Above, one of three mounds at the Seneca Meadows Landfill in Waterloo, NY, as seen from the west side of Seneca Lake approximately eight miles away (through a telephoto lens). Credit: Kevin Colton, HWS.

EPA Region Map

EPA Region Map
EPA Region Map

Region 5

Kevin Guay - Indiana

Landfills and Population in Indiana


This map shows the landfills, where the land area occupied is represented by the circle size, and the population by county in 2003, where the darker colors represent higher population (National Atlas of the United States, Census 2003). The population is highest around the large cities (Fort Wayne, Evansville, Danville, Indianapolis and Chicago). The landfills are spread out over the state, but the larger landfills seem to be clustered around these large cities with the exception of Indianapolis. This could be because Indianapolis is surrounded by relatively large, dense, communities that might exert a "push" force on the landfills. The landfills that are in the area around Indianapolis are smaller and more abundant rather than large and sparse.

This map shows the landfills, where the land area occupied is represented by the circle size, and the population by county in 2003, where the darker colors represent higher population (National Atlas of the United States, Census 2003). The population is highest around the large cities (Fort Wayne, Evansville, Danville, Indianapolis and Chicago). The landfills are spread out over the state, but the larger landfills seem to be clustered around these large cities with the exception of Indianapolis. This could be because Indianapolis is surrounded by relatively large, dense, communities that might exert a "push" force on the landfills. The landfills that are in the area around Indianapolis are smaller and more abundant rather than large and sparse.

Landfills and Income in Indiana



This map shows the landfills, where the land area occupied is represented by the circle size, and the income by county in 2003, where the darker colors represent higher income (National Atlas of the United States, Census 2003). Higher income area (dark green), such as Indianapolis, Evansville and Louisville have much smaller landfills that are more spread out then in the poorer areas (lighter green). Fort Wayne is the exception to this trend, but the landfill is not in the city, but rather on the outskirts of the county, which borders counties with lower incomes.

Landfills and Number of Jobs in Indiana



This map shows the landfills, where the land area occupied is represented by the circle size, and the number of jobs by county in 2003, where the darker colors represent more jobs (National Atlas of the United States, Census 2003). There are more jobs clustered around the large cities in Indiana such as Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville. These areas have fewer large landfills than areas near Terre Haute and Marion, for example. This could be because the landfills target areas that are poorer and therefore have less jobs. Usually if you have a job, you have more money and therefore more influence in the local government. This would explain why the "high-job" area in the middle of the state (spanning five counties) only has one medium size landfill (just outside of Indianapolis).

Landfills and Jobs Per Capita in Indiana



This map shows the landfills, where the land area occupied is represented by the circle size, and the number of jobs per capita by county in 2003, where the darker colors represent more jobs per capita (National Atlas of the United States, Census 2003). The medium to large landfills are clustered in areas with less jobs per capita, such as Danville and Linton (below Terre Haute). This suggests that waste companies are targeting communities with higher unemployment rates. This is a better indicator then the total number of jobs, because it takes into account population (so that an area with no jobs doesn't stand out if there is also a population of zero).

Landfills and Wage per Job in Indiana


This map shows the landfills, where the land area occupied is represented by the circle size, and the wage per job by county in 2003, where the darker colors represent a higher wage per job (National Atlas of the United States, Census 2003). This map shows a correlation between large landfills and wealthy counties in Indiana. Areas with high wages, such as the southwest corner around Evansville, have very small landfills if any. Kokomo, a city to the north, and Loogootee to the South have very high wages (around $40,000) and have no landfills in or around their counties. Higher wages often mean wealthier residents that have more prestigious jobs and therefore have more influence in local governments.

Michigan


This map shows the estimated per capita income per county and the landfills sites in Michigan. Income data are from 2003, from the U.S. National Atlas can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/. In general, the landfills are in counties with low estimated per capita income, found on the outskirts of counties with higher estimated per capita income.


This map shows the locations of Michigan's landfills mapped against the locations of Michigan's coal power plants. This data shows a high correlation between the locations of coal plants to the locations of landfills in the state. Almost every coal plant is paired with or very close to a landfill. Michigan coal plant data are from the organization Source Watch, and can be found at www.sourcewatch.org


This map shows landfill sites in Michigan and the average annual number of jobs for each county in the state. Job data are from 2003, from the U.S. National Atlas and can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/ The Michigan counties with high average annual number of jobs, near Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Flint, and Detroit, have higher concentrations of landfills. The surrounding counties in the state, have which have much lower annual average job counts, have an even spread of landfills.


This map shows the average population per county for the counties in Michigan and the site of each landfill in the state. Population data are from 2003, from the U.S. National Atlas and can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/. The counties with higher population densities have the highest numbers of landfills, near their borders. The counties with the lowest population densities have an even spread of a few landfills.


This map displays the estimated per capita number of jobs per county in Michigan and the landfill sites for the state. Per capita job data are from 2003, from the U.S. National Atlas and can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/. Most of the landfills are concentrated in counties with higher estimated per capita number of jobs. The counties with lower estimated per capita number of jobs hav every few landfills.


Minnesota

Cierra Lang- Minnesota


This map shows the average wage per job in each county of Minnesota. This data is from 2003 and from the National Atlas of the U.S. and can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/. Also on this map contains all of the landfills that reside in the state,provided by the EPA. On this particular map, there is a noticeable concentration of higher wages near the southeast corner of Minnesota in about six counties. These counties are represented by the darker shade of green, which only seem to have four landfill sites. The rest of the landfills are more evenly distributed among the counties.



