- California Statistics
- National Sources for Statistics
- Housing Statistics
- Welfare Statistics
- Food Stamp Statistics
- Health Statistics
- GIS Mapping Resources
California Statistics
- Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) – census data for the Bay Area, including Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, Solano, Napa, Contra Costa, Alameda, and Santa Clara Counties.
- California Census Records @ Census Finder
- California Census Research Data Center @ UCLA
- California Census State Data Centers @ U.S. Census Bureau
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation – looking for prison population or demographic reports? Searching for parole population or demographic reports? You will find them here.
- California Department of Education – Data & Statistics
- DataQuest – online tool for generating custom data reports on California schools and districts.
- California Department of Finance – source for budget, fiscal, economic and demographic data.
- California Department of Health Services – Center for Health Statistics
- California Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General – source for arrest, domestic violence, or crime statistics for California; contains more than 5,000 statistical tables, 59 reports, 29 publications, links to federal state, and local agency statistics, and links to other criminal statistics services.
- California Department of Social Services – comprehensive source for data and statistics on government benefits and their consumer populations; includes:
- California Office of Health Planning and Development – includes useful data on the disparities along racial and ethnic lines regarding quality of hospitals.
- California Secretary of State, Reports of Registration – data available here can help you measure and compare civic involvement in California communities.
- California’s Growing Latino Population: Census 2000 Dismantles Stereotypes (Lisa Catanzarite: March 2003) @ UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center (CSRC)
- California Institute for County Government (CICG) – joint project of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and the California State University, Sacramento offering county-oriented financial, economic and demographic statistics.
- Center for Community Research and Solutions – research and report arm of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles; offers L.A.-centric reports but also a broader array of California-related data links and a research catalog on a wide range of poverty-related demographic and economic information.
- The Changing Face of Child Poverty in California (August 2002) @ National Center for Children in Poverty – current analysis of persistently high rates of childhood poverty in California.
- Counting California @ Library of California – solid starting point for Golden State-centric demographic, social and poverty data.
- Fair Market Rent Documentation (FY 2005) @ HUD – select California and get data details and data sources for fair market rental rates, e.g., FMR Summary for Sacramento County.
- Rural Healthcare Policy Council – good site for California rural population demographics and rural access to healthcare services information.
- Kids Count 2006 Data Book Online @ Annie E. Casey Foundation
- Labor Market Information @ California Employment Development Department
- Legislative Analyst’s Office – key source for state budget data.
- Los Angeles County Zip Code Data Book (2007) – social and demographic data relative to Los Angeles County zip codes, with data on over 100 communities as well as data across the county’s eight Service Planning Areas (SPAs).
- NKCA | Neighborhood Knowledge – California @ UCLA Advanced Policy Institute – statewide, interactive website with GIS mapping with wide variety of databases useful for neighborhood-level statistical and data research.
- National Priorities Project Database – tool for geographic analysis of levels of federal spending on human needs.
- Public Policy Institute of California – offers statistical data and research on California-specific economic, social, and political issues.
- A Portrait of Race and Ethnicity in California (November 2001)
- Research and Development Division @ California Department of Social Services (CDSS) – starting point for CalWORKs, Food Stamps and other welfare programs in California.
- Research Catalog @ United Way of Greater Los Angeles – focus here is on poverty data in Los Angeles, but offers quick access to data and alternate research sources for data on low-income needs, demographics, education and financial issues.
- Sacramento Area Council of Government (SACOG) – census data and other stats for Sacramento, Sutter, El Dorado, Yuba, Placer and Yolo Counties.
- San Fernando Valley Statistics and Facts @ Cal State Northridge – like, whatever.
- Statistical Resources @ California Department of Health Services (CDHS)
National Sources for Statistics
- FedStats – federal statistical mother lode, with links to statistics and data from over 100 federal agencies, includes:
- Principal Statistical Agencies
- All Federal Agencies with Statistical Programs
- A-Z List of Statistical Topics – pick your topic, find
your stats! - MapStats – statistical profiles of states, counties, and more.
