of Minnesota; ProximityOne, Alexandria, VA

Support Using these Resources
Learn more about demographic economic data and related analytical tools. Join us in a Decision-Making Information Web session. There is no fee for these one-hour Web sessions. Each informal session is focused on a specific topic. The open structure also provides for Q&A and discussion of application issues of interest to participants.

ProximityOne User Group
Join the ProximityOne User Group to keep up-to-date with new developments relating to children’s demographics and school district decision-making information resources. Receive updates and access to tools and resources available only to members. Use this form to join the User Group. There is no fee.

Examining Metro by County Geographic & Demographic Change

… see how your metros of interest have changed since 2010 — in terms of geography and demographics … all metros are listed in this section.

To compare population change for a metro requires examining both the county composition of the metro and the population change by component county. Metropolitan areas are defined as one or more contiguous counties. Metropolitan area geography are periodically updated by OMB based on Census Bureau data. The current metro/CBSA vintage is as of February 2013. Many metros have changed boundaries (the set of counties included) since Census 2010.

The map below shows different metro vintages for the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC MSA. Click the link in the table to view a profile for this metro. The profile shows the addition of five counties relative to the Census 2010 vintage. The Census 2010 population of the 2013 vintage metro is 2,217,012 (25th largest) compared to 1,758,038 (33rd largest) based on the 2010 vintage of the metro. The Charlotte metro ranks 24th in population (2,335,358) among 2013 vintage metros based on the 2013 estimate. See Census 2000 and Census 2010 population for Census 2010 vintage metros at http://proximityone.com/metros0010.htm. Below we examine demographic change (2010 to 2013) by metro using the current vintage metro definition.

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC MSA
2013 green boundary; 2010 black boundary/hatch pattern; state blue boundary; counties labeled. Click graphic to view metro by county details.

Changing Metro by County Geography & Demographics
View the metro by county table shown below for the Charlotte metro for any metro of interest by click the link in the scroll section below.
Click for larger view.

Metro by County Geography & Demographics
The current vintage 929 Core-Based Statistical Areas (Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) are shown in the scroll section below. Click link to view metro by county profile.

