Before beginning a search, identify:
Timeline and Location
- What time period are you interested in?
- What geographic location are you interested in?
- Statistics take time to collect and compile, so the most recently available data for a given topic may be older than you wish.
Publishers and Producers
- Who would have an interest in collecting this information?
- Publishers of statistics include government agencies, private corporations, industries, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
- If you can't identify a potential publisher of information, statistics on your topic may be difficult to find.
Places to Find Statistics:
Government Agencies
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics has compiled a list of agencies that produce statistics both in the United States and internationally.
- The United States Census Bureau has the most recent information from the U.S. Census with lots of demographic information included.
- Search and explore Census Data from the Census Bureau.
Library Databases
- ProQuest Statistical Insight is a general statistical database that allows users to search for national and international statistics directly without having to wade through text documents.
- Historical Statistics of the United States is the standard source for quantitative facts on US history.
- Statista provides access to statistics and studies gathered by market researchers, trade organizations, scientific publications, and government sources on over 600 industries.
- Select a relevant subject database from our Find Articles Guide, and search for your topic with the word "statistics".
Web Sources
- Pew Research Center conducts nonpartisan public opinion polling on current issues. Use Pew to find statistical information on how the public feels about a given topic.
- The library's Statistics Guide provides links and information to find statistics on specific topics.
- Can't find what you're looking for? Try Google. Remember to use specific keywords when searching, and evaluate every source you find for credibility.
