GIS I Lab 2: Downloading GIS Data

Introduction: This lab was meant to familiarize the user with using the U.S. Census Bureau's vast and complex database. The Bureau's website is a huge source of data, but it is critical to find the correct data. Lab 2 helped with focusing in on the correct data set and making sure it had a proper source. Sometimes too much information can be a problem and this lab helped sift through the unnecessary data.

Methods: First, data had to be taken from the American Factfinder website of the U.S. Census Bureau. The data then then had to be extracted and changed into an Excel Workbook file. I then downloaded the Wisconsin County shape file. I then opened both of these files into ArcMap and joined their respective attribute tables together. Afterwards, I exported the joined shape files to a new window of ArcMap so I could transfer the new map to ArcGIS Online.

This whole process took about three hours to complete. I learned two skills that will help me down the road in using GIS: Finding creative ways to get around a problem in ArcMap and how to use the U.S. Census website.

The first skill was obtained when I reached a roadblock in the directions for the lab. When I tried to use the WebMap_lab2.mxd to upload it to the ArcGIS Online site. It kept saying I had base map layers on it even though there were no base map layers on it. I decided to open a new window of ArcMap with my current WebMap_lab2.mxd still open. I just right clicked on the bottom of the desktop to open a new window.  Then I selected the blank template. I then went back to the WebMap_lab2.mxd and copied the layer "Rural_Population". Finally, I pasted it into the blank template and saved it as TryThisWebMap_lab2.mxd.

This allowed me to complete the lab. If I had just simply stopped because of the errors, I would not have been able to finish. Finding different ways to work around a problem will help me in the future.

The second skill I learned was working with the U.S. Census website. I have worked with it in the past, but I have never downloaded data from the site. Knowing that I need to match data with the correct source is something I would never have thought of. As a future geographer, knowing how to work with the complex American Factfinder will be crucial to furthering myself in the field.

Results: The result of the lab resulted with two maps in ArcMap and one on ArcGIS Online. The two maps from ArcMap depict certain demographic information on the state of Wisconsin. The population of the individual counties in the state of Wisconsin is displayed in the first of two maps. The second map shows the population of the individual counties who reside in rural communities as a percent of the total county population.

The patterns on the maps are quite apparent. Most of the population is in the state of Wisconsin is located in the southeast. The southeast is where Milwaukee and Madison both reside, the state's two biggest cities and main economic drivers. This leads the rest of the state population to be spread across the rest of the counties. These counties have more of a rural lifestyle and the northern part of the state shows this quite clearly.

The third map that was created in ArcGIS Online was an interactive map that was based on the second map. It shows the population of the individual counties who reside in rural communities as a percent of the total county population as well. It can be found at the following link:

http://arcg.is/1M1aHb0

Source: 

United States Census Bureau. (2015). American Factfinder [Data file]. Retrieved          from http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/searchresults.xhtml?refresh=t