Aberdeen, SD MISA 10100
Aberdeen, WA MISA 10140
Abilene, TX MSA 10180
Ada, OK MISA 10220
Adjuntas, PR MISA 10260
Adrian, MI MISA 10300
Aguadilla-Isabela, PR MSA 10380
Akron, OH MSA 10420
Alamogordo, NM MISA 10460
Albany, GA MSA 10500
Albany, OR MSA 10540
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY MSA 10580
Albemarle, NC MISA 10620
Albert Lea, MN MISA 10660
Albertville, AL MISA 10700
Albuquerque, NM MSA 10740
Alexandria, LA MSA 10780
Alexandria, MN MISA 10820
Alice, TX MISA 10860
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ MSA 10900
Alma, MI MISA 10940
Alpena, MI MISA 10980
Altoona, PA MSA 11020
Altus, OK MISA 11060
Amarillo, TX MSA 11100
Americus, GA MISA 11140
Ames, IA MSA 11180
Amsterdam, NY MISA 11220
Anchorage, AK MSA 11260
Andrews, TX MISA 11380
Angola, IN MISA 11420
Ann Arbor, MI MSA 11460
Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL MSA 11500
Appleton, WI MSA 11540
Arcadia, FL MISA 11580
Ardmore, OK MISA 11620
Arecibo, PR MSA 11640
Arkadelphia, AR MISA 11660
Arkansas City-Winfield, KS MISA 11680
Asheville, NC MSA 11700
Ashland, OH MISA 11740
Ashtabula, OH MISA 11780
Astoria, OR MISA 11820
Atchison, KS MISA 11860
Athens, OH MISA 11900
Athens, TN MISA 11940
Athens, TX MISA 11980
Athens-Clarke County, GA MSA 12020
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA MSA 12060
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ MSA 12100
Auburn, IN MISA 12140
Auburn, NY MISA 12180
Auburn-Opelika, AL MSA 12220
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC MSA 12260
Augusta-Waterville, ME MISA 12300
Austin, MN MISA 12380
Austin-Round Rock, TX MSA 12420
Bainbridge, GA MISA 12460
Bakersfield, CA MSA 12540
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA 12580
Bangor, ME MSA 12620
Baraboo, WI MISA 12660
Bardstown, KY MISA 12680
Barnstable Town, MA MSA 12700
Barre, VT MISA 12740
Bartlesville, OK MISA 12780
Bastrop, LA MISA 12820
Batavia, NY MISA 12860
Batesville, AR MISA 12900
Baton Rouge, LA MSA 12940
Battle Creek, MI MSA 12980
Bay City, MI MSA 13020
Bay City, TX MISA 13060
Beatrice, NE MISA 13100
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX MSA 13140
Beaver Dam, WI MISA 13180
Beckley, WV MSA 13220
Bedford, IN MISA 13260
Beeville, TX MISA 13300
Bellefontaine, OH MISA 13300
Bellingham, WA MSA 13380
Bemidji, MN MISA 13420
Bend-Redmond, OR MSA 13460
Bennettsville, SC MISA 13500
Bennington, VT MISA 13540
Berlin, NH-VT MISA 13620
Big Rapids, MI MISA 13660
Big Spring, TX MISA 13700
Big Stone Gap, VA MISA 13720
Billings, MT MSA 13740
Binghamton, NY MSA 13780
Birmingham-Hoover, AL MSA 13820
Bismarck, ND MSA 13900
Blackfoot, ID MISA 13940
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA MSA 13980
Bloomington, IL MSA 14010
Bloomington, IN MSA 14020
Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA MSA 14100
Bluefield, WV-VA MISA 14140
Blytheville, AR MISA 14180
Bogalusa, LA MISA 14220
Boise City, ID MSA 14260
Boone, IA MISA 14340
Boone, NC MISA 14380
Borger, TX MISA 14420
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH MSA 14460
Boulder, CO MSA 14500
Bowling Green, KY MSA 14540
Bozeman, MT MISA 14580
Bradford, PA MISA 14620
Brainerd, MN MISA 14660
Branson, MO MISA 14700
Breckenridge, CO MISA 14720
Bremerton-Silverdale, WA MSA 14740
Brenham, TX MISA 14780
Brevard, NC MISA 14820
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT MSA 14860
Brookhaven, MS MISA 15020
Brookings, OR MISA 15060
Brookings, SD MISA 15100
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA 15180
Brownwood, TX MISA 15220
Brunswick, GA MSA 15260
Bucyrus, OH MISA 15340
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY MSA 15380
Burley, ID MISA 15420
Burlington, IA-IL MISA 15460
Burlington, NC MSA 15500
Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA 15540
Butte-Silver Bow, MT MISA 15580
Cadillac, MI MISA 15860
Calhoun, GA MISA 15620
California-Lexington Park, MD MSA 15660
Cambridge, MD MISA 15680
Cambridge, OH MISA 15700
Camden, AR MISA 15740
Campbellsville, KY MISA 15780
Cañon City, CO MISA 15820
Canton, IL MISA 15900
Canton-Massillon, OH MSA 15940
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL MSA 15980
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL MSA 16020
Carbondale-Marion, IL MSA 16060
Carlsbad-Artesia, NM MISA 16100
Carson City, NV MSA 16180
Casper, WY MSA 16220
Cedar City, UT MISA 16260
Cedar Rapids, IA MSA 16300
Cedartown, GA MISA 16340
Celina, OH MISA 16380
Centralia, IL MISA 16460
Centralia, WA MISA 16500
Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA MSA 16540
Champaign-Urbana, IL MSA 16580
Charleston, WV MSA 16620
Charleston-Mattoon, IL MISA 16660
Charleston-North Charleston, SC MSA 16700
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC MSA 16740
Charlottesville, VA MSA 16820
Chattanooga, TN-GA MSA 16860
Cheyenne, WY MSA 16940
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI MSA 16980
Chico, CA MSA 17020
Chillicothe, OH MISA 17060
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN MSA 17140
Claremont-Lebanon, NH-VT MISA 17200
Clarksburg, WV MISA 17220
Clarksdale, MS MISA 17260
Clarksville, TN-KY MSA 17300
Clearlake, CA MISA 17340
Cleveland, MS MISA 17380
Cleveland, TN MSA 17420
Cleveland-Elyria, OH MSA 17460
Clewiston, FL MISA 17500
Clinton, IA MISA 17540
Clovis, NM MISA 17580
Coamo, PR MISA 17620
Coco, PR MISA 17640
Coeur d’Alene, ID MSA 17660
Coffeyville, KS MISA 17700
Coldwater, MI MISA 17740
College Station-Bryan, TX MSA 17780
Colorado Springs, CO MSA 17820
