Geoscience Reference
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2000-2008, Diversity 2008, and Median Income 2008. Turn on the Diversity
2008 layer and turn off the other two layers. The diversity index summarizes
2008 racial and ethnic diversity in the USA, showing the likelihood that two
persons chosen at random from the same area belong to different race or
ethnic groups. The index ranges from 0 (no diversity) to 100 (complete diver-
sity). For example, the diversity score for the US is 60, which means there
is a 60 percent probability that two people randomly chosen from the USA
population would belong to different race or ethnic groups. Diversity in the
US population is increasing. The states with the most diverse populations are
California, New Mexico, and Texas. The geography depicts states at greater
than 1:5,000,000 scale, counties at 1:1,000,000 to 1:5,000,000 scale, Census
Tracts at 1:250,000 to 1:1,000,000 scale, and Census Block Groups at less than
1:250,000 scale.
The example below shows part of San Diego County (Figure 7.13). What pat-
terns do you notice? Do they surprise you? How does the diversity index vary
across the county? The diversity varies, but is generally higher in the southern
part of the county. How does diversity range across the state of California?
Again, it varies greatly, but is highest in many urban areas and along the
border with Mexico. How does San Diego County compare to the county
in which you live? What are some reasons for the differences? These will
include past and present immigration patterns, employment, perception, the
housing market and patterns, the presence of universities or other landmark
Figure 7.13 San Diego County, map made in ArcGIS, Esri.
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