Actual Data Used
The following data sets were used.
  • Dark Red = negative traits
  • Blue = positive traits
  • Green = nuetral traits
Census Block Groups: Source: 1990 TIGER
Polygons: 168
Note: Block groups formed the base unit for analysis.  All other layers were manipulated to work with block groups.
 Minority: Source: 1990 U.S. Census
Polygons: 52
Note: polygons with > 25% non-white
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Hispanic: Source: 1990 U.S. Census
Polygons: 17
Note: polygons with >10% hispanic
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Poor: Source: 1990 U.S. Census
Polygons: 53
Note: polygons with > 25% poor
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Delinquent
Density:
Source: 1990 U.S. Census; Kent County Juvenile Courts
Polygons: 28
Note: polygons with [delinquent cases/(10-17 year olds)] > 5%
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Neglect
Density:
Source: 1990 U.S. Census; Kent County Juvenile Courts
Polygons: 51
Note: polygons with [neglect cases/(0-13 year olds)] > .8%
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Pollution: Source: Toxic Release Inventory System (TRI); Permit Compliance System (PCS); Biennial Reporting System (BRS)
  • TRI: data on annual estimated releases of over 300 toxic chemicals to air, water, and land by the manufacturing industry. Industrial facilities provide the information
  • PCS: wastewater discharge from industries and municipal treatment plants
  • BRS: treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) facilities and major generators of hazardous waste
Polygons: 32
Note: polygons with at least 1 toxic facility
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Superfund: Source: EPA (current sites, archived sites, and pending sites)
Polygons: 10
Note: polygons with at least 1 toxic facility
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Schools: Source: USGS
Polygons: 23
Note: polygons with at least 2 schools in it
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Hospitals: Source: USGS
Polygons: 4
Note: polygons with at least 1 hospital in it
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Church
Density
Source: USGS, 1990 U.S. Census
Polygons: 26
Note: polygons with < 500 people/church [total population/# of churches]
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United Way
Density:
Source: Heart of West Michigan United Way's First Call for Help; 1990 U.S. Census
Polygons: 47
Note: polygons with <500 people/united way agency [total population/# of United Way sites]
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