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Data & Statistics: Intro & U.S. Census Data

Introduction - Data & Statistics

Data are individual pieces of factual information used for the purpose of analysis. It is the raw information from which statistics are created. Statistics are the results of data analysis.

This research guide will link to several excellent locations you can use to build a data sets or collect needed statistics.

Citing data

Citing a data set or statistics information is very similar to citing any other source, such as a book or journal article. Here is one suggestion for formatting:

Creator (Publication Year): Title. Version. Publisher. Resource Type. Identifier (DOI or url)

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U.S. Government Data

About the Census

The U.S. Census Bureau is always collecting data. It collects data on people and the economy. There are primarily three collection points.

  • The American Community Survey helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities.It details population and housing information.
  • The decennial (every ten years) census is taken as per the U.S. Constitution.  It counts the number of people in the United States.
  • An economic census began in 1954 and is taken every five years, it is taken in years ending in a 5 or 7.

Historic Census Information