Research Guides: Journalism 453 Public Relations Writing: Local Statistical Compilations & Population/Demographics

Local Population & Demographic Statistics

Spokane Trends
Portal to data for Spokane County. A joint project of: City of Spokane, Community Building Foundation, Eastern Washington University, Greater Spokane Inc., Spokane Regional Health District, and Spokane United Way.
Census Reporter
View Census Bureau and American Community Survey data in a simplified, visual format. Can search by place (county, city, zip code, or address for a census tract or block group). Created for journalists by the Knight Foundation.
State & County (& City) QuickFacts
Tables on population, age/race, income, housing, income/poverty, disability and health insurance for towns with at least 5,000 people. From the Census Bureau.
To access, click Map or Dashboard and choose your geographic area. You can choose more than one to compare.
OFM County & City Data
Portal to data for each county in Washington State, including crime (use the one labeled "Criminal Justice Data Book" which is a detailed excel spreadsheet), demographics, economics, and human services.

National-Level Statistical Compilations

The traditional compilation is the Statistical Abstract, which used to be compiled by the Census Bureau and freely available. But the Census Bureau cut the program and it was picked up by a publisher, ProQuest. The last free compilation was in 2012, and you can download the entire 1500+ page book as a PDF.

SAGE Data This link opens in a new window
Formerly called Sage Stats. Collection of data measures spanning all U.S. states, counties, cities, metropolitan areas, and zip codes. Data goes back more than 20 years. Covers the economy, education, crime, government finance, health, population, religion, social welfare, and transportation.
Statistical Abstract of the United States This link opens in a new window
Summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. Offers individually indexed tables (with attached spreadsheets), both searchable and browsable.
Statistical Abstracts of the World This link opens in a new window
Collection of the statistics from many countries, generally issued by the national statistical offices of foreign governments. Global and regional statistical compendia issued by international organizations are included.

Statistical Abstract 2012
Browse the last edition of the Census Bureau's Statistical Abstract. (You may want to just save the PDF!) Note what agency or organization collected the data and go to that agency/organization website for more current data.
More Statistics & Data Sites
Links to even more places to find statistics.