Mean Center (Spatial Statistics)

Usage tips

• The mean center is a point constructed from the average x and y values for the input feature centroids.

• If a case field is specified, the input features are grouped according to case field values, and a mean center is calculated from the average x and y values for the centroids in each group.

• The x and y values for the center features are feature attributes of the output feature class. The values are stored in the fields XCOORD and YCOORD.

• For line and polygon features, geometric centroids are calculated before the central feature is identified. The geometric centroid of a feature may be located outside a feature's boundary. If centroids must be within feature boundaries, use the Features to Points (Inside option) to create centroids before performing the Mean Center operation.

• Current map layers may be used to define the input feature class. When using layers, only the currently selected features are used in the Mean Center operation.

• Learn more about working with layers and table views

• The following environment settings affect this tool: Cluster Tolerance, Extent, M Domain, Configuration Keyword, Coordinate System, Output has M Values, Output Spatial Grid, Output has Z Values, Default Z Value, Output XY Domain, and Output Z Domain.

Command line syntax
An overview of the Command Line window
MeanCenter_stats <Input_Feature_Class> <Output_Feature_Class> {Weight_Field} {Case_Field} {Dimension_Field}

Command line example

workspace e:\project93\data
MeanCenter schools.shp schoolcen.shp Teachers Group

Scripting syntax
About getting started with writing geoprocessing scripts
MeanCenter_stats (Input_Feature_Class, Output_Feature_Class, Weight_Field, Case_Field, Dimension_Field)

Script example

# Measure geographic distribution characteristics of coffee house locations weighted by the number of employees
# Import system modules
import arcgisscripting

# Create the Geoprocessor object
gp = arcgisscripting.create()

# Local variables...
workspace = "C:/data"
input_FC = "coffee_shops.shp"
CF_output = "coffee_CF.shp"
MC_output = "coffee_MC.shp"
weight_field = "NUM_EMP"

try:
    # Set workspace to avoid having to type out full path names
    gp.workspace = workspace

    # Process: Central Feature...
    gp.CentralFeature_stats(input_FC, CF_output, "Euclidean Distance", weight_field, "#")

    # Process: Mean Center...
    gp.MeanCenter_stats(input_FC, MC_output, weight_field, "#", "#")

except:
    # If an error occurred when running the tool, print out the error message.
    print gp.GetMessages()