Researching the Local Community: Poverty

The American Community Survey (ACS) of the U.S. Census Bureau uses a series of monthly samples to produce annually updated estimates for small areas (census tracts and block groups).

1. Go to the American Community Survey.
2. On the left, select Data Profiles
3. Select the most recent year.
4. In the box in the middle of the webpage, select your State.
5. Select your County or Place (town).
6. Click Get Data Profile button.
7. The Results appear below the button.
8. Click the following, as desired.
   1. Social Characteristics
   2. Economic Characteristics 
   3. Housing Characteristics
   4. Demographic Characteristics

2012 sites were

• Bethany House Soup Kitchen, 1402 Locust St.
• Salvation Army, 234 S. Eighth St.
• Light House Mission, 1450 Wabash Ave.
• Club Soda, 609 S. Fourth St.
• Booker T. Washington Center, 1101 S. 13th St.
• Freebirds Solution Center, 145 E. Voorhees St.

For more information, call (812) 232-4978.

Indiana INdicators is maintained by the Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana Hospital Association and includes health measures to monitor and evaluate health. 

It is worth taking the time to explore the different parts of this website. There is information on health, education, politics, public safety, transportation, the environment, the economy, and more. A few areas of the website are described below.

Community Dashboards

1. Go to Indiana INdicators at http://www.indianaindicators.org/
2. Under Community Dashboards, enter a county or city name.
3. Press Enter.
4. Suggestions will appear. Choose the one you want.
5. The search will automatically start.
6. Results will appear as a list of health metrics displayed on a colorful bar as compared to the state of Indiana as a whole.

Key Indicators

1. Go to Indiana INdicators at http://www.indianaindicators.org/
2. Under Key Indicators, enter a county or metropolitan region.
3. Press Go.
4. Tables will appear that summarize demographics and characteristics of the selected geographic area.

Maps

1. Select Maps (If necessary, click Get Flash to see the map.)
2. Select Build a Neighborhood Profile
3. Drag the map to the desired location.
4. Click to switch to between NAVIGATE Mode to move the map and SELECT Mode to highlight the desired location. (Click map to select or deselect a tract)
5. When you are ready, click Get Report.