Weaving the U.S. Census: Visualization and Cross-jurisdictional Exploration and Comparisons

Abstract

Weave (Web-based Analysis and Visualization Environment) facilitates extensive real-time user interaction with visualizations of US Census Bureau data, both geographic and non-geographic. This paper discusses the complexities of preparing a large complex data set for visualization in the tool, and the potential advantages of engaging such data visually. The required pre-processing of the American Community Survey (ACS) data serves as the prime example. The procedure for loading detailed data into Weave is described. Several examples of presenting and interactively manipulating Census data are presented including analytics using R Project supported statistics and how drawing upon Weave's multigeo layering capabilities can support flexibility in implementing normalization options. The development trajectory for weave seeks to expand capabilities for metadata insertion, browsing and searching this rich data source.