This map shows the average annual number of jobs per county in 2003 of Minnesota. This data is from the National Atlas of the U.S. and can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/. All of the landfill sites in the state are also indicated on the map provided by the EPA. Near the bottom right corner of the state, there is a concentration of darker shaded counties. These counties have a recorded more number of jobs than the rest of the state, and only have four landfills in this one section of counties. There seem to be more landfill sites per county in the lighter shades of green, where there are fewer jobs per year.



This map shows the population per county of Minnesota in the year 2003. This data is from the National Atlas of the U.S. and can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/. All of the landfill sites in the state are also indicated on the map, provided by the EPA. The most populated counties are the darker shaded green ones near the bottom right part of the state. There only seem to be a few landfills in these heavy populated counties, and a larger concentration in the rest of the counties.


This map shows the income per capita in each county of Minnesota in 2003. This data is from the National Atlas of the U.S. and can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/. All of the landfill sites in the state are also indicated on the map, provided by the EPA. There seems to be an even distribution of landfills among all levels of income, but the one county with the highest income per capita does not have any landfills in it. This county can be recognized as the darkest green county on the map.


Minnesota

Cierra Lang- Minnesota


This map shows the average wage per job in each county of Minnesota. This data is from 2003 and from the National Atlas of the U.S. and can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/. Also on this map contains all of the landfills that reside in the state,provided by the EPA. On this particular map, there is a noticeable concentration of higher wages near the southeast corner of Minnesota in about six counties. These counties are represented by the darker shade of green, which only seem to have four landfill sites. The rest of the landfills are more evenly distributed among the counties.



This map shows the average annual number of jobs per county in 2003 of Minnesota. This data is from the National Atlas of the U.S. and can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/. All of the landfill sites in the state are also indicated on the map provided by the EPA. Near the bottom right corner of the state, there is a concentration of darker shaded counties. These counties have a recorded more number of jobs than the rest of the state, and only have four landfills in this one section of counties. There seem to be more landfill sites per county in the lighter shades of green, where there are fewer jobs per year.



This map shows the population per county of Minnesota in the year 2003. This data is from the National Atlas of the U.S. and can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/. All of the landfill sites in the state are also indicated on the map, provided by the EPA. The most populated counties are the darker shaded green ones near the bottom right part of the state. There only seem to be a few landfills in these heavy populated counties, and a larger concentration in the rest of the counties.


This map shows the per capita number of jobs in each county of Minnesota in 2003. This data is from the National Atlas of the U.S. and can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/. All of the landfill sites in the state are also indicated on the map, provided by the EPA. The distribution of this variable among the counties is relatively even in this state. The same can be said about the landfills. Between the two counties with the highest number of jobs per capita, there are landfills in one of them. There does not seem to be an effect of this variable on the landfill site locations.



This map shows the population density of African Americans and Hispanics in the state of Minnesota in 2008. This data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and can be found at http://nationalatlas.gov/. All of the landfill sites in the state are also indicated on the map, provided by the EPA. The darkest shade of green of all counties shows the greatest diversity of their population, indicating more Hispanics and African Americans. In most of the darker shaded counties there is at least one landfill, and the other counties consisting of mostly whites, have much fewer landfills.

OhioMark Fruce - Ohio

Landfills and The Estimated Per Capita Personal Income Per County in Ohio

This map shows the locations of Ohio’s landfills mapped against the estimated per capita personal income per county. Personal income per county data are from the 2003 Census Bureau annual midyear population estimate and is available from census.gov, the Ohio demographics data are from the National Atlas of the U.S. available at http://nationalatlas.gov/, and the landfill sites data are from epa.gov. While landfills in the state are evenly distributed among counties of all income levels, most are concentrated in the wealthier counties. The data could reflect that wealthier residents have more disposable income and generate more trash.

Landfills in Relation to Toxic Sludge in Ohio

This map shows the locations of Ohio’s landfills mapped against the location of toxic sludge. The location of the 2008 toxic sludge data are from data.gov, Ohio demographics data are from National Atlas of the U.S. and is available at http://nationalatlas.gov/, and the landfill sites data are from epa.gov. While landfills are distributed among parts of the state where there is toxic sludge, most are distributed near parts of the state that have a greater concentration of toxic sludge. The results of the data could reflect that the higher concentration of landfills produce more toxic sludge.

Landfills in Relation to Schools in Ohio

This map shows the locations of Ohio’s landfills mapped against the location of schools. The location of the schools data are from the 2008 Ohio School District ODE DATA IIrC and is available from http:/batchgeo.com, Ohio demographics data are from National Atlas of the U.S. and is available at http://nationalatlas.gov/, and the landfill sites data are from epa.gov. While landfills are distributed among schools in the state, most are distributed near parts of the state that have a greater concentration of schools. The results of the data could reflect that the higher concentration of schools is a result of higher populations that generate more trash.
Landfills and The Estimated Per Capita Number of Jobs Per County in Ohio


Census Bureau and is available from census.gov, Ohio demographics data are from National Atlas of the U.S. and is available at http://nationalatlas.gov/, and the landfill sites data are from epa.gov. While landfills in the state are evenly distributed among counties with fewer jobs, most are concentrated in the counties that have more jobs. The results of the data could reflect that workplaces generate more trash.

Landfills and The Resident Population Per County In Ohio



This map shows the locations of Ohio’s landfills mapped against the resident population per county. Resident population per county data are from the 2003 Census Bureau annual midyear population estimate and is available from census.gov, the Ohio demographics data are from the National Atlas of the U.S. is available at http://nationalatlas.gov/, and the landfill sites data are from epa.gov. While landfills in the state are evenly distributed among counties with less populated residential areas, most are concentrated in the counties that have more populated residential areas. The results of the data could reflect that the more populated residential areas generate more trash