Statistics Sources

FINDING STATISTICS

~ Statistics Databases ~ Online Resources by Topic ~ WWW Lists of Statistical Sources ~
~ Dictionaries & Encyclopedias ~ U. S. Stats ~ Special Topics ~ International Stats ~ PDF ~

Introduction

In an age of batting averages, zero base budgeting, spiraling inflation and computers, it is not surprising that so many "things" have been counted, computed, sorted, and published. Available statistics range from the number of acres of garlic planted each year to the number of live births of second children to teenage mothers by county.

Statistics have not been gathered on everything, of course, but when they are available, statistics can:

• Support a statement
• Provide a basis for a theory (or thesis statement)
• Be used for comparison and contrast
• Show trends

You must take certain precautions when using statistics, or your use of them may not be valid. You must ascertain what is being measured, how the material has been gathered, when it was done, and whether it can be applied to what you are doing.

Statistics can be found in many places. Check LINCCWeb for sources of statistics on your topic. Using the "subject keyword" option, type in your topic combined with the word 'statistics' (For example, smoking statistics). Periodical articles, yearbooks and almanacs, and especially publications of state, federal, and international organizations are also useful as sources of statistics.

The following list includes some of the reference books, databases and Internet sites that contain statistics. If none of these includes the type of information you need, ask the reference librarian for suggestions or use the general sources listed below.

Finding Statistics Online: How to Locate the Elusive Numbers You Need . REF HA 33.5 . B47
Need statistics? Find them more quickly and easily than ever - online! Finding good statistics is a challenge for even the most experienced researcher. Today, it's likely the statistics you need are available online - but where? This book explains how to effectively use the Internet and professional online systems to find the statistics you need to succeed.

Statistics Sources . REF Z 7551 . S84
Arranged alphabetically, this is a subject guide to sources of statistical information on industrial, business, educational, social, financial, & other topics for the U. S. & some foreign countries.

Electronic Statistical Sources

Databases

World Almanac and Book of Facts, World Almanac of the U.S.A., World Almanac of U.S. Politics
Fundamental reference sources. Includes biographies, encyclopedia entries, facts, statistics on subjects of: American life, arts and entertainment, computers, economics, environment, historical anniversaries, national defense, nations of the world, people in the news, science and technology, sports, taxes, profiles of U. S. states and territories, U. S. cities and states, vital statistics, and much more. ~ login at database page

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World Wide Web Sites

Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service for U. S. Dept. Agriculture
NASS conducts hundreds of surveys and prepares reports covering virtually every facet -- production and supplies of food and fiber, prices paid and received by farmers, farm labor and wages, farm aspects of the industry. NASS's 45 State Statistical Offices (SSO's) publish data about many of the same topics for local audiences. NASS publications cover a wide range of subjects. NASS employees have the title "The Fact Finders of Agriculture."

Crime & Legal

Bureau of Justice Statistics
Collects, analyzes, publishes, and disseminates statistical information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operations of the justice system at all levels of government and internationally. It also provides technical and financial support to state governments for development of criminal justice statistics and information systems on crime and justice.

Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI maintains the Crime Index of selected violent and property offenses reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program by 16,000+ law enforcement agencies, covering 96% of the Nation's population.

UNCJIN
Welcome to the United Nations Crime and Justice Information Network, or UNCJIN, as mandated by United Nations Economic and Social Council resolution 1986/11. This electronic clearing-house represents the culmination of several years of incremental efforts coordinated by the United Nations Centre for International Crime Prevention, Vienna.

Demographics & Population

U. S. Census Bureau Home Page
Demographic statistics program provides information on the number, geographic distribution, and social and economic characteristics of the U. S. Also, conducts several periodic censuses every 5 years, covering the years ending in 2 and 7. The Economic Censuses include censuses of manufacturing, mineral industries, construction industries, retail & wholesale trade, service industries, and transportation & other businesses. Census of Governments collects state & local data on public finance; public employment; & governmental organization, powers, and activities.
Statistical Abstract of the U. S.

