Unit of Analysis and Data Sources

The first step in the social assessment identifies a socially relevant unit of analysis and a consistent source of data available for that unit that provides information on social conditions across the greater Klamath region. The 1990 Census of Population and Housing was selected as the principal source of secondary data. Census data includes an extensive amount of socioeconomic information consistent throughout the Klamath Province, and accessible at several different geographic levels. Other social and economic data are either available only at a county level or inconsistent in format. For example, statistics on crime, health, and enrollment in public support programs, measures which would be valuable to include in a well-being assessment, are available only at the county or incorporated city level.

The selection of an analysis unit focuses on finding a socially recognizable unit of analysis that captures the variation in social conditions across the Klamath Province. The Bureau of the Census reports population and housing summary statistics in several different geographic units including counties, tracts, places, block groups, and blocks.

The county, which is the most frequently used unit of analysis, is inadequate because it is not a unit with real social meaning. Few people think of their county as their community, and indeed some communities are alienated from their county. Relationships and life take place in communities, not counties. Moreover, county-level analyses tend to ignore within-county variation. Smaller communities are too often overshadowed by larger communities or urban areas within their country. This is particularly true in the Klamath region, with its four large urban centers. Discerning differences among communities and isolating important factors contributing to community well-being can only be observed by focusing on smaller analysis units.

Places, as defined by the Bureau of the Census, include incorporated towns and Census designated places (CDP's). CDP's comprise areas with high densities that are not incorporated and have at least 1,000 people (Census of Population and Housing 1990b). Boundaries of these and other incorporated areas often leave people out who may identify with the community defined by the CDP or the incorporated areas. Because of dispersed populations, places provide only partial coverage, and would leave a large portion of the population in the Klamath region unaccounted for.

Blocks and block groups are the smallest units used by the Bureau of the Census and are the smallest inclusive units for which all summary statistics are reported, including the more detailed sample data. Even though blocks are the smallest unit, only limited census data are published at this level and often do not reflect existing community lines. Blocks and block groups are delineated along major roads and other physical features and often do not coincide with communities or other meaningful social units. Many small towns and communities are split into two or more block groups.

Recognizing that many of the limitations of block groups could be overcome by combining similar adjacent areas into larger and more socially meaningful units, aggregations of block groups were selected as the primary analysis unit for the social assessment. Existing block groups were aggregated along "community" lines to form meaningful social units. While block groups do not cross county lines, no attempt was made to restrict aggregations to within individual counties, and in one case a single aggregation spans portions of two adjacent counties.

Block group aggregation units and names were developed through an iterative process involving extensive input from county planners and other local experts. Discussions took place with planners in each county in the region who are familiar with local communities, census data and county demographics. These discussions led to the development of preliminary "community" aggregations using the criteria outlined below. Draft county-level maps of these aggregations were sent to each planner for review, along with a request to circulate the map to others knowledgeable about local communities. Both written and oral comments were received, additional conversations with planners in each county clarified suggestions regarding changes to the preliminary aggregations and the preliminary aggregations were revised. Finally, during individual community capacity workshops, groups of local experts reviewed the revised aggregations and provided suggestions for the final aggregations. A total of 130 aggregations were developed from 578 block groups in the nine-county region.

The following criteria were used to guide the development of aggregations.

Aggregations are formed from one or more block groups that are spatially adjacent or linked to each other.
Aggregations are formed from block groups in which the majority of the population is associated with a single community.
Each aggregation should contain a minimum total population of 500. With seven exceptions, all aggregations — including solitary block groups — conform to this rule. In a few areas, smaller block groups are not aggregated with others where distinct communities exist and to preserve the heterogeneity represented by extreme social differences between adjacent areas.
Where it is necessary to include more than one community in a single aggregation, block groups may be placed into aggregations in which populations share common service centers, common community service districts or common school systems.
Block groups with small dispersed populations that conform to no single community are aggregated together when they share similar demographic characteristics as determined by local knowledge (e.g. low density housing, commuting patterns, or ethnicity).
Where adjacent block group populations differ and do not fall under previous criteria, they are kept as separate units to ensure that this diversity is captured in the analysis.
With numerous small communities or areas with no clearly identifiable communities, aggregation determination is also based on geographic features.

Block group aggregation names are intended to be both inclusive of existing communities and descriptive of general population patterns within the aggregate. In general, aggregation names include major community names as commonly recognized by residents (e.g. Yreka, Merrill/Malin, Takilma or Pepperwood/Redcrest). Where no one or two definable communities dominate an area, names are based on general geographic characteristics (e.g. Klamath Area (Del Norte County)) or relationships to nearby towns or community centers (Gasquet Area).