Interactive map
Interactive map for United States County Mapper. Use the map controls to pan and zoom.
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US County Mapper
Geography: United States counties
Dataset last updated:
The United States County Mapper is an interactive workspace for turning county-level tabular data into maps and reports without requiring GIS software. Visitors can explore the included example or select their own CSV or Excel file for mapping during the current browser session.
Map your own data
Use the Upload data control to select a .csv, .xlsx, or .xls file. The selected source file is processed locally in your browser and is not uploaded to or stored by CU-CAT Maps. Its contents are available only within your current browser session and cannot be viewed by other visitors. Selecting a file does not replace the example dataset hosted on this page.
When you request a PDF report, the assembled report content is sent to the server only to generate the requested download. The selected source file is not stored or made available to other users.
Files should generally include:
- One row per county or county-level record.
- A five-digit county FIPS or GEOID column, which is the preferred and most reliable identifier.
- Alternatively, a combined county-and-state value such as
Orange County, CAorOrange County, California. - One or more numeric or supported categorical attributes to map.
County names alone are not sufficient for nationwide data because many county names occur in more than one state. Excel workbooks may contain multiple worksheets, and each worksheet intended for mapping should include a supported county identifier.
When a county appears more than once, use the Duplicate handling control to choose whether repeated values should be averaged or summed.
What you can do
- Compare counties using classified colors in Counties view.
- Explore broad national and regional patterns using an interpolated Surface view.
- Switch between worksheets and variables without reloading the page.
- Inspect county values through map labels and popups.
- Export results as map images and PDF reports.
Example dataset
The built-in example contains a recent-year county land-cover worksheet and a five-year change worksheet derived from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Cropland Data Layer. It is provided to demonstrate the mapper and is not the only type of data the tool can display. The sheet selector shows the exact example worksheets currently included.
For the maintained U.S. county CDL dataset, additional years, and more information about that source, visit the United States County Cropland Data Layer map.
Map views explained
- Counties view displays the value associated with each county and is best for direct comparisons, categorical data, and reporting.
- Surface view creates a continuous visualization from available county values to illustrate broad spatial patterns. It is an interpolation and should not be interpreted as measured values between counties.
Important notes
- Results depend on the structure, completeness, and accuracy of the selected file.
- Missing values should not be interpreted as zero unless that behavior is intentionally selected.
- Duplicate county records can affect maps, calculations, and reports; choose Average or Sum deliberately.
- CU-CAT and the example-data maintainer do not create, verify, or maintain data that visitors import into the mapper.
- Surface rendering can take longer for nationwide data because the geography includes more than 3,000 counties.
- This tool supports visualization and communication; it does not perform statistical inference or validate the meaning of imported values.
Suggested citation
Royal, K. L. (2026). United States County Mapper [Interactive map]. CU-CAT Maps, Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology. Retrieved August 23, 2026, from https://maps.cuagtech.com/us-county/
Platform and data responsibility
CU-CAT Maps is developed and hosted by the Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology (CU-CAT), in partnership with Clemson Cooperative Extension Service.
CU-CAT provides the mapping platform. The example dataset and dataset-specific content initially presented on this page are provided for demonstration and maintained by Kevin Royal. For questions about the example data, contact Kevin Royal. Data uploaded by visitors remain the responsibility of the person or organization supplying them; CU-CAT and this page's maintainer do not create, verify, or maintain visitor-uploaded data.
CU-CAT Maps and its maps, reports, and results are provided as-is for informational purposes. Accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. Users are responsible for evaluating the source data and outputs and assume the risks arising from their use. See the Terms of Use.
Have feedback about CU-CAT Maps, want to discuss whether a dataset may be a good fit for the platform, or have a dataset or topic you would like to see mapped? Email CU-CAT. Hosting and support depend on alignment with CU-CAT's mission, project scope, and available capacity.
© 2025-2026 Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology (CU-CAT) and Clemson Cooperative Extension Service
Use the controls above the map to choose what to display, how to display it, and what to save or report.
Start with the data
- Choose a dataset. Most pages open with a hosted dataset. Pages with an Upload data control also let you select an Excel or CSV file for your current browser session.
- Choose a sheet. The Sheet selector appears when the dataset contains more than one available worksheet.
- Choose a variable. The Variable selector lists the columns that can be mapped. Changing the variable updates the map, legend, popups, and reports.
Choose a map view
Regions
Regions colors each mapped area according to its value or category. Use it for exact regional comparisons, popups, labels, and reporting.
