Lab 8: Mapping the Census

In the USA 2000 Census reported that there were 36.4 million people, or 12.9% of the total population, that reported as being Black or African America. This map shows the population percentage of African Americans per county in the United States based of the 2000 Census. About 60 percent of all African Americans lived in 10 states. The highest percentages are in the southern and south eastern parts of the country, including, but not limited to, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, and New York. There are also high percentages in California counties, notably in Southern California and near San Francisco. The lowest percentages are found in the northern Midwest, ranging from parts of eastern Washington to parts of western Wisconsin.  

In the USA 2000 Census reported that there were around 12 million Asian people, or 4.3% of the total population, that reported as being Asian. This map shows the population percentage of Asian Americans per county in the United States based of the 2000 Census. The highest percentages are in California, Arizona, Washington, and the North East. The most notable areas are Los Angeles area, around San Francisco, and Seattle. Throughout the rest of the country many counties are spread out and have smaller percentage trends. 

This map shows the population percentage of other races besides White, Asian, and African American per county in the United States based of the 2000 Census. The highest percentages are found in California, Washington, Southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Most of the Midwest, South, and East Coast have very low populations, with a small amount in parts of Florida. 

These maps are very interesting because they reflect historical and geographic trends of these populations. The highest populations of African Americans reflect the history of slavery, the majority of slavery occurred in the South of the United States. Although there are also Asians in the Northeast, the highest numbers in California and Washington reflect their relative proximity geographically to Asia. The other race population also reflects geographic trends. Although all of the "other race" category are not all latino, the majority of the population who are not white, Asian, or African American are hispanic. The 2000 Census found that 32.8 million Latinos, 12% of the total population, lived in the United States. Since California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas all border Mexico, it makes sense geographically and historically that that is where the majority of hispanics would live. These maps show an objective visualization of populations in the United States. If compared with later or earlier Census maps, trends would be very easy to highlight. These numbers and population percentages can be important in for different uses, including but not limited to, government, business, and social welfare.

Taking this class has showed me the power and utility of Geographic information systems (GIS).  It is apparent that it is vital to many fields: geography, cartography, remote sensing, natural resource management, urban planning, government, and more. GIS allows its users to integrate, store, edit, analyze, and display information that can inform important decisions. I have enjoyed learning this interesting computer software and I am looking forward to taking intermediate GIS next term.