Lab 2 Downloading GIS Data

Introduction

My goals for lab 2 were to learn how to download census information and make a map using data from the U.S. Census Bureau website.

Methods

For this lab I created two different maps. For the first map I wanted to map only the total population census data for the state of Wisconsin. To make the total population map I downloaded the 2010 total population census data and the shape file of the 2010 Census boundaries for Wisconsin from the U.S. Census Bureau website. Once I downloaded the data I extracted all the files and opened the CSV files to view the metadata and the tabular data. Then I saved the tabular data as a Microsoft Excel file to use in my map. Next, I added the shape file and the population data to a new ArcMap document. Then I joined the attribute tables for the shape file and the population data by using the GEO#id field which was common in both of the tables. Once I joined the attribute tables I was ready to map the total population data for Wisconsin. I made a graduated color map of the population data by selecting a color scheme and the number of classes to classify my data. The second map I created represents the percent of the total population of Wisconsin who are 65 years of age and over by county. To make the second map I created a new data frame and added the shape file for Wisconsin and the 2010 census data that I downloaded from the U.S. Census Bureau which contained the information for the number of people who are 65 years of age and over in Wisconsin. I made sure to normalize the number of people who were 65 years of age and over by the total population for Wisconsin. After I normalized my data I joined the attribute tables for the shape file and the data for the individuals 65 years and over. I joined the tables using the GEO#id field because it was common in both tables. Then I mapped the age data using graduated colors and chose a color scheme. In order to complete the two individual maps I changed the projection for each to NAD 1983 Wisconsin TM so the state of Wisconsin was represented well. For each map I included essential map elements such as a title, legend, north arrow, scale bar, and source and date information.

Results

The total population map of Wisconsin indicates that the mid-section and south eastern area of the state is where the majority of people live. The northern portion of the state is where fewer people live. The map of the percent of Wisconsin’s population that is 65 years and over indicates that people who are 65 years and over live predominantly in the northern counties of Wisconsin. Those 65 and older also tend to live in the center region of the state and in Door County. The reason why I think the majority of people that are 65 and older live up north is because many of these individuals may choose to retire in this area. The retirees may enjoy the fishing and boating opportunities as well as living in the peaceful natural environment of the northwoods away from busy city life.  

Figure 1. Two Maps of Wisconsin Population Data

Sources

Census data- U.S. Census Bureau
Basemap- ESRI