View tabular data in a thematic map to compare data across different geographic areas. Click here to view a tutorial on creating thematic maps. In a table, select a data value to create a thematic map. For example, you can view and compare the populations of Southern states in a thematic map by searching for state geography data tables and selecting Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Florida. From the table view, click the create a map button and select a data value. Different colors signify different ranges of data values. In the example below,
▪ South Carolina is red because the total population of South Carolina is 3,271,506, which falls within the red range of the legend
▪ Florida is blue because the total population of Florida is 14,040,729, which falls within the blue range of the legend
Showing Statistical Significance
1. From the table view, click create a map, located in the action menu above the table
▪ Note: The create a map button will be grayed out if multiple geographies have not been selected. To enable the button, return to the search results page and add geographies using the geography overlay (see Search Using Geography Overview).
2. Click a blue-hyperlinked cell in the table to map
▪ Example: Below this user selected the estimated number of South Carolina residents with an income in the range of “$1 to $9,999 or loss”.
A pop-up window appears showing the data you are using to create the thematic map
3. Click show map to display a map with the data you chose or click cancel to undo the selection
Click the create a different map button from the actions toolbar on the map view tab to map a different cell. Click the remove map button from the actions toolbar on the table view tab to remove the map view tab.
By default, the thematic map displays data using the natural break classing method. Read Changing Data Classes to learn how to edit the number of data classes, color, level of transparency or classing method.
Thematic maps can include information on the statistical significance of the data, and can also be altered to showing different classes of data on the map.
Use statistical significance to compare geographies to see if they are statistically different from another. Not all thematic maps have the ability to show statistical significance. Read more in Showing Statistical Significance.
A data class is a grouping of data on a thematic map. For example, the number of people in Arizona can be divided into age groups:
▪ Group 1: 0-17 years
▪ Group 2: 18-28 years
▪ Group 3: 29+ years
Each of the age groups 0-17, 18-28, and 29+ represent a data class. By default, a thematic map uses the natural break classing method, yellow to green color ranges, and the number of classes appropriate for the data you choose. To change any of these defaults, see Changing Data Classes.
Showing Statistical Significance
Finding a Location and Repositioning a Map