High Resolution Population Distribution Estimates for Improved Decision Making, With a Case Study of Sea-Level Rise Vulnerability in Boca Raton, Florida

Planners and managers often rely on coarse population distribution data from the
census for addressing various social, economic, and environmental problems. In the
analysis of physical vulnerabilities to sea-level rise, census units such as blocks or block
groups are coarse relative to the required decision-making application. This study
explores the benefits offered from integrating image classification and dasymetric
mapping at the household level to provide detailed small area population estimates at the
scale of residential buildings. In a case study of Boca Raton, FL, a sea-level rise
inundation grid based on mapping methods by NOAA is overlaid on the highly detailed
population distribution data to identify vulnerable residences and estimate population
displacement. The enhanced spatial detail offered through this method has the potential to
better guide targeted strategies for future development, mitigation, and adaptation efforts.