• Statistical Abstract of the U.S. 
• City and County Data Book
• State & Metropolitan Area Data Book
• State & County QuickFacts
• MapStats: State and County

Bureau of Labor Statistics
BLS is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. For the most popular economic statistics, check out Economy at a Glance.

Florida Statistical Sources
Florida Electronic Federal Depository Library: from accidents and agriculture, to tourism and waste management, you'll find the latest stats on Florida here.
You can browse around the www.myflorida.com website, but information is scattered under various agencies. the FEFDL site has stats organized and easily located.

Education

National Center for Education Statistics

Collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States; conducts studies on international comparisons of education statistics; and provides leadership in developing and promoting the use of standardized terminology and definitions for the collection of those statistics.

Entertainment & Sports

The Sports Network
Useful metasite for anyone interested in sports statistics. Team and player records and statistics, college and professional, division and league, men's and women's, soccer, basketball, tennis, horseracing, etc.

Environment

Environmental Protection Agency
Monitors the quality of the air; quality of drinking, surface and ground water; ecosystem status; and the introduction of toxic or hazardous substances into the environment. It conducts research and studies to provide baseline data and to evaluate and support environmental monitoring systems.

Financial & Economic

Bureau of Economic Analysis
Responsible for the preparation, development, and interpretation of the National Income and Product Accounts, summarized by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP); the wealth accounts, which show the business and other components of national wealth; the input-output accounts, which trace the interrelationships among industrial markets; personal income and related economic series by geographic area; and the U.S. balance of payments accounts and associated foreign investment accounts.

STAT-USA
The Federal government's most comprehensive source of business, trade and economic information. With thousands of international market research reports, as well as current U.S. economic indicators press releases, STAT-USA/Internet is truly a one-stop shop for information from across the Federal government. - ceased Oct 2010 -

Health & Medical

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC promotes health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. This site contains a variety of health statistics in addition to publications such as the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Also provides data on infectious and chronic diseases, occupational diseases and injuries, vaccine efficacy, and safety studies.

National Center for Health Statistics
Responsible for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of statistics on the nature and extent of the health, illness, and disability of the U.S. population; the impact of illness and disability on the economy; the effects of environmental, social, & other health hazards; the use of health care services; health resources; family formation, growth, and dissolution; and vital events (i.e., births and deaths).

National Institutes of Health NIH is the world's premier medical research organization, supporting some 25,000 research projects nationwide in diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, heart disease and AIDS. Includes 17 separate health institutes, National Library of Medicine & National Center for Human Genome Research.

National Institute on Drug Abuse Web site contains reports, publications, statistics, and links to other sites on topics like drug addiction, nicotine, cocaine and marijuana.

Department of Health and Human Services
HHS is the U.S. government's principle agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.

Administration for Children and Families
ACF site offers the "ACF Press Room," and searches by programs or topics including 'welfare to work' and others; links to ACF and HHS sites.

Historical

The History Net: Where History Lives on the Web
Has world and American history, aviation and technology, history, military history, and women's history.

International

CIA World FactBook
Contains information on geography, people, government, economy, communications, military, transnational issues, flags, and maps for countries of the world.

Library of Congress Country Studies
Series presents a description and analysis of the historical setting and the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of countries throughout the world.

United Nations Statistics Division
Compiles statistics from many international sources and produces global updates. Some information is by subscription, while "unrestricted free access is provided to selected global datasets".

U.S. Department of State. Background Notes Factual publications of information on all countries of the world with which U.S. has relations.

Opinion & Trends

The Gallup Organization
Gallup Organization has studied human nature and behavior for more then 70 years. It is a private survey organization that conducts demographic and attitude research for a fee. Gallup does publish news releases and selected survey results for public information free.

Politics and Government

Fedstats: One Stop Shopping for Federal Statistics
More than 100 agencies in the U.S. Federal Government produce statistics of interest to the public. The Federal Interagency Council on Statistical Policy maintains this site to provide easy access to the full range of statistics and information produced by these agencies for public use.

