Lab 2: Downloading GIS Data

Introduction

The goal for Lab 3 was to learn how to download and map data from the U.S. Census Bureau.  Our tasks including going to the US Census Bureau website and download total population data from Wisconsin counties, a table of our choice, and a shapefile of Wisconsin boundaries from 2010.  Next after downloading the data our task was to join the tables and shapefile and map the data and cartographically pleasing map.   

Methods

First I downloaded data from the U.S. Census Bureau for total population per county in Wisconsin.  I then downloaded the data and placed it in my folder.  After doing this a zip file appeared in my folder, and in order to use the data you must unzip the data.  To unzip the data I extracted it to my folder where the two CSV tables appeared.  In order to use these CSV files you must save them as excel files so they can be added to ArcMap.   

Next I went back to U.S. Census Bureau page and went into the Geography page to download the shape file of Wisconsin Counties.  The same process of unzipping was done with this data so it will be ready to use in ArcMap. 

After these files were unzipped they are ready to be used in ArcMap to make a map.  First I added the the data and Excel file with the total population data.  Then the processing of joining the two tables must be done to map the data.  I joined the two tables by a common field, GEO#id, because it is both tables.  Then after joining the data I made a pleasing color map of the total population per county of Wisconsin.  I switched the classification from five to six fields to make the map more easy to read. 

My next step was going back in U.S. Census Bureau to add a table of my choice to along side my total population map.  I choose to map the number of people over the age of 62 per county in Wisconsin just by random selection.  The same process was done to make the table ready for ArcMap and it was added to the map.  I choose a different color scheme to use for this map and applied it to the map using the default, five classes for this map. 

Then using the layout view I made a frame where both maps can displayed evenly.  I added legends, titles, scales, north arrows, basemaps, and sources to the map to make it professional and my process was completed. 

Results

Below is picture of the maps I created sitting side my side to represent my data.  The one on the right is the first map I created and the map on the left is the second.  I find the Age 62 years and older more cartograpically pleasing to the eye but I do think the right color schemes were chosen for each map.  The basemaps in the background really add a nice piece to the map all the color schemes to pop out more because of the grey background. 

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau 2010

Cartographer: Tanner Borgen