Google search has added a new “wow” feature: Adding search power to public data. It’s an embryonic example of where Google is going, to make it easier to search for and compare select types of public data. In this current feature, you can search for population or unemployment data by geographical location, and then select to compare that data with another geographic area. For example, need to know the population of Sacramento County, California? Search for population sacramento, then click on the link at the top of the Google search results and you get a graph illustrating the population growth over time. Want to compare that data with another county or state? Select the corresponding check box on the left.

Ya gotta love the Google!