Data visualisations may often focus attention on realities that we cannot see, but far more importantly, they can bring to light realities that we may otherwise try to ignore.

Despite the progress in equality and community integration through the latter half of the 20th century, the Racial Dot Map demonstrates the culturally ingrained boundaries that still persist in America’s urban geography.

With a different coloured dot representing the race of a resident, this visualisation is breath-taking, both in its nationwide detail but also the overt clarity of its damning conclusions. In terms of residence alone, the borders of these communities remain very real.

How porous these boundaries are does vary from city to city, but the clear predominance of heavily congregated racial groups, particularly in central urban areas, is a fascinating window into the reality of contemporary American city culture - and how there is still much to be achieved by way of encouraging integration within these communities.