MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL
Air Pollution and Black Population: A Question of Spatial Relation
INTRODUCTION
Miami-Dade is the most populous county in Florida, with approximately 2.7 million residents as of 2023. It is the seventh-most populous county in the US.
Given its large population, Miami-Dade serves as a valuable study area for analyzing the relationship between air pollution and population density. With census tract data, we can explore additional questions about specific demographics.
This analysis aims to answer the question: Is there a spatial relationship between air pollution and the Black population within Miami-Dade County?
By combining census tract data with Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data, we can uncover potential patterns and disparities.
Miami-Dade is located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida, as depicted below:
Miami-Dade County, Florida
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Expand this window to interact with the map and explore the county.
The following maps were developed sequentially for this analysis, starting with a reference map and incorporating census and TRI data to ultimately compare and answer the analysis question.
This reference map highlights the Miami-Dade County boundary along with its neighboring counties, major cities, interstates, and highways. It also showcases Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park, which cover a significant portion of the county.
Here, air pollution (per pound) is depicted using graduated symbols. While some points may overlap, each data point represents a unique location. The areas north of Miami and east of Homestead feature larger markers, indicating higher levels of air pollution. It is likely that interstate traffic plays a significant role in these pollution levels.
This choropleth map illustrates the percentage of the Black population by census tract. Areas north of Miami and Miami Beach show high Black population densities.
The relationship between air pollution and the Black population is visualized using a bivariate choropleth map. Areas with high air pollution are labeled green, areas with a high percentage of Black population are pink, and areas where both are high appear brown.
The following interactive map allows us to adjust the view to see isolated data points. Use the slider to see various levels of Black population density on the map. Made in Tableau Public.
CONCLUSION
Is there a spatial relationship between air pollution levels and black population density in Miami-Dade County, Florida?
No, the analysis does not reveal a significant spatial relationship between air pollution levels and black population density in Miami-Dade county. Though there are areas of overlap, they do not form a meaningful pattern.
What else could be explored in this analysis?
Incorporating additional demographic variables could provide a broader understanding of who is disproportionately affected by air pollution. Comparing factors such as income levels, age groups, or other race demographics could reveal deeper patterns of environmental inequity.
