National Equity Atlas

PolicyLink – in partnership with the Program for Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE) at the University of Southern California – has launched the National Equity Atlas. An online resource, the National Equity Atlas will help community leaders and policymakers use data to track, measure and make the case for inclusive growth and equity in our communities.

According to The Equity Solution: Racial Inclusion is Key to Growing a Strong New Economy – a report from PolicyLink and PERE – whites make up 63 percent of the U.S. population. However, more than half of children are individuals of color. This demographic transformation will continue as the U.S. Census predicts that, by 2043, people of color will be the majority of the U.S. population. In the midst of this demographic trend, stark inequities remain between whites and people of color. As the report highlights, our nation’s economy would gain $2.1 trillion in gross domestic product (GDP) every year by closing its racial gaps in income: a 14 percent increase.

The National Equity Atlas is designed to help communities take stock of data on demographic change, racial inclusion and the economic benefits of equity by sharing information for 150 regions, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the United States as a whole. Specifically, the Atlas includes data summaries on demographic change, as well as stories about how local leaders are using equity data to implement growth strategies and policies. In addition, the Atlas includes charts, graphs and maps that you can use in your own presentations, proposals and fact sheets. All of this information is intended to provide you with the information needed to:

• Understand how your community’s demographics are changing;
• Assess how well your community’s diverse populations can participate in economic vitality, contribute to readiness for the future, and connect to assets and resources (and also see how it compares to other places);
• Build a compelling narrative and shared understanding about why—and how much—equity matters to your community’s future; and
• Inform the development of policies, plans, strategies, business models, and investments to advance equitable growth.

Want to learn more? Check out the National Equity Atlas and the accompanying report, The Equity Solution: Racial Inclusion is Key to Growing a Strong New Economy.