Month in Review – CtSDC & MAGIC – September 2012

Month in Review – CtSDC & MAGIC – September 2012

The Connecticut State Data Center (CtSDC) and the University of Connecticut Libraries Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC) continue to expand upon our web resources to include more data, GIS datasets, interactive maps, historical maps, and aerial photography. During the month of September 2012, most web products experienced an increase in usage, when compared to the same time period one year prior, and the number of inquiries received continues to rise, including the amount of time devoted to each question. Included below are highlights from September 2012 which focuses on five main areas: User Inquiries, Web Content Views, Trends in Webpage Usage, Trends in Keywords, and Projects in Progress.


I. User Inquiries

Total User Inquiries
Included below are the statistics for user inquiries received by phone, email, and in-person during September 2012. As the data clearly visualizes, the number of inquiries continues to rise with the year to date totals representing a 124% increase when compared to the January 1- September 30 of the previous year.


Total Inquiries
Monthly Change
vs. 2011
YTD Inquiries
for 2012
YTD Change
vs. 2011
Connecticut State Data Center
210
99%
1,347
100%
MAGIC
254
116%
1,360
156%

Total
464
149%
2,707
124%




II. Web Content Views

Total Unique Content Views
Included below are the web content unique views statistics for September 2012 which include comparisons with September 2011, the year to date (YTD) unique views and the change in the total number of unique views when compared to the same time period (January 1 – September 30)  from the previous year.

Web Resource
Unique Views
Monthly Change
vs. 2011
YTD Unique Views
for 2012
YTD Change
vs. 2011
Connecticut State Data Center
1,570
19%
13,798
14%
MAGIC 2.0 Online Maps
454
-22%
4,517
-46%
MAGIC  Flickr Collections
36,648
110%
310,858
59%
MAGIC News Blog (Retired)
37
95%
330
28%
MAGIC Website
11,553
-1%
111,089
12%
Outside the Neatline Blog
787
-27%
7,728
12%

Total*
51,049
59%
448,334
39%
* Total includes CT View

Total Content Views
With more users viewing web content more than once from MAGIC and the Connecticut State Data Center, the total views of web content provides a more detailed view of the trends in usage. The following table includes the usage trends for the total number of views, monthly change when compared to same month in 2011, the year to date (YTD) total number of views and the change in total views when compared to the same time period (January 1 – September 30) from the previous year.

Web Resource
Total Views
Monthly Change
vs. 2011
YTD Total Views
for 2012
YTD Change
vs. 2011
Connecticut State Data Center
2,150
9%
20,113
10%
MAGIC 2.0 Online Maps
4,051
-19%
38,421
-53%
MAGIC  Flickr Collections
36,648
110%
310,858
59%
MAGIC News Blog (Retired)
51
132%
468
54%
MAGIC Website
17,497
-3%
173,749
13%
Outside the Neatline Blog
1,128
-25%
10,583
13%

Total*
61,525
40%
554,206
21%
* Total includes CT View

III. Trends in Webpage Usage – September 2012
Ever wondered what the most popular pages are at MAGIC and the Connecticut State Data Center? Included below are the top 5 most popular pages for September 2012.

Most Popular pages – Connecticut State Data Center
Page
Total Views
526
514
275
224
117

Most Popular pages – MAGIC 
Page
Total Views
3,619
 3,053
1,087
1,043
853


Most Popular pages – Outside the Neatline Blog 
Page
Total Views
99
Raster vs Vector         
     91
83
78
58


IV. Trends in Keywords – September 2012
At the Connecticut State Data Center and MAGIC each month we analyze keyword searches conducted on our websites to determine areas to focus increasing accessing to maps, data, and resources. Keyword provide us with an opportunity to see trends, areas for improvement, and have been integral to providing guidance on website development and improvements. Included below are keyword trends for September 2012.

Most Frequent Keywords – Connecticut State Data Center
Keyword
Weston, CT
Suffield
  
Most Frequent Keywords – MAGIC
Keyword
uconn map
beers
birds eye willimantic
fairfield
GIS Day

V. Projects in Progress – September 2012
Each month the students and staff at MAGIC and the Connecticut State Data Center are working on a series of projects, tasks, data sets, and resources which users typically don’t know about until we add the resource to our website. Included below is a list of projects that are currently underway which will be completed in the coming months and made available in their final forms via our websites.

