Woodstown Borough: Vulnerable Populations Exposure Snapshot
Introduction
Data Last Updated: 2024-04-26 09:14:10
While all people living in the United States are affected by climate change, some communities and some populations are more vulnerable. Some populations and communities are subject to multiple stressors, making them disproportionately affected by changing climate conditions.
Vulnerability may vary by several factors:
- Location - such as living close to flood prone areas.
- Physical status - such as age, pre-existing health conditions and/or physical disability.
- Social, economic and underlying community conditions - such as the extent to which individuals have access to the services and results of long-standing societal factors (i.e., community underinvestment, racism, and poor representation in decision-making).
The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention uses information from the U.S. Census to create an index (the Social Vulnerability Index) that ranks the social vulnerability of communities in the United States to hazardous events and disasters. The ability to recover from these events and disasters is much more difficult for socially vulnerable populations. The CDC index, which helps identify these populations, is at a census tract level and is comprised of 15 social factors that are organized according to four themes. These four themes are: Socioeconomic Status, Household Composition and Disability; Minority Status and Language; and Housing and Transportation.
Understanding where socially vulnerable populations are in relation to climate hazards, such as flooding, can help a community plan for impacts to those groups most vulnerable to such hazards.
There are 3 types of flood events:
- Riverine (or ‘fluvial’) flood events occur when intense rain events cause rivers and streams to overtop their banks.
- Flash (or ‘pluvial’) floods occur when intense rainfall causes a flood event that is not directly associated with a body of water. For example, flash flood events include floods in roadways from impaired stormwater management systems.
- Coastal flood events occur when sea-level rise, high tides, and storm surge combine to create flood events that range from nuisance high-tide floods to destructive storm tides from seawater.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) models flood hazards, both riverine (1) and coastal (3), as part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations and insurance requirements. FEMA does not model flash flood events (2) for their NFIP flood mapping.
Woodstown Borough: Vulnerable Populations Exposure Snapshot
Demographics
Total Population: 3,680
Total Housing Units: 1,743
Average Municipal Household Income: $46,756
Total Municipality Acres: 1,034
Total Urban Area (Acres): 693
- Urban Area Impacted by 1% Annual Chance Flood: 30 Acres (4.35%)
- Urban Area Impacted by 0.2% Annual Chance Flood: 59 Acres (8.51%)
- Urban Area Impacted by Regulatory Floodway: 7 Acres (1.06%)
Impacted populations were calculated by determining the proportion of urban land use within a municipality impacted by inland and coastal flood hazards and applying that proportion to the total value of the indicator variable for that municipality.
Population and Household values were retrieved from The U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2022 - ACS 5 Year) API
Woodstown Borough: Vulnerable Populations Exposure Snapshot
Exposure Based on Socioeconomic Status
By Population (FEMA Flood Zones)
Represents quartile of this census tract to other census tracts in New Jersey
| Population | # Exposed in ... | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variable | Within Variable | % of Total | 1% Annual Chance Flood | 0.2% Annual Chance Flood | Regulatory Floodway | |
| Below Poverty | 362 | 9.84% | 16 | 31 | 4 | |
| Unemployed | 69 | 1.88% | 3 | 6 | 1 | |
| No High School Diploma | 186 | 5.05% | 8 | 16 | 2 | |
The FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) dataset represents the current effective flood data across the United States. Areas in the National Flood Hazard Layer are:
- Floodway: The floodway is the channel of a stream plus any adjacent floodplain areas that must be kept free of encroachment so that the 1% annual chance flood can be carried without substantial increases in flood height.
- 1% Annual Chance Flood: The 1% annual flood (100-year flood), also known as the base flood, is the flood that has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The Special Flood Hazard Area is the area subject to flooding by the 1% annual chance flood. Areas of Special Flood Hazard include Zones A, AE, AH, AO, AR, A99, V, and VE. The Base Flood Elevation is that water-surface elevation of the 1% annual chance flood.
- 0.2% Annual Chance Flood: The 0.2% annual flood (500-year flood) is the flood that has a 0.2% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
- Areas of Undetermined Flood Hazard are areas with possible but undetermined flood hazards.
- FEMA Flood Zone exposure analyses are inclusive of lesser FEMA flood designations. The number exposed to 1% Annual Chance Flood includes those exposed in the Regulatory Floodway area in its analysis and the 0.2% Annual Chance Flood includes those exposed in the 1% Annual Change Flood and in the Regulatory Floodway.
