How To Create A Population Density Map In Arcmap

How To: Create heat maps in ArcMap using the Density toolset

Summary

In ArcMap, heat maps are created to visualize the density of geographic data. For example, to determine the concentration of crime occurrences in a city, the incidents of forest fires due to slash-and-burn agriculture, or the distribution of endangered plant species across the equatorial rainforest.

This article focuses on creating a heat map layer using the Density toolset. To understand density analysis, refer to ArcMap: Understanding density analysis. The image below shows crime occurrences in Lincoln, Nebraska. A heat map layer is created to show the spread and distribution of crime occurrences across the city.

Crimes in Lincoln, Nebraska

Procedure

Use the Density toolset of the Spatial Analyst extension to create heat maps from points with either the Point Density tool or the Kernel Density tool, and from lines with either the Line Density tool or the Kernel Density tool.

          Note: If the Spatial Analyst extension is not available, it is possible to symbolize the data (points, lines, or polygons) to look like a heat map symbology by using graduated colors or symbols. Refer to ArcMap: Using graduated colors, ArcMap: Using graduated symbols, and ArcMap: About symbolizing layers to represent quantity for more information.

The Point Density tool

The Point Density tool calculates the magnitude per unit area from point features within a neighborhood. The sum value of points within a search area (neighborhood) is divided by the search area size to get each cell's density value. Refer to ArcMap: How Point Density works for more information.

Open ArcToolbox in ArcMap. Click Spatial Analyst Tools > Density > Point Density.
Configure the parameters in the Point Density dialog box.
1. Select the point layer to analyze in the Input point features field. In this example, it is Lincoln Crime\crime.
2. Change the default values of the optional fields, if necessary. Click OK.

The Point Density tool dialog

The image below shows the heat map layer created using the default settings of the Point Density tool. In this example, the default values include Population field: NONE; Output cell size: 85.19; Neighborhood: Circle; Neighborhood Settings: 709.948723 Map units; Area units: SQUARE_KILOMETERS. The symbology classification method is Equal Interval and is divided into nine classes.

The output.

          Note: Optional parameters are configured to vary the output pattern as shown in the examples below.  (a)          Output cell size          A larger cell size returns a more pixelated output. A smaller cell size returns a smoother output.                    (b)          Neighborhood shape          The field governs the shape of the area around each cell used to calculate the density value. The options are circular, annular (ring shape), rectangular, and wedge-like.                    (c)          Neighborhood settings          A larger radius creates a more spread out pattern (a more generalized density raster), while a smaller radius creates a pattern concentrated towards the input (a more detailed density raster).                    (d)          Classify in terms of Classification Method and Classes          Double-click the heat map layer to open the          Layer Properties          dialog box. Click          Classify          in the          Symbology          tab, and configure          Classification Method          and          Classes. Click          OK.

The Line Density tool

Use the Line Density tool to create a heat map layer on line features using the same concept as the Point Density tool. The Line Density tool calculates the magnitude per unit area from line features within the neighborhood around each cell. Refer to ArcMap: How Line Density works for more information.

The Kernel Density tool

The Kernel Density tool calculates the magnitude per unit area from point and line features using the kernel function. This function spreads the point location value outwards to each cell within the search radius. This creates a surface with the highest value at the point location and the lowest value at the search radius boundary. Refer to ArcMap: How Kernel Density works for more information.

In ArcMap, open ArcToolbox. Click Spatial Analyst Tools > Density > Kernel Density.
In the Kernel Density dialog box, configure the parameters.
1. Select the point layer to analyse for Input point features. In this example, it is Lincoln Crime\crime.
2. Change the default values of the optional fields, if necessary. Click OK.

This is the Kernel Density dialog box

The image below shows the heat map layer created using the default settings of the Kernel Density tool. In this example, the default values include Population field: NONE; Output cell size: 85.19; Area units: SQUARE_KILOMETERS; Output values are: DENSITIES; Method: Planar. The symbology classification method is Equal Interval and is divided to nine classes.

The output of the Kernel Density tool

          Note: Optional parameters are configured to vary the output pattern as shown in the examples below.  (a)          Output cell size          A larger cell size returns a more pixelated output. A smaller cell size returns a smoother output.                    (b)          Search radius          A larger radius creates a pattern that is spread out (a more generalized density raster), while a smaller radius creates a pattern concentrated towards the input (a more detailed density raster).                    (c)          Method          The          GEODESIC                    method takes into consideration the effect of curvature. This option is usually used with data near poles and across the International dateline.  (d)          Classify in terms of Classification Method and Classes          Double-click the heat map layer to open the          Layer Properties          dialog box. Click          Classify          in the          Symbology          tab, and configure          Classification Method          and          Classes. Click          OK.

Related Information

ArcMap: Differences between point, line, and kernel density
FAQ: Can a heat map be created in ArcMap?
FAQ: What tools are used to create heat maps, hot spots, and interpolation surfaces in ArcMap?
FAQ: Is it possible to draw a heat map on top of other feature layers in ArcGIS Online?
FAQ: Is it possible to symbolize date fields by quantity in ArcMap?
How To: Create heat maps in ArcGIS Pro using the Density toolset

Last Published: 10/17/2019

Article ID: 000021720

Software: ArcMap 10.7.1, 10.7, 10.6.1, 10.6, 10.5.1, 10.5, 10.4.1, 10.4, 10.3.1, 10.3, 10.2.2, 10.2.1, 10.2, 10.1, 10