How Standard Distance works

Measuring the compactness of a distribution provides a single value representing the dispersion of features around the center. The value is a distance, so the compactness of a set of features can be represented on a map by drawing a circle with the radius equal to the standard distance value. The Standard Distance tool creates a circle polygon.

Calculations

Mathematics behind the Standard Distance tool

Output

The Standard Distance tool creates a new feature class containing a circle polygon centered on the mean center (one center and one circle per case, if a Case Field is specified). Each circle polygon is drawn with a radius equal to the standard distance value. Attribute values for each circle polygon are the circle mean center x-coordinate, mean center y-coordinate, and standard distance (circle radius).

Standard Distance tool illustration

Potential applications

Additional resources

Mitchell, Andy. The ESRI Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 2. ESRI Press, 2005.


3/7/2012