The map above aims to both highlight the deep need for investment on a granular level and to present a means of addressing that need. It combines economic vulnerability data and demographic information for black populations to illustrate counties that investors, interested in racial equality and/or economic recovery from the pandemic, might want to deploy investment capital into.

When viewing the map, you can select a state to enlarge it. Then, each county within that state becomes visible. On top of being able to see the coloring of each county in regard to the economic vulnerability and demographics there, you will also see that each county has a number on the map. That number represents the number of community development financial institutions (CDFIs) that serve a given area. 

Areas of darker shades show greater levels of economic vulnerability or demographic concentration. Counties with dark indigo coloring represent the highest percentage of black inhabitants and the greatest levels of economic vulnerability.

This map layers data on county-level economic vulnerability during COVID-19 as well as census data on the percent of any given county’s population that is Black. Each variable is represented on the map by a color gradient: the vulnerability index is indicated by the pink color and the percent of the population that is Black is indicated by the turquoise color. As the index value or percent rises from “low” to “high”, the shade becomes darker. The legend available at the bottom of the map provides a guide to interpreting the map’s shading as well as the thresholds for “low,” “medium,” and “high” for each variable.

Additionally, every legend item identifies how many counties within the US it represents by percent. This addition is meant to help communicate the breadth of vulnerability right now. For example, you would see that in total 1,048 counties have high economic vulnerability index scores. There are 3,142 counties in the US altogether, so about 33% of American counties are experiencing high economic vulnerability.

19.5% of the counties seeing the greatest economic vulnerability have a high percentage of Black residents. 

As communities across the US face the reality of large COVID-19 case numbers, rising unemployment, and persistent racial injustice, we have seen organizations and individuals alike join the conversation for sustainable change. The fact is low- to moderate-income communities bear the brunt of financial strain, and communities of color bear the brunt of negative health outcomes. On top of that federal aid continues to largely neglect these groups despite their disproportionate need.

This map highlights areas of need that align with community development financial institution (CDFI) coverage, giving investors a clear path to high-impact direct local investment opportunities. 

Our longstanding commitment to sustainably invest in these communities of color is now critical, as is our role in expanding the channels for capital to reach the groups which need it most. Click here to submit an inquiry about creating a customized investment with CNote.

This map is based on three data sets.

1. The COVID-19 Economic Vulnerability Index produced by data researchers at Chmura
2. Census data sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS)
3. CNote’s proprietary data of CDFI coverage on the county level

Ultimately, this map is intended to highlight potential areas of need for support and investment. Interested investors can source individual investment opportunities in a given county, connect with local non-profits or CDFIs to provide financial support, or work with a platform like CNote to invest in these communities to increase access to capital and economic opportunity via direct community investment.