Lab 8: Census

This map illustrates the concentration of the Black (African American) Population by county in the United States according to the 2000 Census. As it is clearly shown there is a greater percentage of concentration towards the south east, in states such as Louisiana and Florida. This is extremely important data when considering studies of race, racial related issues, advertisment, etc.


This map illustrates the concentration of the Asian Population by county in the United States according to the 2000 Census. What is interesting about this data is that even though there is a trend of a higher concentration of Asian descent towards the East and West Coast, specifically around Southern California and New York, the spread is pretty even. Unlike the heavy concentration of blacks in the United States as portrayed in the previous map, this data portrays the population reported of Asians to be almost evenly spread out throughout the country.


This map illustrates the concentration of the "Some Other Race by Population" by county in the United States according to the 2000 Census. According to the American Census Bureau, this "other race" is heavily influenced by the Hispanic, Latino population. This data shows a heavy concentration towards the southwest of the United States, bordering the country of Mexico. From this data we cannot indefinitely claim, but defer that a majority of the concentration of population in Southern California and in states like Texas are from Mexican descent.

My experience with mapping with census data has been nothing more than splendid. It is incredibly interesting and intriguing the kinds of interpretations and assessments one can make with such data. In this case, when using "race by population" data, such information has infintely amounts of use; especially to marketing companies. Such companies can use this information in order to direct certain products and goods to certain parts of the country.

Now for my overall experience with ArcGIS, it has been wonderful, though there are some exceptions. ArcGIS in many aspects becomes very self-explanitory after an introduction to our certain labs, although, especially in this final Census lab, it was extremely hard to follow many of the "little" steps necessary to depict the final result. Except for those minor bumps, it's been amazing to work with a program which til this day cartographers use. The thought of putting together a map with data that can benefit others hadn't crossed my mind, until I took this course of course.