Columbia, MO MSA 17860
Columbia, SC MSA 17900
Columbus, GA-AL MSA 17980
Columbus, IN MSA 18020
Columbus, MS MISA 18060
Columbus, NE MISA 18100
Columbus, OH MSA 18140
Concord, NH MISA 18180
Connersville, IN MISA 18220
Cookeville, TN MISA 18260
Coos Bay, OR MISA 18300
Cordele, GA MISA 18380
Corinth, MS MISA 18420
Cornelia, GA MISA 18460
Corning, NY MISA 18500
Corpus Christi, TX MSA 18580
Corsicana, TX MISA 18620
Cortland, NY MISA 18660
Corvallis, OR MSA 18700
Coshocton, OH MISA 18740
Craig, CO MISA 18780
Crawfordsville, IN MISA 18820
Crescent City, CA MISA 18860
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL MSA 18880
Crossville, TN MISA 18900
Cullman, AL MISA 18980
Cullowhee, NC MISA 19000
Cumberland, MD-WV MSA 19060
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX MSA 19100
Dalton, GA, TX MSA 19140
Danville, IL MSA 19180
Danville, KY MISA 19220
Danville, VA MISA 19260
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL MSA 19300
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL MSA 19340
Dayton, OH MSA 19380
Dayton, TN MISA 19420
Decatur, AL MSA 19460
Decatur, IL MSA 19500
Decatur, IN MISA 19540
Defiance, OH MISA 19580
Del Rio, TX MISA 19620
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL MSA 19660
Deming, NM MISA 19700
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO MSA 19740
DeRidder, LA MISA 19760
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA MSA 19780
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI MSA 19820
Dickinson, ND MISA 19860
Dixon, IL MISA 19940
Dodge City, KS MISA 19980
Dothan, AL MSA 20020
Douglas, GA MISA 20060
Dover, DE MSA 20100
Dublin, GA MISA 20140
DuBois, PA MISA 20180
Dubuque, IA MSA 20220
Duluth, MN-WI MSA 20260
Dumas, TX MISA 20300
Duncan, OK MISA 20340
Dunn, NC MISA 20380
Durango, CO MISA 20420
Durant, OK MISA 20460
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC MSA 20500
Dyersburg, TN MISA 20540
Eagle Pass, TX MISA 20580
East Stroudsburg, PA MSA 20700
Easton, MD MISA 20660
Eau Claire, WI MSA 20740
Edwards, CO MISA 20780
Effingham, IL MISA 20820
EI Campo, TX MISA 20900
EI Centro, CA MSA 20940
EI Dorado, AR MISA 20980
EI Paso, TX MSA 21340
Elizabeth City, NC MISA 21020
Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY MSA 21060
Elk City, OK MISA 21120
Elkhart-Goshen, IN MSA 21140
Elkins, WV MISA 21180
Elko, NV MISA 21220
Ellensburg, WA MISA 21260
Elmira, NY MSA 21300
Emporia, KS MISA 21380
Enid, OK MISA 21420
Enterprise, AL MISA 21460
Erie, PA MSA 21500
Escanaba, MI MISA 21540
Espanola, NM MISA 21580
Eugene, OR MSA 21660
Eureka-Arcata-Fortuna, CA MISA 21700
Evanston, WY MISA 21740
Evansville, IN-KY MSA 21780
Fairbanks, AK MSA 21820
Fairfield, IA MISA 21840
Fairmont, WV MISA 21900
Fallon, NV MISA 21980
Fargo, ND-MN MSA 22020
Faribault-Northfield, MN MISA 22060
Farmington, MO MISA 22100
Farmington, NM MSA 22140
Fayetteville, NC MSA 22180
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO MSA 22220
Fergus Falls, MN MISA 22260
Fernley, NV MISA 22280
Findlay, OH MISA 22300
Fitzgerald, GA MISA 22340
Flagstaff, AZ MISA 22380
Flint, MI MSA 22420
Florence, SC MSA 22500
Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL MSA 22520
Fond du Lac, WI MSA 22540
Forest City, NC MISA 22580
Forrest City, AR MISA 22620
Fort Collins, CO MSA 22660
Fort Dodge, IA MISA 22700
Fort Leonard Wood, MO MISA 22780
Fort Madison-Keokuk, IA-IL-MO MISA 22800
Fort Morgan, CO MISA 22820
Fort Polk South, LA MISA 22860
Fort Smith, AR-OK MSA 22900
Fort Wayne, IN MSA 23060
Frankfort, IN MISA 23140
Frankfort, KY MISA 23180
Fredericksburg, TX MISA 23240
Freeport, IL MISA 23300
Fremont, NE MISA 23340
Fremont, OH MISA 23380
Fresno, CA MSA 23420
Gadsden, AL MSA 23460
Gaffney, SC MISA 23500
Gainesville, FL MSA 23540
Gainesville, GA MSA 23580
Gainesville, TX MISA 23620
Galesburg, IL MISA 23660
Gallup, NM MISA 23700
Garden City, KS MISA 23780
Gardnerville Ranchos, NV MISA 23820
Georgetown, SC MISA 23860
Gettysburg, PA MSA 23900
Gillette, WY MISA 23940
Glasgow, KY MISA 23980
Glens Falls, NY MSA 24020
Glenwood Springs, CO MISA 24060
Gloversville, NY MISA 24100
Goldsboro, NC MSA 24140
Grand Forks, ND-MN MSA 24220
Grand Island, NE MSA 24260
Grand Junction, CO MSA 24300
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI MSA 24340
Grants Pass, OR MSA 24420
Grants, NM MISA 24380
Great Bend, KS MISA 24460
Great Falls, MT MSA 24500
Greeley, CO MSA 24540
Green Bay, WI MSA 24580
Greeneville, TN MISA 24620
Greenfield Town, MA MISA 24640
Greensboro-High Point, NC MSA 24660
Greensburg, IN MISA 24700
Greenville, MS MISA 24740
Greenville, NC MSA 24780
Greenville, OH MISA 24820
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC MSA 24860
Greenwood, MS MISA 24900
Greenwood, SC MISA 24940
Grenada, MS MISA 24980
Guayama, PR MSA 25020
Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS MSA 25060
Guymon, OK MISA 25100
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV MSA 25180
Hailey, ID MISA 25200
Hammond, LA MSA 25220
Hanford-Corcoran, CA MSA 25260
Hannibal, MO MISA 25300
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA MSA 25420
Harrison, AR MISA 25460
Harrisonburg, VA MSA 25500
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT MSA 25540
Hastings, NE MISA 25580
Hattiesburg, MS MSA 25620
Hays, KS MISA 25700
Heber, UT MISA 25720
Helena, MT MISA 25740
Helena-West Helena, AR MISA 25760
Henderson, NC MISA 25780
Hereford, TX MISA 25820
Hermiston-Pendleton, OR MISA 25840
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA 25860
