100 metros analysis user’s guide

100 Metros AnalysisUser’s Guide

Atlanta Regional CommissionFor more information contact:

mcarnathan@atlantaregional.com

You will see this site:

LEGEND

MAP

BAR CHART

DATA TABLE

Quick Tip!

BAR CHART

To understand how metro Atlanta compares to the other large metro areas, just focus on the Bar Chart – it automatically sorts each metro from lowest to highest. More about the Bar Chart later!

THE LEGEND:Controlling Variables, Color and Appearance of the Map

Navigating the Legend

Notice how each circle on the legend describes the MSA characteristic on both the map and bar graph.

Atlanta

Variable SelectorClick here to change the variable being displayed.

Variable SelectorThe column on the left lists the categories to choose from, such as education, health, housing market, or demographics.

Variable SelectorThe column on the right lists the specific variables, including number of residents with a bachelor’s degree, percent in good health, or housing price index.

Appearance and ColorThe wrench icon allows you to access the display settings, and adjust color scheme and appearance.

Appearance and ColorBINNING:This allows you to adjust the bins to a desired parameters.

You can select the breaks either in quantiles (top 20%, bottom 20%), or by equally spaced intervals.

Appearance and ColorAPPEARANCE:This allows you to customize the map color and legend display.

There are plenty of colors to choose from, so pick the scheme that best fits your purpose.

Appearance and ColorThere are lots of other options and effects to choose from, so play around with them to tailor your map!

THE MAP:Selecting and

Presenting Data

Map BasicsThe scale bar allows you to zoom in or out.

The hand tool allows you to pan and drag the map to your desired picture.

The arrow tool allows you to select individual cities or cities within a region.

Map Basics

When moving the mouse over the map, you can see individual MSA values for the variable being displayed in the legend.

Selecting on the MapUsing the arrow tool, click and drag to highlight specific cities or regions.

Selecting on the MapYou can also click and drag on the data table to highlight specific bins. These selections will appear on the map.

Map SettingsThe wrench in the top left hand corner will adjust the display settings on the map. The current default settings are recommended for analysis.

THE BAR CHART:Graphically Presenting

Data

Bar ChartThe chart automatically sorts the selected variable from lowest to highest.

To change the variablebeing represented, click here.

Lowest % w/ Bachelor’s Highest % w/ Bachelor's

Bar Chart

Here, you have the familiar “Attribute Selector” Menu, with categories and variables listed. Select the variable you wish.

Bar Chart

KEY POINT: You must select “Remove all” before selecting another variable, otherwise the variables will be “stacked” and unreadable.

Bar ChartAfter selecting your new variable, see how the bar chart sorts out the MSAs into a new hierarchy.

Least % Pop over age 65 Most % Pop over age 65

Bar Chart

Click and drag on the bar chart to isolate the highest or lowest values to discover regional trends.

(Florida has the top four cities with percentage of pop. over age 65!)

FL

DATA TABLE:Enhancing Your Analysis

Data Table

This icon at the bottom of the page is housing the Data Table. This is another useful tool for data selection.

Data Table

This table lists all 100 Metros. You can highlight individual or multiple MSAs by using +Shift or +Ctrl.

Data Table

Click on the wrench to add more columns of data.

Data Table

Click on the wrench to add more columns of data.

The Open selector button will allow you to access the list of variable categories to add to the chart. Select the categories you wish to display.

Data Table

The data table is now populated with the desired values. You can sort highest to lowest by clicking on the top headers.

100 METROS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!

Atlanta Regional CommissionFor more information contact:

mcarnathan@atlantaregional.com