Lab 7: Census

The North America Lambert Conformal Conic Projection was used for these maps.

Percent Black Population by County, Census 2000
     There is, at most, up to about 85% Black population by county, clustering mostly in the Southeastern and East Coast states. Historically, many African Americans lived in original American Southern states due to widespread slavery in those areas. Well after slavery, they gradually spread throughout the U.S, mostly towards the west. A significant portion of the population has moved towards Texas and another has grown in Southern California as well as parts of Central and Northern California.

Percent Asian Population by County, Census 2000
     After the surge of Asian immigrants, many West Coast counties have seen a growing number of Asian populations in terms of percentage (up to 40% in some counties), most significantly in California and Washington. Counties around New York is also. There was a large amount immigrants to New York because there was a large immigration gateway on Ellis Island from the late 19th century to mid 20th century. The West Coast was much more easily accessible from Asia by boat and, later, by plane.

Percent Other Race Population by County, Census 2000
     Many counties near the Mexican border on the Western half of the U.S. have a large amounts of  "Other Race" populations, which, based on the data provided on the U.S. Census Bureau's website, are most likely of Hispanic origins and several other racial origins. In recent years, there has been an increase in immigration as well as increased illegal immigration from Mexico and other southern North American Countries and several South American Countries. The tip of Florida is also populated by many Cuban refugees and other Hispanic immigrants.

     The Asian and Other Race population maps show the large flow of immigration in certain areas which immigrants were accessible to. Immigrants tend to flow towards counties that tended to have people from their countries, as well as for reasons of accessibility and social mobility. The large flow of African slaves during colonial times have deeply rooted a large African American population in the U.S. which expanded with the Westward expansion for pursuit of better conditions.

    GIS is able to show through data the demographics of places and relate them to issues, both social and economical. It can supplement historical evidence and support certain claims and conjectures. GIS can provide data for governmental decisions and for businesses to target certain demographic groups. It is a very widespread tool that is utilized by almost every field of research and by governments as well as many businesses. Although ESRI might have obtained monopoly over this tool, it doesn't significantly inhibit GIS's potential as a powerful tool and the amount of data it can provide.