Finding Statistical Information
This is a guide to selected print and online statistical resources. While basic resources are included, there are many others that cannot be covered here because of length. For assistance in using these resources, or to find additional information, contact a Reference Librarian .
United States - General
American FactFinder The U.S. Census Bureau's source for U.S. population, housing, economic, and geographic data.
Digital Librarian: Statistics Links to statistical sources. Primarily U.S., but some international.
FedStats A guide to statistics produced by the United States government.
Statistical Resources on the Web (University of Michigan)A compilation of U.S. web sites providing statistical information from both governmental and non governmental sources. Also provides links to foreign government statistical agencies.
State and County QuickFacts Statistics for state or county. Includes data for cities and towns with a population of more than 25,000.
Statistical Abstract of the United States Yearly publication from the U.S. Bureau of the Census containing government and non-government statistics about social and economic conditions, usually on the national and state levels, but also including some international statistics. Electronic versions (non-searchable PDF files) available from 1878 to the present. Print versions available from 1913 to the present (HA202.A21 - Latest in REFERENCE)
USA Statistics in Brief Quickly access current data at the national level on several subjects.
United States - Historical
Historical Census Browser Data for state and county topics for individual census years from 1790 to 1960.
Historical Statistics of the United States Contains more than 37,000 annual time series of quantitative historical information covering virtually every quantifiable dimension of American history: population, work and welfare, economic structure and performance, governance, and international relations, all from the earliest times to the present.
Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970
International
Eurostat Official website of the statistical agency of the European Commission. Hundreds of statistical reports under Data and Publications, including a broad range of statistics from health to exports to employment.
Europa World Yearbook (latest
print copy in Reference: JN1.E85)An excellent source for basic country information. Covers recent history plus the current political and economic system in each country of the world. Includes some statistics, information on political parties and political structure, and media information.
International Database The US Census Bureau provides this interactive searchable database of international statistical information. The Census Bureau's IDB is highlighted by IDB Online Access, which allows the user to select one of 26 demographic, ethnic, and economic variables and any or all of the countries in the world, and receive a table for that variable for the latest year, selected individual years, or a range of years.
International Economic Statistics The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Research Library's IES Database simplifies the search for world-wide economic indicators. Individual indicators (such as GDP and CPI) are linked, and each link has a description of the data. Included in each record is the title, corporate author, publisher, years covered in the data series, type of publication (text, table, chart), frequency with which the data is published, country of origin, a URL, available languages, subject headings, format (.pdf, .xls, etc.), a summary (where available), and any notes needed to clarify the data. The database is title, country, subject and keyword searchable.
NationMaster.com NationMaster.com is a central data source and a handy way to graphically compare nations. NationMaster is a compilation of data from such sources as the CIA World Factbook, United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank, World Resources Institute, UNESCO, UNICEF and OECD. You can generate maps and graphs on all kinds of statistics with ease.
OECD Statistics Portal Portal to statistics on a variety of topics for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries.
Statesman's Yearbook Online Print also available: JA51.S7 (latest in Reference) Quick reference data on area, population, defense, economy, energy, natural resources, industry and trade, communications, religion, education and welfare. Alphabetical arrangement by country.
United Nations Statistics Division Access point to statistical data compiled by the UN and other international agencies. Click on the Statistics Databases tab at the top of the homepage to go to the databases page.
World Data (Britannica Online) Find country information and statistics. Includes country snapshots, country comparisons (current and chronological), and and ranked statistics.
World Factbook Data about countries around the world, including government, geography, transportation and economic statistics, collected by the CIA.
Special Topics
Bureau of Justice Statistics Provides data on the U.S. murder rate, drug use, crime rates, and reports on such subjects as violence against women, capital punishment, drugs and crime, guns used in crimes, and prison populations.
Economic Indicators Provides economic information on prices, wages, production, business activity, purchasing power, credit, money and Federal finance. Coverage is from 1995 to the present.
Globalhealthfacts.org Provides free, up-to-date and easy-to-access data by country on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other key health and socio-economic indicators.
National Agricultural Statistics Service Data on crops, livestock, costs and prices, demographics, and environmental aspects of agriculture. Data can be retrieved for the entire US, or by state and county.
National Center for Education Statistics The NCES is responsible for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the United States and internationally. Numerous publications and data sets available online.
National Center for Health Statistics A broad range of United States health statistics documenting the health status of the population and of important subgroups.
Last updated September 26, 2011
