Help & Guide

Understanding the Data

The site uses official U.S. Census Bureau surveys to provide estimates at both the state and county level. In some cases, data from different tables are combined to highlight social, economic, and demographic patterns across the country.

Basic Statistics Explained

• Percentages: Show how large one group is compared to the whole. For example, the percent of people in poverty or the percent of a population that is Hispanic.
• Ratios: Compare one quantity to another in relative terms. For example, the ratio of men to women working full-time shows how many men there are for every woman in the workforce.
• Percent Change: Measures how much a number increased or decreased over time. For example, the percent change in population from 2000 to 2023.
• Income Quintiles: Divide all households into five equal groups based on income, from the lowest 20% to the highest 20%. This helps show how income is spread across the population and whether more of it is concentrated at the top or more evenly distributed.

How to Read the Maps

• Each map shows data by geographic area (state or county).
• Darker or brighter shades usually mean higher values. Lighter colors often represent lower values.
• All states on national maps are clickable, but only some will display exact numbers or percentages when hovered over.
• Clicking a state on a national map opens a zoomed-in map showing that state’s counties.
• Legends explain what the map colors mean — always refer to the legend to understand the values.

What Went Into the Data and Visuals

The data used on this site is pulled from the most recent national surveys and grouped by location. In some cases, values from multiple tables were combined to create more complete indicators — such as income by educational attainment or race by nativity.

County and state codes were used to keep the geography accurate. When showing changes over time, values were matched by location and then used to calculate growth or decline. In charts, categories are organized clearly to highlight major patterns or gaps.

Using the Site

• Use the menu on the left side of each page to switch between different topics.
• Click anywhere on a map to dive deeper into a specific state.
• Charts appear below or next to maps and will update depending on what state or category is selected.
• If something looks off, make sure your browser is zoomed at 100% and refresh the page.

Who This Site Is For

This site is designed for students, educators, policymakers, and anyone curious about how social and economic conditions vary across the U.S. It aims to simplify complex data into clear, useful insights.