Local Spatial Autocorrelation

Local spatial autocorrelation measures how similar or dissimilar a specific location is to its neighboring areas regarding a particular characteristic, like crime rates or income levels. It helps identify clusters of similar values (hot spots or cold spots) or areas that stand out as anomalies. Unlike global measures that look at the entire region, local autocorrelation focuses on individual locations, revealing localized patterns and variations. This information is useful for targeted interventions, urban planning, or understanding spatial dynamics within a larger area.