Christmas has come early for those who love to dig into Census data and interactive visualizations. The U.S. Census Bureau has launched a new interactive tool that maps eight statistics from the American Community Survey at the neighborhood level.
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.
FULL STORY: Census Bureau Introduces New Interactive Mapping Tool along with Latest American Community Survey Statistics

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.

Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.

Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding
The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.

‘Clybourne Park’ Sets Stage for Housing Equity Discussions
Clybourne Park, a play exploring race, real estate, and community tensions, can set the stage for discussion on the lasting impacts of housing discrimination, gentrification, and the fight for affordability.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service