What kind of a place is Boulder, CO?

Maps are important tools in geographic research. For example, geographers often use maps to orient themselves with an area before venturing into the field. Let's see what we can learn in advance about the University Hill district by interpreting some socioeconomic maps of Boulder, CO.

(4) Describe the maps of % Households Renter-Occupied in Boulder, CO (Figure 4a-b), using the terms defined earlier. In general, how does the University Hill district compare to the rest of the city? (You should try to visualize where the area on 4B is found on 4A).

Figure 4. % Households Renter-Occupied, Boulder, CO. Source: U.S. Census Bureau (1990)


(A) City of Boulder, CO


(B) University Hill District, Boulder, CO

(5) Next, describe the maps of Median Household Income in Boulder, CO (Figure 5a-b), using the terms defined above. In general, how does the University Hill district compare to the rest of the city? (You should try to visualize where the area on 5B is found on 5A)

Figure 5. Median Household Income, Boulder, CO.Source: U.S. Census Bureau (1990)


(A) City of Boulder, CO


(B) University Hill District, Boulder, CO

(6) Compare Figures 4 and 5 -- what associations exist between median household income ($US/year) and % households renter-occupied? How do you explain these relationships?

At this point, you have made some general interpretations of socioeconomic data for the City of Boulder. Now it is time for you to experience firsthand the social and economic qualities that make University Hill a unique place!

This concludes the Preview exercise. Hold on to your answers to the six questions -- you will submit them after you complete the field study. You can begin the field study at any time by returning to the homepage and clicking the "Field Study" icon on the menu bar.

Page 1 | Page 2 | Home