Geovisualizing Economic Data

Building an Exploratory Spatial Data

Tool for U.S. Metropolitan Gross

Domestic Product (GDP) Data

Timmy HuynhGEOG 461WMay 2, 2014

Introduction to topic

Economic map went viral in Feb 2014

Clearly showed U.S. metro areas as economic powerhouses

But not dynamicWhat does it mean

for U.S. economic activities to be concentrated in just a handful of metros?

“The Economy”, Cities, & ESDA

GDP as a measure (the measure?) of economy GDP = gross domestic product

Complicated calculation that alienates most non-economists (Coyle 2014; Karabell 2014)

Cities as concentration of knowledge/skills (Glaeser 2011; Henderson 2000; Krugman 1995)

Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (Andrienko et al. 2001; Anselin 1994/5; etc.)

Data sources

U.S. Census Bureau Core Based Statistical Areas, 2013 Population, 2000 & 2010

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Gross Domestic Product by Metropolitan Area, 2001-

2012 Included by industry or industry groups (but some

suppression)

Potential features

ESDA concepts Brushing, linking, highlighting, classification, etc.

Graphs showing different trends Average metro GDP, % of U.S. total

Simple animation over time GDP vs. population as animated through time

Screenshot