New Calculations Will Help City Departments Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2008

For more information: Chuck Winkle, GIS Specialist, Information and Technology Services, City of Bloomington, 349-3595
Rick Dietz, Director, Information and Technology Services, City of Bloomington, 349-3485
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov




Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington's Information and Technology Services Department (ITS) has calculated the city's center of population, the geographic point in the city nearest to all residents. Based on these findings, the center of population is located at approximately 86° 31' 28.094" West and 39° 9' 33.197" North, just north of Bryan Park near E. 1st Street.

"The City was able to determine this exact location by utilizing the Geographic Information System (GIS) and U.S. Census Bureau data, and the information gathered can now be used to enhance City services and help staff make responsible programming decisions," said Rick Dietz, City ITS Director.

According to Dietz and City GIS Specialist Chuck Winkle, the population center is an important starting point for other analyses. By calculating that approximately 63% of Bloomington residents are clustered within 1.8 miles of the city's center of population, for example, it can subsequently be determined how new and existing City initiatives impact these individuals and families living in the community's most populated area. Such information will be a useful tool for City staff when implementing their programs.

Further information on the location and calculation of the Bloomington population center can be found at http://bloomington.in.gov/population-center. ###