A Guide to the Kansas County Profile Report: KCCED Summary

Abstract

The analysis of social and economic data is an essential part of strategic planning for community economic development. This information must be analyzed in order to identify a community's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Changes in the socioeconomic make-up of a community are often quite subtle and unheralded, and may not be recognized by community leaders and other interested persons unless relevant data are available for examination. The variables included in the Kansas County Profile Report: KCCED Summary can help provide a picture of the social and economic environment in a county by revealing past trends, present conditions, and expectations for the future that are based on the continuation of current trends. These variables also provide indications of a county's position relative to other counties and the state as a whole. By understanding the factors contributing to change, a county or the communities therein can better position themselves to take action that will build on strengths and opportunities and minimize weaknesses and threats.

. The KCCED County Database Manual is designed to assist users of the Kansas County Profile Report and help them acquire a better understanding of their counties' social and economic environments. This manual explains the economic and social data by subject area in the order that they appear in the Report: population; vital statistics and health; housing and construction; education; social environment; business and manufacturing; employment and earnings; income; banking and finance; state and local government finance and employment; courts, crime and public safety; and agriculture. These are the same categories that are used in the Kansas Statistical Abstract, a compendium of various descriptive statistics about Kansas published by the Institute for Public Policy and Business Research at the University of Kansas. Brief definitions or explanations of the variables are included in each section. Data sources are cited in footnotes in each section, and these citations can serve as references for further analysis. Additionally, in the section that follows this one, the subject areas for the Report are related to seven foundations of community economic development, in order to help clarify their usefulness in assisting community development affairs.