  • Connecticut Population Projections 2015-2025 – Additional scripting and development for the upcoming release of the population projections for Connecticut at the State, County, Regional Planning Agency, and Town levels has prepared the projections for review. During the review phase of these projections, examination of the data provided an opportunity to revised the scripts to enable future updates as new data is provided, and the ability to provide custom cohorts (upon request) and multiple formats for the final data. The projections will be released in October 2012 and this project is still underway and the public is able to view a preliminary version (population estimates are subject to change and revised methodology will be utilized for the final release). View the preliminary projections and the interactive data interface at: http://ctsdc.uconn.edu/projections.html
  • Data Visualization – The Connecticut State Data Center has developed a series of data visualizations using Tableau Public. The visualizations include national, town, and census tract based examples which can be viewed at: http://ctsdc.uconn.edu/dataviz/
  • Slavery Ship Logs Mapping Project – MAGIC and the Connecticut State Library are collaborating to map out the ship logs from 1757-1758 between New London, CT and West Africa. This project involves transcribing the log books into a spreadsheet which can be used to create a map of the voyages. A few samples of the logs are available from the Connecticut State Library website at: http://www.cslib.org/slaverlog.htm
  • Bridgeport and Waterbury Historical Mapping Project – Two interns at MAGIC this semester are georeferencing scans of historic Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps from Yale University for Bridgeport and Waterbury. These maps will be used to help map out data from the 1920s census for Waterbury and to examine census data in Bridgeport.
  • ACS 2011 – 1 Year Estimates – Connecticut State Data Center is in the process of creating downloadable datasets for the 2011 ACS 1 Year estimates datasets. The datasets will include spreadsheet and geodatabase files for state, county, congressional districts, and the 8 largest towns in Connecticut and will be made available to the public once completed via the Connecticut State Data Center website at: http://ctsdc.uconn.edu/connecticut_census_data.html
Have an idea for a project or suggestions for improvements to MAGIC and the Connecticut State Data Center’s website and web offerings? Leave us a comment or contact us at magic@uconn.edu.  



Each month we will be posting a “Month in Review” article so check back next month to see the latest information on usage trends at MAGIC and the Connecticut State Data Center.


Connecticut State Data Center Annual Affiliates Meeting – May 11, 2012

The Connecticut State Data Center Annual Affiliates Meeting will be held on May 11, 2012 at the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus and will be include a live stream to enable virtual participation. The meeting will include presenters from state agencies, colleges/universities, organizations, businesses, centers, and more and will provide an opportunity to learn more about data within Connecticut and will encourage collaboration.

This meeting will feature a presentation from Ana Maria Garcia from the U.S. Census Bureau on the American Community Survey and the afternoon will feature a series of hands-on workshops related to data usage and mapping.

This meeting is open to the public and please share this announcement with anyone that would be interested in attending.

Details for the Connecticut State Data Center Annual Affiliates Meeting are included below

Date: Friday May 11, 2012

Time: 10:00am-4:00pm

Location: University of Connecticut Thomas J. Dodd Research Center – Storrs Campus

Cost: Free!

Who should attend?: Anyone is welcome to attend this meeting


Registration: Click Here to Register for In-person or for the Live Webcast  

Parking: Parking is available in the South Parking Garage

For more details on this event visit: http://ctsdc.uconn.edu/affiliates/

MAGIC and Connecticut State Data Center Workshops – Fall Semester

Included below is a listing of upcoming workshops offered by the University of Connecticut Libraries Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC) and the Connecticut State Data Center for Fall Semester 2011. All of these workshops are free and open to the public. Links to register for each workshop are included below:

Georeferencing Maps – Basics
Do you have scanned or digitized maps you would like to incorporate within your research using ArcGIS or other mapping software? This workshop will provide an overview of how to take a scanned map and append geographic coordinates, a process known as georeferencing, which will enable you to create customized maps.
Day Date Time Location Max
Enrollment
Register
Friday 11/11/11 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Babbidge Library Undergraduate Research Classroom 20 Register

