he CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is published semi-annually by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This index, based on original research by Flanagan et al. (2011), is collected and made available through the mySidewalk Data Library.
Important Note: As of February, 2025, this Index is not currently available from the CDC.
What is the CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index?
The CDC/ATSDR SVI was developed by the CDC’s Geospatial Research, Analysis, & Services Program (GRASP) to assist public health officials and emergency planners. The index helps identify communities most likely to need support before, during, and after hazardous events. It ranks U.S. census tracts based on 16 social factors, such as unemployment, racial and ethnic minority status, and disability status. These factors are grouped into four themes, with each census tract receiving a ranking for each factor and theme, as well as an overall vulnerability ranking.
Data Summary: What Does SVI Measure?
The CDC/ATSDR SVI summarizes data across four key themes:
1. Socioeconomic Status
Below 150% poverty level
Unemployed
Housing cost burden
No high school diploma
No health insurance
2. Household Characteristics
Aged 65 & older
Aged 17 & younger
Civilian with a disability
Single-parent households
English language proficiency
3. Racial & Ethnic Minority Status
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino)
American Indian and Alaska Native (not Hispanic or Latino)
Asian (not Hispanic or Latino)
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (not Hispanic or Latino)
Two or More Races (not Hispanic or Latino)
Other Races (not Hispanic or Latino)
4. Housing Type and Transportation
Multi-unit structures
Mobile homes
Crowding
No vehicle
Group quarters
For full documentation, visit the CDC SVI Data Documentation.
How is the CDC/ATSDR SVI Built?
Data Collection: Each characteristic included in the index is ranked at the census tract level nationwide and within each state.
Category Ranking: The four main categories (e.g., Housing Type and Transportation) are calculated by summing the percentile ranks of the individual characteristics within each category.
Overall Ranking: The sum of the categories results in the overall Social Vulnerability Index for each census tract.
Geographies Available
The CDC/ATSDR SVI index is available at the following geographic levels:
Census Tract
Zip Code
County
Citations
Flanagan, Barry E., et al. "A Social Vulnerability Index for Disaster Management." Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, vol. 8, no. 1, 2011, Article 3. Berkeley Electronic Press,doi:10.2202/1547-7355.1792.