This tool focuses on the local authority (district level) rural_urban classification. It provides detailed information on the settlement structure and rural population of local authorities and enables the rural town and urban elements of local authority settlement to be seen on the map.
The District Classifications tool operates at three levels:
(a) England
Select 'England' from the 'Area' selection box.
Select a 'Class Type' from the Class Type box:
'District Type': the six classes of the LAD classification
'Natural Breaks' or 'Jenks Method': the breakpoints in the distribution of the data identify groupings and patterns inherent in the data. Class boundaries are set where there are relatively big 'jumps' in data values.
'Equal Interval: the range of values of the data is divided into equal-sized intervals. Best used for data converted to ratios e.g. percentages.
In this tool, natural breaks and equal intervals divide the data into five groups.
Select a settlement type variable to map e.g.' Total Rural Population' or 'Percent Rural'
A map is returned with the required information displayed. The 'Legend' tab gives the the values for the ranges under each method.
(b) Region
Select a region from the Area selection box. The districts in that region appear in the 'District' box. The same mapping choices are available.
On the 'General' tab it is possible to incorporate urban areas, Output Area and district boundaries into the mapping.
The 'Legend' tab gives the classes of these items where selected.
(c) District
Select a region in the 'Region' box. Select a district in the 'District' box.
Under the 'General' tab select Urban/Refresh map or Output Area/Refresh map as visible layers as required.
Under the 'Legend' tab, identify District/Urban Area type etc.