Racial Dot Maps Based on Dasymetrically Modeled Gridded Population Data

Anna Dmowska and Tomasz F. Stepinski
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Anna Dmowska: Space Informatics Lab, Department of Geography and GIS, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0131, USA
Tomasz F. Stepinski: Space Informatics Lab, Department of Geography and GIS, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0131, USA

Social Sciences, 2019, vol. 8, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: Racial geography, mapping spatial distributions of different racial groups, is of keen interest in a multiracial society like the United States. A racial dot map is a method of visualizing racial geography, which depicts spatial distribution, population density, and racial mix in a single, easy-to-understand map. Because of the richness of information it carries, the dot map is an excellent tool for visual analysis of racial distribution. Presently-used racial dot maps are based on the Census data at the tract or the block level. In this paper, we present a method of constructing a more spatially-accurate racial dot map based on a sub-block-resolution population grid. The utility of our dot maps is further enhanced by placing dots on the map in random order regardless of the race they represent in order to achieve a more accurate depiction of local racial composition. We present a series of comparisons between dot maps based on tract, block, and grid data. The advantage of a grid-based dot map is evident from the visual comparison of all maps with an actual image of the mapped area. We make available the R code for constructing grid-based dot maps. We also make available 2010 grid-based racial dot maps for all counties in the conterminous United States.

Keywords: racial dot maps; racial segregation; racial diversity; gridded population data; Census areal units (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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