Individual Census Tract Analysis Part 1
Due February 6
1. Which census tract in your council district are you analyzing?
Detroit, MI district 3 tract 5036
2. In a few sentences, explain why you chose this tract.
I decided to pick this tract 5036 because my group has decided to work within district.
3. Now you will look up 2020 Decennial Census data on your tract. I recommend using Social Explorer, which you can access using your Wayne State login: https://proxy.lib.wayne.edu/login?url=https://www.socialexplorer.com/
After you log in, click on “Tables” on the left. Then click on “U.S. Decennial Census.” Find “Census 2020 (Redistricting Data – PL94) and click “Begin Report.”
This will open a new page. Under “Select a geographic type,” choose “Census Tract.” Then select Michigan and Wayne County, and find your census tract in the list. Click “Add.” This will add your census tract to the list of geography selections.
Now go back to “Select a geographic type” and choose “Metropolitan Statistical Area/Micropolitan Statistical Area.” Choose “Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area.” Click “Add” to add it to your list of geography selections.
Now click “Proceed to Tables” and look up the following tables. Use them to fill in the blanks in the table below for your census tract and Metro Detroit as a whole:
T2. Population Density 2020
T3. Housing Units 2020
T4. Race 2020
T5. Hispanic Status 2020
Statistic Census Tract Metro Detroit
Percent population change since 2010
Population density (people per sq mi)
Total housing units
Percent housing units occupied
Percent housing units vacant
Percent White:
Percent Black:
Percent Asian:
Percent Hispanic:
4. Using the data in the table above, compare your census tract to Metro Detroit as a whole. How is it similar or different with respect to housing, population, and race?
[Type answer here]5. Now you will look up 2015-2019 ACS 5-Year statistics for your census tract and for Wayne County as a whole. I recommend using SEMCOG Community Explorer:
https://maps.semcog.org/CommunityExplorer/. On the map on the left, change the view from “Communities” to “Census Tracts.” Then zoom in on the map and select your Census Tract. Data for your tract will now appear on the right-hand side. Please record the following statistics. Be sure to include the margin of error for the census tract data, which indicates how accurate the estimated data is likely to be.
Statistic Census Tract Margin of Error Wayne County
Population Density (Persons/Acre)
Percent Ages 65 and up
Percent Ages 5 to 17
Percent Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
Percent People in Poverty
Percent Asian
Percent Black
Percent Hispanic
Percent White
Percent Households with No Car
Median Household Income
Percent Vacant Housing
Percent Single-Family Housing
Percent Multi-Family Housing
Percent Unemployed
Labor Force Participation Rate
Median Household Income
Median Housing Value
6. Using the data above, compare your census tract to Wayne County as a whole in 2015-2019. You don’t need to mention every single statistic, but please discuss the major themes, such as racial composition, income level, and housing units.
[Type answer here]