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Downloading GIS Data: Mapping U.S. Census Data and Uploading Dynamic Web Maps

Introduction

Wisconsin population data was mapped in order to learn how to access and download specific Census data using advanced search methods and then map the data by joining to a Census shapefile. The mapped data was then uploaded to Esri ArcGIS Online in order to learn how to build a dynamic web map.

Methods

Download 2010 Census Data. A web browser was opened and directed to the US Census Bureau Fact Finder Website. The data was specified in the Advanced Search tab by the Topic, Total Population, and by the Geography, All Counties in Wisconsin. Data for the variable P1 for Total Population from the 2010 SF1 Dataset was downloaded. The CSV file for the total population data was prepared for use in Esri ArcMap by removing the second row with aliases, setting up the top row with fields ids to follow naming rules in ArcMap by changing the periods ('.') to underscores ('_'), and saving the file as an Excel Workbook file.

Download the shapefile for the WI census data. In the Geography selection options from the US Census Bureau Fact Finder Advanced Search, the Map tab was accessed with all Wisconsin counties selected and highlighted. From the download window, the map data was downloaded as a shapefile.

Join the census data to the census shapefile. The shapefile was added to a blank map in ArcMap. Then, the P1 table Excel file was dragged onto the map from the ArcCatalog side panel. The P1 table was joined to the shapefile layer using GEO_ID fields from each to base the join on because the IDs match and allow for a one-to-one cardinality join.

Map the population data. A new field, D001new, was added with the Double field type to the attribute table of the 05000 shapefile. Then, the field calculator was used to copy the D001 string field, which contained the population data, into the new Double field. This allowed the data to be mapped quantitatively. (This also allows population data to remain with the shapefile for when the has join has to be removed in the data upload to ArcGIS Online.) Under the layer properties for the 05000 shapefile, the symbology was set by quantities to graduated colors with the D001new field as the value.

Map demographic data, males 15 to 17 years-old (variable of choice). Data for the variable P12 for Sex by Age from the 2010 SF1 Dataset was downloaded and prepared for use in Esri ArcMap. A new data frame was made in ArcMap, and another copy of the census shapefile was added to it. Then, the P12 Excel file was joined to the shapefile. For the graduated colors symbology, the field containing the population data for males 15 to 17 years-old, D006, was set as the value and normalized to the total population field, D001. Under label options, the data was set to display as a percentage.

Build a layout with both maps. The data frame for each map was set to the Wisconsin State Plane Central projection. The layout was set to landscape, and the data frames were placed side by side. Appropriate map elements were added with appropriate labels.

Build a web map with one of the variables. The second data frame was removed, so that only the Population data frame remained. The standalone P1 table was also removed. Esri ArcGIS Online was signed into from the File menu in ArcMap. Set to data view and using the File menu, the map document shared as a service to UW-Eau Claire--Geography and Anthropology with Feature Access capability. Within the ArcGIS Online geobrowser, under the My Content tab, an option to added the newly created feature service layer to a new map was selected. In the web map viewer, under the Content tab for the service, the Configure Pop-Up window was accessed. The Pop-up Title was changed to "Population per county". Under Configure Attributes, the NAME field alias was changed to "County", and the D001new field alias was changed to Population with the display formatted to 0 decimal places. The feature was then saved as a web map with appropriate title, tags, and summary, which resulted in a newly created dynamic web map. Within My Content, the web map was accessed and from its properties section, the web map was shared to the UWEC Geography and Anthropology organization.

Results

Figure 1. Layout with Two Maps each containing a Variable from 2010 U.S. Census Data

Total population is concentrated towards the southeastern part of Wisconsin. There seems to be a higher percentage of males, 15 to 17 years-old, in counties within the northern, central part of Wisconsin and in counties just outside of Milwaukee county.


Figure 2. Snippet of Dynamic web map of Population per County in WI from 2010 Census data with Pop-Up

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau - 2010 SF1 Dataset

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