Hillsdale, MI MISA 25880
Hilo, HI MISA 25900
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC MSA 25940
Hinesville, GA MSA 25980
Hobbs, NM MISA 26020
Holland, MI MISA 26090
Homosassa Springs, FL MSA 26140
Hood River, OR MISA 26220
Hot Springs, AR MSA 26300
Houghton, MI MISA 26340
Houma-Thibodaux, LA MSA 26380
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX MSA 26420
Hudson, NY MISA 26460
Huntingdon, PA MISA 26500
Huntington, IN MISA 26540
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH MSA 26580
Huntsville, AL MSA 26620
Huntsville, TX MISA 26660
Huron, SD MISA 26700
Hutchinson, KS MISA 26740
Hutchinson, MN MISA 26780
Idaho Falls, ID MSA 26820
Indiana, PA MISA 26860
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN MSA 26900
Indianola, MS MISA 26940
Ionia, MI MISA 26960
Iowa City, IA MSA 26980
Iron Mountain, MI-WI MISA 27020
Ithaca, NY MSA 27060
Jackson, MI MSA 27100
Jackson, MS MSA 27140
Jackson, OH MISA 27160
Jackson, TN MSA 27180
Jackson, WY-ID MISA 27220
Jacksonville, FL MSA 27260
Jacksonville, IL MISA 27300
Jacksonville, NC MSA 27340
Jacksonville, TX MISA 27380
Jamestown, ND MISA 27420
Jamestown-Dunkirk-Fredonia, NY MISA 27460
Janesville-Beloit, WI MSA 27500
Jasper, IN MISA 27540
Jayuya, PR MISA 27580
Jefferson City, MO MSA 27620
Jefferson, GA MISA 27600
Jesup, GA MISA 27700
Johnson City, TN MSA 27740
Johnstown, PA MSA 27780
Jonesboro, AR MSA 27860
Joplin, MO MSA 27900
Junction City, KS MISA 27920
Juneau, AK MISA 27940
Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI MSA 27980
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI MSA 28020
Kalispell, MT MISA 28060
Kankakee, IL MSA 28100
Kansas City, MO-KS MSA 28140
Kapaa, HI MISA 28180
Kearney, NE MISA 28260
Keene, NH MISA 28300
Kendallville, IN MISA 28340
Kennett, MO MISA 28380
KenneWick-Richland, WA MSA 28420
Kerrville, TX MISA 28500
Ketchikan, AK MISA 28540
Key West, FL MISA 28580
Kill Devil Hills, NC MISA 28620
Killeen-Temple, TX MSA 28660
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA MSA 28700
Kingston, NY MSA 28740
Kingsville, TX MISA 28780
Kinston, NC MISA 28820
Kirksville, MO MISA 28860
Klamath Falls, OR MISA 28900
Knoxville, TN MSA 28940
Kokomo, IN MSA 29020
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN MSA 29100
La Grande, OR MISA 29260
Laconia, NH MISA 29060
Lafayette, LA MSA 29180
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN MSA 29200
LaGrange, GA MISA 29300
Lake Charles, LA MSA 29340
Lake City, FL MISA 29380
Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ MSA 29420
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL MSA 29460
Lamesa, TX MISA 29500
Lancaster, PA MSA 29540
Lansing-East Lansing, MI MSA 29620
Laramie, WY MISA 29660
Laredo, TX MSA 29700
Las Cruces, NM MSA 29740
Las Vegas, NM MISA 29780
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV MSA 29820
Laurel, MS MISA 29860
Laurinburg, NC MISA 29900
Lawrence, KS MSA 29940
Lawrenceburg, TN MISA 29980
Lawton, OK MSA 30020
Lebanon, MO MISA 30060
Lebanon, PA MSA 30140
Levelland, TX MISA 30220
Lewisburg, PA MISA 30260
Lewisburg, TN MISA 30280
Lewiston, ID-WA MSA 30300
Lewiston-Auburn, ME MSA 30340
Lewistown, PA MISA 30380
Lexington, NE MISA 30420
Lexington-Fayette, KY MSA 30460
Liberal, KS MISA 30580
Lima, OH MSA 30620
Lincoln, IL MISA 30660
Lincoln, NE MSA 30700
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR MSA 30780
Lock Haven, PA MISA 30820
Logan, UT-ID MSA 30860
Logan, WV MISA 30880
Logansport, IN MISA 30900
London, KY MISA 30940
Longview, TX MSA 30980
Longview, WA MSA 31020
Los Alamos, NM MISA 31060
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA MSA 31080
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN MSA 31140
Lubbock, TX MSA 31180
Ludington, MI MISA 31220
Lufkin, TX MISA 31260
Lumberton, NC MISA 31300
Lynchburg, VA MSA 31340
Macomb, IL MISA 31380
Macon, GA MSA 31420
Madera, CA MSA 31460
Madison, IN MISA 31500
Madison, WI MSA 31540
Madisonville, KY MISA 31580
Magnolia, AR MISA 31620
Malone, NY MISA 31660
Malvern, AR MISA 31680
Manchester-Nashua, NH MSA 31700
Manhattan, KS MSA 31740
Manitowoc, WI MISA 31820
Mankato-North Mankato, MN MSA 31860
Mansfield, OH MSA 31900
Marietta, OH MISA 31930
Marinette, WI-MI MISA 31940
Marion, IN MISA 31980
Marion, NC MISA 32000
Marion, OH MISA 32020
Marquette, MI MISA 32100
Marshall, MN MISA 32140
Marshall, MO MISA 32180
Marshall, TX MISA 32220
Marshalltown, IA MISA 32260
Martin, TN MISA 32280
Martinsville, VA MISA 32300
Maryville, MO MISA 32340
Mason City, IA MISA 32380
Mayaguez, PR MSA 32420
Mayfield, KY MISA 32460
Maysville, KY MISA 32500
McAlester, OK MISA 32540
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA 32580
McComb, MS MISA 32620
McMinnville, TN MISA 32660
McPherson, KS MISA 32700
Meadville, PA MISA 32740
Medford, OR MSA 32780
Memphis, TN-MS-AR MSA 32820
Menomonie, WI MISA 32860
Merced, CA MSA 32900
Meridian, MS MISA 32940
Merrill, WI MISA 32980
Mexico, MO MISA 33020
Miami, OK MISA 33060
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL MSA 33100
Michigan City-La Porte, IN MSA 33140
Middlesborough, KY MISA 33180
Midland, MI MSA 33220
Midland, TX MSA 33260
Milledgeville, GA MISA 33300
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI MSA 33340
Mineral Wells, TX MISA 33420
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI MSA 33460
Minot, ND MISA 33500
Missoula, MT MSA 33540
Mitchell, SD MISA 33580
Moberly, MO MISA 33620
Mobile, AL MSA 33660
Modesto, CA MSA 33700
Monroe, LA MSA 33740
