The Fair Access in Communities Tool (FACT) was formerly known as the Environmental Justice Index (EJI) and has evolved significantly in both content and presentation. These changes reflect updated practices in nondiscrimination analysis and improved digital tools for accessing and interpreting data.
Updated map symbology
A new bivariate color scheme shows both population characteristics and density.
The FACT is a preliminary screening tool, not a comprehensive analysis. Areas that fall below a pre-determined threshold for Total Minority or Low-Income populations may still include individuals who are vulnerable to transportation impacts.
Clicking block groups on the map produces a pop-up display or displays describing demographic data associated with the layer or layers that have been selected. When the “Minority Population and/or Population Below Poverty Above Regional Percentage” layer is selected, the default pop-up displays information for these demographics. When enabled, supplemental layers have their own pop-ups that are displayed along with the default pop-up.
Note that when the map is zoomed out, clicking the map will often display pop-ups for multiple block groups. In areas with a dense block group structure, zoom in to ensure only the block group of interest is being selected. When multiple pop-ups are produced (either by identifying more than one block group or when more than one layer is enabled), small arrows appear at the top of the pop-up dialog box that allow the user to navigate back and forth among the displayed pop-ups.
Minority Population - Includes individuals who identify their race as any race other than white, or who identify their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino
Population Below Poverty - Includes individuals whose household income in the past 12 months was below 125 percent of the US Census poverty threshold. This is inclusive of individuals whose household income in the past 12 months was below the US Department of Health and Human Services poverty threshold Population Density - The number of people per square mile of land area in a block group, as reported in the 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Hispanic or Latino - Includes individuals who identify their ethnicity as belonging to Mexican; Puerto Rican; Cuban; Dominican; Salvadoran; Guatemalan; Argentinean; Colombian; Spaniard; or other Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish cultures or origins, regardless of race
Black or African American - Includes individuals who identify their race as Black or African American and individuals who identify their race as Black or African American and identify their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino
Asian - Includes individuals who identify as having origins in any of the original people of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent and individuals who identify their race as Asian and their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino
American Indian or Alaska Native - Includes individuals who identify their race as American Indian or Alaska Native and individuals who identify their race as American Indian Alaskan Native and their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander - Includes individuals who identify as having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands and individuals who identify their race as Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander and identify their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino
Total LEP - Individuals age 5 years and older who do not speak English as their primary language and who reported that their ability to read, speak, write, or understand English is less than “very well”
LEP Spanish - Individuals age 5 years and older who speak Spanish as their primary language and who reported that their ability to read, speak, write, or understand English is less than “very well”
LEP Indo-European - Individuals age 5 years and older who speak an Indo-European language other than Spanish as their primary language and who reported that their ability to read, speak, write, or understand English is less than “very well”
LEP Asian - Individuals age 5 years and older who speak an Asian or Pacific Island language as their primary language and who reported that their ability to read, speak, write, or understand English is less than “very well”
LEP Other - Individuals age 5 years and older who speak a language other than English, Spanish, Indo-European, Asian, or Pacific Island as their primary language and who reported that their ability to read, speak, write, or understand English is less than “very well” Age 65 and Over - Any individual aged 65 and older
Zero Car Household - The number of housing units that have no vehicle available
Female Head of Household - Includes any household with children under 18 years of age and with no husband present
Persons with Disabilities - Any civilian, non-institutionalized individual with at least one disability that may limit the individual’s ability to care for himself or herself
No Internet Access - The number of housing units that have no internet access at home
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Nondiscrimination at NCTCOG
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For questions or comments about the Fair Access in Communities Tool, contact NCTCOG Transportation: transinfo@nctcog.org
For issues or technical questions about this application, contact Cabe Cupit: jcupit@nctcog.org