Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a Social Work Tool

Mapping

An introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) concepts and tools.

US Census Data
You will find data for population, age, housing, income, economic information, geographic data, etc. The US Census also provides a mapping tool to help visualize Census statistics and data.

U.S. Postal Service Zip Code Lookup web site.
Note zip codes can change over time when comparing earlier data.
MassStats
Interactive Maps and Statistical Views of Massachusetts at the City level with data for Education, Housing, Crime, Politics and Public Health. Click on "I" icon then click on city to view data table.
World Health Organization Global Health Atlas
Select from categories such as Communicable Diseases, Human Resources for Health, Noncommunicable Diseases and World Health Statistics. Additional sub-categories may be selected under each heading. Choose geographic area or country. Over 20 years of data.
DataDiversity.org
Create customized reports describing over 100 measures of diversity, opportunity, and quality of life for 362 metropolitan areas.
StatPlanet
Open access data and mapping from international organizations. Select Drugs and Crime category
more...less...
Select Health.
World Databank. World Bank
Includes World Development Indicators, Global Development Finance, Education Statistics, Health Nutrition and Population Statistics, Africa Development Indicators, Global Economic Monitor and Millennium Development Goals. Includes mapping and graphing tools.

PolicyMap This link opens in a new window
PolicyMap is a GIS tool for non-GIS users." PolicyMap is used as a data visualization tool in the social sciences, urban studies and planning, real estate and housing analysis, community and economic development, public administration and policy, public health, political science, education, environmental studies, business and finance, economics, statistics and geography, among other areas. Downloadable data.
Data Axle This link opens in a new window
Directory of more than 55 million U.S. businesses. Information includes company name, divisions and subsidiaries, address, line of business, number of employees, annual sales and competitors. Coverage: current, updated continuously. Also includes job and internship listings.
Social Explorer This link opens in a new window
Social Explorer is a research tool designed to provide quick and easy access to historical census data and demographic information. It creates maps and reports to help users visually analyze and understand demography and social change throughout history. Currently includes the entire US Census history from 1790 to 2000, all annual updates from the American Community Survey. Users can customize, save, print, and email maps and reports and export them to a variety of programs and statistical packages for further analysis and use in reports and presentations.

Interactive Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke
School District Demographics (National Center for Education Statistics)
Census 2000 School District Profiles which includes census data along with number of students, teachers and schools and a Local Education Agency Finance Survey. Also offers Census 2000 School District Maps.
Boston Planning & Development Agency Maps of Boston Neighborhoods (BRA)
Maps and aerial photos of Boston neighborhoods. Look for local agencies for other cities which might provide more in depth breakdowns of major cities with neighborhood breakdowns.
NCHHSTP Atlas
County level maps and data for STD by age and ethnic group.
GeoFred
Map economic data such as employment, unemployment, housing vacancy and health insurance coverage at the state, county and metropolitan statistical areas.