US Census and data analysis in public affairs

This assignment consists of two parts: a Word (or text) document, and an Excel file. Both parts must be submitted. Objectives Explain the role of the US Census and data collected by the US Census Bureau in public affairs. Use US Census Bureau functions to collect data about the nation, a State, a county, and a municipality. Enter data into Excel, and use basic functions to present and manipulate the data. Use the data and analysis in (2) and (3) above to write a one-page, data informed comparative brief. Instructions Part 1: Follow the steps below and answer the questions in a Word document Go to Census.govLinks to an external site. and click on Heres how you know US Census webpage with yellow box around “Here’s how you know” in message bar at top of page What does it say? Why is this important information if you want to be a well-informed citizen? Scroll down this Census landing page and choose one topic, press release, or blog post you find interesting. Get more information about it by clicking on your selection. What is the web address? How does this selection relate to you as a citizen? How does this selection relate to a policy problem? How might a policy maker use this information to make decisions? Spend 30 minutes (or more) clicking through Census.gov. What is the web address for the part you found most interesting? In a few sentences, describe the most interesting part you found. Why do you think that part is particularly interesting to you? How might a policy maker use this information to make decisions? Consider the following: The Constitution of the United States, Article I, Section 2 states, The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct.” The founders of the United States thought a Census was so important that it is enshrined in the US Constitution. Read more at About the Decennial Census of Population and HousingLinks to an external site. In plain wordssimple enough for your Uncle Bernie to understandwhat is the primary purpose of the decennial census? The Decennial Census website is useful but avoid using jargon. If you have never heard one of the words at the dinner table before, then probably Uncle Bernie has not either. After completing Part 2 below, finish Part 1 by writing a one-page single-spaced brief that compares and contrasts the geographic units in terms of key measures. Use the table and charts/figures/graphs you collected in Part 2. Help the reader understand how your context fits into its larger contexts. What are key similarities and differences among the geographic levels? Consider the city/town/municipality you chose. Would you like to live in this community? Why or why not? Or, in what ways yes, and in what ways no? Imagine you are an elected official responsible for improving life in this city/town/municipality. Based on the data you presented and analyzed, what indicator/variable would you want to change, and how would you attempt to do so? How will you know if you are successful (i.e., what will happen to the indicator/variable you chose?) Part 2: Follow the steps below and submit your response in an Excel document Choose any place in the United States. It can be where you live now, where you would like to live, or any other US place in which you have an interest. Briefly explain why you chose this place. Go to US Census Bureau Data: Filter the data for the place you have chosen. The United States will already appear by default. Then choose the state, the county, and the town/city (Go through county subdivision). Scroll down and select the year 2021 This is what it looks like for my hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut. US Census Bureau Data Profile page with filters for United States, Connecticut, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Fairfield Town/Fairfield County Connecticut, and 2021 enabled. After you have applied the filters, scroll down the page, and you will see the four profiles you just constructed US Census Bureau Data Profiles for United States, Connecticut, Fairfield County, Connecticut, and Fairfield Town/Fairfield County Connecticut Using the profiles, download and complete the Module 2 Assignment Excel file. Download Module 2 Assignment Excel file (attached). The top of each profile will include the first variable from each of the conceptual domains (i.e., Populations and People to Health). US Census Bureau Profile page for Fairfield Town/Fairfield County Connecticut, with yellow boxes around Population and People, Education, and Health conceptual domains If you scroll down the page, you will see that each of the conceptual domains has additional variables. Choose one additional variable from each of the conceptual domains. Important: Every variable with <> in the spreadsheet needs to be replaced with the name you are using in the comparison. Check out this video that explains the Excel functions used in the next part of the assignment. Once you have entered the data, practice some simple Excel functions and enter into the section Constructed Variables at the bottom of the table: Calculate the percentage of the population that is Hispanic: (Hispanic or Latino (any race)/Total Population)*100 Calculate the number of people per household: Total Population/Total Households Calculate the percentage of people without a Bachelors Degree: 100 – Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Practice making some simple graphs, figures, and charts. Be sure to name and label them so that they can be understood without needing any information not depicted in the graph/figure/chart. Using 5(a) above, create a pie chart of percent Hispanic for each geographic unit. Using 5(b) above, create a bar chart of number of people per household. Choose any additional variable you selected in (4) above, and create a graph, figure, or chart series of the geographic units. Note: The Excel file will include the table you filled in, the variables you constructed, and the charts/figures/graphs. You can move the charts/figures/graphs around on the spreadsheet so that they can be viewed. IMPORTANT Remember to go back to Part 1 to complete #5) write a one-page brief before you submit your assignment.