Are We All in the Same Boat? How COVID-19 Affected Central Ohio Residents

• Activity Number: 75 - SPEED: Data Challenge and SPAAC
• Type: Topic-Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 9, 2021 : 10:00 AM to 11:50 AM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Computing
• Author(s): Betsy Ehmcke* and Liz Whelan-Jackson
• Companies: Ohio State University and Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
• Keywords: data visualization; housing; food security; broadband; employment

Abstract

A common refrain as Americans faced stay-at-home orders and other COVID-19 restrictions was the sentiment that we were all in this together. The reality is that COVID-19 has affected residents of Central Ohio in a myriad of ways, many of which do differ substantially. Using data products made available through the U.S. Census Bureau, including the 2019 American Community Survey, on-going Household Pulse surveys, and others, this work uses data visualization to capture the mid- and long-term COVID-19 impacts on the Central Ohio region. Additionally, this work will highlight disparities across economic and racial demographics with respect to housing and food security, access to broadband, and changes to employment.