Demographics are the statistical characteristics of populations. They are used to describe countries, regions, cities, towns, neighborhoods, and the households and people within them. They tell us information such as:

• Population levels
• Population trends and projections
• Age distribution
• Income distribution
• Race
• Education levels
• Types and levels of employment
• Types of housing
• Sizes and types of households
• Buying behavior
• Lifestyles

LCEF has partnered with MissionInsite to provide LCMS organizations with demographics information. Some organizations will go directly to the Web site for the information; others will obtain the reports via the staff at the national LCEF office.

MissionInsite obtains its information from a variety of sources including:

• Census Data: MissionInsite possesses both the 2000 Census SF3 Data at a block group level which includes 5,000 census variables and Census SF3+ which includes 15,000 variables at the census tract level. Live birth data is obtained from state departments of health. Demographic Updates and Projections are purchased from Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS) at a block group level for the entire United States. These data are updated once per year.
• Geographic Data: Mapping data is purchased from MapInfo and includes street files and standard census geography boundary files and postal ZIP code boundary files. These are all critical to the creation of useful maps in client reports. These data are updated four times a year.
• New Residential Development Data: New development data is collected from multiple sources including local developers and, when necessary, city or county planning departments.
• Parcel Data: Where available, MissionInsite purchases county parcel data.
• Aerial Imagery: The MissionInsite system integrates at least three quality levels of aerial imagery. The highest-quality is obtained through our strategic partnership with Eagle Aerial Imagery. For areas where Eagle images are not available, MissionInsite uses U.S. Geological Survey color photography for urban areas and U.S. Geographical Survey black-and-white imagery for all areas of California. MissionInsite, in its partnership with Eagle Aerial, will continue to explore ways to provide greater coverage with higher-quality imagery. Eagle Images are updated annually.

Some organizations can access the MissionInsite Web site and download reports under their district’s license. To see which districts have access, click here. For other districts, contact LCEF Demographic Services, 1-800-843-5233.

All LCEF investor information is private and confidential and is not shared. All household demographic data are provided either by MissionInsite or by your organization.

For more information about LCEF Demographic Services, contact your District Vice President, fill out our contact us form, or call 1-800-843-5233. To find out more about MissionInsite, visit www.missioninsite.com.

Community data is useful in planning for your organization’s mission and ministries, including new church plants, as well as determining the best methods of reaching out to those in the community. Obviously you’ll want to communicate your organization’s activities and any new ministries. We recommend using the demographics information to tailor a mailing list for direct mailings that will make the most impact.

Through LCEF’s “Neighbor to Neighbor” Mailing List Service. Targeted mailing lists will enable you to reach the most receptive audience. Our vendor will work with you to provide the names and addresses in the area and using the parameters your organization designates. To find out more details and request the service, call 1-800-843-5233.