Policy Map [click to access this resource]

"GIS mapping services from PolicyMap captures data in visually powerful ways through custom demographic maps, tables, reports and an analysis tool, Analytics. Available data includes demographics, home sale statistics, health data, mortgage trends, school performance scores and labor data like unemployment, crime statistics and city crime rates. (About Us, viewed Jan. 26, 2012)

"PolicyMap is a fully web-based online data and mapping application that gives you access to over 15,000 indicators related to demographics, housing, crime, mortgages, health, jobs and more. Data is available at all common geographies (address, block group, census tract, zip code, county, city, state, MSA) as well as unique geographies like school districts and political boundaries. Data comes from both public and proprietary sources" PolicyMap allows you to create maps of the United States with included data: demographics, home sale statistics, health data, mortgage trends, school performance scores, unemployment rates, crime statistics and city crime rates.

How to Create a Simple Map

This is an example of using the PolicyMap Database to create a map showing the proximity of full service supermarkets for people living in various zip codes in the city of St. Louis, MO.

1.       Connect to  PolicyMap from the link above or from the WU Library Catalog 

2.       Enter Geographic Location: St. Louis MO city

3.       Select the bottom of page Map Boundaries Tab: Zip Codes and Freeway & Roads

4.       Select the top Quality of Life Tab:  Grocery Retail Locations, Service Level, Full Service Supermarkets

5.       Select the top Income and Spending Tab: People in Poverty, All

PolicyMap for St. Louis City Showing Full-Service Supermarkets for Zip Code 63115