I examined the U.S Population Census dataset. This dataset marks the change in U.S Population since 1790 to now. I used Tableau Public to create a line marked line chart to visually present the change as follows:
By looking at the data visualization, it is apparent that there is a rise in population as the years progress. The counts are marked in ten year increments on the x axis, and the actual population number marked on the y axis. Looking more specifically, we can see that there is a slow gradual increase in the first fifty or so years, then the increase becomes more rapid. The overall shape of the graph resembles somewhat of an exponential line, in mathematical terms. This is something raw data in a spreadsheet would not have been able to tell. We could see exactly how much the increase is, but unless it is visually represented, the shape would not have been visible without a graph.
One thing this visualization fails to tell is the context behind the numbers. It is the job of the viewer with humanities information to give the reasoning to the dataset. Surely, there is a reason for the trend in increase in population. Some historical background is required to decipher the “why” behind the numbers. Why did the data start at 1790? How was the data collected?
One aspect I am personally very curious to know is if the populous counted slaves. If some states counted them, and some didn’t, there would also be discrepancies in the numbers. Around the years of 1840 to 1860 is where we see the beginning of large jumps in population, which was around the time of the Civil War. Since then, the jumps in population seem to get larger and larger. In more recent years, I’d also like to know if undocumented Americans are counted into the populous. With census populations, it is very difficult, if not impossible to get an exact number because we cannot keep track of every single person in one place.