Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Mapping Income Inequality Using Census Data

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.

Rich Block, Poor Blocks is a pretty neat tool that maps out household income using recent census data.

The way the map looks isn't surprising. The coast and hills are where the wealthy green households are at. Lower income households and concentrated on the Eastern side of town and down through South Los Angeles. But it is interesting to see the way income shifts in some parts of the city almost block by block (technically, it's census tract by census tract). The map relies on data from 2006-2010 by U.S. Census' American Community Survey.

The tool is great, but the map geek in us wants more. We'd love to be able to see how this data has changed over time—to better visualize how the forces of development, gentrification and the economy are shaping our city. Or we'd love to overlay it was any of the other demographics the census polls, like age or race or gender. (So if you've found other cool visualizations of census data, send it our way!)

Related:
4 Cool Ways Of Visualizing Local Census Data
Maps: Color-Coding the Racial Divide

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right