As candidates, voters and pundits continue to celebrate, mourn and scrutinize this week’s election, Social Explorer can add context to the discussion.

For example, data reveal a spectrum of economic indicators in districts that Republican candidates picked up this year.   Social Explorer lets users investigate American Community Survey (ACS) data by congressional district to learn more about the places where these changes occurred.

Four congressional districts in Florida changed from Democratic to Republican control this election:

• District 2 (eastern panhandle): Republican Steven Southerland beat incumbent Democrat Allen Boyd.
• District 8 (central, Orlando-area): Republican Daniel Webster beat incumbent Democrat Alan Grayson.
• District 22 (southeast coast): Republican Allen B. West beat incumbent Democrat Ron Klein.
• District 24 (east of Orlando) : Republican Sandy Adams beat incumbent Democrat Suzanne Kosmas

According to the ACS data, Florida as a whole saw larger increases in the unemployment rate and decreases in income and home values.  These figures vary by district, as shown in the table below.

2009 Economic Indicators in Florida and the US (including change since 2006)

Table contains 2009 ACS data and inflation-adjusted 2006 ACS data.

Whether or not the economy or ideology drove the election results, data from Social Explorer provides background for discussions of the state of the US.  Subscribers can investigate their own districts using the report tool.