How to interact with data visualizations

Lincoln Vital Signs presents data about Lincoln over time and in comparison to other jurisdictions using interactive visualizations. Sections in the report include: Community Profile, Economy & Workforce, Basic Needs, Education, Health, and Safety & Security. Each of these sections contains several visualizations looking at specific issues or questions within these categories. By interacting with these visuals you will be able to filter and narrow the results by different criteria.  

I

what is covered in the tutorial

  • A brief overview of the website.
  • Where to find data on the site.
  • How to interact with the data visuals.
Recommended Citation

Public Policy Center. (n.d.). Lincoln Vital Signs: [add heading for specific page and visual title]. University of Nebraska. Retrieved [insert month, day, year], from https://www.lincolnvitalsigns.org/[add remainder of specific webpage link]

Example: Public Policy Center. (n.d.). Lincoln Vital Signs: Community Profile: Population. University of Nebraska. Retrieved August 10, 2022, from https://www.lincolnvitalsigns.org/community-profile/population

Note: Recommended website citation is in APA Style. If you are using another style please use the correct format for that style.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lincoln Vital Signs?

 Lincoln Vital Signs is a report commissioned by some of Lincoln’s largest public and private charitable organizations. It describes how Lincoln has changed since 2005, areas where we are successful, and areas where we have room to grow. The report is completed about every two years using publicly available data to measure the strength and health of our community in the following areas: Community Profile, Economy and Workforce, Basic Needs, Education, Health, and Safety and Security. Leaders of public, private, and philanthropic organizations in Lincoln and Nebraska use the Lincoln Vital Signs report to help inform decisions, spark connections, and spur collaboration.

What is Prosper Lincoln?

Lincoln Vital Signs reports help the community “be informed” and Prosper Lincoln encourages the community to “get involved.” Lincoln Vital Signs findings in 2014 led the community to create Prosper Lincoln, a focused community agenda to help address challenges and priorities in the following key areas: Early Childhood, Innovative Workforce, Affordable Housing, Strong Neighborhoods, and Civic Investment. Learn more at prosperlincoln.org.

Where does the data for Lincoln vital signs come from?

Lincoln Vital Signs relies primarily on publicly available data. Data sources include the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lincoln Public Schools, and Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department. For a full list of our data sources, visit Lincolnvitalsigns.org/about/data-sources.

How many Lincoln Vital Signs Reports are There and What were their Findings?

There have been four Lincoln Vital Signs reports.  The first report, published in 2014, and subsequent reports in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022. You can view and download the reports at www.lincolnvitalsigns.org/reports

2022 Report
  1. Lincoln continues to thrive in several areas.
  2. Some areas of weakness persist.
  3. Population trends will shape future need for services and initiatives.
2019 Report
  1. Lincoln is prospering and growing stronger.
  2. Persistent weaknesses impede progress.
2017 Report
  1. Lincoln is experiencing positive economic recovery.
  2. Opportunity gaps persist.
2014 & 2015 Reports
  1. Lincoln does many things exceptionally well and these successes should be nurtured.
  2. A growing proportion of Lincoln’s population faces real need.
  3. Lincoln’s children fare poorly on many measures.
What are the goals or objectives of the lincoln vital signs report?
  • Measure the strength and health of the Lincoln community
  • Reflect fundamental interests and concerns of the community, families, and individuals
  • Serve as a reliable resource for information about Lincoln
  • Be available for past years and repeatable for future years
  • Measure outcomes, rather than inputs or outputs
Who uses the Lincoln Vital Signs Reports?
  • Anyone who wants to learn more about the strengths and/or challenges within the Lincoln community
  • Funders use the data to make investments in community services
  • Community services organizations and government departments use it for strategic planning, needs assessments, and grant proposals
  • Business leaders use it to promote Lincoln and to create business plans
  • Faith community leaders use it to plan ministries and conferences
  • Neighborhoods use it to target activities and planning
How is data chosen for future Lincoln vital signs reports?

An Advisory Committee representing a variety of organizations and sectors across the community meet to identify and prioritize additional data for the next report. If you would like to make a suggestion for a metric or areas you would like to see included in a future report, please go to lincolnvitalsigns.org/contact.

What data is included in the Community profile section of the report?
  • Population
  • Population Growth
  • Population by Age Group
  • Population Growth by Age Group
  • Concentration of Children Map
  • Birth & Death Rates
  • Lincoln Newcomers
  • Newcomers by Age Group
  • Newcomers by Race/Ethnicity
  • Newcomer Educational Attainment
  • Race/Ethnicity
  • Race/Ethnicity by Age
  • Race/Ethnicity Map
  • Community Well-Being Index

NOTE: This data is currently included on the website for the 2022 Lincoln Vital Signs Report. Sections and data in past reports may vary.

