U.S. Census Bureau Launches New Interactive Mapping Tool

Census Explorer is an engaging new interactive mapping tool from the U.S. Census Bureau that provides neighborhood level statistics using updated data from the 2008-2012 American Community Survey (ACS). Characteristics include:

• Total population
• Percent 65 and older
• Foreign-born population percentage
• Percent of the population with a high school degree or higher
• Percent with a bachelor's degree or higher
• Labor force participation rate
• Home ownership rate
• Median household income

"Census Explorer is another useful tool, like the dwellr and America's Economy mobile apps, that the Census Bureau has developed to disseminate statistics faster and make them easier to access," Census Bureau Director John H. Thompson added. "This interactive map helps users to learn more about the social, economic and housing characteristics of their communities — the same characteristics that drive decision-making from the local to the national level."

Over at The Atlantic Cities, Emily Badger uses Census Explorer to probe "where homeownership rates are the highest and, conversely, where renters live," in cities across the United States.