Government Sources of Data and Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau

The Census Bureau conducts a number of different census studies which provide economic and demographic information. Key publications found on the Census Bureau site include:

• American Community Survey: a continuous survey designed to provide data between decennial census dates
• American Fact Finder: providing popluation, housing, economic, and social data at the community level
• CensusScope: An alternative interface to 2000 Census data with analysis provided by the SSDAN at the University of Michigan
• Economic Indicators: Current and historical housing, manufacturing and trade statistics
• State and County Quick Facts: information on people, business, and geography at the state and county level
• Statistical Abstract of the United States: A key reference tool for national statistics. It can also be perused in print in the library.
• U.S. and World Population Clocks: current estimations of popluation

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Part of the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Statistics provides many different types of statistics on criminal justice:

• Crime & Justice Data Online: Data on criminal offenses, homicide, justice expenditures, and more
• Key Crime & Justice Facts at a Glance: quick reference with charts.
• State Crime Statistics 1960-2005: summary by type of crime at the state level

Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. Key data sources include:

• Consumer Price Index: a measure of inflation
• Employment and Unemployment
• Wages, Earnings and Benefits by geographic region or career.

Other Resources

• Bureau of Transportation Statistics (RITA): sources for all types of transportation
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: primary data gateway for the CDC
• FedStats: search federal government statistics sources across many agencies
• National Center for Education Statistics: provided by the Institute of Education Sciences of the Department of Education. Provides the Condition of Education indicators.
• National Weather Service: forecasts, current weather, and some historical data
• National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (now Institute of Museum and Library Services): statistic sources on libraries.
• Nebraska Databook: Data, economic trends, research reports, statistics, profiles and demographics provided by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development
• Nebraska Vital Statistics: Birth and death data from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
• Sourcebook of Crminal Justice Statistics: Gateway site to criminal justice statistics provided by SUNY Albany
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations (SAMSHA): statistics on alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse
• Uniform Crime Reports: the FBI provides annual publications on crime in the U.S., hate crime, and officers killed and assaulted