Demographics in Action

Check out this sweet Google Maps app. It displays data from the 2000 Census by location, depending on where you click. For example, here's what it shows centered around my place, in good ol' suburban Houston:


As you can see, not only is the median income within a mile of me $67,000, but there is exactly one Pacific Islander in the same radius. Fascinating. I'm actually surprised there as many Mexicans as indicated. This community is about as white as fucking Utah.

Now let's take a look at the Center of the Known Universe, aka West Campus:


Median income $21k (hooray college), average income $45k. I think the neighborhood West of Lamar drags us up. Let's see, what else... Median age, 21.5! Here's to eternal youth. The kicker is housing value (not shown), which is a whopping $255,000 MEDIAN! How much were we going to build a new house for, again?

Anyway, it's a pretty slick little program. If you switch to "Housing Report" mode, you can even see things like the aforementioned housing values, or average monthly rent, or the like. Pretty good info if you're planning on or thinking about a move. Check 'er out.