Surface
Surface estimates a continuous pattern from values associated with the mapped regions. Use it to explore broad spatial trends rather than to infer exact values between regions.
Start simply: choose the view and variable first. Open Advanced only when you need to adjust classification, colors, opacity, interpolation, or other display settings.
Explore the map
- Pan and zoom as you would on a standard online map.
- In Regions view, select a region to inspect its popup. The popup may also offer a report for that region.
- In Surface view, turn on points when you need to see the observations used to create the surface.
- Use the legend to interpret colors, ranges, units, totals, averages, and areas without data.
Reports and exports
- Attribute report: compares regions for the selected variable. Sort a report table before exporting when order matters.
- Region report: available from a region popup in Regions view and compares variables for that region.
- Copy map: copies the map image when the browser supports image copying.
- Download map: saves the map as a PNG image.
- Share: shares or copies the page link. It does not currently preserve the selected map settings.
Exported map images include the data layers and legend but omit third-party basemap tiles.
Interpret with care
- Check the units and source information supplied in the About tab.
- Do not assume a missing value means zero unless the dataset supports that interpretation.
- Surface maps are generalized visualizations. Classification, smoothing, clipping, and interpolation settings can change their appearance.
- When duplicate rows are present, averaging and summing answer different questions. Use the method appropriate for the data.
This page maps: United States counties
A simple, well-structured spreadsheet is usually all you need. Excel workbooks are recommended; comma-delimited CSV files are also supported.
Your file stays private: a file selected here is processed in your browser for the current session. CU-CAT Maps does not store it, and other visitors cannot view it.
Match rows to this map
Include one of these identifier columns so each spreadsheet row can be linked to the correct map feature.
Recommended column: FIPS
Example entries: 13001, 45001, 37001
Use five-digit county FIPS codes for the most reliable nationwide match.
Also supported: County, ST
Example entries: Appling County, GA, Abbeville County, SC, Alamance County, NC
Put the county name and two-letter state abbreviation together in one cell.
Also supported: County State Name
Example entries: Appling County, Georgia, Abbeville County, South Carolina, Alamance County, North Carolina
Full state names are also supported when county and state are combined in one cell.
Matching note: Do not use a County column by itself for the nationwide map because many county names occur in more than one state. When mapping one state's counties, include state context or use FIPS, then zoom to the area represented by your data.
Minimum file structure
- Put column names in the first row. These names become variable, popup, legend, and report labels.
- Include a geography identifier. Every data row needs an identifier that can be matched to this map, such as a FIPS code, state abbreviation, or region name supported by the page.
- Add at least one mappable column. Numeric columns normally need at least three usable values. Short categorical columns may also be recognized for Regions view.
- Use one row per region when practical. Duplicate regions are supported, but you must intentionally choose whether their numeric values should be averaged or summed.
Excel and CSV behavior
- An Excel workbook may contain multiple visible worksheets. Each available worksheet appears in the Sheet selector.
- A CSV file represents one sheet and should use commas consistently.
- Hidden Excel worksheets and hidden columns are ignored. This is useful for calculations or notes that should not appear in the map.
- Keep cells consistent within a column. Avoid mixing numbers with explanatory text such as
12 acres; put the number in the cell and supply units separately when advanced configuration is needed. - Avoid merged cells, decorative title rows, subtotals, and blank rows above the header.
Optional configuration rows
Most visitor files do not need special configuration. Advanced authors can place configuration rows below the header. The first cell identifies the row, and entries in the remaining cells apply to the corresponding columns.
<tags>accepts one or more tags such as<nominal>,<default>,<hide>, or<top><popup>. Tags can be combined in the same cell.<units>accepts a short display label such asac,%, or$.<duplicates>acceptsavgorsumto control how repeated regions are combined.<nodata>acceptsnullto leave missing Surface values unfilled or0to treat them as zero.
Configuration rows are not mapped as data. Use them only when you understand the behavior they control.
Before selecting the file
- Confirm the first row contains clear, unique column names.
- Confirm the geography identifier is populated and consistently formatted.
- Check numeric columns for stray symbols, notes, or formulas returning errors.
- Decide how any duplicate regions should be handled.
- Keep a clean copy of the source file. Changes made in the mapping interface do not modify it.
When something is missing
- A region is not mapped: check its identifier, spelling, code length, and leading zeros.
- A variable is not listed: confirm it contains enough numeric values or is suitable for categorical mapping.
- A sheet is not listed: confirm it is visible in Excel and contains a valid header row.
- Totals look too high or too low: look for duplicate regions and verify Average versus Sum.