US Census and American Community Survey

Why Map Census Data?

Mapping census data helps us see patterns that might be hidden in tables or charts. By displaying demographic information—like race, income, age, or housing—on a map, we can easily identify trends across neighborhoods, cities, or regions. This spatial perspective makes it easier to explore questions about inequality, access to resources, population change, or historical development. Whether you’re comparing urban and rural areas or tracking changes over time, maps make census data more visual, intuitive, and impactful.

Mapping Census Data with Social Explorer

Social Explorer is an easy-to-use tool for visualizing U.S. Census and American Community Survey (ACS) data on interactive maps. It’s available through UWM Libraries and works directly in your browser—no special software required.

You can use Social Explorer to:

• Map population, income, education, housing, and more over time
• Zoom in to counties, ZIP codes, census tracts, or states
• Compare maps from different decades side by side
• Download tables or images for use in research or presentations

Data Available:

• Decennial Census: 1790 to 2020
• ACS: 1-year and 5-year estimates
• Religious, economic, and health survey data (limited)

Getting Started:

1. Go to Social Explorer (UWM Access) and sign in with your UWM credentials if prompted.
2. Click “Maps” and use the menu to choose a dataset (e.g., Census 2020).
3. Select a variable (like median income or % renters) and watch the map update.
4. Use the tools at the top to export data or create side-by-side map comparisons.

Social Explorer is especially helpful if you're looking to visualize patterns across neighborhoods or track how communities have changed over time.

Pro tip: Use the legend and time slider to explore changes from decade to decade!