MPROP database using ArcMap and the Milwaukee Parcel Shapefile

Download and extract the desired MPROP file and the Milwaukee parcel shapefile to a local folder.

MPROP   (April 2, 2008)

Historical MPROP   (December 1984 - December 2007)

Milwaukee Parcel Shapefile     parcelbase.shp

 

Open ArcMap.

-Start  

     -All Programs    

          -ArcGIS    

                 -ArcMap  

Click "OK" to create A new empty map.

 

 

Add your data to ArcMap.

-File  

     -Add Data       

     OR    -You can press    located on the Standard Toolbar.

Navigate to the local folder where you extracted the MPROP.dbf and the Milwaukee parcelbase.shp.

 

     -Double click on your folder.

  

     -Select both the MPROP.dbf and the parcelbase.shp by holdong down the "Ctrl" key.

          -Press  

 

You should see both files in the Table of Contents under "Layers"

These files are not connected. You will join them using the TaxKey.  

 

 

Examine both attribute tables and write down the number of records that each contains.

     -Right click parcelbase

          -Click on "Open Attribute Table"

 

 

               -Notice the "TAXKEY" and write down the number of records for the parcelbase. 

                (150,755 records)

   

     -Right click mprop.dbf      (mprop051111)

          -Click on "Open"

 

             

               -Notice the "TAXKEY" and write down the number of records for the MPROP.dbf. 

                (158,505 records)

 

 

 

Joining the MPROP.dbf and parcelbase.

-Right click parcelbase

     -Joins and Relates

               -Join

 

 

Follow the example below...

     -Join attributes from a table

     -1. TAXKEY

     -2.  mprop051111 (ex)

           Show the attribute tables of layers in this list

     -3.  TAXKEY

     - Press

    

 

-Right click "parcelbase"

     -Open Attribute Table   

 

 

 

The MPROP.dbf and the parcelbase.shp are now joined.

 

The amount of records = the amount of records in the parcelbase.shp.

  • Records from MPROP that (contain a TAXKEY and attributes) but DID NOT JOIN (no taxkey match in the parcelbase) were dropped. This includes parcels for which more than one taxkey exists (one example is condos) and/or the tax key has changed.
  • The <Null> represents parcels that did not have an MPROP record that joined. 

 

Export the parcelbase that contains the joined MPROP.

-Right click "parcelbase"

       -Data

               -Export Data...

 

 

 

Follow the example below.

     -Navigate to the local folder where you have the MPROP.dbf and the parcelbase.shp by using  .

 

 

 

When you get to your folder, give your new shapefile a distinctive Name.    (Parcel_Join)

     -

 

 

          -Click

 

 

BE CAREFUL!

  • Remember that not all the MPROP records joined successfully. Therefore, the new shapefile may produce skewed results. 
  • The MPROP database file can be used separately (spatial context would need to be one of the "geo" variables), and will produce much more accurate results for statistical analysis.
  • The greater the difference in the creation date between the MPROP file and the parcel file used, the more errors will occur when joined because of the parcel changes, etc.