Locating Census 2010 Data using the NEW American FactFinder
The U.S. Census Bureau has introduced a NEW American FactFinder online Census data tool with enhanced searching and data display capabilities in conjunction with the release of 2010 Census data.  In this workshop you will learn how to use the new American FactFinder to locate and download data  – and create thematic maps – from a wide variety of population, economic, and housing information in the 2010 and 2000 decennial Censuses. From information on individual neighborhoods or zip codes, to state- or national-level data, the new American FactFinder is a powerful tool for navigating the vast amounts of data made available by the U.S. Census Bureau. The new American FactFinder will also soon replace the legacy American FactFinder as the platform for retrieving data from the American Community Survey (the ongoing Census program which produces data on educational attainment, income, occupation, marital status, and other detailed social and economic characteristics), and will also deliver data from the Economic Census. Join us to learn more about how to effectively navigate the NEW American FactFinder.
Day Date Time Location Max
Enrollment
Register
Wednesday 11/30/11 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Babbidge Library Level 2 Electronic Classroom 18 Register



Making Maps Online with ArcGIS.com

Want to create a map and share it with colleagues or a class? This hands-on workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to learn how to create maps using ArcGIS.com which can integrate data from multiple sources, be viewed on mobile devices, and create a series of maps to highlight areas of interest for projects and/or your own research.
Day Date Time Location Max
Enrollment
Register
Monday 10/24/11 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Babbidge Library Level 1 Electronic Classroom 20 Register
Wednesday 10/26/11 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Babbidge Library Level 1 Electronic Classroom 20 Register

Geography Awareness Week Kickoff Event – November 3, 2011 @ UConn

Geography: The Adventures in Your Community
Thursday, November 3, 2011 4:45-8:00pm
Thomas J Dodd Research Center at UConn
Storrs, Connecticut
The heart of this year’s theme will revolve around a series of topics that encourage individuals or teams of students, families, or friends to explore their own communities through geographic eyes, and challenge them to look at things from a geographic perspective.
Program Agenda
4:00-4:30 Pre-conference tour of UConn Libraries – MAGIC
4:30-4:45 Registration – Thomas J. Dodd Research Center
4:45-5:00 Welcome – Bill DeGrazia & Tom Brodnitzki, CGA Co-Coordinators
5:00-6:00 Keynote Speaker – Arthur Bakis – U.S. Census Bureau Boston Regional Office
6:05-6:55 Buffet Dinner and Remarks
7:00-7:50 Breakout Sessions
I – Elementary Teachers – Allyson Lubs, Professional Development CGA
II – Middle & High School Teachers – Kristie Blanchard, NE Geography Teacher of the Year
III – Exploration of American Community Survey (ACS) –
Michael Howser, Connecticut State Data Center
7:50-8:00 CEU Records and Drawings

Participation Fee: $25 (add $10 if you would like to be awarded .3 CEUs upon completion of the program). The fee includes registration and a light dinner. Checks should be made payable to “Connecticut Geographic Alliance.
Pre-Service Teachers receive a reduced registration fee of $10 and currently enrolled UConn Students receive free admission.
This workshop is a collaboration of the Connecticut Geographic Alliance, University of Connecticut Department of Geography, University of Connecticut Libraries Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC), and the Connecticut State Data Center.
To register for this event download the Registration form.

Consolidated Federal Funds Report: 2010 and Federal Aid to States for Fiscal Year 2010

These two reports provide an overview of virtually all federal spending at the national, state and county levels. The Consolidated Federal Funds Report shows spending for procurement contracts, salaries and wages, direct payments and loans, grants and insurance. The Federal Aid to States report show federal grants to state and local government.


Consolidated Federal Funds Report: 2010 <http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/cffr-10.pdf> [PDF] 


Federal Aid to States for Fiscal Year 2010 <http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/fas-10.pdf> [PDF].

Highlights [PDF]

2010 ACS 1 Year Estimates Released – 9/22/2011


The 2010 American Community Survey (ACS) 1 year estimates were released today (9/22/2011). These estimates provide detailed social, economic and housing estimates (e.g. education, langauge, income, poverty, housing value, etc.) for geographic areas with a population of at least 65,000.

