Frequently Asked Questions¶

General Questions¶

What is SocialMapper?¶

SocialMapper is a Python tool that analyzes community accessibility by combining travel time analysis with demographic data. It helps you understand who can reach important places like libraries, schools, and hospitals.

What data sources does it use?¶

OpenStreetMap for finding places (POIs)
US Census Bureau for demographic data
OpenStreetMap road networks for travel time calculations

Is it free to use?¶

Yes! SocialMapper is open source and free to use. The data sources (OpenStreetMap and Census) are also free.

Do I need a Census API key?¶

No, but having one improves reliability. Get a free key at census.gov/developers.

Installation¶

What Python version do I need?¶

Python 3.11 or higher. We recommend Python 3.12 for best performance.

Why is installation taking so long?¶

First installation downloads several dependencies. This is normal and only happens once.

Can I use it on Windows/Mac/Linux?¶

Yes! SocialMapper works on all major operating systems.

Usage Questions¶

How do I analyze my own addresses?¶

Create a CSV file with columns: name, latitude, longitude. Then:

run_socialmapper(custom_coords_path="your_file.csv", travel_time=15)

What census variables are available?¶

Common ones include: - total_population - Total population - median_household_income - Median income - median_age - Median age - percent_poverty - Poverty rate - percent_without_vehicle - No vehicle access

Can I analyze multiple locations at once?¶

Yes! Use a CSV file with multiple locations or loop through different searches.

How accurate are the travel times?¶

Travel times use real road networks and are quite accurate. They assume: - Normal traffic conditions - Standard travel speeds - No delays or stops

Performance¶

Why is my first run slow?¶

SocialMapper builds caches on first use. Subsequent runs will be much faster.

How can I speed up analysis?¶

Use fewer census variables
Enable caching (default)
Analyze smaller areas
Use batch processing

How much data will it download?¶

Initial setup may download 100-500MB for caches. After that, minimal data is needed.

Troubleshooting¶

"No POIs found"¶

Check your place_type spelling
Verify the county name
Try a different place type
Check internet connection

"Census data error"¶

Verify you're analyzing US locations
Check coordinate accuracy
Try without Census API key
Reduce number of variables

"Memory error"¶

Analyze smaller areas
Use fewer census variables
Close other applications
Increase system swap space

Data Questions¶

Can I use it outside the US?¶

POI finding works globally, but census data is US-only. For non-US analysis, omit census variables.

How current is the data?¶

OpenStreetMap: Live data
Census: Latest American Community Survey (usually 1-2 years old)

Can I save results?¶

Yes! Use export_csv=True for data files and export_maps=True for visualizations.

Advanced Usage¶

Can I customize travel modes?¶

Yes, options include: - walk - Walking (default) - drive - Driving - bike - Cycling

Can I change travel speeds?¶

Not directly, but OSMnx uses realistic defaults based on road types and travel modes.

Is there an API?¶

Yes! SocialMapper has a full Python API. See the API Reference.

Getting Help¶