Social Data Commons: Social Vulnerability Index (v2.0.0)

Overview

CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index computed from ACS 5-year estimates. Ranks tracts/counties on 16 social factors across 4 themes using the 2022 SVI methodology (percentile ranking within region). This dataset is produced by the Social Data Commons at the University of Virginia as part of the Social Vulnerability Index data pipeline.

Provenance

Computed from ACS 5-year estimates using the CDC/ATSDR SVI 2022 methodology. Sixteen social factors from ACS tables (B/S/DP) are converted to percentages, percentile-ranked within the region (VA or NCR), summed by theme, and re-ranked. Uses B-table variables (B03002, B09001, B11012, B18101) for cross-year stability instead of DP05/DP02 which renumber across ACS vintages. Validated against CDC SVI 2020 at r>0.998 for all themes.

Coverage

Temporal coverage: 2020–2024 (ACS 5-year estimates)

Geographic levels: County, Tract

Coverage areas: National Capital Region (DC metro), Virginia (statewide)

Methodology

The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is a composite measure that ranks census tracts on their relative vulnerability to public health emergencies and natural disasters. It integrates 16 social factors from U.S. Census data across four themes: socioeconomic status, household characteristics, racial and ethnic minority status, and housing type and transportation. Communities with high SVI scores face greater challenges in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from hazardous events. The index helps public health officials and emergency planners direct resources to populations most likely to need support during crises.

The socioeconomic status theme of the Social Vulnerability Index captures community-level economic disadvantage using Census indicators such as poverty rate, unemployment, per capita income, and educational attainment. Tracts with high socioeconomic vulnerability face compounding disadvantages that limit residents ability to prepare for and recover from emergencies. Economic hardship restricts access to transportation, healthcare, and safe housing during disaster events. This theme is one of four components that contribute to the overall SVI score.

The household characteristics theme of the Social Vulnerability Index measures demographic factors that increase vulnerability, including the proportion of residents aged 65 and older, aged 17 and under, with disabilities, and single-parent households. These populations often require additional assistance during evacuations and have specialized medical or caregiving needs that complicate disaster response. High scores on this theme indicate communities where a larger share of residents may be unable to shelter in place or evacuate independently. This theme is one of four components that contribute to the overall SVI score.

The racial and ethnic minority status theme of the Social Vulnerability Index captures the proportion of residents who identify as racial or ethnic minorities and those with limited English proficiency. Historical patterns of residential segregation and disinvestment mean that minority communities often face disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards and reduced access to emergency resources. Language barriers can further impede receipt of evacuation warnings and access to recovery assistance. This theme is one of four components that contribute to the overall SVI score.

The housing type and transportation theme of the Social Vulnerability Index measures structural vulnerability through indicators such as multi-unit housing, mobile homes, crowding, lack of vehicle access, and group quarters populations. Residents in multi-unit or mobile housing face heightened risks during natural disasters, while those without vehicles may be unable to evacuate. Crowded living conditions can accelerate disease transmission during public health emergencies. This theme is one of four components that contribute to the overall SVI score.

Source Tables

ACS 5-Year Estimates (S1701, S2503, S2701, S0101, S0601, DP03, DP04, B03002, B09001, B11012, B16005, B18101, B26001)

Measures (5)

vi_overall: Social Vulnerability Index (mean, unit: index score) The Social Vulnerability Index comprised of four themes.

vi_socioeconomic: Social Vulnerability Index (Socioeconomic Status) (mean, unit: index score) Socioeconomic status theme for calculating Social Vulnerability Index.

vi_household: Social Vulnerability Index (Housing characteristics) (mean, unit: index score) Housing characteristics index theme for calculating Social Vulnerability Index.

vi_race_ethnicity: Social Vulnerability Index (Racial & ethnic minority status) (mean, unit: index score) Racial & ethnic minority status theme for calculating Social Vulnerability Index.

vi_housing_transportation: Social Vulnerability Index (Housing type & transportation) (mean, unit: index score) Housing type & transportation theme for calculating Social Vulnerability Index.

Data Sources

American Community Survey / CDC ATSDR SVI Methodology (accessed 2026)

File Format

Data files are provided as CSVs (.csv) with the following columns: geoid, region_type, region_name, year, measure, value, moe (margin of error, where available). Larger files are provided as xz-compressed CSVs (.csv.xz).