SparkMap

09/05/2025

The SparkMap Map Room provides over 34,000 recent and historical data layers for free. Why? We believe everyone should have access to reliable and easily understood data.

Not only is the Map Room free, but so is our suite of custom Map Room tools. Whether you're looking to measure distance, find a community Walk Score, understand the needs and opportunities of a location, highlight data points that meet your criteria, or quickly compare data from multiple years, we have a free tool for that.

Learn more about the tools you can use in our Map Room:

Our Map Room is equipped with a robust suite of tools built to help you learn more about your areas of interest, create effective visuals, and extract data from your maps. Check out descriptions of each Map Room Tool below. 1 Map Tools 2 Footprint Tools 3 Data Tools Section 1 – Map Tools The...

09/03/2025

We're always looking for more live data to add to SparkMap!

Recently we added live Air Quality and Active Weather Alert data to the Map Room. Both of these layers are updated on an hourly basis to provide the most real-time information possible.

Explore the Air Quality and Active Weather Alert map to see what's happening around the county today: https://cares.page.link/sq46

08/29/2025

Over the last year, the fastest growing industry in Broomfield County, Colorado was Manufacturing according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What was the fastest growing industry in your area? How did it change based on education or income level?

Explore all 62 new layers related to workforce and industry by visiting the Map Room and searching "QWI."

Start exploring: https://cares.page.link/ZSct

08/27/2025

More accurately target community health improvements with BRFSS data.

BRFSS is the largest continuous health survey in the world, receiving responses from over 400,000 Americans annually. These data are tremendously important for understanding the health of community members are creating impactful change.

Watch our latest webinar to learn more about BRFSS data and how SparkMap helps you effectively use it.

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the largest continuously conducted health survey in the world. Each year over 400,000 Americans are...

08/21/2025

Why do aquifers matter?

According to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), 37% of county and city drinking water and over 90% of drinking water in rural areas comes from groundwater in aquifers.

We have updated principal aquifer data in our Map Room, which shows information on aquifer name, underlying rock type, yield amount, water quality, and depth.

Explore this important (and visually captivating) map now: https://cares.page.link/vMw9

08/19/2025

What is commuting like in your state?

Updated data from USDA Economic Research Service uses census tract boundaries to define communities and commuting ties based on Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes. RUCA codes were designed to address a major limitation associated with county-based classifications; they are often too large to accurately delineate boundaries between rural and urban areas.

This map provides information on urban cores, small town cores, areas of high commuting, areas of low commuting, and secondary commuting flow to other areas.

Learn more about commuting in your community with RUCA data: https://cares.page.link/cmS5

01/30/2023

Do you work in government, health, or non-profit related occupations?

See how you can increase community impact with SparkMap, from others in your field:

See how others in your industry use SparkMap’s Community Needs Assessment and Map Room! Government Supplement grant applications, identify areas for community development, and easily assess data on the education rates, economic security, and healthcare of your area’s populace. View Government...

01/25/2023

Our parent company, Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems has launched a beta version of a new map room!

You’ll find the same data you love in a new, user-focused interface.

Some exciting changes include larger , mobile-friendly display, and more! Check it out today:

All Things Missouri is an interactive destination for community leaders and decision-makers developed by the Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems in collaboration with University of Missouri Extension and Engagement. Populated with both national and local data, the site features intera...

01/10/2023

2022 was a BIG year for SparkMap, and we have even more planned in 2023. Read our latest blog for insight on the most popular used by our community last year, and learn more about what's ahead:

SparkMap's 2022 Review, recaps the most popular map layers and indicators used this year. We also preview exciting new changes coming in 2023!

01/05/2023

We've added the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to SparkMap!

This local health data includes 29 measures of health for communities all around the country. It's especially helpful for state and local .

On SparkMap, easily add this local data to your custom maps and community assessments. Learn more about the data we've updated here:

We worry about having the most recent data so you don’t have to. There are really three distinct streams to our news feed. The first are the tried and true layers, like the American Community Survey or the Census of Agriculture – these layers are collected consistently without much variation in ...