U.S. Department of Defense
Personnel, procurement, & budget reports. DoD Almanac covers people, organization, equipment, and funding.

White House Briefing Room
In addition to press briefings by the Press Secretary and press releases, this service provides easy access to current Federal economic indicators. Go to the specific topical area listed below.
Economic Statistics Briefing Room ~ Social Statistics Briefing Room
Education Statistics Briefing Room ~ Demographic Statistics Briefing Room

Science & Technology

Energy Information Administration
Collects and disseminates data on energy reserves, production, consumption, distribution, prices, technology, and related international, economic, and financial matters. Coverage of EIA's programs includes data on coal, petroleum, natural gas, electric, and nuclear energy.

FCC
Federal Communications Commission publishes statistics on common carriers, cable television, radio, satellite facilities, toll service revenues, historical toll rate tables, telephone industry, wireless communications.

NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration provides stats on missions and people in space, space station facts, shuttle facts, budget, personnel, satellites, space flights, solar system, stars & galaxies.

Transportation

Bureau of Transportation Statistics
BTS, of the U.S. Department of Transportation, compiles, analyzes, and makes accessible information on the Nation's transportation systems; collects information on intermodal transportation and other areas as needed; and works to enhance the quality and effectiveness of government statistics.
Office of Airline Information
Association of American Railroads

Think Tanks

Brookings Institution
An independent, nonpartisan organization devoted to research, analysis, education, and publication focused on public policy issues in the areas of economics, foreign policy, and governance.

RAND Statistics Group
The Rand Statistics Group of the Rand Corporation has links to other sites, lists of papers written by members of the group and Fun with Statistics.

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WWW Lists of Statistical Sources

Statistical Sites on the World Wide Web
U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics - provides links to principal federal sites, state labor market information, and international statistical agencies.

Statistical Resources, Document Center
University of Michigan has prepared a metasite of statistical resources found online. Search using the keyword main index on the left, or use the topics directory in the main screen: agriculture, business & industry, cost of living, demographics, economics, education, environment, finance & currency, foreign economics & governments, housing, labor, military, politics, science, sociology, transportation and weather.

ReferenceDesk: Population & Demographic Resources
Annotated guide to 125+ websites with statistical information.

Yahoo! Statistics (links)
From Yahoo's Statistics page, link to statistics for organizations, institutes, indices, actuarial science sites, subject-specific statistics sites, software, online courses and research related topics.

WWW Virtual Library: Statistics
The Virtual Library Organization [http://www.vlib.org] represents dozens of volunteer subject experts who maintain Web pages of key links in their particular subject areas "recognized as being amongst the highest-quality guides to particular sections of the Web." Use this Web site for links to dozens of other resources.

American Statistical Association
ASA is a leader in promoting statistical practice, applications, and research; publishing statistical journals; improving statistical education; and advancing the statistics profession. Amstat Online provides public access to recent statistical reports and information.

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Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

The dictionaries and encyclopedias listed below define the terms and concepts used by statisticians and help you understand exactly what has been reported in the statistics you want to use.

A Dictionary of Statistical Terms.  Kendall, Maurice. REF HA 17 . K4
An authoritative list of accepted definitions for statistical terms in current use with evaluations of controversial usages.

Dictionary/Outline of Basic Statistics . Freund, John. REF HA 17 . F7
Part I is a dictionary of statistical terms; part II is an outline of statistical formulas.

International Encyclopedia of Statistics.  (2 volumes) REF HA 17 . I63
A basic set comprised of articles on statistics, biographical sketches and essays on the use of statistics in every discipline. Extensive coverage of newer statistical concerns including exploratory data analysis, computations in the age of the computer, and public policy.

Encyclopedia of the U. S. Census . REF HA 37 . U55 C66
Covers: content of the census: what it tracks, how questions are formulated. Covers procedure: how it is planned, advertised & conducted. Also has uses of the census, census history, and politics of the census.

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United States Statistics

Statistical Abstract of the United States . U. S. Bureau of the Census. REF HA 202 . A365
(Latest edition in Reference) A prime source for current industrial, social, political, and economic statistics for the U. S. and each of the states. An annual, it includes statistics on education, prices, population, communication, transportation, elections, state & local finance.

