Neighborhood Conditions Index​

Neighborhood Conditions Index (NCI)

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Neighborhood Conditions Index

What is a Neighborhood Conditions Index?

The Neighborhood Conditions Index is a data-driven report that highlights both the strengths and opportunities for improvement in each of the 80 neighborhood groupings across Tulsa.

Each report includes information about several outcomes in nine categories:

  • Land Use;
  • Transportation;
  • Economic Development;
  • Housing and Neighborhoods;
  • Communities or Civic Engagement;
  • History, Culture, and Creativity;
  • Parks and Recreation;
  • Environment and Natural Resources;
  • and Public Services.

Each report also includes an assortment of demographic information, and a glossary of terms to better understand the data.

Why do we need the Neighborhood Conditions Index?

The Neighborhood Conditions Index empowers residents in every neighborhood in Tulsa to take on the issues they decide are most important to them. By providing scores for more than four dozen data points in nine categories, the Neighborhood Conditions Index gives neighbors a wide view of how their immediate area is doing.

What is Strategic Planning?

Strategic Planning is a data-oriented process that directs programs, services, and funding towards specific areas where resources are most needed, can be readily utilized, and are most likely to achieve sustainable success in alignment with City priorities. The NCI tool was developed using strategic planning. 

What is planitulsa?

Adopted in June 2023, planitulsa is the City’s updated comprehensive plan, which serves as a guide for the physical development of the City, government operations, and funding priorities.

What is a Neighborhood Statistical Area?
Neighborhood Statistical Areas (NSAs) are groupings of Census tracts that contain neighborhoods with similar characteristics such as population, income, housing tenure and characteristics, size, and supporting land uses. By using Census tracts, we can access data on a neighborhood level and compare neighborhood outcomes against citywide data.  
What is a Census Tract?
Per Census.gov, Census tracts are small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county. Census tracts average about 4,000 inhabitants, with a minimum population of 1,200 and a maximum population of 8,000 inhabitants.  
Why isn’t a report available for the boundaries of my Neighborhood?

Unfortunately, data from public sources is not available at a neighborhood organization scale. These reports use Census tracts data, which is the smallest unit available from public sources. This is still an opportunity for groups from different neighborhoods to partner and to work on common goals. 

Per Census.gov, Census tracts are small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county. Census tracts average about 4,000 inhabitants, with a minimum population of 1,200 and a maximum population of 8,000 inhabitants. Census tracts are the smallest unit available to us to gather neighborhood scale data from public sources. 

How can I find my neighborhood’s report?

All the reports and a map are available on the NCI website to view or download. There is also a link to an interactive map under the “Resources” section of the website. The interactive map will allow residents to enter their address in the “Find address or place” bar or zoom into the map to determine which Neighborhood Statistical Area (NSA) they live in.

What is "Equity Data"?

Equity Data refers to vulnerable populations which may be at higher risk for negative environmental and social justice outcomes. NCI uses the vulnerable populations identified in Connected 2045, the Regional Transportation Plan for the Tulsa Metropolitan Area: 

“[A] concentration of minority, Hispanic, low-income, elderly (65 and older), youth (under 18 years of age), persons with disabilities, persons who have Limited English Proficiency and/or single-parent, female-headed households with children younger than 18”.   

This definition was drafted in compliance with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1994 presidential executive order “Federal Action to Address Environmental Justice in Minority and Low-income Populations”, and the 1999 FHWA and FTA memorandum “Implementing Title VI Requirements in Metropolitan and Statewide Planning”.  

How were the data points selected for each category, and why were they analyzed that way?

The data points for each category were selected, analyzed, and scored based on a process that included research, discussions with subject matter experts and City departments, and the consideration of the priorities outlined in planitulsa. Going forward there is an opportunity to discuss with neighborhood residents and update the way the data is selected, analyzed and scored in the future.   

What can I do after reviewing my report?
We encourage you to discuss your report’s findings with your neighbors and engage with neighborhood leaders and other local organizations to identify your priorities and goals. You should also visit the NCI website for news, updates, and to learn about future services. You can also email us at nci@cityoftulsa.org if you have any questions.
Where can I find more information about NCI?

The NCI website includes a News and Updates section where we will post information about outreach events, partnerships opportunities and other resources. Email us at nci@cityoftulsa.org for questions.

About the Reports

How many Neighborhood Conditions Index reports are there?
There are 80 Neighborhood Conditions Index reports corresponding to the 80 Neighborhood Statistical Areas that cover the entire city. 
How do you use the Neighborhood Conditions Index Report?

