GIS combines layers of information about a place to give users a better understanding of that place. Unlike a flat paper map, GIS can present many layers of different information. By linking maps to databases, GIS enables users to visualize, manipulate, analyze, and display spatial data.

Using GIS, County officials can easily process and analyze data. For decision makers, GIS can be valuable in helping determine the best location for a new facility, analyzing land use patterns, viewing similar events in a neighborhood to detect a pattern, and so on.  For Departments, GIS can be used for producing taxmaps and assessing properties, for administrating land use, for maintaining road inventories, for coordinating emergency responses and for dispatching emergency vehicles, for administering election records, for performing crime analysis, for maintaining survey records, and for many more activities.

GIS can also be used by Deschutes County citizens and by area business.      We provide on-line GIS applications to assist individuals to find information about their properties, locate business opportunities, and to perform many other activities.