InfoGuides: Find Data &amp; Statistics: Getting Started: Frequently Used Sources

Core & Historical Sources

Popular Sources
Historically Focused Sources

Start with these popular sources to look for data or statistics on a variety of topics. Many will report statistics in tables or charts that can be copied and used in a paper and include data in formats that can be downloaded for analysis. See the companion find data guide, if you need access to other datasets or need datasets for practice. The Databases A-Z: Data & Polls list has an even longer list of data sources.

Sage Data This link opens in a new window
Sage Data provides an all-in-one resource for accessing statistics and data ranging from international to US national and state and local data.
- Enables fast access to more than 13.5 billion US and international datasets from over 90 sources
- Provides powerful data analysis tools to manipulate datasets, compare multiple indicators and sources, and derive new statistics.
Social Explorer This link opens in a new window
Premium access to easy-to-use U.S. Census of Population and Housing and American Community Survey data as well as data from UK, Canada, and Europe. Also includes statistics on religious affiliation and other topics. If you can't find the US Census data you need in Social Explorer, try census.data.gov.
Statista This link opens in a new window
Integrates more than 80,000 diverse topics of data and facts from over 22,500 international sources. Includes statistics and studies gathered from market researchers, trade organizations, scientific publications, government sources and international organizations. Create graphs, reports and infographics. Data is easily exportable for analysis. Statista reports now allow you to create your own interactive industry comparisons with Tableau Workbook. Find the free tool here or via https://www.tableau.com/trial/statista-benchmark-report-uk. Tutorial for the Statista database.
ProQuest Statistical Insight This link opens in a new window
Find statistics issued by the US government since 1973; statistical resources from private organizations and US state governments; titles from international agencies; and access to Statistical Abstracts of the World and Statistical Abstract of the United States.
SimplyAnalytics This link opens in a new window
Enables users to quickly create professional-quality thematic maps and reports using demographic, business, and marketing data. Data includes Census (1980 - Present), American Community Survey, and both Simmons and MRI Consumer Survey Data. Users may create accounts to save their work. For more information, see the SimplyAnalytics InfoGuide. Tutorial for the SimplyAnalytics database.
OECD iLibrary This link opens in a new window
Full-text electronic portal for publications of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). Included are books, reports, periodicals, and statistical publications with downloading capabilities. Tutorial for the OECD iLibrary database.

UNdata
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International statistics from United Nations statistical resources.
World Bank Open Data
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International statistics and data ranging from easy-to-use to research data sets.

Cross-National Time-Series Data Archive This link opens in a new window
Offers a listing of international and national country-data facts. Contains statistical information on a range of countries from 1815 to the present. Categories include demographic, social, political, and economic topics.
Historical Statistics of the United States Millennial Edition Online This link opens in a new window
Standard source for quantitative facts of American history. Expanded and revised to include over 37,000 data series from over 1,000 sources. Includes sections on Population, Work and Welfare, Economic Structure and Performance, Economic Sectors, and Governance and International Relations. Tables may be downloaded into Excel. Users may create custom tables as well.
International Historical Statistics This link opens in a new window
Collection of international statistical data on the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, covering a wide range of socio-economic topics from 1750 to 2010. Users can conduct statistical analysis across both time and geopolitical boundaries. Data tables can be downloaded as PDFs and/or Excel files.
Social Explorer This link opens in a new window
Access current and historical census data and demographic information. Create maps and reports to illustrate, analyze, and understand demography and social change. Tutorial for the Social Explorer database.