Finding Statistics
Statistics are published on the web and in print publications. Publishers include the federal government, state governments, foreign governments, international agencies, private entities, and membership organizations. Recording of statistics is sometimes mandated by law, but in other instances, it is entirely voluntary. Even required government statistics often change over the years. Statistics are not always published and raw data and data sets are not always accessible. Finally, there may be hefty fees for some statistics!
The best strategy for finding statistics is to identify the stakeholders (governments, companies, organizations) and do a thorough search of their publications and Internet pages. The resources below are good places to start you statistical research.
- Data & Reproduction Archive (Cornell Center for Social Science)The Cornell Center for Social Science (CCSS) houses the Data & Reproduction Archive, started by the former Cornell Institute for Social and Economic Research (CISER) in 1982. This extensive data collection emphasizes political and social behavior, demography, economics, and health. The collection includes federal and state census files, administrative records, public opinion surveys, and economic and social data from national and international organizations, along with studies compiled by individual researchers.
- Data.govExcellent and growing source for raw data, including 5 pages on data sets on labor and employment.
- Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology (FCSM)A major portal for U. S. government statistics. The FCSM compiles, assesses, and disseminates information on statistical or survey methods and practices for Federal statistical agencies.
- International Statistical AgenciesComprehensive list by country, compiled by the U. S. Census Bureau. NOTE: Scroll to bottom of web page for the list.
- ProQuest Statistical InsightProvides statistical data from U.S. government publications from 1973, state and private sources from 1980, and international organizations from 1983.
- ProQuest Statistical Abstract of the U.S.The ProQuest Statistical Abstract of the United States is the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic conditions of the United States. Data begins in 2013. For historical data, see separate listing, hosted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
- StatistaStatista provides access to statistics and studies gathered by market researchers, trade organizations, scientific publications, and government sources on over 600 industries.
- U.S. Data and StatisticsFind data about the U.S., such as maps and population, demographic, and economic data.
- Wolfram AlphaEnter your question or calculation, and Wolfram|Alpha uses its built-in algorithms and a growing collection of data to compute the answer.
Select Administrative Data Sources
- ICPSRThis site provides search and browsing access to abstracts and data sets in the world's largest archive of computerized social science data at the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR). ICPSR Direct allows Cornellians to download data directly from links in the ICPSR catalog of holdings after they provide name, Cornell affiliation, department, and e-mail address. After registering, you may obtain data by entering your e-mail address and using a Cornell IP address. Access to off-campus Cornell users is provided by the Cornell University Find Databases function. The CISER Data Archive can assist students in downloading the complete files.
- Roper Center @ CornellDatasets from opinion polls conducted around the world. and iPoll, below, an online database of public opinion, organized at the question-level, from a wide variety of polling organizations.
- Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) - Syracuse UniversityTRAC gathers, analyzes, and distributes data related to federal enforcement, staffing, and spending.