In the last year and a half, we have shown many maps on this blog. As we tell the stories of our data, nothing can do that better than a visual. We have enjoyed creating maps to show the many variables that we have available, including environmental, crime data, consumer behaviors, and more. A picture is worth a thousand words, but maps are worth at least double (okay, maybe not double, but we are map nerds, okay?).
If you look closely, you will see that all of the maps were created with the same tool: Maptitude from Caliper. We love Maptitude for a variety of reasons: it is easy to use, cost effective and it creates great maps. For our fellow geographers, this is a tool that we think you should have installed on your computer. Even I, the marketing person with minor training, can upload data and create a map, though Gary creates the majority of the maps that we show on these pages.
But don’t take our word for it, here are some maps made by Brett Lucas, Senior Planner at the City of Cheney and Geography Instructor.
Map #1 – Here is a map that looks at Motor Vehicle Theft in Spokane relative to the percentage of households making incomes less than $25,000 annually, using our CrimeRisk database. As one can see with the scatter plot, there is a decent correlation between the two variables.
Map #2 – Covid-19 Maps for May 16 to May 22, 2021. Latest Covid-19 hotspot map looking at the change in cases per capita per 100,000 people at the County Level. Several hotspots in Appalachia and northern Missouri. Other hotspot clusters in Columbus GA, southern Colorado, Texas panhandle, greater Minneapolis, and in Oregon and Washington. New hotspot in Concho County TX, with an outbreak at the Eden Correctional Facility.
Map #3 – After driving Iowa SR-92 between Greenfield and Washington, Brett was inspired to make the map below. This compares the geographic pull of the communities along that transect between 1970 and 2020. As the population of these communities and surrounding communities change over time, the geographic pull of these communities change as well. The population growth in Pella and Oskaloosa (increased trade area pull), have negatively impacted the trade areas of Knoxville and Sigourney. The city of Washington has seen its trade area decrease with the population growth of Iowa City. Measurements of trade area change were done using the Huff Model, comparing 1970 and 2020 populations.
Maps tell a story, and are vital to showing clients and stakeholders the story of the data.
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