Statistical Resources for Community Data

Demographic Data

• U.S. Census Bureau
Census of Population and Housing - Reference HA201(census year)


• American FactFinder
  Factsheets - quick popular facts about communities (US, states, counties, cities towns, and 5-digit ZIP Codes). Fact Sheets include information on people, housing, business & government.
  DataSets - provides summary and detailed tables by geography, and demographic and housing characteristics for 100 percent and sample data.
  Census 2000 Demographic Profiles
  DP-1/General Demographic Characteristics
  DP-2/Selected Social characteristics
  DP-3/Selected economic characteristics
  DP-4/Selected housing characteristics
  
  Other options for data by County:
• State and County QuickFacts
  QuickFacts provides frequently requested information on people, business and geography at the national, state and county level.
  
  
• MapStats
  Similiar data as in QuickFacts but with additional variables. Click on "Browse More Data Sets" for crime statistics. Geography: States, counties, Congressional Districts, and Federal judicial districts.
  
  
• USA Counties IN Profile (STATS Indiana)
  Provides current federal statistics on a variety of demographic and economic indicators. Comparable indicators for 3,141 counties nationwide plus unique side-by-side comparisons.

Economic Data

• Economic Census (check the online catalog for available print)
  The Economic Census profiles the U.S. Economy every 5 years at the national and local levels. Select - Quick Reports, then select the appropriate geography. Taken every five years, the Economic Censuses provide data for states, counties, places, MSAs, and zip codes on:
  Number of establishments and firms
  Employment
  Payroll
  Sales, receipts, or value of shipments
  
  
• County Business Patterns 1986-
  (Print version: HC101.A184 - 1948-1997)
  Updates economic census information by providing annual data on establishments by employment size and payroll. Includes data on some economic activities not covered in other censuses such as banking, real estate and insurance. Data by County, State, U.S., ZIP, or MSA.
  
  
• Local Area Personal Income - U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Statistical Compendia

• County and City Data Book 2000-
  Print: HA202.A36 1949-
  Also available at the Geospatial & Statistical Data Center 1944- (University of Virginia). Tables cover population, age, income, education, and housing ownership. Also includes data for health care, vital statistics, and social programs. Data for states, counties and places. Includes appendices, source notes and maps.
  
  
• County and City Extra: Annual Metro, City, and County Data Book.
  Print only. HA203.C68 1992- Latest edition in Reference
  Provides additional and updated data.
  
  
• Places, Towns, Townships
  Print only. HT123.P53 1993- Latest edition in Reference
  


• U.S.A. Counties
  This file contains demographic, economic and governmental data for counties published in the last three editions of the County and City Data Book and the State and Metropolitan Area Data Book. Time periods for data items vary; some data provided back to 1960.
  
  
• State and Metropolitan Area Data Book 1997/98-
  Print HA203.S83 1979- Latest in Reference
  Presents a variety of data primarily for metropolitan areas and States but also includes data for counties and central cities that comprise the metro areas. Features rankings of states and metro areas by assorted demographic, social and economic characteristics.
  
  
• Statistical Abstract of the United States. Annual. 1878-
  Print HA201(yr.) 1896- Latest Reference
  Summarizes current demographic, social, political, and economic statistics for the nation drawn from both government and private sources. Includes source references and a comprehensive index. May also be searched in the LexisNexis Statistical database using the Power Tables.
  
  
• The Tennessee Statistical Abstract 2003
  Discontinued. Print 1969-2003 HA645.T4
  


• Statistical Abstracts--States
  Provides links to state statistical abstracts where available.

Colleges and Universities

• Reference Shelf - Colleges & Universities
  
  
• American Universities


The following are a sampling of printed sources with information on enrollment, students, faculty, and tuition costs:

• American Universities and Colleges Ready Ref. LA226.A65
• Barron's Profiles Ref. L901.F5
• College Blue Book Ref. LA226.H8
• Lovejoy's College Guide Ref. LA226.L6
• Register of Higher Education Ready Ref. L901.P47
• Undergraduate and graduate catalogs for U.S. accredited institutions arranged by state and college name.


• Digest of Education Statistics
  Print L11.D48 Latest in Reference.
  Includes selected statistics (enrollment, ratios for male/female, full-time/part-time, undergrad./grad. and financial expenditures) for public institutions enrolling more than 14,500 students.

Other Resources

• Editor and Publisher Market Guide
  Print only HF5905.E38 Latest in Reference
  Market data for over 1600 U.S. and Canadian cities, counties, and MSAs, including location, transportation, population, retail sales, climate, and income per household.
  
  
• DiversityData.org
  "...explore how metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. perform on a diverse range of social measures that comprise a well-rounded life experience." Includes data for racial/ethnic, income, nativity, housing, health and more.
  
  
• Demographics USA: County Edition
  Print only HF5415.2.S84 Reference
  Presents data for U.S. counties on consumer buying power by population and household characteristics. Includes household income, retail sales, consumer expenditures. Has some projections and includes maps.
  
  
• The Lifestyle Market Analyst (SRDS)
  Print only HF5415.33.U6L54 Reference
  A consumer reference guide containing profiles of each TV and broadcast market. Includes demographic characteristics and lifestyles of the population. County information included.
  
  
• Standard Rate and Data Service (SRDS)
  Print only HF5905 Latest in Reference
  Separate publications for Newspaper Advertising (HF5905.S73), Radio, Advertising (HF5905.S74), and TV & Cable Source (HF5905.S745) give advertising rates and circulation data, as well as brief marketing statistics for states, counties, cities, and metropolitan areas.
  
