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Neighborhoods ... examining geographic-demographic-economic patterns & trends
How have neighborhoods of interest changed between 2000 and 2010? Since 2010? How will a neighborhood change going forward? How does a neighborhood's current and trending characteristics compare to adjacent of peer neighborhoods? This section is focused on resources and methods to examine neighborhood geographic, demographic and economic characteristics and change. The exact geographic definition of a neighborhood is elusive; neighborhood geography is not defined by a national standard. Many areas have multiple neighborhood renderings. While many counties/cities have well defined neighborhoods, most do not. To examine the demographic-economic characteristics of a neighborhood, the best options are to use a combination of census blocks, block groups and census tracts. Nob Hill Neighborhood ... San Francisco, CA The Nob Hill neighborhood in San Francisco has changed in population from 20,142 in 2000 to 18,599 in 2010. The White alone population has grown a little while the Asian alone population has decreased from 11,532 (2000) to 9,705 (2010). These population data are from Census 2000 and Census 2010 and determined by aggregating census block level data. The Nob Hill census block geography did not change from 2000 to 2010 (75 census blocks). Many neighborhoods and census block boundaries and codes change over time complicating longitudinal analysis of neighborhoods. The Nob Hill neighborhood is shown in the following graphic with bold blue boundary; Census 2010 census blocks are shown with lighter blue boundaries. 
The Nob Hill neighborhood in context of San Francisco. 
Neighborhood Demographic-Economic Characteristics Demographic-economic characteristics of neighborhoods play an important role as decision-making information. The similarity, or dissimilarity, of these small area geographies are the basis for many local government planning operations ranging from law enforcement to transportation. They help businesses determine where to locate -- to serve markets where demand for their product or services is greatest. Knowing about neighborhood geography and demographic-economic characteristics are critical to real estate businesses. Census Blocks, Block Groups and Census Tracts Census blocks, block groups and census tracts are the most useful geographies from which we can develop neighborhood demographic-economic characteristics. These geographies are all defined by the Census Bureau and nest together. All counties are comprised of a set of contiguous census tracts. Census tracts average 4,000 population and are comprised of block groups that average 1,200 population. Block groups are comprised of a set of blocks that average 100 population. In built-up urban areas, a census block is often the same as a city block bounded by streets. These areas are defined for each decennial census and most boundaries do not change for the decade. These features of known boundaries, covering the U.S. wall-to-wall, non-changing geography, nesting geographic hierarchy -- and the availability of extensive demographic-economic data -- make them the ideal choices to examine neighborhood characteristics and change. There are advantages and disadvantages for each type of geography. Census Blocks The most appealing feature of census blocks is geographic detail. There are more than 11 million Census 2010 census blocks; approximately 1/3 of these are water blocks and have no population. These are the smallest geographic areas for which the Census Bureau tabulates demographic data. The most limiting feature with using census block demographics is that only decennial census data are available by block; no richer demographics such as income or educational attainment. Block Groups The most appealing feature of block groups is geographic detail combined with availability of 1) decennial census data, 2) richer demographics from the American Community Survey (ACS) and 3) annual updates from ACS. Like blocks, there are no richer demographics for block groups from the decennial census. There are 217,000 Census 2010 block groups. The most limiting features of block group demographics from ACS include 1) a relative high margin of error associated with ACS estimates, 2) a reduced scope of subject matter data compared to census tracts, and 3) data access and integration is challenging. Census Tracts Census tracts were originally designed by the Census Bureau as a pseudo-neighborhood areas averaging 4,000 population. Approximately 73,000 Census 2010 census tracts cover the U.S. wall to wall. Over time, the demographic-economic composition of many tracts change. Tracts changing the most are often of most interest. The advantages of using census tracts is similar to that for block groups. Compared to block groups, tract estimates are more reliable and there is a broader set of subject matter available. Tract data are easier to access and use that block or block group data. One of the most limiting features of using census tracts to characterize neighborhoods is that tract geography often cuts through more than one neighborhood. Additional Information ProximityOne develops geographic-demographic-economic data and analytical tools and helps organizations knit together and use diverse data in a decision-making and analytical framework. We develop custom demographic/economic estimates and projections, develop geographic and geocoded address files, and assist with impact and geospatial analyses. Wide-ranging organizations use our tools (software, data, methodologies) to analyze their own data integrated with other data. Follow ProximityOne on Twitter at www.twitter.com/proximityone. Contact ProximityOne (888-364-7656) with questions about data covered in this section or to discuss custom estimates, projections or analyses for your areas of interest. |
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