Monroe, MI MSA 33780
Montgomery, AL MSA 33860
Montrose, CO MISA 33940
Morehead City, NC MISA 33980
Morgan City, LA MISA 34020
Morgantown, WV MSA 34060
Morristown, TN MSA 34100
Moscow, ID MISA 34140
Moses Lake, WA MISA 34180
Moultrie, GA MISA 34220
Mount Airy, NC MISA 34340
Mount Pleasant, MI MISA 34380
Mount Pleasant, TX MISA 34420
Mount Sterling, KY MISA 34460
Mount Vernon, IL MISA 34500
Mount Vernon, OH MISA 34540
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA MSA 34580
Mountain Home, AR MISA 34260
Mountain Home, ID MISA 34300
Muncie, IN MSA 34620
Murray, KY MISA 34660
Muscatine, IA MISA 34700
Muskegon, MI MSA 34740
Muskogee, OK MISA 34780
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC MSA 34820
Nacogdoches, TX MISA 34860
Napa, CA MSA 34900
Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL MSA 34940
Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN MSA 34980
Natchez, MS-LA MISA 35020
Natchitoches, LA MISA 35060
New Bern, NC MSA 35100
New Castle, IN MISA 35220
New Castle, PA MISA 35260
New Haven-Milford, CT MSA 35300
New Orleans-Metairie, LA MSA 35380
New Philadelphia-Dover, OH MISA 35420
New Ulm, MN MISA 35580
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA MSA 35620
Newberry, SC MISA 35140
Newport, OR MISA 35440
Newport, TN MISA 35460
Newton, IA MISA 35500
Niles-Benton Harbor, MI MSA 35660
Nogales, AZ MISA 35700
Norfolk, NE MISA 35740
North Platte, NE MISA 35820
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL MSA 35840
North Vernon, IN MISA 35860
North Wilkesboro, NC MISA 35900
Norwalk, OH MISA 35940
Norwich-New London, CT MSA 35980
Oak Harbor, WA MISA 36020
Ocala, FL MSA 36100
Ocean City, NJ MSA 36140
Odessa, TX MSA 36220
Ogden-Clearfield, UT MSA 36260
Ogdensburg-Massena, NY MISA 36300
Oil City, PA MISA 36340
Okeechobee, FL MISA 36380
Oklahoma City, OK MSA 36420
Olean, NY MISA 36460
Olympia-Tumwater, WA MSA 36500
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA MSA 36540
Oneonta, NY MISA 36580
Ontario, OR-ID MISA 36620
Opelousas, LA MISA 36660
Orangeburg, SC MISA 36700
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL MSA 36740
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI MSA 36780
Oskaloosa, IA MISA 36820
Othello, WA MISA 36830
Ottawa, KS MISA 36840
Ottawa-Peru, IL MISA 36860
Ottumwa, IA MISA 36900
Owatonna, MN MISA 36940
Owensboro, KY MSA 36980
Owosso, MI MISA 37020
Oxford, MS MISA 37060
Oxford, NC MISA 37080
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA MSA 37100
Ozark, AL MISA 37120
Paducah, KY-IL MISA 37140
Pahrump, NV MISA 37220
Palatka, FL MISA 37260
Palestine, TX MISA 37300
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL MSA 37340
Pampa, TX MISA 37420
Panama City, FL MSA 37460
Paragould, AR MISA 37500
Paris, TN MISA 37540
Paris, TX MISA 37580
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV MSA 37620
Parsons, KS MISA 37660
Payson, AZ MISA 37740
Pecos, TX MISA 37780
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL MSA 37860
Peoria, IL MSA 37900
Peru, IN MISA 37940
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA 37980
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ MSA 38060
Picayune, MS MISA 38100
Pierre, SD MISA 38180
Pine Bluff, AR MSA 38220
Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC MISA 38240
Pittsburg, KS MISA 38260
Pittsburgh, PA MSA 38300
Pittsfield, MA MSA 38340
Plainview, TX MISA 38380
Platteville, WI MISA 38420
Plattsburgh, NY MISA 38460
Plymouth, IN MISA 38500
Pocatello, ID MSA 38540
Point Pleasant, WV-OH MISA 38580
Ponca City, OK MISA 38620
Ponce, PR MSA 38660
Pontiac, IL MISA 38700
Poplar Bluff, MO MISA 38740
Port Angeles, WA MISA 38820
Port Clinton, OH MISA 38840
Port Lavaca, TX MISA 38920
Port St. Lucie, FL MSA 38940
Portales, NM MISA 38780
Portland-South Portland, ME MSA 38860
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA MSA 38900
Portsmouth, OH MISA 39020
Pottsville, PA MISA 39060
Prescott, AZ MSA 39140
Price, UT MISA 39220
Prineville, OR MISA 39260
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA MSA 39300
Provo-Orem, UT MSA 39340
Pueblo, CO MSA 39380
Pullman, WA MISA 39420
Punta Gorda, FL MSA 39460
Quincy, IL-MO MISA 39500
Racine, WI MSA 39540
Raleigh, NC MSA 39580
Rapid City, SD MSA 39660
Raymondville, TX MISA 39700
Reading, PA MSA 39740
Red Bluff, CA MISA 39780
Red Wing, MN MISA 39860
Redding, CA MSA 39820
Reno, NV MSA 39900
Rexburg, ID MISA 39940
Richmond, IN MISA 39980
Richmond, VA MSA 40060
Richmond-Berea, KY MISA 40080
Rio Grande City, TX MISA 40100
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA 40140
Riverton, WY MISA 40180
Roanoke Rapids, NC MISA 40260
Roanoke, VA MSA 40220
Rochelle, IL MISA 40300
Rochester, MN MSA 40340
Rochester, NY MSA 40380
Rock Springs, WY MISA 40540
Rockford, IL MSA 40420
Rockingham, NC MISA 40460
Rocky Mount, NC MSA 40580
Rolla, MO MISA 40620
Rome, GA MSA 40660
Roseburg, OR MISA 40700
Roswell, NM MISA 40740
Russellville, AR MISA 40780
Ruston, LA MISA 40820
Rutland, VT MISA 40860
Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA MSA 40900
Safford, AZ MISA 40940
Saginaw, MI MSA 40980
Salem, OH MISA 41400
Salem, OR MSA 41420
Salina, KS MISA 41460
Salinas, CA MSA 41500
Salisbury, MD-DE MSA 41540
Salt Lake City, UT MSA 41620
San Angelo, TX MSA 41660
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX MSA 41700
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA MSA 41740
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA MSA 41860
San German, PR MSA 41900
