The Lacey Equity Map is a free, interactive tool that shows social and environmental differences in Lacey (also known as disparities). It uses 34 community indicators, grouped into five categories, to show how people in different areas of Lacey may have different experiences.
The Map does not include all the community characteristics that may be related to equity, but it’s a helpful starting point. It is one of many tools the City and other community stakeholders can use to support decision-making, strategic planning, calls to action, and partnership to make Lacey a more equitable and inclusive place for everyone.
The City invites community members and organizations to use this resource to learn more about potential differences in Lacey.
Equity: The act of developing, strengthening, and supporting procedural and outcome fairness in systems, procedures, and resource distribution mechanisms to create equitable (not equal) opportunity for all people. Equity is distinct from equality which refers to everyone having the same treatment without accounting for differing needs or circumstances. Equity has a focus on eliminating barriers that have prevented the full participation of historically and currently oppressed groups.
Equity Categories, Indicators, and Ratings
The Map has five Categories: Accessibility, Livability, Education, Economy, and Environment. The following indicators were used in each Category:
| Accessibility | Livability | Education | Economy | Environment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Accessibility | Median Home Value | Educational Attainment | Quality Jobs Index | Heavy Traffic Roadways |
| Internet Access at Home | Cost-Burdened Households | Four-Year High School Graduation Rate | Unemployment Rate | Urban Tree Canopy |
| Access to Household Vehicle | Self-Rated Health | Average Student Test Rate | Median Household Income | Nox-Diesel Emissions |
| Average Road Quality | Health Uninsured Rate | Average Student Mobility Rate | Homeownership Rate | PM2.5 Concentration |
| Retail Service Jobs | Fatal/Serious Injury Crashes | Kindergarten Readiness | Non-Auto Commuters | Toxic Releases from Facilities |
| Four Year Average Voter Participation Rate | Percent Low Life Expectancy | Poverty Rate | Ozone Concentration | |
| Library Access | Walkability Index | |||
| Food Access | ||||
| Pedestrian and Bike Trails | ||||
| Parks Access |
Map Rating Scale
The Map uses a rating scale of Very High, High, Moderate, Low, and Very Low. Ratings are relative comparisons to how a specific census tract in Lacey or the Lacey Urban Growth Area (UGA) compares to all the census tracts in Thurston County.
“Very High” represents locations with collectively better outcomes due to the presence of a greater combination of access to opportunities, including high-performing schools, transportation, accessible neighborhoods, higher-quality employment, better health outcomes such as higher life expectancy, and safe and healthy environmental conditions.
“Very Low” represents locations with collectively worse outcomes because of the presence of a lower combination of access to opportunities.
Check out the Equity Map User Guide for more information.
Limitations
This data is not comprehensive, and it’s important to remember that no dataset is perfect. Understanding community differences requires various data points and perspectives.
The Map is just one of many helpful tools. To make fair and effective decisions, it should be used with other data sources, research, and meaningful community input. Numbers alone are not enough to shape strong, effective policies. We realize the data presented in this map may differ from those in previous studies. These differences often result from using updated data sources or improved methodologies. For example, the Tree Canopy rate shown on the Equity Map is different from the one found in the City’s most recent Urban Forest Management Plan. This is due to updates in the data sources.
The methodology behind the Equity Map was derived from the Kirwan Institute on Race and Social Justice.
Community Attributes, Inc. helped develop this tool.
Check out the Equity Map User Guide for more information.
Map Boundaries
The Map shows Indicator Ratings for the City of Lacey and the Lacey Urban Growth Area (UGA).
City of Lacey boundaries: solid black lines
Lacey UGA boundaries: dashed blue lines
Display Colors
The Map’s colors were intentionally reversed to counter historical and often current representations of low-income or communities of color as “negative.” The “flipped” gradient also does not use green or “positive” colors. Instead, darker colors on the Map represent areas with more opportunity. Lighter colors highlight the possibility of more inequities.
Graphs – Histogram
Most indicators include a Histogram, which shows the share of block groups from the selected area and the total City and County area that fall within each quintile of data. Quintiles are determined by taking all the data for each metric and dividing the data into five equal categories. The histogram has two main components: 1) the selected block groups, and 2) all block groups in Thurston County that we are comparing to.
The percentages on the histogram bars refer to the share of block groups from each geography (selected and total) that fall into each of the five quintiles. This helps to understand the distribution of the data for the selected area compared to the total geography. The selected area average and total geography average are displayed beneath the chart for a higher-level comparison.
Demographic Data
Demographic information (race, ethnicity, foreign-born population, limited English proficiency, age, countries of immigration, sex, and individuals with disabilities) is included in the Map, but they are not used for determining the equity rating. We don’t include demographic information in any indicator rating because demographics alone are not the cause of low opportunity.
This information could help identify outcome disparities by those most likely to experience inequity. This data also supports our community engagement and language access efforts.
DEIB Strategic Plan Alignment
The development and implementation of the Equity Map was a benchmark identified in the City’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Strategic Plan under the Goal area of Programs, Policies, and Services:
A. Integrate and reflect equity values in all policies and planning documents, e.g., Budget, Comprehensive Plan, etc.: 2. Create an equity map that supports the equity framework tool and other City projects.
