In this first map, we observe that, with the 5-year ACS 2021 data presented, median household incomes are higher in more urban areas, namely those cities that have higher populations. More populated regions typically have more economic opportunities, a higher cost of living, and industries that attract higher-paying jobs, thus accounting for the higher income levels. This trend is more pronounced in major metropolitan areas, where a variety of job opportunities, combined with strong infrastructure, supports higher wages.
Upstate New York for most of its areas, especially mountainous and rural offers hundreds below in terms of median household income. Because such parts normally have lower population densities, access to high-income jobs might be restricted, economic resources are scattered, and big industries barely make a presence, fewer dollars and cents would be coming home. Thus, the map really captures the economic divide in this state, pitting prosperity within urban cities against economic adversity in rural areas, usually compartmentalized by geography and resource distribution.
However, we also see that despite the higher income, families in this area tend to reside under the poverty line. This is due to the higher cost of living in cities, as well as the need for job opportunities due to overpopulation. These poor economic conditions lead many families to be in the lower class, which statistically votes for democratic candidates who advocate for more educational and economic opportunities. Alternatively, candidates who live in more rural areas with better living standards tend to vote for candidates who want to provide tax breaks to those in the upper middle class, as this proves to be a benefit for their economic status.
As stated, previously, the unemployment population of those ages sixteen and above is conspicuously higher in the urban area like New York City and Buffalo. These cities, while offering an extensive sphere of job opportunities, also contain unique economic stresses and labor market dissimilarities that elevate unemployment rates. Larger labor pools mean intense competition, sometimes very frustrating, and because of this job searches have to be extended quite a while factor that is certainly not very encouraging for the young or those with limited work experience or specialized skills.
2 comments:
These three maps were quite interesting all put together because it seems like they indicate a significantly higher income inequality within the densely populated cities compared to the more sparse rural areas. This is due to the cities' higher median income yet higher poverty rate. It may be possible that those with lower income in cities being around people who are more affluent than them could contribute to wanting economic reform and more educational opportunities.
New York, being such a democratic state, makes it very interesting considering the vast diversity of the state. Even though it has one of the highest concentrations of citizens in the elite levels of income, New York's vast number of lower middle to middle class citizens constantly seem to outweigh the elite population.
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