Historical Statistics of the United States . U. S. Bureau of the Census. REF HA 202 . B87
Supplements Statistical Abstract with statistics for various aspects of the economic and social development of the nation from colonial times to 1970. Notes at the beginning of each chapter give the sources for the data in the charts.

County and City Data Book . U. S. Bureau of the Census. REF HA 202 . A36
Presents the latest available census figures for each county and for the larger cities of the U. S. Arranged by state with counties in each state listed alphabetically.

2000 County and City Extra . REF HA 203 . C68
Annual Metro, City and County Data Book. Information for every state, county, metropolitan area, congressional district, and for all cities in the U. S. with a 1990 population of 25,000 or more.

2000 State Rankings . REF HA 203 . U17
Life and government in each state. Rankings for subjects ranging from agriculture to transportation, government finance to health, and crime to employment. 550+ categories.

Economic Report of the President . REF HC 106.5 . A272
Transmitted to Congress; together with the Annual Report of the Council of Economic Advisors. Text signed by President, with annual CEA report submitted to Congress in February. Chapters cover children, environment, ethnic groups & more.

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Special Statistics

Collections of statistics exist for many subjects and special topics. Many of these are compiled by agencies of the United States government.

Census of Population: 1990  Characteristics: Florida REF HA 201 1990 c4592
U. S. Bureau of the Census. Contains statistics taken from the 1990 census on characteristics of the population of Florida. Figures for such categories as race, age, sex and marital status are given for the state, counties, towns of various sizes, and households. Collection includes census data for 1970 and 1980.

Statistical Portrait of the U. S.: Social Conditions & Trends . REF HA 241 . S73
Depicts "societal change over the past several decades . . . wide variety of subjects that affect the lives of residents of the U. S. . . ." crime, education, leisure, voting, taxes, spending, environment, voting, immigration, income & more.

Florida Statistical Abstract.  (Latest edition in Reference) FLA REF HA 311 . F55
Consult this source for current and some historical statistics on population, agriculture, elections, finance, education, sports and may other subjects. Use the index.

Florida Population: Census Summary.  FLA REF HA 311.5 . F56
From the Bureau of Economic & Business Research, http://www.bebr.ufl.edu, using U. S. Census Bureau counts for 2000: examines city, county and state trends.

Florida Estimates of Population . FLA REF HA 312 . F6 F63
From the Bureau of Economic & Business Research, http://www.bebr.ufl.edu and the Florida Legislature, using U. S. Census Bureau counts for 2000 and housing unit measures developed by BEBR.

Business Statistics.  REF HC 101 . A13122
Provides an historical record (1963 -1991) of the statistics that appear monthly in the periodical, Survey of Current Business. Tables give annual averages beginning with 1963 and monthly figures for the most recent years.

U. S. Industry & Trade Outlook. U. S. Dept. of Commerce , ITA. REF HC 101 . U54
Industry-by-industry overview of the U. S. economy from manufacturing to high-tech to service industries. Formerly the U. S. Industrial Outlook, now joint publication of ITA and McGraw-Hill. Analyses, outlooks, charts, trends.

Agricultural Statistics. U. S. Department of Agriculture . REF HD 1751 . A43
Contents include agricultural production, supplies, consumption, facilities, costs and returns. Includes foreign agricultural trade statistics and U. S. Government programs.

Handbook of Labor Statistics. U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . REF HD 8064 . A3
Annual (until 1989) compendium of major statistics covering the labor force, foreign labor statistics, occupational injuries, compensation, unions, unemployment, employment, hours, & productivity.

Statistical Handbook on Violence in America.  REF HN 90 . V5 S833
"Provides accurate and reliable data on the magnitude of the violence problem, geographic distribution, the demographic variations in violent behavior and the risk of victimizations, the circumstances associated with violent incidents, and public opinions concerning violence and its prevention."

