Data Resource Library
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To find community examples and tools for collecting and using health data, browse through all content or select by topic.
About These Tools
The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust is presenting these data tools for your information and use, but did not create them. These tools may be subject to copyright, and should be used within the terms of use outlined in any copyright restrictions.
Be Advised
We hope you find these tools useful. We advise you to keep in mind that the content in these tools may cover sensitive issues that could be triggering for certain individuals.
Category: Census-tract Data
Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool provides information about environmental health burdens on communities.
Census Reporter
Census Reporter provides journalists with easy access to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Population and dollar figures are broken down by category: Demographics, Economics, Families, Housing and Social.
Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy Data
This is a dataset that provides information on severe housing problems and needs among households needing housing assistance, especially low-income households. The data are updated every four years (quadrennially) and available at the state, county, and census-tract levels through a web-based table generator (also known as a query tool) or complete downloadable sets of data files. The data are also stratified by race and ethnicity, household income, and more.
U.S. Decennial Census Data
This census conducted every ten years by the United States Census Bureau counts every person living in the United States, regardless of citizenship status, and provides an accurate demographic makeup in the country. The data source provides detailed information about the characteristics of the U.S. population at the state level, including age, sex, race and ethnicity, household size, residence in urban or rural areas, etc.
Food Access Research Atlas
This dashboard maps the selected food access indicators, such as the accessibility to sources of healthy food (the distance to the nearest grocery store), individual vehicles or public transportation availability, and the average income of the family or neighborhood to examine food security at the census-tract level and county levels. The data source is updated every four years (quadrennially), and the website features a comparison between the current and previous cycle data for users to track the difference geographically.
CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index
This tool is used to determine the relative social vulnerability of every U.S. Census Tract. The SVI data are updated bi-annually and available in different formats, such as interactive maps, tables, and excel files. SVI is based on themes including Socioeconomic Status, Household Characteristics, Racial and Ethnic Minority Status, and Housing Type and Transportation, which factors are associated with the community’s ability to prevent human suffering and economic loss from natural or human-caused disasters or disease outbreaks. More importantly, SVI helps public health officials and local planners identify socially vulnerable populations and better support the groups to prepare, respond, and recover from disaster or disease outbreak events.
American Community Survey
The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey program conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. ACS offers one-year and five-year estimates, as well as demographic characteristics for states and localities. The ACS estimates are often used to track shifting demographics, learn about the local communities, and establish priorities for allocating funding and resources effectively for research and advocacy work.
Healthy Communities NC Dashboard
The interactive Healthy Communities NC Data Dashboard brings together and visualizes indicator data related to the Healthy NC 2030 goals. Data are displayed at the county and census-tract levels, as well as by region (mountains, sandhills, Triangle, Charlotte-metro, etc.) and show relative rankings to compare one county to others across the state. Using this tool, you can see an overview of your county’s status and challenges, and compare them with other counties / communities in the state.