Google has announced the addition of public data comparison charts through Google searches. Currently, only data for unemployment rates and population is available, but Google does promise additional data in the future. Data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau's Population Division. To use this feature, go to Google and type either "population" or "unemployment rate" (remove the quotes), followed by a state or county. Click on the first search result, and a graph will appear showing that data. You will also have the opportunity to add additional states and counties to the graph. For example, here is a graph showing the populations for Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties:
Interested in a broad range of U.S. social, economic, and demographic information on-line? The American Community Survey might be of use to you.Every year, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts the Survey, asking three million of us about our income, occupation, place of work, health insurance, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, language spoken at home, disability, housing, etc. etc. etc. This information is compiled and presents a snapshot of life in the United States at any given time.You can access the American Community Survey by going to http://factfinder.census.gov, then clicking on Data Sets (on the left side), and then American Community Survey. Or click here.
The Census Bureau publishes a series of online handbooks (.pdfs) on how to use the Survey. There are handbooks for general users, business users, teachers, media, state and local governments, and researchers.
Looking for an easy way to find census data, statistics and other information about a city, zip code, or state? Take a look at DataPlace. Enter the place name or zip code and a whole list of demographic statistics about your place is returned, including population, age, ethnicity, race, household size, education, income, employment, and mortgage information.
Plus, the site gives you tools to analyze and interpret the data. You can compare one place to another, see where your place ranks against other areas in the United States, and view a map of the statistics overlaid on the place.A great one-stop resource for demographic information about your community, your region or the nation.[via LibrarianInBlack.net]
