Research Guides: Political Science: GovDocs Stats & Data

How to find Statistics and Data

How (and Where) to Find Government Statistics and Data
Various government agencies collect data and statistics across a wide range of topics and regularly publish reports on their findings. Users who are unsure where to start can begin with a general keyword or subject search in a data index or statistical search engine to locate the information they need.

Data.gov
Data.gov is the U.S. government’s open data portal, offering downloadable datasets on topics like health, education, energy, and the environment for students, researchers, and policymakers.
StatsPolicy.gov
The Federal statistical system provides impartial, reliable data that supports decision-making by government, businesses, and the public.

Population and Census Data

U.S. Census Bureau
The leading source for U.S. population, housing, economic, and geographic data.
Office of Immigration Statistics
Provides data on immigrants by legal status, including admissions, removals, and enforcement actions.
Election Statistics
Official vote counts for federal elections since 1920, provided by the National Archives.

Statistical Compendiums

Statistical Abstracts Series
A comprehensive collection of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States, published annually by the Census Bureau.
United Nations Data
International statistical compendium with country-level data on population, economy, trade, environment, and more.
OECD Data
Statistical compendium from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, covering economics, education, health, and development among member countries.
World Bank Data
Extensive global development statistics, including World Development Indicators and regional economic reports.

Crime and Criminal Justice

Crime/Law Enforcement Stats (Uniform Crime Reporting Program)
The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, run by the FBI since 1930, provides national crime statistics for law enforcement, researchers, students, the media, and the public. Over 18,000 agencies voluntarily submit data through state programs or directly to the FBI.
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Offers data on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government.

Labor and Economics

Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
Provides important economic statistics, including national, international, regional, and industry-specific data.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The principal federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.

Education

Digest of Education Statistics
A compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from prekindergarten through graduate school.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
The primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations.

Energy and Agriculture

Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Provides official energy statistics from the U.S. government, including data on energy production, consumption, and trends.
Economic Research Service (ERS)
Analyzes and provides access to economic information related to agriculture, food, the environment, and rural development.
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)
Conducts hundreds of surveys each year and prepares reports covering nearly every aspect of U.S. agriculture.

Health and Vital Events

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The national public health institute in the U.S., providing data on various health topics, including disease prevention and health statistics.
ChildStats.gov
Presents statistics on children and families, including family and social environment, economic circumstances, health care, physical environment and safety, behavior, education, and health.
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Under the CDC, NCHS is the nation's principal health statistics agency, providing statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the health of the American people.