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.
Labor Union Statistics
- Annual Reports (National Labor Relations Board)Find summary statistics on NLRB activity, including decisions, court reviews, elections, unfair labor practices, etc.. (from 1936-2009)
- ILO Statistical Data, Union(Information about database. Database must be requested.) The ILO has created a database on trade union membership. It contains data for 45 countries from 1990-Available in Excel files on request from the ILO Bureau of Statistics.
- Labor DatabaseContains publicly available US data about labor and unions dating from 1983-2014 in a MSAccess database for easy manipulation. Available at Catherwood Library only. Ask for assistance at the ILR Reference Desk.
- U. S. Union Sourcebook: Membership, Structure, Finance, Directory byCall Number: ILR Reference HD6508 .T86 1985ISBN: 0961392304Publication Date: 1985-02-01Contains tables that describe individual labor unions and the labor movement from 1897-1985. This is a unique compilation with a wealth of information.
- Union Membership and Earnings Data Book: Compilations from the Current Population Survey - BNAHirsch,Barry T. and David A. Macpherson (editors)
ILR Reference HD6508 .H66 U59
Every year the Current Population Survey (a joint U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census survey) provides broad statistics in its Union Members survey. This publication contains more detailed statistics derived from that survey. Its companion volume, Additional Earnings and Union Membership Data, ILR Reference HD6508 .H66 U59, has information from other BLS sources on occupational wages. - Union Membership Annual (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)This January release is the main government source for statistics on U. S. labor union membership and density.
- UnionReports.gov (U.S. Office of Labor Management Standards)Source for information on membership and finances of individual unions. From the U. S. Department of Labor.
- Unionstats.comThe Union Membership and Coverage Database is an Internet data resource providing private and public sector labor union membership, coverage, and density estimates compiled from the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly household survey, using BLS methods. These statistics are provided by the BLS in its annual Union Membership survey, but due with less detail. Be sure to read the background information on Unionstats.com with its commentary on the accuracy of the sample.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsThe Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Its mission is to collect, analyze, and disseminate essential economic information to support public and private decision–making.
- Proquest Statistical InsightMostly US statistics, but also offers a useful guide to foreign sources of statistics.
- NLRB Election DataRecent election results from the NLRB
Compensation and Benefits Data
- Cornell ILR Wage AtlasAlthough existing tools, such as the New York State (NYS) Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) interactive Occupational Wages data visualization, allow users to find typical wages and wage ranges by job and labor market region in NYS, such tools do not offer opportunities to explore and quantify wage disparities by race-ethnicity, gender, age, or related demographic and household characteristics. The Cornell ILR Wage Atlas seeks to begin filling this gap with tools that enable users — policymakers, advocates, grassroots organizations, researchers, planners, and economic development practitioners, among others — to identify disparities in earnings, and disparities in earning a living wage, by a host of demographic and geographic variables.
- Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)EBRI promotes the understanding and furtherance of employee benefits national policy. It is a neutral organization that does objective research on employee benefit programs and public policy with regard to employee benefits. Additional electronic content is available at the ILR Library. Please ask for assistance at the ILR Reference Desk.
- FreeERISA (BenefitsPro)FreeERISA provides free access to all form 5500s filed with the Department of Labor over the past two years, which include data on retirement, health, life, and other benefits plans from more than 1 million U.S. companies.
- Living Wage CalculatorDeveloped by researchers at MIT, the Living Wage Calculator estimates the the cost of living in your community or region and lists typical expenses, the living wage and typical wages for the selected location.
- MovingCompare the cost of living in hundreds of U.S. and International cities. Provides state tax tables. Crime indexes for 500 cities. Interstate moving costs. Insurance premium estimates. Mortgage recommendations. Compute loan amount for which you may qualify. Plan your move with a custom timeline. Other interesting information, including a Salary Calculator, for planning a move.
- Overview of BLS Statistics on Pay and Benefits (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)Recommended site for finding authoritative and current information on U.S. pay and benefits. The BLS has various surveys that report on employee compensation. They are described on this site.
- Public Pensions (OECD)Access public pension indicators, outlooks and expenditures, from an international perspective.
- Public Plans DatabaseDeveloped by The Center for State and Local Government Excellence and the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, "the PPD contains comprehensive financial, governance, and plan design information for 126 state and local defined benefit plans, along with additional data on state defined contribution plans."
- Salary.comSalary.com is an online compensation information for individuals, business managers and human resource professionals. Salary information is available through compensation surveys and the Salary Wizard, Salary.com's compensation tool. In addition to compensation data, editorial content on compensation advice, negotiation tactics and news specific to the compensation marketplace are also provided.