LibGuides: *Government Information: Federal: National Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau and Census Products

The United States Census Bureau (USCB; officially the Bureau of the Census) is the principal agency responsible for producing data about the American people and economy.

The primary mission of the Census Bureau is conducting the U.S. Census every ten years, which allocates the seats of the U.S. House of Representatives to the states based on their population. In addition to the decennial census, the Census Bureau continually conducts dozens of other censuses and surveys, including the American Community Survey, the U.S. Economic Census, and the Current Population Survey. Furthermore, economic and foreign trade indicators released by the federal government typically contain data produced by the Census Bureau. The various censuses and surveys conducted by the Census Bureau help allocate over $400 billion in federal funds every year and help states, local communities, and businesses make informed decisions.

The Census Bureau is situated within the U.S. Department of Commerce and its director is appointed by the President of the United States.

(Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Census_Bureau, 8/11/2015)

US Census Data Portal
Access to Census Bureau data about the United States, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. The data in the data portal comes from several censuses and surveys including American Community Survey, American Housing Survey, Annual Economic Surveys, Annual Surveys of Governments, Census of Governments, Decennial Census, Economic Census, and several others. Provides tables and an interactive mapping feature. A replacement for the now-shuttered American Fact Finder website.
Census Reporter
Census Reporter is a Knight News Challenge-funded project to make it easier for journalists and other data users to write stories and grants using statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. Place profiles and comparison pages provide a friendly interface for navigating data, including visualizations for a more useful first look. Census Reporter also offers handy tools for data comparison and makes it easy to create exports for further analysis in tabular or GIS formats.

A Users Guide for American FactFinder

US Census Data
by Diana Castillo Last Updated May 24, 2021 130 views this year

AFF is a powerful tool, but not always easy to figure out how to use. This resource will help guide you through.

Principal Statistical Agencies

The following are primary agencies (other than Census) that provide significant statistical data. It comes from FedStats (for a longer and more detailed list, please visit their site).

Tools and Reference Works

Statistical Abstract of the United States (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window
Published annually by the Federal Government since 1878, Statistical Abstract of the United States is the best-known statistical reference publication in the world. When the Census Bureau ceased to produce this in 2011, ProQuest took on responsibility for updating and releasing it. Both an answer book and a guide to statistical sources , Statistical Abstract is a comprehensive collection of statistics on the social, political, and economic conditions of the United States. The ProQuest online edition has some significant enhancements over the Census Bureau’s online version, including monthly updates instead of annual.

Data.gov
Data.gov is the home of the U.S. Government's open data. Find federal, state, and local data, tools, and resources to conduct research, build apps, design data visualizations, and more.

Non-Government Statistics Sources

General Social Survey (GSS)
The GSS contains a standard 'core' of demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal questions, plus topics of special interest. Many of the core questions have remained unchanged since 1972 to facilitate time-trend studies as well as replication of earlier findings. The GSS takes the pulse of America, and is a unique and valuable resource. It has tracked the opinions of Americans over the last four decades.
NationMaster
NationMaster is a massive central data source and a handy way to graphically compare nations in a wide variety of categories.
USAFacts
USAFacts is a new data-driven portrait of the American population, the government’s finances, and government’s impact on society. They state that they are a non-partisan, not-for-profit civic initiative with no political agenda or commercial motive. They rely exclusively on publicly available government data sources. (The website is currently in beta testing)

Historical Census Statistics

Selected Historic Decennial Census Population and Housing Counts
From the U.S. Census Bureau 1990 Census page. Covers 1790-1990. Various kinds of information primarily in pdf and txt formats.
Statistical Abstract
Statistical Abstract data present here ranges from the 2012 edition back to 1879, with supplements to data from colonial times. Downloadable pdf files.

Libraries

*Government Information: Federal

U.S. Census Bureau and Census Products

A Users Guide for American FactFinder

Principal Statistical Agencies

Tools and Reference Works

Non-Government Statistics Sources

Historical Census Statistics

Contact Info

In the Valley Library

Digital Projects

Branches