Think of your neighborhood’s report like a personal health assessment you receive from your doctor, that shows you which areas of your health to focus on.

NCI reports do the same thing for neighborhoods, highlighting the things in your neighborhood that are going well, and things that have room for improvement.

After you access your report use your results to start a conversation with your neighbors. Together, you get to decide which areas you want to address as a team, and which are your highest priorities. The Neighborhood Conditions Index provides neighborhoods, residents, and the City the opportunity to work more closely together to achieve common goals and strengthen all parts of our community.

How do I read my neighborhood Conditions Index Report?
Each report includes 5 sections: 

  • Overview: describes the program and provides a broad description and map of the Neighborhood Statistical Area. 
  • Score Overview: describes main takeaways and identifies the area’s overall score, priority group, highlights assets and opportunities for improvement with the 3 top and bottom category scores. 
  • Category Score: lists data points scores as grouped under the nine categories.  A citywide average score for each data point is provided for comparison. 
  • Area Snapshot: provides information about the area’s composition including demographics, economic development, available public services, and lists the neighborhood groups. City average data is also provided for comparison. 
  • Data Points Glossary: provides a description of the analysis conducted for each data point as grouped by the nine scored categories. It also includes a citywide map that shows all 80 Neighborhood Statistical Areas.
What type of data was collected in the report?
Data collected for these reports is not personally identifiable. A total of 56 unique data points across the nine category scores were analyzed, and some of the data points are applied to multiple categories. Data on demographic, economic development, public services, and neighborhood organizations for each Neighborhood Statistical Area was also collected.   
Where was the data collected from?
Data collected for and used in these reports is not personally identifiable. It was collected from various public sources, including the United States Census Bureau, Data Axle, DemographicsNow, City of Tulsa, and INCOG. 
How was the data analyzed and scored?

Neighborhood Statistical Areas can be compared at three different levels: 

Category Scores 

Each of the nine categories has a score from 0 to 5. The nine Category Scores are not an average of the associated data point values.  Additional weight is given to data points identified as priorities in the comprehensive plan.

 Area Scores 

The individual data points within each category have an unweighted score on a scale of 0 to 5 comparing each NSA to all the other NSAs in the city. The “Tulsa” column contains the average score for the whole city for each data point. A more detailed description of each data point is included in the Data Points Glossary.   

Overall Score  

The Overall Score on page 1 is a composite score based 50% on the neighborhood’s category scores and 50% based on equity data prioritizing vulnerable populations (identified with an asterisk* in the Area Snapshot on page 4).  

Why do some Category Scores not equal the average of the Area Scores?

Individual data points within each category have an unweighted score comparing the NSA to all the NSAs in the city. The nine Category Scores are not an average of the associated data point values. Additional weight is given to data points identified as priorities in the comprehensive plan. 

How were the data points selected for each category, and why were they analyzed that way?

The data points for each category were selected based on their relevance by chapter of the comprehensive plan. They can be interpreted as indicators or metrics used to measure the priorities stated in the goals, strategies, and actions of planitulsa, at a neighborhood scale.  

The level of analysis conducted for each data point and their selection was determined based on a process that included research, discussions with subject matter experts and City departments, and the consideration of the priorities outlined in planitulsa. As this is the first time that we release NCI, there is an opportunity to discuss with neighborhood residents and update the way we look at the data in the future. 

Why were several data points calculated based on a “percentage of households within 0.5 miles”?

Providing access to a variety of uses and services is a priority to ensure prosperous communities. Walking 0.5 miles takes the average person about 10 minutes, therefore, having more households within a convenient 10-minute walk of such uses and services will facilitate opportunity access to more neighborhood residents throughout the city. 

What is a Priority Group?
The priority group on page 1 is a classification based on the overall score. These scores were then categorized by quartiles (top 25%, middle 50%, and bottom 25%) to determine the priority group which will inform eligibility for follow-up services with the Department of City Experience. 
Are the reports available in multiple languages?
The reports are available in English and Spanish. 
How often will the reports be updated?

The reports are planned to be updated every 2 years, however, minor updates may occur periodically based on feedback and to enhance usability.

Is the raw data used for the analysis available to the public?
Yes, the data used in this analysis is publicly accessible through various sources, and our staff is working on ways to make this more readily available in the future. 

Contact Information 

Email nci@cityoftulsa.org if you have any questions about the program.