Deciding where to live is a significant life choice, influenced by a multitude of factors. When exploring this question, “Where Should I Live?”, reliable data is invaluable. CNN utilizes a comprehensive range of data sources to provide insights into various aspects of different locations across the United States, helping individuals make informed decisions. These data points, aggregated at the most granular geographic levels—census-designated places, counties, or states—offer a detailed picture of what different areas have to offer. Location groupings are based on the US Census Bureau’s cartographic boundary files, ensuring geographical accuracy.
One crucial element in deciding where to live is understanding housing costs. CNN leverages Zillow’s county-level calculations of price per square foot. This metric helpfully incorporates both home prices and rental costs, providing a holistic view of housing affordability in a given area.
Demographics also play a vital role. Data from the 2020 Census informs CNN’s analysis of population density and diversity index. Furthermore, insights into the age and marital status demographics are drawn from the Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey five-year estimates, presenting the median age and percentage of unmarried individuals (aged 15 or older) for different locations. These demographic factors can be key when considering community and lifestyle fit when you think about “where should I live”.
Considering climate and potential natural disasters is paramount for many. Weather data is derived from climate normals published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), collected from numerous weather stations nationwide. To assess risks, CNN incorporates data from FEMA’s national risk map, analyzing six categories of natural disasters: coastal flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes, riverine flooding, tornadoes, and wildfires. Understanding these risks is crucial for long-term security and peace of mind when deciding where to live.
Beyond these factors, social and political considerations are increasingly important. Data on abortion access by state, current as of June 20, 2024, is sourced from the Guttmacher Institute and the Center for Reproductive Rights. For information on LGBTQ-friendly policies and laws, CNN relies on the Movement Advancement Project (MAP). MAP tracks state-level LGBTQ-related laws and policies, offering a measure of inclusivity and legal protections. States with overall policy tallies below 50% of total possible points as of June 24, 2024, are categorized as having low scores in LGBTQ+ policy favorability. For individuals and families prioritizing these values, this data is essential when answering “where should I live?”.
By utilizing these diverse and reputable data sources, CNN aims to equip individuals with the information necessary to thoughtfully consider “where should I live?”. From housing costs and demographics to climate risks and social policies, a data-driven approach provides a clearer picture for making this important life decision.
References:
- US Census Bureau’s cartographic boundary files: https://www.census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-series/geo/cartographic-boundary.html
- Zillow’s county-level calculations: https://www.zillow.com/research/data/
- 2020 Census: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-main.html
- American Community Survey: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- NOAA climate normals: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals
- FEMA’s national risk map: https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/map
- Movement Advancement Project (MAP): https://www.mapresearch.org/equality-maps/
