Again, thanks for you help Jason. (another question:)).
Based on what I have read, it seems apparent that USPS ZIP codes are used as a standard geography for summarizing data in Community Analyst. NOT ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs). But I want to be sure that is the case. ZIP Codes or ZCTAs? (If ZIP Codes - how often does Esri update its data summaries/tabulations?)
Thanks
Bob,
Community Analyst just uses residential delivery zip codes (area/polygon zips) and does not use ZCTAs. ZIP code boundaries come from the NAVTEQ Q4 2011 release for the Esri 2012/2017 data update. Each time there is a new Esri data release there will be a newer zip code vintage.
Regards,
Jason R.
Thanks Again, Jason. I have been diving deep into Community Analyst and questions keep coming up.
I created a 3 mile ring around my home address in Community Analyst Online using "Find Location." I then created a 3 mile ring around my home address in ArcGIS 10.1 (spatial reference WGS_1984_Web_Mercator_Auxiliary_Sphere) using the Business Analyst Evaluate Site tool and uploaded (imported) the shapefile to Community Analyst. The radius of the "3 mile" ring created on the desktop is slightly smaller than that created in CA online, and the reports generated by each are different. Is this a spatial reference issue?