Practical Analytics Chapter 1 | Exercise 1 | Edition 2

Nitin Kalé & Nancy Jones © 2020 1 of 2

1.1 Data Exploration Using Publicly Available Data Nitin Kalé, University of Southern California

Nancy Jones, San Diego State University

OBJECTIVE Self-service data exploration of publicly available data from the U.S. Census.

ACTIVITIES

Explore data with charts and tables.

Filter, sort, and rank data to gain insights.

SOFTWARE PREREQUISITES

Web browser

Scenario Kumar is a new intern at Global Bike. He is working in the sales department with Nina Kane’s team. On

the first day at work, he is tasked with analyzing U.S. census data to understand the demographics of

his home state. The demographic data will be used to help the team devise a targeted marketing plan.

Kumar is alone in the office with only the administrative staff since the sales team is out of town all

week at a trade show. His report needs to be to Nina by next week.

Analysis

a. Access the U.S. Census data at this url: https://www.census.gov

b. Familiarize yourself with the Census website.

c. Go to the Explore Data tab → Explore Data Main page to start your data exploration.

Practical Analytics Chapter 1 | Exercise 1 | Edition 2

Nitin Kalé & Nancy Jones © 2020 2 of 2

d. Identify the most current data for the city and/or state in which your school is located to

answer the questions listed below. If you are not in a metro area, choose the closest metro

area for which you can find data.

e. Include screen shots of the census data visualizations and tables that support your answers.

Question 1: What is the average travel time (commute) to work for individuals in your metro area?

Question 2: What is the median household income for individuals within your state?

Question 3: How does the median income in your state compare to other states? (Hint: Use a chart or map.)

Question 4: What is the population of your state?

Question 5: Is the population in your state growing or shrinking? By how much?

Question 6: What percent of the population within your state is between the ages of 20 and 60?

Question 7: How many vehicles are available to the households within your state?

Question 8: How many individuals in your state take alternative methods cabs or bicycles to get to work?

Question 9: Create a dashboard of two or more charts that you accessed on the website and paste a screen shot here.