Encyclopedia of Abortion in the United States . REF HQ 767.5 . U5 P35
Includes statistics for each state on abortion rates, abortion voting patterns of justices, information on which states carry statutes on various abortion issues, and related charts from CDC. Alphabetical arrangement by topic and name.

Statistical Handbook on Adolescents in America . REF HQ 796 . S82237
Contains information from studies conducted by the Foundation for Child Development, the National Family Violence Survey, the National Survey of Families and Households, the National Health Interview Survey on Child Health, the Survey of Parents and Children, Census data, and reports by other interest groups focusing on children.

Crime in the United States. U. S. Department of Justice . REF HV 6787 . A3
The FBI gathers and tabulates information from local, state & federal law enforcement agencies on law enforcement personnel, homicide patterns, crime index offenses reported, offenses cleared, & persons arrested.

U. S. Presidential Primary Elections 1968-1996: A Handbook of Election Statistics . REF JK 522 . C66
"A statistical handbook containing county-by-county returns of all Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections from . . . examine by state, county or region the voting behaviors and political trends evident during this period."

Presidential Elections 1789 - 2000 . REF JK 524 . P6783
"information and analysis on more than 200 years of presidential contests . . . detailed chronology of each election contest . . .primary contests . . . general election results. . . electoral college. . . national maps. . ."

Congressional Quarterly's Guide to U. S. Elections . (2 volumes) REF JK 1967 . C662
Comprehensive compilation of information about America's electoral process.
Part 1: elections and their history. - Part 2: party development, campaign financing.- Part 3: presidential elections.- Part 4: congressional elections.- Part 5: gubernatorial elections.

Health, United States 2002.  CDC, National Center for Health Statistics. REF RA 407.3 . U57a
With Chartbook on "Trends in the Health of Americans" with 147 Trend Tables. Report on health status of the nation submitted by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to Congress and the President.

Digest of Education Statistics. U. S. Department of Education . REF L 11 . D48
The foreword states "Its primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from kindergarten through graduate school." Data, collected from various sources, is divided into seven content areas.

Health Care State Rankings . (Latest edition in Reference) REF RA 407.3 . H42
State and national health care information collected from government sources and a number of private and professional organizations. Subjects include health care financing and insurance; mortality and natality; health care providers, hospitals, nursing homes; incidence of disease; reproductive health and more.

The Truth About Where You Live: Atlas for Action on Toxins and Mortality . REF RA 566.3 . G65
Covers environmental health and disease topics in the United States. Topics include industrial toxins, water and air quality, pesticides, environmental justice, and mortality rates.

Municipal Yearbook . (Latest edition in Reference) REF JS 344 . C5 A24
An annual review of developments in American cities. Looks at statistics and trends in a comparative way ascertaining trends and averages, but not always giving specific data for cities.

Alternative Energy: Facts, Statistics, and Issues . REF TJ 808 . B467
Provides up-to-date information on current research in alternative energy...statistics on global use of alternative energy systems and production of ethanol and hybrid fuels.

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International Statistics

Statistics similar to those on the United States are available for countries throughout the world. Look for publications compiled by international organizations such as the United Nations, UNESCO, World Bank, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Statistical Yearbook. United Nations. Statistical Office . REF HA 12 .5
A basic reference work for statistics on all UN countries. Sections cover 10-20 year periods for agriculture, population, mining, manufacturing, housing, finance, social statistics, and others. World summary tables emphasize population and economic trends. Use the table of contents to find statistical topics and the index to find countries.

Statistical Abstract of the World . REF HA 154 . S68
Coverage of 185 countries in a standardized, uniform format. Arranged alphabetically by country, information on geography, demographics, health, education, science & technology, government & law, production, finance & trade.

International Historical Statistics: The Americas 1750 - 1988 . REF HA 175 . M55
Companion volume to title below, the text covers all the North American countries as well as all countries of South America.

International Historical Statistics: Europe 1750 - 1988 . REF HA 1107 . M5
From Albania to the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to Russia, this text contains statistics on population, labor, trade, agriculture, industry, transportation, finance and more.

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updated July 2011