Code analyzing population pyramids for counties exposed to Low Elevation Coastal Zones (LECZs) in Puerto Rico 

Authors/Creators/ Team Members:  Deborah Balk, Kytt MacManus, Hieu Tran, Camilla Greene, Shemontee Chowdhury, Juan F. Martinez 

Specific purpose of code: Integration of Python programming with ArcGIS API to access NASA SEDAC Low Elevation Coastal Zone (LECZ) data, IPUMS API to access U.S. Census Decennial Census data of Age and Sex groups at the Block Group and County levels, create interactive maps, find insights about the changes in population pyramid structures, and compare these changes between areas inside and outside of the Low Elevation Coastal Zone (LECZ) in Puerto Rico. 

General Application: This lesson demonstrates how to link U.S. Census data with the LECZ Merit-DEM dataset to analyze population and housing changes. It explores regional and local trends (at the county and block group levels) to highlight shifts in age groups within and outside of Low Elevation Coastal Zones (LECZ). The accompanying code enables users to explore census data at multiple geographic scales and integrate spatial environmental data to identify cohorts vulnerable to coastal flooding and observe how populations are changing in these areas. 

How does or could this code allow researchers to assess research questions related  to aging or life course?: This code could be used with the Decennial data to assess any 5-year age groups from under 5 to 85+ years of age and generate population pyramid charts for 2010 and 2020 to assess changes in age groups over time and space. 

Data sets used: 

• Population, socioeconomic, or health data: Decennial Census Data on Age/Sex, Occupancy Status (Vacancy), Social Vulnerabilities in Community Resilience Estimates (CRE)
• Climate, weather, disaster or environment data: Low Elevation Coastal Zone (LECZ)

Are all the data publicly available or are some restricted-access? Community Resilience Estimates (CRE). Author spoke with personnel at U.S Census regarding the restrictions and were advised to refer users to the first question on Community Resilience Estimates Frequently Asked Questions. Potential researchers are able to access the data with an approved project through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers. If researchers would like to go that route, reach out to (sehsd.cre@census.gov) or refer to Federal Statistical Research Data Centers.  

Links to data: Community Resilience Estimates, Decennial Census of Population and Housing Data, Low Elevation Coastal Zones derived from MERIT-DEM – Overview

Coding Language: Python 

Tools and Packages used: Quarto Markdown, GitHub, Pandas, Numpy, Matplotlib, ipumspy, arcgis, matplotlib, folium. 

Output(s): Maps, Scatterplot matrix, population pyramids, summary tables 

Spatial extent: Puerto Rico 

Temporal extent: 2010-2020