Woodstown Borough: Vulnerable Populations Exposure Snapshot
Exposure Based on Household Composition & Disability
By Population (FEMA Flood Zones)
Represents quartile of this census tract to other census tracts in New Jersey
| Population | # Exposed in ... | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variable | Within Variable | % of Total | 1% Annual Chance Flood | 0.2% Annual Chance Flood | Regulatory Floodway | |
| Aged 65 or Over | 537 | 14.59% | 24 | 46 | 6 | |
| Aged 17 or Younger | 745 | 20.24% | 32 | 63 | 8 | |
| Civilian with a Disability | 553 | 15.03% | 24 | 47 | 6 | |
By Households (FEMA Flood Zones)
Represents quartile of this census tract to other census tracts in New Jersey
| Households | # Exposed in ... | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variable | Within Variable | % of Total | 1% Annual Chance Flood | 0.2% Annual Chance Flood | Regulatory Floodway | |
| Single-Parent Households | 126 | 7.23% | 5 | 10 | 1 | |
Woodstown Borough: Vulnerable Populations Exposure Snapshot
Minority Status & Language
By Population (FEMA Flood Zones)
Represents quartile of this census tract to other census tracts in New Jersey
| Population | # Exposed in ... | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variable | Within Variable | % of Total | 1% Annual Chance Flood | 0.2% Annual Chance Flood | Regulatory Floodway | |
| Minority | 516 | 14.02% | 22 | 43 | 5 | |
| Black or African American | 75 | 2.04% | 3 | 7 | 1 | |
| AIAN1 | 6 | 0.16% | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Asian | 6 | 0.16% | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| NHPI2 | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Other | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Two or More Races | 24 | 0.65% | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 405 | 11.01% | 17 | 34 | 4 | |
| Speak English “Less than Well” | 2 | 0.05% | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
- 1 American Indian and Alaska Native
- 2 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
Woodstown Borough: Vulnerable Populations Exposure Snapshot
Housing & Transportation
By Households (FEMA Flood Zones)
| Households | # Exposed in ... | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variable | Within Variable | % of Total | 1% Annual Chance Flood | 0.2% Annual Chance Flood | Regulatory Floodway | |
| Multi-Unit Structures1 | 185 | 10.61% | 8 | 16 | 2 | |
| Mobile Homes | 36 | 2.07% | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| Crowding2 | 17 | 0.98% | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| No Vehicle | 78 | 4.48% | 4 | 7 | 1 | |
- 1 Multi-unit structures is defined here as 10 or more housing units in a structure.
- 2 Crowding is defined here as the number of households that have more people than rooms.
By Population (FEMA Flood Zones)
Represents quartile of this census tract to other census tracts in New Jersey
| Population | # Exposed in ... | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variable | Within Variable | % of Total | 1% Annual Chance Flood | 0.2% Annual Chance Flood | Regulatory Floodway | |
| Group Quarters3 | 19 | 0.52% | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
- 3 Group Quarters is defined as persons who are in institutionalized group quarters (e.g., correctional institutions, nursing homes) and non-institutionalized group quarters (e.g., college dormitories, military quarters).
Woodstown Borough: Vulnerable Populations Exposure Snapshot
Other Data Sets
In addition to the CDC SVI data, several other sets of data are available that can be used to reflect the social vulnerability of populations and communities:
Municipal Revitalization Index
Managed by the state Department of Community Affairs, the Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI) serves as the State’s official measure and ranking of municipal distress. This index is linked to economic, housing, and labor market data.
Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed
https://www.unitedforalice.org/new-jerseyALICE, an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE), represents the growing number of individuals and families who are working, but are unable to afford the basic necessities of housing, child care, food, transportation, energy, and health care.
NJCounts Point-in-Time
The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires each state to conduct an assessment in January of each year to identify individuals residing in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, safe havens and living on the streets or other locations not fit for dwelling. For NJ, this data is known as NJCounts.
Veterans
The U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey maintains data regarding demographic, social and economic data on veterans.
Housing Stock Age
Maintained by the United States Census Bureau, American Community Survey, the Housing Stock Age reflects the number of housing units built in the municipality prior to 1970. These homes may be more vulnerable and less resilient to changing climate conditions.
Landscan
Landscan provides a relative assessment of population density measured on a “people per cell” indicator basis. While this is not a measure of social vulnerability, it is provided to better understand where populations reside.
