Community
A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other
community of interest
sharing common interests between members of a group
community of place
sharing interactions within a common geographic location
neighborhood
geographic spaces, typically defined by physical barriers but doesn't assume individuals have common interests or shared social interactions
Community includes 3 elements:
1. a territory or place
2. social organizations or institutions that provide regular interaction among residents
3. social interaction on matters concerning common interest
why focus on communities of place?
place-based issues are primary drivers of quality of life for most people
Communities of place vary by _____ and ______
SIZE and DENSITY
density
the number of people living per unit of area (square mile)
high population density example
NYC
low population density example
somewhere rural lol
community capital
resources that can be invested or tapped for the purpose of promoting the long-term well-being of communities
7 community capitals
Natural Never
Built Buy
Financial Forks
Political Please
Social Send
Human Help
Cultural Catastrophe
Natural
quality and quantity of natural and environmental resources existing in a community
Cultural
values, norms, beliefs, and traditions that people inherit from family, school, and community. Also includes material goods produced at a specific time and place (ex: paintings, books) that have historical and cultural significance (ex: museums, multi-lin
Human
Attributes of individuals that provide them with the ability to earn living, strengthen community, an otherwise contribute to community organizations to their families and to self improvement; includes access to education and knowledge development, traini
Social
Connections existing among people and organization that help make things happen in the community. Includes close ties that build community bonding and weaker ties with local and outside people and organizations that help promote bond-based action on key m
Political
Ability to influence and enforce rules, organizations, and standards. Access to individuals and groups with the power to influence decisions
ex: elected government officials, congressional representatives and staffers
Financial
Variety of financial resources available to invest in local projects or economic development initiatives. Efforts to build wealth
ex: community foundations, grands, micro loan programs
Built
Represents the infrastructure of the community- the basic set of facilities, services and physical structures needed by a community
ex: broad banding and other information technologies; utilities; water/sewer systems
community data
help to learn more about the people within the community of interest
Michael Moser
Coordinates the Vt State Data Center
Why community indicators?
- helps understand where community "is at"
- helps make decisions
Who uses community indicators?
- community planners and municipal officials
- policy makers and politicians
- businesses
- non profits and got service providers
- students and researchers
Common community indicators
- Population
> count, age, sex, race, ethnicity, wellbeing
- Economy
>unemplayment, wages, jobs, industries
- Housing
> affordability, vacancy, value, owners, and renters
- Income
> median, income, assistance, poverty rate
- Natural and Built Environment
Units of analysis
individuals
communities
counties/parishes
states
regions
nations
world
primary data
data collected by you
secondary data
data not collected by you
subjective data
collected FROM a population
ex: How anxious are you about finances?
objective data
collected ABOUT a population
ex: income level above or below poverty line
Quantitative
NUMBERS (numeric)
population level
counts ranges, rates, medians, etc.
Qualitative
WORDS (text)
descriptive
individual level
interviews, observations, etc
Analysis Tools
median
mean
mode
percentage
rate
ranking
comparative and longitudinal analysis
Median
the middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it
mean
average
Mode
the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution
percentage
a portion of 100; a standardized proportion
rate
A ratio that compares two quantities measured in different units; standardized quantity
ranking
ordered list
Comparative Analysis
A method of determining the value of property in which the selling prices of similar properties are used as the basis for estimating the value of the subject property.
longitudinal analysis
OVERTIME Research conducted over many years so outcomes over time can be observed.
Indicator Analysis types
Comparative
Longitudinal