This indicator reports the percentage of population living in census tracts with no or low access to healthy retail food stores. Figures are based on the CDC Modified Retail Food Environment Index. For this indicator, low food access tracts are considered those with index scores of 10.0 or less. Source Centers for Disease Control and…
This indicator reports the number of SNAP-authorized food stores as a rate per 10,000 population. SNAP-authorized stores include grocery stores as well as supercenters, specialty food stores, and convenience stores that are authorized to accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. Source US Department of Agriculture, USDA – SNAP Retailer Locator, 2025.Additional data analysis by…
This indicator reports the number of fast food restaurants per 100,000 population. The prevalence of fast food restaurants provides a measure of both access to healthy food and environmental influences on dietary behaviors. Fast food restaurants are defined as limited-service establishments primarily engaged in providing food services (except snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars) where patrons…
This indicator reports the number of neighborhoods in the report area that are within food deserts. Data are from the April 2021 Food Access Research Atlas dataset. Source US Department of Agriculture, USDA – Food Access Research Atlas, 2019. Source Description The Food Access Research Atlas (FARA) presents a spatial overview of food access indicators…
Healthy dietary behaviors are supported by access to healthy foods, and grocery stores are a major provider of these foods. Grocery stores are defined as supermarkets and smaller grocery stores primarily engaged in retailing a general line of food, such as canned and frozen foods; fresh fruits and vegetables; and fresh and prepared meats, fish,…
Source US Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture, 2022. Source Description The Census of Agriculture is the leading source of facts and figures about American agriculture. Conducted every five years, the Census provides a detailed picture of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive…
Source US Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture, 2022. Source Description The Census of Agriculture is the leading source of facts and figures about American agriculture. Conducted every five years, the Census provides a detailed picture of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive…
This indicator reports the percentage of population living within 1/2 mile of a park. This indicator is relevant because access to outdoor recreation encourages physical activity and other healthy behaviors. Source 2013. Methodology The percentage and number of people living within 0.5 miles of the boundary of a park was calculated by CARES. The population…
This indicator reports total road network density in terms of road miles per square mile. Source Environmental Protection Agency, EPA – Smart Location Database, 2021. Source Description The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Smart Location Database (SLD) is a nationwide geographic data resource for measuring location efficiency. It includes more than 90 attributes summarizing characteristics such…
The National Walkability Index (2021) is a nationwide index score developed by EPA that ranks block groups according to their relative walkability using selected variables on density, diversity of land uses, and proximity to transit from the Smart Location Database. The block groups are assigned their final National Walkability Index scores on a scale of…