Mini Project: Thematic Mapping Focus ✓ Solved

Mini Project A Thematic Mappingthis Mini Project Focuses On Using The

This mini project focuses on using the Census American Factfinder web site to generate a thematic map. The procedure involves following most of the steps in the final “Try This” of Chapter 3 (Try This: Acquiring U.S. Census Data via the World Wide Web), then adding a couple of additional steps to create your map. Specific instructions are below (these steps may not work with the Safari browser, Chrome and Firefox should work): Go to the U.S. Census Bureau site at the Census Bureau home page, hover your mouse cursor over the Data tab, hover over Data Tools and Apps, and then select American FactFinder.

American FactFinder is the Census Bureau's primary medium for distributing census data to the public. Click the ADVANCED SEARCH button in the top navigation panel (you may need to click “show me all”). Click the Topics search option box at left. In the Select Topics overlay window, expand the People list. Next, expand the Income & Earnings list.

Then choose either Income/Earnings (Households) or Income/Earnings (Individuals). Note that the entry you pick is placed in the Your Selections box in the upper left, and it disappears from the Income & Earnings list. Close the Select Topics window. The list of datasets in the resulting Search Results window is for the entire United States. We want to narrow the search to county-level data for your assigned state.

Click the Geographies search options box in the left panel. In the Select Geographies window that opens, in the List tab, in the drop-down menu "Select a geographic type," choose "County - 050." In the next drop-down menu, "Select a state," choose West Virginia. Then, from the list "Select one or more geographic areas," choose "All Counties within West Virginia," the first item in the list. Then click the button "ADD TO YOUR SELECTIONS."

This will place your "All Counties within West Virginia" choice in the Your Selections box. Close the Select Geographies window. The list of datasets in the Search Results window now pertains to the counties in West Virginia. Take a few moments to review the datasets that are listed.

Note that, depending upon the topic list selected, there can be ACS (American Community Survey), SF1, SF2, and other datasets. Here, we are going to focus our effort on the 2013 ACS 5-year estimates. Start typing “2013 ACS 5-year estimates” into the “topic or table name” search box. The search box will auto-suggest the full title from a drop-down list. Choose “2013 ACS 5-year estimates” and then click GO.

In the results that show up below, check the box for the entry with ID: DP03, Table title: Selected Economic Characteristics, and Dataset title: 2013 ACS 5-year estimates. (You will need to scroll down, probably multiple pages, to find this). Then, click "View" at the top or bottom of the page. In the Table View that opens, you will see a large table with many entries for each of the counties from your chosen state. Note the row of Actions: (blue links), which includes Print, Download, and Create a Map buttons (plus other options). Click "Create a Map" (it is important to do this before picking data variables).

Next, think about a data variable to map. Choose either: (a) a percent for some topic that interests you or (b) a derived quantity from the “Estimate” column (many of the entries in this column are simple totals, so be careful to pick one that is a mean or a median). To select the topic you want, go to its row, and then click on the value for the first county listed. A window will pop up; click "Show Map" to generate your map.

Although you selected the value for just a single county, it will map all counties. Depending on your browser, you will probably need to scroll up to see the map (you are likely to see a blank view until you do so). In the left sidebar, you can select colors and data classes and make some additional changes. Feel free to make adjustments, and then click “Download” in the Action list above the map.

A download window will pop up. Choose “PDF” and in the Map Title box enter the classing method you used. You do not need to add the rest of the title. Click OK. When your file is produced, click “Download” to save to your computer.

You are almost finished, but there is still a bit of analysis to do! Open your saved PDF file (the document you just produced using the census website) and look at your state map. You will see that the data are arranged across your assigned state in a particular pattern. Why are the income data arranged this way? What parts of your state have the highest values, and what have the lowest values? Keep your answers relatively short, but explain why the patterns look as they do. (Example writeup: “In West Virginia, the eastern counties along the border with Maryland and Virginia have higher incomes, which can be attributed to proximity to metropolitan areas with higher economic activity. The rural counties in the southwestern part tend to have lower incomes due to fewer employment opportunities.”)

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Thematic mapping of income data in West Virginia reveals significant geographic patterns closely tied to urbanization, economic activity, and proximity to metropolitan areas. Using the American FactFinder platform and the 2013 ACS 5-year estimates, this analysis uncovers the spatial distribution of income across the state’s counties. The pattern observed in the income map is characterized by higher income levels in counties situated near major metropolitan centers, particularly in the eastern regions bordering Maryland and Virginia, while more rural, inland counties tend to have lower median incomes.

One of the most prominent features of West Virginia’s income distribution is the concentration of higher income levels in counties adjacent to or within commuting distance of metropolitan areas such as Morgantown, Charleston, and Martinsburg. These urban-adjacent counties benefit from economic activities related to education, healthcare, manufacturing, and services, which attract higher-income populations. For example, Monongalia County, home to Morgantown, consistently exhibits elevated income levels, driven by West Virginia University and related industries. Similarly, Kanawha County, which includes Charleston, displays higher median incomes due to government and industrial employment.

Conversely, the rural counties in the southwestern and southern parts of West Virginia display lower income levels. These areas have economies historically based on resource extraction, agriculture, and low-wage industries, which do not generate as much income per capita. Counties such as McDowell, Boone, and Lincoln show significantly lower income estimates, reflecting persistent economic challenges. The geographic pattern of income in West Virginia indicates economic disparities rooted in urban-rural divides, as well as differences in access to infrastructure, education, and employment opportunities.

The spatial distribution of income in West Virginia can be explained largely by historical and economic factors. The decline of coal mining and manufacturing industries in some regions has led to economic stagnation in rural counties, exacerbating income disparities. Meanwhile, counties near urban centers benefit from diversified economies, higher education institutions, and better infrastructure, fostering higher income levels. This pattern underscores the importance of economic development strategies targeted at rural areas to address income inequality and promote balanced growth across the state.

References

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