Using SimplyAnalytics: Editing Your Map and Locations

Key Points

• The map is the default view when you create a project. 
• The map can only display one variable at a time. 

Drop Down Options

• You can change what is shown on the map by selecting the variables you want in the drop downs above the map.  
• The map will default to different geographic granularities depending on what kind of location you first input. For example, if you choose a state, it will show counties. If you choose a city, it will show census tracts. 

Census Tracts, Block Groups

What is a census tract or block group you may be wondering?

Census Tracts

• Are small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county
• Generally have a population size between 1,200 and 8,000 people, with an optimum size of 4,000 people.
• The spatial size of census tracts varies widely depending on the density of settlement.
• Census tract boundaries are delineated with the intention of being maintained over a long time so that statistical comparisons can be made from census to census.

Block Groups

• Are always nested inside a census tract
• Have between 600-3000 people
• You can also think of them as having between 240 and 1,200 housing units

More information can be found from SimplyAnalytics FAQs.

Zip Codes - Good and Bad 

Zip codes are created by the US Post Office to help with mail delivery. The number of people in a zip code can vary widely. Some towns have multiple zip codes, and the boundaries can change over time. In densely populated urban areas, some buildings are given their own unique zip codes. For example, the Empire State Building has its own zip code. In DC, federal agencies also have their own zip codes. 

Zip codes are very familiar to us, and they are commonly used in marketing research. However, you will want to keep in mind all of the above when comparing zip code locations to each other. Because census tracts and block groups have more statistical control and less numeric variability, they can be better suited for statistical analysis. 

How Zip Codes Work In SimplyAnalytics

The US Census Bureau will assign census blocks to zip codes, creating a similar entity known as the zip code tabulation area (ZCTA). SimplyAnalytics shows the ZCTA when it displays zip codes.

See here for more information - US Census Zip Code Tabulation Areas. 

Information Cursor

The default cursor lets you move the map around and recenter it. However, you can select the information cursor that looks like an "i" that will show you the information about a particular shaded area of the map when you click on it. 

How to Add or Edit you Locations

Click on the Locations tab located on the left of the screen. 

Comparing Metro Areas

If you want to compare different metro areas to each other - for example college towns like Oxford, Bloomington, IN, and Gainesville, FL - you can just type in the names of the cities.

The map will readjust based on the last location. 

Ring or Radius Maps

Ring and radius are used interchangeably in SimplyAnalytics. You can create a custom radius around any location. 

Step One

Click on Custom Locations Show

Step Two

Click on create New Radius Location

Step Three

Enter your location and how large you want the radius to be. The default is 1 mile, but you can make this larger. 

Step Four

Your new radius location is created. It will also be automatically saved for you if you are logged in. 

You have a lot of control of what information is displayed on the map and how it is displayed. Besides choosing variables from the drop down menus and choosing specific locations, you can make changes to the map in the legend. 

To get started, Click on Edit at the bottom of the legend. 

Classification Methods

For most projects, you will probably want to leave this unchanged. 

However, advanced users may wish to change this. See this FAQ for more information on the classification methods. 

Number of Categories

This will change how the variables appear and how they are distributed in the category ranges. 

Colors

You can change the display colors of the map. You can also change the outline thickness to zero to remove all the border outlines between areas.

Once you have selected all your choices, click on Done and your map will refresh and show your changes.