Neighborhood Intel: Block Analyzer – Socioeconomics & Demographics

The Neighborhood Intel Block Analyzer empowers users to explore different Census data variables over a geographic area down to the census block level. This article provides metadata for the Socioeconomic & Demographics variables displayed.

Knowing and understanding your socioeconomic and demographic data has become even more important in today's culture. Using the Block analyzer allows you to get all the socioeconomic and demographic information that you want in a quick and easy way to read and understand.

Socioeconomic & Demographic Filters

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Population

The population filter pulls the data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  The population census is the official counting of a population in the territory of a country and the collection of information on selected demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the population.  Almost all countries conduct a population census at least once every 10 years, often together with a housing census, which is the official counting of the housing stock and collection of housing characteristics.  The traditional approach to the population census consists in the registration of all individuals and their details using paper questionnaires during a field operation that normally lasts a few days or weeks.  Some countries conduct censuses using data from population registers and other administrative sources, without collecting data in the field. Recently, various alternative census approaches have been developed, making use of register data combined with field data collection and other sources, as well as partial annual field data collection and other sampling methodologies.  This is important because it shows you how many people are living in your municipality.

 

Social Vulnerability

The social vulnerability filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  The SVI indicates the relative vulnerability of every U.S. Census tract.  Census tracts are subdivisions of counties for which the U.S. Census collects statistical data.  The SVI tool ranks the tracts on 14 social factors such as unemployment, lack of vehicle access, and crowded housing.  This is important because you want to know what areas in your municipality will be hit hardest by a national disaster or another flu outbreak. 

 

Median Household Income

The median household income filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census releases new data.  The median household income is figured out by income in the past 12 months.  Income of Households includes the income of the householder and all other individuals 15 years old and over in the household, whether they are related to the householder or not.  Because many households consist of only one person, average household income is usually less than average family income.  Although the household income statistics cover the past 12 months, the characteristics of individuals and the composition of households refer to the time of interview.  Thus, the income of the household does not include amounts received by individuals who were members of the household during all or part of the past 12 months, if these individuals no longer resided in the household at the time of interview.  Similarly, income amounts reported by individuals who did not reside in the household during the past 12 months but who were members of the household at the time of interview are included.  However, the composition of most households was the same during the past 12 months at the time of interview.  The median divides the income distribution into two equal parts: one-half of the cases falling below the median income and one-half above the median.  For households and families, the median income is based on the distribution of the total number of households and families including those with no income.  The median income for individuals is based on individuals 15 years old and over with income.  Median income for households, families, and individuals is computed on the basis of a standard distribution. This is important to know how much people are making in your municipality. The median household income filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the median household income change throughout the years.

 

Broadband Internet Access

The broadband internet access filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  This category includes housing units where someone pays to access the internet through a service such as a data plan for a smartphone; a broadband internet service such as cable, fiber optic or DSL; satellite; dial-up; or other type of service.  This will normally refer to a service that someone is billed for directly for the internet alone or sometimes as part of a bundle.  This is important because you want to know how many people in your municipality have access to the internet.  The broadband internet access filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the broadband internet access change throughout the years.

 

Households with Computer Access

The households with computer access filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  The computer access survey asked if anyone in the household owned or used a computer and included four response categories for a desktop or laptop, a smartphone, a tablet or other portable wireless computer, and some other type of computer.  Respondents selected a checkbox for “Yes” or “No” for each response category.  Respondents could select all categories that applied.  This is important because you want to know how many people in your municipality have access to a computer.  The households with computer access filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the households with computer access change throughout the years.

 

Poverty Rate

The poverty rate filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  To determine a person's poverty status, one compares the person’s total family income in the last 12 months with the poverty threshold appropriate for that person's family size and composition.  If the total income of that person's family is less than the threshold appropriate for that family, then the person is considered “below the poverty level,” together with every member of his or her family.  If a person is not living with anyone related by birth, marriage, or adoption, then the person's own income is compared with his or her poverty threshold.  The total number of people below the poverty level is the sum of people in families and the number of unrelated individuals with incomes in the last 12 months below the poverty threshold.  This is important because you want to know how many people in your municipality are below the poverty threshold. The poverty rate filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the poverty rate change throughout the years.

 

Bachelor’s Degree Holder Rate

The bachelor’s degree holder rate filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  Data on field of bachelor’s degree were derived from answers to Question 12 in the 2020 American Community Survey (ACS).  This question was asked only to persons with a bachelor’s degree or higher.  Eligible respondents were asked to list the specific major(s) of any bachelor’s degree received.  This question does not ask for the field of any other type of degree earned (such as master’s or doctorate).  This is important because you want to know the level of Bachelor's degrees in your municipality.  The bachelor’s degree holder rate filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the bachelor’s degree holder rate change throughout the years.

