US Population Map¶
An interactive map showing population statistics across the United States with a toggle to switch between total population and population density.
About This MicroSim¶
This choropleth map visualizes population patterns with two views:
Total Population: - Dark red = Most populous states (20+ million) - Light pink = Least populous states (under 1 million)
Population Density: - Dark red = Most dense (500+ people per square mile) - Light pink = Least dense (under 25 people per square mile)
Use the toggle buttons to switch between views. Hover over any state to see exact numbers.
Key Concepts Demonstrated¶
- California and Texas have the largest total populations
- New Jersey and Rhode Island have the highest population density
- Wyoming and Alaska have both low population and low density
- Large states like Alaska and Montana can have many people but still be sparsely populated
Lesson Plan¶
Learning Objective: Students will analyze the difference between total population and population density.
Bloom's Taxonomy Level: Analyze (L4)
Activities:
- Compare Views (5 min): Toggle between views - which states change color the most?
- Big vs Dense (5 min): Find states that are populous but not dense (Texas) and dense but not populous (Rhode Island)
- Discussion (5 min): Why might people live close together in some places but spread out in others?
Technical Notes¶
- Built with Leaflet.js choropleth visualization
- State boundaries from PublicaMundi GeoJSON
- Population data from 2023 Census estimates
Related Concepts¶
- Population
- Population Density
- Urban vs Rural
- Thematic Maps