Lab 2: Downloading GIS Data

GOAL AND BACKGROUND

The goal of this lab is to learn how to download, analyze, and map data from the U.S Census Bureau. We were to create two maps, one providing Wisconsin’s County Population and the other of our chosen variable. Additionally, we were to create a WebMap through ArcGIS and ArcMap.

METHODS

Creating Total Counties Population Map

The first three maps that were created used data obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau website:http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/searchresults.xhtml?refresh=t. The data used was FSI 100% 2010 Census. The County Population data was retrieved from the U.S. Census Bureau website on the total population per county of Wisconsin. From the saved file the data was extracted into a shapefile that would present the counties data of Wisconsin’s population. This data was then mapped as the first map by total population count.

Creating Percent of Male and Female Population within Wisconsin Counties Map

The second and third maps were created similarly in the procedures used to obtain the data and map it. First, data was downloaded from the U.S. Census Bureau on Sex Population. This data provided age groups with their sexes and the total population of the sex in each county. The downloaded file had to be extracted from its zip file. Then it was saved as an Excel CSV file. In order to open up in ArcMap, the second line of the document had to be deleted because it was an extra line of worded information that is seen as a quantity in ArcMap. The naming of the headers also had to be changed into the correct ArcMap format with containing no (.) or (-) and were replaced with (_). After making those changes the file was saved as an Excel Workbook file and was able to be opened in ArcMap. Inserting the data file created a standalone table in ArcMap. Joining it with the Shapefile of Counties (created in the first map) allowed the data to be presented visually. Using the total sex population of males and then dividing or normalizing by the total population in each county created the male population percentage in each Wisconsin County. The same procedure was done with the female data. Once all three maps were created the components that make up a map i.e. legend, compass, scale bar, and title were added and also the World Light Gray Canvas Base. 

Creating a WebMap on ArcGIS

The WebMap was created from the Total Wisconsin Counties Population Map. The basemap and map components were deleted from the map frame. Before being able to publish the map to ArcGIS an analysis tool had to be used to make sure the data was correctly linked. After completion signing into ArcGIS through ArcMap created the ability to publish the Total Wisconsin Counties Population Map as a WebMap within UWEC organization on ArcGIS online. Once logged onto ArcGIS the map had to have a title, tag, attributes assigned, and a summary for mapping. After this the map was ready to be shared within the UWEC Geography and Anthropology Department.


RESULTS

Figure 1. Shows the results of the Total Wisconsin Counties Population compared to the Percent of the Male and Female Population within Wisconsin Counties. Looking at all three maps it can be deductive that more counties hold a greater female population than male population when looked at the concentrated populous counties. The male percent map shows that there is a larger concentrations of males in the northwestern half of the state. In contrast, the female percent map shows that there is a larger concentrations of females in the southeastern half of the state.

Figure 1. Map of Total Wisconsin Counties Population, Percent of Male Population within Wisconsin Counties, and Percent of Female Population within Wisconsin Counties.

Figure 2. Shows the WebMap produced through ArcMap and ArcGIS using the Total Wisconsin County Population. Each county in the WebMap shows the population and county names.

Figure 2. WedMap of Total Wisconsin Counties Population.

SOURCES

2010 Census Bureau

Figure 2. Shows the WebMap produced through ArcMap and ArcGIS using the Total Wisconsin County Population. Each county in the WebMap shows the population and county name.