 

Households with Children Under 18

The households with children under 18 filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  Related children in a family include own children and all other children under 18 years old in the household who are related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption.  The count of related children in families was formerly restricted to never-married children.  However, beginning with data for 1968 the Bureau of the Census includes never-married children under the category of related children.  This change added approximately 20,000 children to the category of related children in March 1968.  This is important because it allows you to see how many children under the age of 18 are living in your municipality.  The households with children under 18 rate filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the households with children under 18 rate change throughout the years.

 

% of Population of Hispanic or Latino (of any Race)

The % of Population of Hispanic or Latino (of any Race) filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  The data on the Hispanic or Latino population were derived from answers to a question that was asked of all people (Question 5 in the 2020 American Community Survey (ACS)).  The ethnicity classifications used by the U.S. Census Bureau adhere to the October 30, 1997, Federal Register notice entitled, “Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity” issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).  These OMB standards govern the definitions and categories used to collect and present federal data on ethnicity and race.  OMB requires two minimum categories on ethnicity (Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic or Latino). This is important because you want to know the size of the Hispanic or Latino population in your municipality. The  % of Population of Hispanic or Latino (of any Race) filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the  % of Population of Hispanic or Latino (of any Race) change throughout the years.

 

% of Population White

The % of Population White filter  pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census Bureau releases new data.  A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.  It includes people who indicate their race as “White” or report responses such as German, Irish, English, Italian, Lebanese, and Egyptian.  The category also includes groups such as Polish, French, Iranian, Slavic, Cajun, Chaldean, etc.  This is important because you want to know how the size of the white population is in your municipality.  The  % of Population of White filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the  % of Population of White change throughout the years.

 

% of Population Black or African Americans

The % of Population Black or African Americans filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  A person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.  It includes people who indicate their race as “Black or African American” or report responses such as African American, Jamaican, Haitian, Nigerian, Ethiopian, or Somali.  The category also includes groups such as Ghanaian, South African, Barbadian, Kenyan, Liberian, Bahamian, etc.  This is important because you want to know the population of Black or African Americans in your municipality.  The  % of Population of Black or African American  filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the  % of Population of Black or African American change throughout the years.

 

% of Population American Indian or Alaska Native

The % of Population American Indian or Alaska Native filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.  This category includes people who indicate their race as “American Indian or Alaska Native” or report entries such as Navajo Nation, Blackfeet Tribe, Mayan, Aztec, Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government, or Nome Eskimo Community.  This is important because you want to know the population of  % of Population American Indian or Alaska Native in your municipality.  The  % of Population of  American Indian or Alaska Native filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the  % of Population of  American Indian or Alaska Native change throughout the years.

 

% of Population Asian

The % of Population Asian filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, India, China, the Philippine Islands, Japan, Korea, or Vietnam.  It includes people who indicate their race as “Asian Indian,” “Chinese,” “Filipino,” “Korean,” “Japanese,” “Vietnamese,” and “Other Asian” or provide other detailed Asian responses such as Pakistani, Cambodian, Hmong, Thai, Bengali, Mien, etc.  This is important because you want to know the % of Population of Asians in your municipality.  The  % of Population of Asians filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the  % of Population of  Asians change throughout the years.

 

% of Population Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

The % of Population Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.  It includes people who indicate their race as “Native Hawaiian,” “Chamorro,” “Samoan,” and “Other Pacific Islander” or provide other detailed Pacific Islander responses such as Palauan, Tahitian, Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Saipanese, Yapese, etc.  This is important because you want to know the % of Population Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander in your municipality.  The  % of Population of Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the  % of Population of Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander change throughout the years.

 

% of Population Other Race

The % of Population Other Race filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data.  This Includes all other responses not included in the “White,” “Black or African American,” “American Indian or Alaska Native,” “Asian,” and “Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander” race categories described above. Respondents reporting entries such as multiracial, mixed, interracial, or a Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish group (for example, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or Spanish) in response to the race question are included in this category.  This is important because you want to know the % of Population Other Race living in your municipality.  The  % of Population of Other Race filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the  % of Population of Other Racer change throughout the years.

 

% of Population Two or More Races

The % of population two or more races filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. People may choose to provide two or more races either by checking two or more race response check boxes, by providing multiple responses, or by some combination of check boxes and other responses.  The race response categories shown on the questionnaire are collapsed into the five minimum race groups identified by OMB, and the Census Bureau’s “Some Other Race” category.  For data product purposes, “Two or More Races” refers to combinations of two or more of the following race categories: White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Some other Race.  This is important because you want to know the % of population two or more races living in your municipality.  The  % of Population of two or more races filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the  % of Population of two or more races change throughout the years.