About Cabarrus Data Lab
The purpose of Cabarrus Data Lab is to collect, analyze, and share data and data-driven insights for the benefit of the citizens of Cabarrus County, North Carolina. The intended impact is to increase people’s overall data literacy and provide awareness of social and economic factors that affect their lives.
Cabarrus Data Lab is a non-partisan project. Our only “ideology” is a commitment to objective analysis and the principles of open data, coupled with a steadfast belief that knowledge is the best currency a citizen can have.
Open Data Principles
Cabarrus Data Lab follows the six principles of the Open Data Charter.
Every dataset and analysis produced here is published without paywalls or registration. If we gathered it, you can have it.
We refresh our datasets periodically from authoritative sources so findings reflect current conditions, not outdated snapshots.
Datasets are published in standardized formats in a centralized location, and provided free of charge to anyone useful whether you are a planner, a journalist, or a concerned citizen.
By grounding our work in federal standards (Census Bureau, ACS, NLCD), every finding integrates directly with statewide and national data for meaningful comparison.
Our stories are designed for civic participation: school board hearings, planning commission meetings, budget debates. Citizens deserve data that speaks to the decisions being made on their behalf.
All source code is public on GitHub, lowering the barrier for local nonprofits, journalists, and researchers to build on our work at no cost.
People
Pete Benbow
I’m a Cabarrus County native, having been born, raised, and educated in Concord. I attended Beverly Hills Elementary, Concord Middle, and Concord High before completing my undergraduate studies just down the road at Davidson College. I grew up in the First Presbyterian Church of Concord and gave back to my community as a member of BSA Troop 3 and the Tarheel Keystone Club. I now have the privilege of teaching at Davidson as the James B. Duke Assistant Professor of the Practice in Data Science.
My wife, Megan, was also born, raised, and educated in Cabarrus County, having graduated from Northwest Cabarrus HS before attending UNC Chapel Hill. She grew up attending All Saints Episcopal Church. We bought our first home together in Concord in 2016. This county is part of our DNA.
I believe in the adage “think global, act local.” As a data science educator, I have access to tools and skills that I know can benefit the people of Cabarrus County, and that’s what this project aims to do.