Metadata / Sources - Flood Hazards
| Where to Get It | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Description | Map Service | Authoritative Source |
| FEMA Flood Zones | This FIRM data service allows users to view FIRMs for NJ. Counties were combined using the data downloaded from FEMA's Region II office. | FEMA Flood Zones Map Service | Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) |
Metadata / Sources - Social Vulnerability
| Where to Get It | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Description | Map Service | Authoritative Source |
| Social Vulnerability Index - Overall | The Social Vulnerabiltiy Index combines percentile rankings of US Census American Community Survey (ACS) 2014-2018 variables, for the state, at the census tract level and highlight the location of a community’s most vulnerable people. | Overall Social Vulnerability Map Service | Center for Disease Control -Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) |
| Social Vulnerability Index - Socio-Economic | The Social Vulnerabiltiy Index combines percentile rankings of US Census American Community Survey (ACS) 2014-2018 variables, for the state, at the census tract level and highlight the location of a community’s most vulnerable people. Socioeconomic Status: Poverty, Unemployed, Per Capita Income, No High School Diploma. | SVI Socio-Economic Map Service | Center for Disease Control -Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) |
| Social Vulnerability Index - Household Composition | The Social Vulnerabiltiy Index combines percentile rankings of US Census American Community Survey (ACS) 2014-2018 variables, for the state, at the census tract level and highlight the location of a community’s most vulnerable people. Household Composition/Disability: Aged 65 and Over, Aged 17 and Younger, Single-parent Household, Aged 5 and over with a Disability. | SVI Household Composition Map Service | Center for Disease Control -Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) |
| Social Vulnerability Index - Race / Ethnicity / Language | The Social Vulnerabiltiy Index combines percentile rankings of US Census American Community Survey (ACS) 2014-2018 variables, for the state, at the census tract level and highlight the location of a community’s most vulnerable people. Race/Ethnicity/Language: Minority, English Language Ability. | SVI Race/Ethnicity/Language Map Service | Center for Disease Control -Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) |
| Social Vulnerability Index - Housing / Transportation | The Social Vulnerabiltiy Index combines percentile rankings of US Census American Community Survey (ACS) 2014-2018 variables, for the state, at the census tract level and highlight the location of a community’s most vulnerable people. Housing/Transportation: Multi-unit, Mobile Homes, Crowding, No Vehicle, Group Quarters. | SVI Housing/Transportation Map Service | Center for Disease Control -Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) |
| ALICE | ALICE represents working households unable to afford basic necessities. ALICE households have incomes above the Federal Poverty Level, but below the Household Survival Budget (HSB). The HSB calculates the actual cost of basic necessities - housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, technology (smartphones), and taxes - in New Jersey, adjusted for different counties and household types. | ALICE Map Service | United Way of Northern New Jersey |
| Homeless Population | The homeless population is calculated via a Point-in-Time (PIT) count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. This dataset was gathered in January 2018. The count is based on Continuum of Care program geographies. Some Continuum of Care programs cover one county in New Jersey, while other programs cover multiple counties. Map boundaries have been dissolved to show Continuum of Care geographic coverage. | Homeless Population Map Service | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development |
| Age of Housing Stock | Housing units built prior to the year 1970 | Housing Stock Map Service | U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey |
| MRI Distress Score | The Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI) ranks New Jersey’s municipalities according to eight separate indicators that measure diverse aspects of social, economic, physical, and fiscal conditions in each locality. These indicators are: Average annual population change; Children on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; Unemployment rate; Equalized 3-year effective tax rate; Equalized valuation per capita; Per capita income; Substandard housing percentage; Pre-1960 housing percentage. The distress score ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 indicating maximum distress. | MRI Distress Score Map Service | New Jersey Department of Community Affairs |
| Veteran Population | Veteran status for the civilian population 18 years and older | Veteran Population Map Service | U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey |
| NJDEP Environmental Justice Overburdened Communities | In September 2020, New Jersey adopted a new law (N.J.S.A. 13:1D-157) that requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to evaluate the contributions of certain commercial and industrial facilities to existing environmental and public health stressors in overburdened communities when reviewing certain permit applications. The law also directs the Department to publish a list of overburdened communities, at a census block level, based on the following criteria:
|
Overburdened Communities Feature Service | NJDEP Office of Environmental Justice |