I was informed that I could get demographic data for past years by buying past versions of MP (2002, 2004).

Do I need to install the program that comes with these versions, or can I keep my MP 2006 and just use the data from these versions?

If I get MP 2002, for example, can i be certain that the demographic data is actually from 2002, or could it simply be the latest data Microsoft has?

Gary

Yes, you can load the 2004 demographic data (USADemo.mdb) into MapPoint2006. With the caveat that some pinpoint and boundary areas have been deleted/changed/added.

You can't use both versions of the data at the same time without a little help. I have created some support files that allow you to do this, if needed.

It would take me about a half-day to create a new USADemo.mdb with both 2004 and 2006 data, if you're interested. I'd need to verify your ownership of both versions before supplying an updated file to you however.

-Paul

Tnanks, Paul. I don't need to use both at the same time. What about MP 2002 - does it exist?

What about my second question - is teh data really from that year or is it just MS latest data?

Gary

I don't have a copy of MP2002, but it is still out there.
The demographic datum almost always have a postpended year designating their respective compilation date.

I just read in my MP for Dummies book that there is a web site with lot's of downloadable data. It lists it in the section on demographic data (around pg. 175). I think I'll be able to assemble enough from various sources.

btw, I was going to import the data into Access so I could use the group by and count features in a query to get counts of residents by zip, county, and state, but I read taht map point has a count option when you run the import wizard. That way I could just use the Excel file without using access. How close do you think the results of the two methods would be? Which would be better?

Do you think I can get two maps per Power Point slide so I can show a map of our membership data with a map of demographic data in one slide, one under the other?

Thanks, Paul.

Could you please post the link to the data?

Having the data in Access would be preferable, if only for the aggregate and function methods. The Excel count() method could produce misleading results if extreme care is not taken in your data access methods.

Two maps on a slide is do-able, but it depends more on the size of the geographic regions you are mapping. Labels and notes might begin to "pile-up" on eachother at larger scales.

-Paul

The book says data is listed at:

Claritas > Marketing Research, Marketing Software, Target Market Research

claritas.com

GAry