  
• Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook
  Print only TK6540.B852 Latest in Reference
  Geographic index of cities and their radio and T.V. stations, affiliations, and advertising rates. Includes brief profiles of audiences.

City Information Sources

• Epodunk.com
  ePodunk has gathered information from various sources about cities, towns, villages and hamlets across the country. This community profiles database includes more than 25,000 American communities. Also contains geocoded information about parks, museums, historic sites, colleges, schools and other places across America.
  
  
• Earth Resource SYStem (ERSYS)
  Demographic and Geographic data--Using maps, charts, reports, and relevant links, Ersys covers over 1300 US cities with detailed information on demographics, environmental factors, economic indicators, housing stats, media, schools, transportation, religion, and much more.
  
  
• State of the Cities Data Systems (SOCDS) HUD
  The SOCDS provides data for individual Metropolitan Areas, Central Cities and Suburbs.
  
  
• America's Top-Rated Cities: A Statistical Handbook
  Reference HT123.A669
  Volumes are arranged by region and alphabetically by city. Provides history, business information, employment, cost of living, climate, education, income, housing, major employers, population and media.
  
  
• Cities of the United States
  Reference HT123.C49677
  A compilation of informational facts on cities including population, economy, government, education, and recreation. Volumes are arranged by region.
  
  
• Profiles of America. 16 vols.
  Reference HT123.P7624
  Provides data for counties, towns and cities. Includes history, economy, education, health, transportation and other characteristics. Volumes by region.
  
  
• Facts About Cities 2d ed.
  Stacks HT123.C385
  Includes population, climate, economy, education, and crime.
  
  
• Flying the Colors
  Stacks HC106.8.C49 1984
  This series of volumes (some states are not represented) contains information by county on the economy, transportation, communication, community services, recreation and government.
  
  
• American Small City Profiles
  Reference HT123.A6653
  Contains very brief profiles of cities. Includes some weather and crime information.
  
  
• Geographic Reference Report: U.S. and Canada
  Reference HD6983.G43
  Provides economic data for major metropolitan areas including employment and earnings, income, cost of living, crime rate, and weather.
  
  
• Encyclopedia of American Cities
  Stacks HT123.U38 1980
  Articles provide basic information on over 150 large cities. Good profiles of cultural and recreational activities.
  
  
• Mobil Travel Guides. Various Regions
  Reference F # varies
  Provides population, climate, and transportation information, as well as excellent summaries of cultural and recreational opportunities.
  
  
• Moving and Relocation Sourcebook
  Stacks HT334.U5M5 2001
  A reference guide to the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Provides 1990 population and housing data; cost of living, climate, education, government,transportation and recreation.
  
  
• Municipal Yearbook
  Reference JS342.A2I52
  Annual survey of municipal management and services, including salaries, legislation, and a directory of municipal officials. Basic data on population and economic conditions included in the profiles of cities.
  

Salary, Cost of Living and Relocation Info

• Accra Cost of Living Index. American Chamber of Commerce.
  Reference HD6983.A652
  Provides cost of living differences for about 300 urban areas across the nation. Compares total costs between urban areas with component data on groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods. 100=average so 1.25 would indicate an urban area was 25% more expensive than average.
  
  
• Sperling's Best Places
  Compare U.S. cities or find data for individual cities on crime, housing, economic, education, health and climate factors.
  
  
• Best Places to Live (Money Magazine)
  Ranks 300 cities to live by economy, health, crime, housing, education, weather, leisure, transit, arts. Arranged by ranking and alphabetically by city. City pages include a description and relocation information as well as statistical data on the quality of life and the cost of living. Interactive interface permits the user to create own rankings.
  
  
• U.S.Chamber of Commerce Directory
  

Weather/Climate Data

• Sperling's Best Places
  Monthly climate profiles for 320 U.S. cities.
  
  
• Reference Shelf - Weather
  


• County and City Data Book
  Reference HA203.C68
  Table C provides the average daily temperature, annual precipitation and heating and cooling degree days for cities in each state with a population of 25,000 or more.
  
  
• Weather Almanac
  Reference QC983.W38
  Weather, climate and air quality information for the U.S. and major cities.
  
  
• Weather of U.S. Cities
  Reference QC983.W39
  A narrative guide to weather history for about 300 key U.S. cities.
  
  
• Weather America
  Reference QC983.W385
  Provides key climatological data for over 4,000 places in the United States. Includes monthly and annual temperatures and precipitation. Also physical features.
  
  

Religion Information

• The American Religion Data Archive
  Collects data for Judeo-Christian beliefs. Includes churches and church membership, religious professionals and religious groups.
  

• Churches & Church Membership in the U.S. (1990)
  Stacks BR526.J64
  Data reported for 133 church groupings by region, state and county.
  
  
• Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
  Statistics on Religion in America Report
  
  

• Flying the Colors (Not all states represented)
  Stacks HC106.8.C49 1984
  Information on churches is given for counties.
  
  

Crime Information

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  Provides crime data in the Uniform Crime Reports. Includes Crime in the United States, 1995-Current.
  
  
• Crime in the United States
  Reference HV6787.A3
  FBI annual report on crime in the nation. Also provides crime data for some counties and cities.
  
  
• City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America
  Reference HV6787.C57
  Statistics given for major index crimes, including robbery, rape, murder, etc.
  

See also crime data in: County and City Data Book/County and City Extra and USA Counties