The 2010 American Community Survey (ACS) 1 year estimates include data for the state of Connecticut, Connecticut Counties, and Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford, and Waterbury.
For additional information on the release visit: http://www.census.gov/acs/www/data_documentation/2010_release/

The 2010 ACS 1yr Estimates are accessible through the NEW American Factfinder located here: http://factfinder2.census.gov/

August 2011 – New American FactFinder Workshops at UConn Storrs

Are you interested in downloading and using 2010 U.S. Census for Connecticut and having trouble using the New American FactFinder? Are you interested in learning more about how to use the New American FactFinder to access data from the 2010 U.S. Census? The Connecticut State Data Center is offering workshops at the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus to provide users with an opportunity to learn more about the New American FactFinder in a hands-on workshop environment. Included below are the upcoming workshops dates/times and registration links:
Workshop Dates:
August 9, 2011 from 10:00am-11:30am
August 11, 2011 from 1:00pm-2:30pm
August 12, 2011 from 10:00-11:30am
These workshops are free and open to the public.
Workshop Location:
Each of these workshops are being held at the University of Connecticut Homer Babbidge Library on the Storrs Campus in Electronic Classroom 2 on Level 2 of the Homer Babbidge Library. Parking is available in South Parking Garage (located just behind the UConn Co-op) and parking costs must be paid in cash upon exiting the garage.
Space is limited so register early and feel free to share this announcement with anyone that may be interested in attending this workshop. Additional sessions of this workshop will be offered over the coming months, so be sure to check the Connecticut State Data Center’s website for the latest events (http://ctsdc.uconn.edu). 

2012 Census of Governments is Fast Approaching!

The Census of Governments  begins in October of 2011 with the mailing of the Government Units Survey.  This survey collects descriptive information on the basic characteristics of local governments in preparation for the 2012 Census of Governments.  Data from this survey will also be used to produce the official count of local government units in the United States and to update and verify the mailing addresses of government units.  In 2012, the Census Bureau will request data on the employment and finances of state and local governments.

Under Title 13, Section 161, the Census of Governments has been conducted for years ending in “2” and “7” since 1957.  The Census of Governments provides the only source of comprehensive, uniform statistics on the economic activity of state and local governments, as it identifies the scope and nature of the Nation’s state and local government sector; provides authoritative benchmark figures of public finance and public employment; classifies local government organizations, powers, and activities; and measures federal, state, and local fiscal relationships.  Following the activity of governments over time tells the story of the fiscal condition of federal, state, and local government thus helping policy makers make informed decisions. 

Data from the Census of Governments are used by the Bureau of Economic Analysis as input to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Federal Reserve Board as input to the Flow of Funds account.  State and local governments use the data to develop programs and budgets, assess financial conditions, and perform comparative analysis.

The first data from the Census of Governments is scheduled for release beginning in August 2012 providing the number and types of government units by state.  More comprehensive data will follow.    If you have questions or would like further information on the Census of Governments, please call 1-800-242-2184 or via e-mail at govs.cms.inquiry@census.gov.  General information and data can also be obtained at http://www.census.gov/govs/

Census Bureau to Release 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Connecticut on Thursday June 30

Next week, the U.S. Census Bureau will release the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Nebraska and North Carolina. During June through August, the Census Bureau will provide statistics for states each week on a flow basis. These Summary File 1 tables will provide the most detailed information available so far from the 2010 Census, including cross-tabulations of age, sex, households, families, relationship to householder, characteristics of owners and renters, detailed race and Hispanic or Latino origin groups, and group quarters.

The Summary File will be available for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The information will be available for a variety of geographic areas, with most tables available down to the block or census tract level.

When:

The Summary File 1 for these states will be available on an embargoed basis for accredited media who are registered for access on Tuesday, June 28 at 10 a.m. The embargo will be lifted and the information released publicly on Thursday, June 30 at 12:01 a.m.

To apply for embargo access, go to our Newsroom at <http://www.census.gov/newsroom> and click on “Embargoed Releases.” Please review the Embargo Policy carefully before submitting the embargo registration form.

Online Press Kit:

For more information about the release of Summary File 1, please visit <http://2010.census.gov/news/press-kits/summary-file-1.html>

2010 U.S. Census Connecticut Demographic Profiles Shapefiles Now Available

The 2010 U.S. Census Connecticut Demographic Profiles data and shapefiles that include this data are now available for Download from the Connecticut State Data Center website! Included below are the details on this dataset:

2010 U.S. Census Demographic Profiles Data for Connecticut
• Geographies available: State, 111th Congressional Districts, County, Connecticut House District, Connecticut Senate District, and Town
• Downloadable data available in .csv format for each geography and includes a data codebook to describe each column of data
• 2010 U.S. Census shapefiles which include the demographic profile data for each geography are provided in WGS 1984 and Connecticut State Plane NAD 83 projections and include FGDC metadata