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA MSA 41940
San Juan-Carolina-Caguas, PR MSA 41980
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA MSA 42020
Sandpoint, ID MISA 41760
Sandusky, OH MISA 41780
Sanford, NC MISA 41820
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA 42100
Santa Fe, NM MSA 42140
Santa Isabel, PR MISA 42180
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA 42200
Santa Rosa, CA MSA 42220
Sault Ste. Marie, MI MISA 42300
Savannah, GA MSA 42340
Sayre, PA MISA 42380
Scottsbluff, NE MISA 42420
Scottsboro, AL MISA 42460
Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA MSA 42540
Searcy, AR MISA 42620
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA MSA 42660
Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL MSA 42680
Sebring, FL, FL MSA 42700
Sedalia, MO MISA 42740
Selinsgrove, PA MISA 42780
Selma, AL MISA 42820
Seneca Falls, NY MISA 42900
Seneca, SC MISA 42860
Sevierville, TN MISA 42940
Seymour, IN MISA 42980
Shawano, WI MISA 43020
Shawnee, OK MISA 43060
Sheboygan, WI MSA 43100
Shelby, NC MISA 43140
Shelbyville, TN MISA 43180
Shelton, WA MISA 43220
Sheridan, WY MISA 43260
Sherman-Denison, TX MSA 43300
Show Low, AZ MISA 43320
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA MSA 43340
Sidney, OH MISA 43380
Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ MSA 43420
Sikeston, MO MISA 43460
Silver City, NM MISA 43500
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD MSA 43580
Sioux Falls, SD MSA 43620
Snyder, TX MISA 43660
Somerset, KY MISA 43700
Somerset, PA MISA 43740
Sonora, CA MISA 43760
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI MSA 43780
Spartanburg, SC MSA 43900
Spearfish, SD MISA 43940
Spencer, IA MISA 43980
Spirit Lake, IA MISA 44020
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA MSA 44060
Springfield, IL MSA 44100
Springfield, MA MSA 44140
Springfield, MO MSA 44180
Springfield, OH MSA 44220
St. Cloud, MN MSA 41060
St. George, UT MSA 41100
St. Joseph, MO-KS MSA 41140
St. Louis, MO-IL MSA 41180
St. Marys, GA MISA 41220
Starkville, MS MISA 44260
State College, PA MSA 44300
Statesboro, GA MISA 44340
Staunton-Waynesboro, VA MSA 44420
Steamboat Springs, CO MISA 44460
Stephenville, TX MISA 44500
Sterling, CO MISA 44540
Sterling, IL MISA 44580
Stevens Point, WI MISA 44620
Stillwater, OK MISA 44660
Stockton-Lodi, CA MSA 44700
Storm Lake, IA MISA 44740
Sturgis, MI MISA 44780
Sulphur Springs, TX MISA 44860
Summerville, GA MISA 44900
Summit Park, UT MISA 44920
Sumter, SC MSA 44940
Sunbury, PA MISA 44980
Susanville, CA MISA 45000
Sweetwater, TX MISA 45020
Syracuse, NY MSA 45060
Tahlequah, OK MISA 45140
Talladega-Sylacauga, AL MISA 45180
Tallahassee, FL MSA 45220
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL MSA 45300
Taos, NM MISA 45340
Taylorville, IL MISA 45380
Terre Haute, IN MSA 45460
Texarkana, TX-AR MSA 45500
The Dalles, OR MISA 45520
The Villages, FL MSA 45540
Thomaston, GA MISA 45580
Thomasville, GA MISA 45620
Tiffin, OH MISA 45660
Tifton, GA MISA 45700
Toccoa, GA MISA 45740
Toledo, OH MSA 45780
Topeka, KS MSA 45820
Torrington, CT MISA 45860
Traverse City, MI MISA 45900
Trenton, NJ MSA 45940
Troy, AL MISA 45980
Truckee-Grass Valley, CA MISA 46020
Tucson, AZ MSA 46060
Tullahoma-Manchester, TN MISA 46100
Tulsa, OK MSA 46140
Tupelo, MS MISA 46180
Tuscaloosa, AL MSA 46220
Twin Falls, ID MISA 46300
Tyler, TX MSA 46340
Ukiah, CA MISA 46380
Union City, TN-KY MISA 46460
Urban Honolulu, HI MSA 46520
Urbana, OH MISA 46500
Utica-Rome, NY MSA 46540
Uvalde, TX MISA 46620
Valdosta, GA MSA 46660
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA MSA 46700
Valley, AL MISA 46740
Van Wert, OH MISA 46780
Vermillion, SD MISA 46820
Vernal, UT MISA 46860
Vernon, TX MISA 46900
Vicksburg, MS MISA 46980
Victoria, TX MSA 47020
Vidalia, GA MISA 47080
Vincennes, IN MISA 47180
Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ MSA 47220
Vineyard Haven, MA MISA 47240
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA 47260
Visalia-Porterville, CA MSA 47300
Wabash, IN MISA 47340
Waco, TX MSA 47380
Wahpeton, ND-MN MISA 47420
Walla Walla, WA MSA 47460
Wapakoneta, OH MISA 47540
Warner Robins, GA MSA 47580
Warren, PA MISA 47620
Warrensburg, MO MISA 47660
Warsaw, IN MISA 47700
Washington Court House, OH MISA 47920
Washington, IN MISA 47780
Washington, NC MISA 47820
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA 47900
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA MSA 47940
Watertown, SD MISA 47980
Watertown-Fort Atkinson, WI MISA 48020
Watertown-Fort Drum, NY MSA 48060
Wauchula, FL MISA 48100
Wausau, WI MSA 48140
Waycross, GA MISA 48180
Weatherford, OK MISA 48220
Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH MSA 48260
Wenatchee, WA MSA 48300
West Plains, MO MISA 48460
Wheeling, WV-OH MSA 48540
Whitewater-Elkhorn, WI MISA 48580
Wichita Falls, TX MSA 48660
Wichita, KS MSA 48620
Williamsport, PA MSA 48700
Williston, ND MISA 48780
Willmar, MN MISA 48820
Wilmington, NC MSA 48900
Wilmington, OH MISA 48940
Wilson, NC MISA 48980
Winchester, VA-WV MSA 49020
Winnemucca, NV MISA 49080
Winona, MN MISA 49100
Winston-Salem, NC MSA 49180
Wisconsin Rapids-Marshfield, WI MISA 49220
Woodward, OK MISA 49260
Wooster, OH MISA 49300
Worcester, MA-CT MSA 49340
Worthington, MN MISA 49380
Yakima, WA MSA 49420
Yankton, SD MISA 49460
York-Hanover, PA MSA 49620
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA MSA 49660
Yuba City, CA MSA 49700
Yuma, AZ MSA 49740
Zanesville, OH MISA 49780
Zapata, TX MISA 49820

