Introduction
OSEDA has produced Regional Profiles, reports, graphs, and maps describing the social, economic and demographic characteristics of Missourians by groupings of counties for the public since 1981. Initially, OSEDA's Regional Profiles were distributed in print form. In 1993, OSEDA began publishing Regional Profiles via the World Wide Web.
An updated Regional Profiles series will be featured as a component of OSEDA's recently redesigned website. As in the past, Regional Profiles will present tables, graphs and maps of important and relevant social, economic and demographic indicators for each of the state's regions and each of the counties within a region.
Multiple Regional Formats
Some changes have been adopted to make the Regional Profiles more useful. One important change is the adoption of more than one regional grouping of counties. There are several ways to group Missouri counties into regions: University Outreach and Extension uses eight regions; The Department of Transportation uses ten regions; and, The Department of Economic Development uses thirteen regions. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these depending on the focus of the analysis. There are programmatic and administrative advantages to using them all.
Accordingly, OSEDA intends to produce its new regional profiles using each of the regional groupings. Our data tables will include versions that display counties grouped from the Extension view, the Transportation view and the Economic Development view. We will describe the distribution of the indicator using the most meaningful comparative grouping, but we will be sure to include tables formatted according to each regional grouping.
Our intention is to present informative analysis in useful formats mindful of our multiple audiences and the diversity of our state.
The Purpose of Regional Analysis
The grouping of counties into regions provides a tool for understanding and appreciating the important relationships and variations in social, economic and demographic trends within and between the geographic regions of Missouri. While the graphic and mapped presentation of regional and county indicators in the Regional Profiles is important, OSEDA additionally includes analyses and interpretation of these indicators to assist users in understanding the context and meaning of the indicators within their region, in comparison to other regions, and to the state.
The Relevance of Regional Analysis in Missouri
There are few states with a regional diversity as complex and significant as Missouri in regard to social, economic, demographic, geographic and cultural trends. As examples, population density, population change, agriculture, natural resources, income levels, economic base characteristics, educational attainment and educational performance, all differ greatly from one region to another.
As a result of this diversity, OSEDA has found, from its years of experience presenting and analyzing Missouri data and trends, that few, if any, statewide averages or indicators are very descriptive. The OSEDA Regional Profiles, including graphics, maps, and analyses, are designed to assist local, regional, and state-wide planners and decision-makers in understanding these differences and why they persist or why they change.
This file last modified Friday May 08, 2009, 14:07:17
Questions/Comments regarding this page or this Web site are strongly encouraged and can be sent to
OSEDA, Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis Telephone: (573)882-7396
240 Heinkel Building, Columbia, MO 65211