- 2007 Statistical Abstract of the United States @ U.S. Census
- Bureau of Justice Statistics @ U.S. Department of Justice – crime, victim, sentencing and other law enforcement statistical characteristics, trends, etc.
- Census Finder – proprietary compendium of free census records, national and by state.
- CensusScope @ Michigan – one of several flavors of census and related data brought to you by those data-crazed obsessives at the Social Science Data Analysis Network (SSDAN).
- ChildStats.gov @ Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics – federal and state stats from multiple agency sources re children and families, including: population and family characteristics, economic security, health, behavior and social environment,and education.
- EconData.net – over 800 links to socioeconomic data sources, arranged by subject and provider.
- Employment-related Statistics @ Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Facts and Figures About Your Community @ USA.gov
- Finding Statistics and Federal Statistics Sites @ Cal State Northridge (hover your mouse over the bulleted items to see the links) – very helpful starting point for identifying specialized methods and sources for locating statistical data.
- Free Lookups @ Mellissa Data – quick, basic Census 2000 demographic data including:
- Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) – includes Fast Facts about U.S. Immigration Statistics
- Historic U.S. Census Data @ IPUMS USA (Integrated Public Use Microdata Series) – so-called “high-precision” samples of the American population drawn from thirteen federal censuses between 1850 and 1990.
- Homelessness Counts @ National Alliance to End Homelessness
- Income and Tax Statistics @ Internal Revenue Service
- Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research @ Michigan – boasts of having world’s largest archive of computerized social science data.
- Kids Count 2007 Data Book Online @ Annie E. Casey Foundation
- National Association of Counties – alternate source for county-level data and other economic and demographic info.
- National Center for Children in Poverty – data up the yazoo on low-income children and families in the U.S. and by state; includes quick access to state profiles and a 50-state demographic wizard.
- National Priorities Project Database – data with attitude, providing user-friendly data tools for creating state- and county-level data tables, graphs and reports about population needs and federal expenditures, including broadly framed analyses of hunger, health and general poverty data.
- Natural Hazard Statistics @ National Weather Service
- Office of Minority Health @ Centers for Disease Control – has a national perspective and is a good source of general information about various populations and health issues; a useful source for data to support community outreach and education.
- Poverty and Family Budgets @ Economic Policy Institute
- Poverty and Income Distribution Statistical Reports @ Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- StateMaster.com – provides free summary stats for all states in the United States, drawing heavily on Census data and other public sources, along predictable categories (e.g., crime, health, housing, etc.)
- State of the Nation’s Cities: A Comprehensive Database on American Cities and Suburbs @ Center for Urban Policy Research – database on 77 American cities and suburbs, brings together over 3,000 variables from a wide variety of sources, allowing easy comparability of indicators on employment and economic development, demographic measures, housing and land-use, income and poverty, fiscal conditions, and a host of other health, social, and environmental indicators.
- Statistical Resources on the Web @ University of Michigan
- The White House – quick source for national stats from the mothership, including:
- Social Security Administration
- Office of Policy – ground zero for stats re all Social Security programs.
- Office of the Chief Actuary
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Office of Analysis, Nutrition, and Evaluation (OANE) – slew of data and reports on varied USDA nutrition programs.
- Food Stamp Program Participation Studies – data re Food Stamp program characteristics, trends and participation rates.
- Economic Research Service – economic data and analysis re agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development.
- Food and Nutrition Program Data @ Food and Nutrition Service
- Office of Analysis, Nutrition, and Evaluation (OANE) – slew of data and reports on varied USDA nutrition programs.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- Bureau of Economic Analysis
- U.S. Census Bureau – comprehensive population data, including:
- Census 2000 Gateway @ Census Bureau – top-level access point for latest census data, includes:
- State-by-State Demographic Profiles
- State and County Quick Facts
- Census 2000 Supplementary Surveys – covering national and state estimates on income, poverty, education, and other topics.
- Subjects Index
- 2007 Statistical Abstract of the United States
- 1990 Decennial Census
- American Community Survey (ACS) – now includes hefty, updated 2005 datasets by state, county and metropolitan-area data on poverty, income, and other measures (demographics, housing, school enrollment, immigration, and more).