 
Support Using these Resources
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2013 Demographic-Economic Characteristics of 2013 Vintage Metros

The good news is that for the first time, we now have extensive 2013 demographic-economic data for the 2013 vintage Core-Based Statistical Areas (2013 Metros). These data are from the 2013 American Community Survey (2013 ACS) 1-Year estimates program. Prior to this, data from recent annual ACS program were for earlier vintage CBSAs. See graphic below showing the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC MSA 2010 boundary compared to 2013 boundary. The bad news, in a sense, is that it is now more difficult to examine demographic-economic change (over time) for the CBSAs experiencing a change in county composition between these vintages.

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC MSA
2013 green boundary; 2010 black boundary/hatch pattern; state blue boundary; counties labeled. Click graphic to view metro by county details.

See the related Web section for interactive table and more details.

ACS 2013 1-Year Estimates for 2013 Vintage CBSAs
These will be the most current set of detailed demographic-economic data for these metros until the 2014 ACS data are released in September 2015. Selected items are shown for each metro in the interactive table below. The table includes all 539 metros tabulated in ACS 2013 (metros 65,000 population and over). This group includes 381 metropolitan statistical areas, 31 metropolitan divisions and 127 micropolitan statistical areas. Use the table to rank, compare and contrast metros. For example, see that among all MSAs Cumberland, MD has the lowest median gross rent ($486) compared to San Jose, CA with the highest median gross rent ($1,640). See description of items below table. Access the same subject matter for these and other geographies via the ACS 2013 API table

Patterns of Economic Prosperity by Metro
2013 median household income patterns by 2013 Vintage CBSA

View developed using CV XE GIS and related GIS project.
Click graphic for larger view with more details.

Top 10 Metros by 2013 Median Household Income
Query used to select only metropolitan statistical areas. Metros then ranked on 2013 median household income. By changing the query, metros in a selected state could be ranked by MHI — or any item.

Click graphic for larger view.

See the related Web section for interactive table; perform this type of operation interactively for your areas of interest.

Support Using these Resources
Learn more about demographic economic data and related analytical tools. Join us in a Decision-Making Information Web session. There is no fee for these one-hour Web sessions. Each informal session is focused on a specific topic. The open structure also provides for Q&A and discussion of application issues of interest to participants.

ZIP Code Urban/Rural Demographic Patterns

More than half of U.S. ZIP Code areas are 100% rural. Nine ZIP Code areas have 100,000 or more population. ZIP Code area 10028 (Manhattan), 0.3 square mile, has density of 143,683 population per square mile. ZIP code demographics are widely used in analysis largely due to familiarity of ZIP code locations by code and availability of related data, such as address data. The Census 2010 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are generalized geographic representations of U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code service areas. ZCTAs can provide insights into urban/rural patterns within and among ZIP Code areas. See related Web section for more details and data access.

Of the 33,140 ZCTAs identified in Census 2010 Summary File 1, 5,236 ZCTAs were 100% urban and 17,033 ZCTAs were 100% rural. The remainder have some mix of urban/rural population. Use the interactive table in this section to examine Census 2010 ZIP Code Areas by population and housing units by urban/rural status. Land area, water area and population density are also shown.

