Data & Statistics: Find Data
Where to Find Data
Think about the source
Finding data and statistics can be tricky! One helpful step when searching is to consider who would collect and report this data, or who would have access to the information. Basically, focus on the source instead of the specific data. The most common sources for data are:
- Government agencies
- Private companies
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Researchers
Subject guides
The first place to check for data related to a particular subject area is with your subject librarian. For a list of subject area guides (created by subject librarians), click here: http://guides.lib.uw.edu/tacoma/
Some librarians will have a tab on the subject guides titled "Data" or "Statistics". If you're not finding what you're seeking, each subject guide has contact information for your subject librarian and please feel free to contact them directly.
CSSCR
Another good resource for data is the UW's Center for Social Science Computation and Research (CSSCR). CSSCR is a computer resource center located on the UW Seattle campus providing facilities and support for social science departments at the University of Washington.
Explore Data
If you are not sure where to start, looking at one of these resources might help you get started.
- Data PlanetUW Libraries Guide about Data Planet. Data Planet allows users to browse through datasets and create charts, maps, graphs and tables, with descriptive summaries and citations.
- SimplyAnalytics This link opens in a new windowCreate maps and tables of demographic, business, and marketing variables. (Formerly known as SimplyMap.)
- Statista This link opens in a new windowMarket, industry, and country statistics, studies and infographics.
- ICPSRInter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research provides more than 500,000 digital files containing social science research data.
- Data.gov"Data.gov provides descriptions of the Federal datasets (metadata), information about how to access the datasets, and tools that leverage government datasets."
- UN DataThe United Nations data retrieval system.
Statistics
- Statista This link opens in a new windowMarket, industry, and country statistics, studies and infographics.
- E-STATInteractive tool provided by Statistics Canada for finding data about society and the economy in Canada.
- FedStats Data Access ToolsLinks to datasets from a selection of Federal agencies.
- OECD iLibrary This link opens in a new windowOECD’s Online Library for Books, Papers and Statistics and the gateway to OECD’s analysis and data. It replaces SourceOECD, and hosts all content so users can find - and cite - tables and databases as easily as articles or chapters.
- ProQuest Statistical Insight This link opens in a new windowProvides statistical data from U.S. government publications from 1973, state and private sources from 1980, and international organizations from 1983
- UNESCO Institute for StatisticsAccess data and build your own statistical tables related to UNESCO's fields of action.
Census Data
Census data can be incredibly useful for demographic information. Want to dive deeper into other forms of government data? Check out the Government Publications Statistical Data Page.
- Census.govSite for the U.S. Census Bureau.
- American FactfinderPart of Census.gov, includes population, housing, economic, and geographic data. NOTE: Some performance issues with IE 8.0 and higher than Firefox 3.6
- Social Explorer This link opens in a new windowMaps and reports based on U.S. Census and other data sources, 1790 to present.
Washington State Data
- County & City DataProvided by Office of Financial Management, provides data related to population, economy, and more.
- Dept of HealthData on infectious diseases, injury & trauma, maternal & child health and more.
- Dept of RevenueUse "Create a Report" tool to download tables on gross business income, taxable retail sales, local tax distributions and more.
- Dept of TransportationAnnual mileage, collisions and traffic data.
- Economic and Demographic InformationProvided by Municipal Research & Services Center.
- Employment Security Department - Workforce ExplorerData on employment/unemployment, occupations, industries and wages.
- Office of Financial ManagementIncludes data "related to the state budget, public policy and demographics" including health care, human services and education.
- Puget Sound Regional CouncilData and reports on economic, transportation and social topics used by municipal governments in the Puget Sound region.
Health Data
- UW Health Sciences Library: Data and StatisticsData and statistics resources from the Health Sciences Library at UW. Includes local, regional, national, and world health sources.