Virginia Block Group Level Demographic Maps
The environmental justice regulatory framework, established with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and reinforced by Executive Order 12898 of 1994, directs every federal agency to make environmental justice part of its mission by identifying and addressing the effects of all programs, policies, and activities on traditionally under-represented groups, defined as “minority populations and low-income populations”. Under these requirements each agency receiving federal funds is expected to examine how well past and future transportation plans address environmental justice issues. There are three fundamental environmental justice principles:
- To avoid, minimize or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority and low income populations.
- To ensure the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision-making process.
- To prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits by minority and low-income populations..
Identification of Underserved Populations
The first step in analyzing environmental justice issues is to identify the population areas of traditionally under-represented groups, specifically the low-income and minority population. The following maps are provided to assist in meeting the established requirements. All data and categories presented are derived from the 2000 Census.
- Traditionally Underserved Populations Disability [ pdf; 1.3MB ] – Map displays disabled populations as a percentage of the total population of the respective block group.
- Women [ pdf; 800KB ] - Map displays female populations as a percentage of the total population of the respective block group.
- Elderly [ pdf; 800KB ] - Map displays elderly populations as a percentage of the total population of the respective block group. Elderly is defined as those populations aged 65 or greater.
- Race
- White alone [ pdf; 800KB ] – Map displays white populations as a percentage of the total population of the respective block group. The designation White includes Hispanic and Latino populations.
- Some other race alone [ pdf; 800KB ] – Map displays some other race populations as a percentage of the total population of the respective block group. Some other race is defined as not White, Black or African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.
- Two or more races [ pdf; 800KB ] – Map displays two or more races populations as a percentage of the total population of the respective block group. Two or more races is defined as those populations comprised of any combination of White, Black or African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian, Other Pacific Islander or some other race.
- White alone, not Hispanic or Latino [ pdf; 800KB ] – Map displays White populations, excluding Hispanic or Latino populations, as a percentage of the total population of the respective block group.
- Economics
- Income [ pdf; 1.3MB ] – Map displays median household income.
- Poverty [ pdf; 1.3MB ] – Map displays percent of households below poverty status.
- Unemployment [ pdf; 1.3MB ] – Map displays unemployment for people aged 16+ in the workforce as a percentage of the total workforce population of the respective block group.
- Linguistics
- English Speaking [ pdf; 800KB ] – Map displays English Speaking populations as a percentage of the total population of the respective block group.
- Spanish Speaking [ pdf; 800KB ] – Map displays Spanish Speaking populations as a percentage of the total population of the respective block group.
- Spanish Speaking, linguistically isolated* [ pdf; 800KB ] – Map displays Spanish Speaking, linguistically isolated, populations as a percentage of the total population of the respective block group.
*A linguistically isolated household is one in which no member 14 years old and over (1) speaks only English or (2) speaks a non-English language and speaks English "very well." In other words, all members 14 years old and over have at least some difficulty with English.