.. a social class is a population or household group typically referred to as a lower, middle and upper class. The size of the population or households in a social class is often determined in relationship to an interval related to the median household income of an area — from two-thirds of median household income to twice the median household income (MHI). Subsequent blog posts will address a broader definition for class determination. By better understanding composition and determinants of social class for an area, we might better understand and improve on income inequality and create new opportunities. This is a multi-part blog post on social class analytics. Click Follow at right to receive updates.
Percent Population in Households by Social Class by PUMA
.. Los Angeles area .. click for larger view.
Los Angeles metro area by social class .. PUMAs shown with black boundaries; pointer at Los Angeles-Orange County line
Percent of Households by Social Class by PUMA
.. Los Angeles area .. click for larger view.
Los Angeles metro area by social class .. PUMAs shown with black boundaries; pointer at Los Angeles-Orange County line
Using American Community Survey Microdata
We use of the American Community Survey microdata or “public use microdata samples” (PUMS) http://proximityone.com/pums.htm to develop estimates of population and households by middle class, lower class and upper class by “public use microdata area” (PUMA) http://proximityone.com/puma.htm. Microdata files are comprised of anonymized individual respondent data within PUMAs. The approximate 2,800 PUMAs cover the U.S. wall-to-wall and must have 100,000 population or more. 2010 and 2020 vintages PUMAs may be examined and compared with other geography using the VDA Web GIS http://proximityone.com/vda.htm with the MetroDynamics Project.
Social Class Participation by PUMA
Using custom software, the PUMA (ACS 2021 1 year data in this case), individual housing records are summarized for each PUMA. An estimate is developed for the lower, middle and upper class based on an algorithm.
Examine patterns of social class stratification using VDA Web GIS anywhere in U.S.
The estimates are then integrated into a PUMA shapefile. The PUMA shapefile is added to a Geographic Information System (GIS). Access this shapefile/layers using VDA Web GIS to examine patterns of social class, such as the graphics shown above, or in combination with other geography and subject matter.
About VDA GIS
VDA Web GIS is a decision-making information resource designed to help stakeholders create and apply insight. Use VDA Web GIS with only a Web browser; nothing to install; GIS experience not required. VDA Web GIS has been developed and is maintained by Warren Glimpse, ProximityOne (Alexandria, VA) and Takashi Hamilton, Tsukasa Consulting (Osaka, Japan).
Data Analytics Web Sessions
Join us in the every Tuesday, Thursday Data Analytics Web Sessions. See how you can use VDA Web GIS and access different subject matter for related geography. Get your geographic, demographic, data access & use questions answered. Discuss applications with others.
About the Author
Warren Glimpse is former senior Census Bureau statistician responsible for national scope statistical programs and innovative data access and use operations. He is also the former associate director of the U.S. Office of Federal Statistical Policy and Standards for data access and use. He has more than 20 years of experience in the private sector developing data resources and tools for integration and analysis of geographic, demographic, economic and business data. Join Warren on LinkedIn.
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