[EPIC] Update Census geography data to reflect 2020+ Census tracts

[MikeC-A6]

Updating to 2020+ Census Tracts

Updating the Census geographies from 2010 to 2020+ tracts is a foundational step that will impact the entire data pipeline and may temporarily disrupt some functionality in staging. Here’s what users can expect to see:

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Expected Outcomes for Users

Updated Census Tracts:
The map and downloadable data will start reflecting 2020+ Census tracts, aligning with the latest geographic boundaries. This means that:

• Some community boundaries may shift slightly.
• Users might see discrepancies in community identifiers until all data sources align with the 2020+ geographies.

Temporary Gaps and Mismatches in Data:

• Scoring and Burden Calculations:
  Some scores and burdens may appear incomplete or absent. The scoring system currently relies on 2010 Census tract data, so until additional sources are updated to match the 2020+ tracts, users may see missing or misaligned data for tracts that didn’t exist or were significantly changed in the 2010 Census.

• Downloadable DAC File:
  The DAC file may initially show empty or misaligned data for some new tracts, as the other data sources will not yet correspond to the 2020+ boundaries.

• Map and Sidebar Updates:
  The interactive map and sidebar may have areas that don’t display complete data or show mismatches, particularly in communities that have experienced boundary changes or additions in the latest census update.

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Pipeline Behavior

Due to the shift to 2020+ tracts, initial stages may break or show errors until each data source is reprocessed with the updated geographies. This update is essential groundwork, and though it may create temporary pipeline disruptions, the result will be improved alignment and accuracy across all data sources once fully updated.

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Stories

• Updated Census geography data DISCOVERY #7
• Updated Census geography data EXTRACT #3
• Updated Census geography data TRANSFORM & LOAD #4
• Updated Census geography data DOWNLOADABLE FILE AND UI #5
• Updated Census geography data DOCUMENTATION #6