What Data is INCLUDED in the economy and workforce section of the report?
  • Unemployment
  • Unemployment by Race/Ethnicity
  • Workforce Participation
  • Workforce Participation by Race/Ethnicity
  • Parents in Workforce
  • Childcare Costs
  • Childcare Infant Cost
  • Cost of Living
  • Per Capita Income
  • Household Income
  • Median vs. Mean Household Income
  • Workforce Status & Poverty
  • Employment Status & Poverty
  • Work Type & Poverty
  • Mean Hours & Poverty
  • Educational Attainment
  • High School Diploma
  • Graduate or Professional Degree
  • Unemployment Rate by Education
  • Median Earnings by Education
  • Projected Employment Growth
  • Quality of Workforce
  • Availability of Skilled Workforce
  • Employment by Sector
  • STEM Occupations
  • Net Job Creation
  • Jobs Created by New Businesses
  • Establishment Entry Rate
  • Commercial & Residential Construction

NOTE: This data is currently included on the website for the 2022 Lincoln Vital Signs Report. Sections and data in past reports may vary.

What data is INCLUDED in the basic needs section of the report?
  • Poverty Map
  • Poverty Rate
  • Population Change by Poverty Level
  • Households In/Near Poverty
  • Children in Poverty
  • Poverty by Age Group
  • Families in Poverty
  • Female Householder Families in Poverty
  • Race and Poverty – Number
  • Race and Poverty – Percent
  • New Americans in Poverty
  • Race/Ethnicity and Poverty Map
  • Poverty by Education
  • Poverty by School Enrollment
  • Census Tracts in Extreme Poverty
  • Census Tract Poverty Map
  • SNAP Benefits
  • Free/Reduced Lunch
  • Food Insecurity
  • Food Insecurity Assistance Ineligibility
  • Uninsured Population
  • Uninsured Population by Race/Ethnicity
  • Medicaid Only Coverage
  • Healthcare Coverage by Age
  • Cost of Living – Price Parity
  • Housing Costs
  • Housing Costs Map
  • Homeless Point in Time Count
  • Homeless Rate by Age

NOTE: This data is currently included on the website for the 2022 Lincoln Vital Signs Report. Sections and data in past reports may vary.

What data is INCLUDED in the education section of the report?
  • Providers Participating in SUTQ Reaching Step 3 or Higher
  • Young Children Enrolled in SUTQ Providers
  • Students Enrolled in LPS K-12 Schools
  • Students Enrolled in LPS K-12 Schools by Race/Ethnicity
  • Third Grade Language Proficiency
  • Third Grade Language Arts Differential
  • Eighth Grade Math Proficiency
  • Eighth Grade Math Proficiency Differential
  • Graduation Rate
  • Graduation Rate Differential
  • Dropout Rate
  • Dropout Rate Differential
  • Post-Secondary Enrollment of LPS Graduates
  • Young Adults Enrolled in College or Graduate School
  • Adults Attaining at Least High School Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree
  • Educational Attainment by Race/Ethnicity

NOTE: This data is currently included on the website for the 2022 Lincoln Vital Signs Report. Sections and data in past reports may vary.

What data is INCLUDED in the health section of the report?
  • Health Risk Factors
  • Youth Fitness Map
  • Chlamydia
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  • Tobacco Use by Geography
  • Cancer Deaths
  • Heart Disease Deaths
  • Diabetes Deaths
  • Life Expectancy Map
  • Prenatal Care
  • First Trimester Prenatal Care Map
  • Low Birth Weight
  • Births to Teen Mothers
  • Mental Health Days
  • Police Mental Health Investigations
  • Suicide
  • Youth Marijuana Use
  • Youth Alcohol and Cigarette Use
  • Police Alcohol/Drug Related Incidents
  • Emergency Protective Custody
  • Civil Protective Custody
  • Behavioral Health Admissions
  • Behavioral Health Housing
  • Behavioral Health Employment

NOTE: This data is currently included on the website for the 2022 Lincoln Vital Signs Report. Sections and data in past reports may vary.

What data is INCLUDED in the safety and security section of the report?
  • Crime Rate
  • Crime Rate Comparison
  • Juvenile Arrest Comparison
  • Feeling Safe and Secure
  • Traffic Crash Injuries
  • Ambulance Response Time
  • Property Saved from Fire
  • Domestic and Child Violence
  • Child Out-of-Home Placements
  • Child Out-of-Home Placement Reasons

NOTE: This data is currently included on the website for the 2022 Lincoln Vital Signs Report. Sections and data in past reports may vary.