Statistical Sources Everyone Should Know

Finding statistics can be tricky. You may not find data compiled exactly the way you want it. So, be creative—use, analyze and work with the statistics you do find. When using statistics, be mindful of who compiled and/or analyzed the data, which unit(s) is being measured, the period of time covered for particular data, and finally, the data’s relevance to your research.

Here are some statistical sources everyone should know. Some are books, others are websites or databases.

Bureau of Justice Statistics
BJS publishes a multitude of specialized statistical crime reports. General topics include law enforcement, corrections and capital punishment. Specific reports include Intimate Partner Violence, Jail and Jail Inmates, and Police Use of Force. Some reports available in print (Check CUNY+) and online http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/

Community District Profiles
Summary data on New York City’s 59 community districts’ population size; birth, death and infant mortality rates; land area and land uses; and levels of income support. Online http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/lucds/cdstart.html

Infoshare
Database of New York City demographics. Access to census data for New York City as a whole, by borough, by zip code, etc. Create a neighborhood profile, compare neighborhoods and/or boroughs, or create your own data set.

New York Police Department Crime Statistics
NYPD’s Patrol Service Bureau’s statistics are available citywide, by borough, or by precinct. http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/nypd/html/pct/cspdf.html

New York State Statistical Yearbook
Similar in format to the Statistical Abstract of the United States. Comprehensive reference to the five boroughs of New York City and the 57 counties in the rest of the State.
In print Reference HA544 .A2 or online http://www.nysstatistics.org/yearbook/

Statistical Abstract of the United States
Published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. A comprehensive statistical reference for quick facts and figures compiled from hundreds of sources. Access by topical sections or use the table index in back of book. References for sources of data are listed under tables.
Most current edition in print at Reference Desk HA202 or online http://www.census.gov/statab/www/

Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics
Published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, data from this standard reference tool comes from more than 100 sources. The Sourcebook is organized into six topical sections, covering many aspects of criminal justice in the United States. Most current edition available in print at Reference Desk HV6787 .A27, older editions in Reference section. Online at http://www.albany.edu/sourcebook/

Uniform Crime Reports (Crime in the United States)
Standard reference for statistics published by the FBI since 1930. Compiles volume and rates of crime index offenses for the nation, states, cities, and counties. Excellent for creating time series data. Most current Reference Desk HV6787 .A3, older editions in Reference, online at http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm

U.S. Census Bureau
Comprehensive site for current and historical U.S. demographic data. Browse by topic or use American FactFinder or State & County Quick Facts to access data. Links to federal, state, and international statistical resources as well. http://www.census.gov

      

Permission is granted for non-commercial use of this publication with attribution.
Author: Barbara Carrel
Last updated: December 2004
URL: http://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu /research/finding_statistics.html