- Using the Data: 2005 User’s Guide
- See Census 2005 Data Tables available at ACS and Data Sets available at the Census Bureau’s American FactFinder site, for greater level of detail at both the state and sub-state levels for 2002, and for 2001 generally at state level only.
- American FactFinder – tables and maps of Census 2000 data for all geographies to the block level.
- Decennial 2000 Census Data Sets – knock yourself out with newly posted data sets with over 800 tables of social, economic and housing characteristics for the United States, individual states and local counties, including California and all its counties.
- Search – by keyword or geography.
- American FactFinder Help – Table of Contents – helpful “site map” of the vast content available.
- American FactFinder Glossary
- See also Glossary of Census Terminology @ DataPlace
- American FactFinder Tutorials – extremely minimalist but still helpful basic orientations on what kinds of data are available and how to use it.
- American FactFindser and Census 2000 – 150-slide PowerPoint presentation reviews key aspects of the Census and how to exploit what is available at American FactFinder site, by Grace York at the University of Michigan (October 2004).
- American Housing Survey
- Census Bureau Housing Topics
- Census Bureau Newsroom – useful for locating:
- News Releases about recently published data, includes links to news releases by subject.
- Facts for Features about annual holidays and events.
- Minority Links with data on racial and ethnic groups.
- Data Access Tools
- Housing and Household Economic Topics
- Population and Household Economic Topics
- Poverty Population and Related Data
- State and Metropolitan Area Data Book
- State and County QuickFacts
- Summary Tables on Language Use and English Ability (2000 Census)
- Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)
- U.S. Census Subject Index: A to Z
- Census 2000 Gateway @ Census Bureau – top-level access point for latest census data, includes:
- U.S. Department of Education
- U.S. Department of Energy
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Statistics and Data
- Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE)
- National Center for Health Statistics – hosted by the Centers for Disease Control
- Health, United States, 2005 – latest edition of annual report on trends in health statistics.
- Poverty Levels and Guidelines
- 2005 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines – current version of the federal administrative guidelines used to determine poverty eligibility.
- Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Poverty Guidelines and Poverty
- Poverty Guidelines, Research and Measurement – ready source for current and historical data on federal poverty guidelines and related info.
- HHS Poverty Guidelines since 1982 – historical figures and Federal Register references for prior federal poverty guidelines.
- See also, What is the difference between poverty thresholds and poverty guidelines? @ Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP)
- See also, Poverty Population and Related Data @ Census Bureau; Poverty and Family Budgets @ Economic Policy Institute; and Poverty and Income Distribution Statistical Reports @ Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- FY 2005 Fair Market Rent Documentation
- Data Sets
- Resident Characteristics Report – summarizes general info about households residing in Public Housing, Indian Housing, or who receive Section 8 assistance; includes demographic data from state level, congressional district, county, HUD field office, and Housing Authorities; plus you can make graphs and the other geeky data stuff.
- Select Approved PHA Plans
- Select Received PHA Plans
- Picture of Subsidized Households: 1996 – 1997 – 1998
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Bureau of Justice Statistics – crime, victim, sentencing and other law enforcement statistical characteristics, trends, etc.
- U.S. Department of Labor
- U.S. Department of Transportation – Bureau of Transportation Statistics – comprehensive transportation statistics for geographic areas within the United States
Housing Statistics
- Home Mortgage Disclosure Act @ FFIEC – aggregate tables of home mortgage lending activity and disclosure reports from 1999 through 2005 are available; FFIEC also provides limited data products, including TS and LAR raw data software and Census data.
- Housing Planning and Statistics @ California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) – offers statistical info including the “Raising the Roof” update of California’s housing plan loaded with statistical appendices and more, plus links to regional government associations providing local data.
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- FY 2005 Fair Market Rent Documentation
- Data Sets
- Picture of Subsidized Households – 2000 @ HUD Data Sets – provides characteristics of assisted housing units and residents, summarized at the national, state, public housing agency (PHA), project, and census tract levels; also, you can create custom queries of the Picture data by geography and by HUD program or download complete summary files.
