Survey Maps: Mapping Economic, Social and Racial Inequities

The three choropleth maps in this section depict socio-economic data (mainly wages, ethnic origin, and occupation) at the level of neighbourhood, street, and address. The data were all collected though census information or door-to-door surveys. The collective work of these three diverse authors established a standard methodology for mapping social, economic, and demographic characteristics of a population within a geographical area. The methodology was trailblazing in the fields of social work, sociology, and cartography. These visualizations led to significant changes in public perceptions, attitudes, and eventually, public policy.

This map was created by in 1889 by Charles Booth, a British shipping merchant. Initially, Booth was skeptical of the rates of Londoners living in abject poverty reported in the census. Booth expanded existing surveys and hired researchers. The resulting data indicated that levels of poverty were much higher than he expected. The maps and their accompanying texts were published as Life and Labour of the People (1889-1891) and quickly became influential in the political discourse of the time. The visualization was extremely effective and forced many people, Booth included, to revise their beliefs. Booth later used his work to successfully advocate for the introduction of an Old Age Pension in 1908.

This map was created in 1895 by Florence Kelly (1859–1939), Jane Addams (1860–1935), and the residents of the Hull-House settlement house in Chicago. Settlement houses were part of the reformist social movement designed to reduce poverty and its associated physical and social challenges by providing poor, marginalized, and immigrant communities with childcare, health care, English education, and cultural programs. This study of the neighbourhood drew attention to the poverty and discrimination faced by the Hull-House neighbourhood residents and garnered support for further social services, funding, and legislation at all levels of government. 

This map was created in 1899 by W. E. B. Du Bois. It is the first sociological case study of a Black community in the United States and the first study of any kind examining the Seventh Ward in Philadelphia. Du Bois and his collaborator Isabel Eaton (1863–1938) interviewed thousands of residents to produce this map showing income levels of Black residents in the Seventh Ward. It shows the role that discrimination played in the socioeconomic challenges facing Black Americans, especially via lack of access to higher paying jobs and affordable housing. Du Bois’ work challenged the prevailing perception that poverty was caused by personal moral failure or inherent lack of potential by showing evidence that poverty was the product of social structures and legal and economic barriers.