Agencies of the Federal government provide some of the best sources for finding statistics.  Many agencies have collected data on topics relevant to their mission for years.  It has always been a challenge to find statistical data in print publications, as the titles are not always descriptive of the contents.  With the advent of web publishing, it is now easier than ever to locate current statistics in many areas.

The below list is a just sample of sites available. After reviewing this list, try the questions at the end.

Comprehensive

• One of the best sites for locating statistics in several subject areas

• Collection of statistics from more than 70 Federal agencies

• U.S. demographic, economic and education statistics

• Frequently requested tables of national and state data; the entire publication is viewable with PDF software.

• Collection of large numeric data sets, as well as a gateway to many statistical sites

• Data from the Current Population Survey and the Survey of Income and Program Participation are available either in pre-made tables or with the ability to build custom tables and extracts. Other surveys to become available in the near future.

Demographic

• The most comprehensive site for U. S. demographic data

• The full-text reports on this system are accessible by subscription, and viewable with PDF software.

• Census summary tape files; 100% and sample population and housing data

• an annotated list of sources

Economic

• Trade statistics, market research reports for countries, daily economic releases. Access by subscription; one free subscription to each depository library. Some of the information in this database is accessible free through issuing agency.

Regional Economic Information Service (REIS)

• Local area economic data for states, counties and metropolitan areas

• Monthly statistics prepared for Congress by the Council of Economic Advisors.

• Employment and labor statistics; includes Producer, Consumer and International Price Indexes data

• County, city, state economic data

Education

• Comprehensive site from U. S. Department of Education; includes contents of Digest of Education Statistics, Condition of Education, Projections of Education Statistics to 2006, and many other reports

• Educational Resources Information Center: A question-and-answer service and virtual library

Health

Sites with Health Services Research and Public Health Information (University of Washington)

• Subject access to U. S., foreign and international health information and statistics from governmental and non-governmental sites

• Access to full text of many publications; may require PDF software

• Query system for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health statistics

Crime

• Full text of many Department of Justice publications

• Requires PDF software.

Uniform Crime Reports

• Univ. of Virginia interactive system for retrieving county level crimes and arrest data

Miscellaneous

Economic Research Service Department of Agriculture

Energy Information Administration

Internal Revenue Service

National Agricultural Statistics Service

 

Questions 1. How much did your congressman receive in PAC contributions from the 1994 campaign? 2. What is the current population of the U. S.? 3. What was the population in 1990 for Santa Barbara County? 4. What is the latest level of the Consumer Price Index? 5. What resources are listed under "Business and Industry" at the University of Michigan? Under  "Demographics"? 6. How many men and women 35 and over were enrolled in colleges in 1970? In 1990? Projected for 2006? 7. How many cases of sexually transmitted diseases were reported by state health departments in 1941? In 1995? 8. What percent of murder victims were males? Answers

 

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