- Resident Characteristics Report – summarizes general info about households residing in Public Housing, Indian Housing, or who receive Section 8 assistance; includes demographic data from state level, congressional district, county, HUD field office, and Housing Authorities; plus you can make graphs and the other geeky data stuff.
- Select Approved PHA Plans
- Select Received PHA Plans
- Picture of Subsidized Households: 1996 – 1997 – 1998
- CHAS – Housing Needs Table
- KnowledgePlex – flashy site sponsored by Fannie Mae Foundation, with resources for news, data, information and articles about affordable housing and community development.
- Low-Income Housing Statistical Reports @ Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- Sources of Data on State and Local Housing Needs (November 2001) @ Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- National Low-Income Housing Profile @ National Low Income Housing Coalition – “big picture” summary stats re low-income renters and home ownership.
- Rental Housing for America’s Poor Families: Farther Out of Reach Than Ever (2002) @ National Low Income Housing Coalition – side-by-side comparison of wages and rents in every county, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), combined nonmetropolitan area and state in the United States. For each jurisdiction, the report calculates the amount of money a household must earn in order to afford a rental unit based on the generally accepted affordability standard of paying no more than 30% of income for housing costs.
Welfare Statistics
- Research and Development Division @ California Department of Social Services – download data re California’s CalWORKs and other public assistance programs, including:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF): Fifth Annual Report to Congress @ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – detailed state (including California) and national data regarding TANF caseloads, work participation rates, work and earnings, characteristics of TANF recipients, and more.
- Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) @ Administration for Children and Families
- See also Social Security Statistics for federal disability statistical data.
- Federal Welfare Statistical Reports @ Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- Financial Data: Spending Under Welfare Reform @ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Food Stamp Statistics
- Research and Development Division @ California Department of Social Services – download data re California’s Food Stamp program, including:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Office of Analysis, Nutrition, and Evaluation (OANE) – slew of data and reports on varied USDA nutrition programs.
- Food Stamp Program Participation Studies – data re Food Stamp program characteristics, trends and participation rates.
- Food and Nutrition Assistance Program @ Economic Research Service
- Food Security in the United States @ USDA / Economic Research Service (March 2002) – food “insecurity” would say it better in latest USDA data showing 33 million Americans (13 million children and 20 million adults) live in families that suffer from hunger or live on the edge of hunger.
- Food and Nutrition Program Data @ Food and Nutrition Service
- Office of Analysis, Nutrition, and Evaluation (OANE) – slew of data and reports on varied USDA nutrition programs.
- America’s Second Harvest
- California Food Policy Advocates
- Hunger in California
- Hunger Reports and Statistical Analysis
- Resources for Federal Food Stamp Program Data
- Hunger and Food Insecurity in California – analyses and resource links on persistence of hunger among California’s poor.
- “Over 2.2. Million Low-income California Adults are Food Insecure” (November 5, 2002) – analysis of intersect between food insecurity and public health, based on 2001 California Health Interview Survey prepared by UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
- Food Stamp Participation in California (1995 to 2002).
- Food Assistance Statistical Reports @ Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- Food Research and Action Center – includes:
- Data Center – select recent hunger and poverty stats by state and county
- Food Stamp Program Participation Data
Health Statistics
- AskCHIS 2.0 @ UCLA Center for Health Policy Research – includes access to California Health Interview Survey data, provides statistical analysis of a wide range of health topics, and then generates the results as a bar chart, pie chart or an Excel spreadsheet.
- Demographics, Health, and Access to Care of Immigrant Children in California: Identifying Barriers to Staying Healthy (March 2003) @ UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
- National Center for Health Statistics @ Centers for Disease Control
- Health, United States, 2005 – latest edition of annual report on trends in health statistics.
- Population Reference Bureau – data and related info on U.S. and international population trends and their implications, emphasizing but not limited to health issues.
- Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations @ Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (OMHD) – part of the Centers for Disease Control, provides source for locating basic demographic, leading causes of death and health disparities in eleven basic race and ethnic groupings, including multiracial populations.
- State Health Facts Online @ Kaiser Family Foundation
- Statistical Resources @ California Department of Health Services