Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at the Population Research Center (PRC) involve research, teaching, public service, and consulting. GIS is the backbone of many applied and academic research projects at the Center.

We use GIS for data development and management, spatial analysis and modeling, and map design and production. The GIS projects have focused on areas as small as a few city blocks or as large as several states; they have utilized the most recent data, such as 2000 Census data, as well as historical data on population, housing, and other characteristics. Although most of the work has been conducted in the Portland metropolitan region and the state of Oregon, we completed several projects for states of Washington, California, Nevada, Louisiana, and elsewhere.

Recent and on-going GIS-based projects involve political and school redistricting, development of population estimates for service districts (including police, fire, water, transportation, and parks and recreation), analysis of school enrollment trends and enrollment forecasting, analysis and mapping of demographic trends and, particularly, 1990-2000 changes, and development of community-level quality-of-life indicators.

PRC staff provides expertise and participates in activities of the GIS community at the college, university and regional levels and beyond. We have been regularly presenting papers and posters at annual meetings of the ESRI International User Conference, ESRI Educational User Conference, Northwest GIS User Group, and GIS in Action.

In conjunction with the PRC population estimates program and the Oregon State Data Center, the GIS program provides consulting services tailored to your specific geographic areas (e.g., neighborhoods, school attendance boundaries, service districts). Mapping services are also available: reference and thematic maps, both in paper and electronic formats, are provided on a cost reimbursement basis.