Lab 5 Deliverable: Store Location and Demographics Name: Jason Lu 1.

We examined three categories of clustering in class: clustered, random, and uniform. The question below asks you to choose one store chain and examine its distribution on your map in terms of clustering. Hint: it is likely that the chain is clustered in some regions and more random or uniform in others describe at least two instances where you see different types of clustering that are illustrated in your figures. Choose one store chain and describe its spatial distribution in terms of clustering. When observing the Menards in the Midwest, the stores are usually clustered around high density regions and the states capitol. The location of the stores is also clustered around counties with more average income. When turning off the Midwest demographics it seems that the Menard stores are clustered around rivers and lakes.

2. Proximity focuses on how the locations of two different phenomena appear to be related or not as a function of space. Note that we are talking about whether the phenomena appear to be related; recall that correlation is not causation, and the same holds true for proximity, in that things can be proximate in space but have no relationship. In a few sentences, describe the apparent relationships between the two store chains in terms of proximity. Both chain stores are clustered around high density and high income regions in the Midwest. For a business the two most important things are customers and money. The proximity of the two stores is related because both stores have chosen locations with a higher amount of people and income.

3. Autocorrelation examines the extent to which the attribute values of a given phenomenon appear to be related in space as a function of distance. Our map would be autocorrelated, for example, if population density in any given location seemed to be correlated with the population density of places close by and less correlated with population density in places farther away. Is population density autocorrelated? In answering, use examples illustrated in your figures. Maps of population density tend to display moderate positive spatial autocorrelation, in part due to urbanization at a regional or national scale, and zoning at a local scale. When looking at Figure 1and 2 it can be seen that a regions population density goes down the farther the distance away they are from high density regions.

4. Correlation examines the extent to which the attribute values and locations of two different phenomena appear to be related in space. The question below asks you to think about correlation using store chain locations and population density, so be sure to give specific

examples of locations and attributes on your figures to illustrate your points. You may want to consider highlighting these areas in your figures to bring attention to them. Choose one store chain and describe its correlation (or lack thereof) with population density. When observing the Menards in the Midwest, the stores are usually clustered around high density regions and the states capitol. There is no doubt that Menards store location is correlated to population density. There is correlation between these two because population density equals more potential customers. More potential customers equal more profit and profit is a companys ultimate goal. As seen in Figure 3, it can be seen that Menard stores are clustered around the darker colored counties. When looking at a lighter color county it is less likely to find a Menards. For example, when looking at Minnesotas capital and the surrounding Twin Cities in Figure 4 most of the higher density (darker color) regions had at least one Menards and half the counties with a shade darker had a Menards. While being rare for a county with a density of less than 7000 to have one Menards.

5. Insert your figures below.

Midwest Population Density (2010)

@US Census Via GeoCommons

Figure 1: Population Density Autocorrelation

Midwest Population Density Zoomed (2010)

@US Census Via GeoCommons

Figure 2: Population Density Autocorrelation

Midwest Store Chains and Population Density (2010)

@US Census Via GeoCommons

Figure 3: Menard Stores in relation to Population Density

Midwest Store Chains and Population Density - Zoomed (2010)

@US Census Via GeoCommons

Figure 4: Zoomed Menard Stores in relation to Population Density