ZIP Code Urban/Rural Visual Analysis
The graphic below shows ZIP 75034 (see also in ranking table below) located in Frisco ISD, TX area in Dallas, TX metro. ZIP Code areas red boundaries; school districts black boundaries; urban schools green markers; rural schools orange markers; urban areas orange fill pattern. It is easy to see what parts of ZIP 75034 are urban (orange) versus rural (no fill pattern).
Click graphic for larger view and details. View developed using CV XE GIS and related GIS project. See related section on K-12 schools by urban/rural status.

ZIP Code Area Urban Rural Interactive Table
The following graphic shows the ZIP Code areas with largest population as of Census 2010. See interactive table in the related Web section.

Click graphic for larger view.

Related ZIP Code Demographics Interactive Tables
General Demographics .. Social Characteristics .. Economic Characteristics .. Housing Characteristics

More about ZIP Code Areas

Support Using these Resources
Learn more about demographic economic data and related analytical tools. Join us in a Decision-Making Information Web session. There is no fee for these one-hour Web sessions. Each informal session is focused on a specific topic. The open structure also provides for Q&A and discussion of application issues of interest to participants.

Mapping Urban/Rural Patterns by Census Block

Knowing about a geographic area by its urban/rural status is important for many reasons … the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires service providers to identify their deployment areas by census block. Internet service provider incentive programs exist that are geared toward rural areas. Telcom businesses increasingly use census block geography to determine/analyze markets. The related FCC E-Rate program uses urban/rural status to manage rate structures. Many Federal transportation programs rely on a clear distinction between urban and rural areas. Businesses might be interested in reaching markets that are predominantly rural versus suburban versus urban. Emergency service operations may differ by urban/rural status for many regions; being able to plan for low density population areas can be essential. There is a long list of reasons for importance, not the least of which are the societal implications as the U.S. continues to become more urban and less rural.

Based on the Census Bureau urban/rural definition, the Census 2010 U.S. urban population was 249,253,271 (80.7%) and the rural population was 59,492,276 (19.3%). The Census Bureau urban-rural classification is a delineation of geographical areas identifying both individual urban areas and rural areas of the nation. Urban areas are densely developed territory, and encompass residential, commercial, and other non-residential urban land uses. The Census Bureau does not identify geographic areas as “suburban.” There is no Census Bureau classification for suburban areas or suburban population. We will cover the topic of suburban areas and suburban population in the near future. More about the urban population.

About this Section
This section is focused on use of GIS resources to visually analyze patterns of urban/rural geography based on Census 2010 census blocks. We review census block level geography and urban/rural status in the context of a metro, an urbanized area, a city/place, a school district, and census tract. Applications illustrated here make use of the Austin-Round Rock, TX metro; similar views/applications may be developed for any county or metro. Members of the ProximityOne User Group ( join now, no fee) may use the GIS software and project files to create similar and more detailed views/analyses. After installing CV XE GIS Windows CV XE GIS installer, expand the GIS project (userid required) to c:\cvxe\1\; start CV XE GIS; open the GIS project c:\cvxe\1\austinblks1_tract.gis.

See related Web page for more details about the GIS project.

Defining Urban/Rural Geography and Census Blocks
For Census 2010, an urban area is a densely settled core of census tracts and/or census blocks that meet minimum population density requirements, along with adjacent territory containing non-residential urban land uses as well as territory with low population density included to link outlying densely settled territory with the densely settled core. To qualify as an urban area, the territory identified according to criteria must encompass at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of which reside outside institutional group quarters. There are two types of urban areas:
• Urbanized Areas (UAs) of 50,000 or more people
• Urban Clusters (UCs) of at least 2,500 and less than 50,000 people
As of Census 2010, there were 3,573 urban areas comprised of 486 urbanized areas (UAs) with population 219,922,123 and 3,087 urban clusters (UCs) with population 29,331,148.

Rural encompasses all population, housing, and territory not included within an urban area.

A census block is the smallest geographic tabulation area and is classified as either all urban or all rural. More about census blocks.

Austin-Round Rock Metro by Census Block
In the following view, blocks with the orange fill pattern shows all census blocks classified as urban in the metro; rural blocks have a gray fill pattern.
This view is developed by setting the block layer query to UR10=’U’.

Click graphic for larger view. View created using CV XE GIS and related GIS project. Use the GIS project to create similar views. Zoom to an area of interest. Add name, codes, or data values as labels. Add other geography. A selection of possibilities is shown below.

Austin-Round Rock Urbanized Area by Census Block
Blocks with the orange fill pattern comprise the Austin-Round Rock Urbanized Area. This view is developed by setting the block layer query to UACE10=’04384′ (urban section).

Click graphic for larger view.

Austin City by Census Block
Blocks with the orange fill pattern are urban blocks within Austin city.
This view is developed by setting the block layer query to UR10=’U’ and place=’05000′ (urban section).

Click graphic for larger view.

Austin ISD School District by Census Block
Blocks with the orange fill pattern are urban blocks with the Austin ISD school district.  This view is developed by setting the block layer query to SDUNI=’08940′ and ur10=’U’ (urban section).

Click graphic for larger view.

Travis County Census Tract “19.14” by Census Block
The next view shows a zoom-in to census tract “19.14” in Travis County, TX. See more about census tracts. Blocks with the orange fill pattern are urban blocks; rural blocks have a gray fill pattern. This view is developed by setting the block layer query to SDUNI=’08940′ and ur10=’U’ (urban section). The Census 2010 total population is shown as a label for each census block.

Click graphic for larger view.

Support Using these Resources
Learn more about accessing and using decision-making data; examine characteristics and patterns for your study areas and applications. Join us in a Decision-Making Information Web session. There is no fee for these one-hour Web sessions. Each informal session is focused on a specific topic. The open structure also provides for Q&A and discussion of application issues of interest to participants.