UNST Portland - Serbulo: Statistical Data and Census
Best Starting Points
- Social Explorer
This link opens in a new window
Social Explorer is an online research tool designed to access current and historical U.S. Census data and demographic information. It contains maps, profile reports, data elements, and variables.
- Portland MapsCity of Portland site for metropolitan area geographic data. Search by street address or geography for many types of data including assessed and market values, as well as elevation, crime data, and school district information.
- Census Quick FactsProvides quick census data for states, counties and cities.
- Searching for Portland Stats in the Library CatalogUsing "Data" or "Statistics" as subject headings to find useful materials in the library catalog
- Searching for Oregon Stats in the Library CatalogUsing Data or Statistics as subject terms in the catalog also brings up interesting results.
- USA.GOVStatistic reports created by federal agencies are not reflected in Census or Social Explorer. To find these reports, search USA>GOV, which finds documents created by federal, state, county, and city agencies.
- data.govData.gov provides topical datasets on a wide range of topics. Caution: datasets are large and detailed.
Historical Census Data
- New! 1940 Census Online > National ArchivesView enumeration rolls and maps; use this search tool to find your 1940 enumeration district number: Via SteveMorse.com > Unified 1940 Census Enumeration Lookup Tool
- National Historical Geographic Information SystemThe National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS) provides, free of charge, aggregate census data and GIS-compatible boundary files for the United States between 1790 and 2010. A project of the Minnesota Population Center.
- Social Explorer
- This link opens in a new window
Social Explorer is an online research tool designed to access current and historical U.S. Census data and demographic information. It contains maps, profile reports, data elements, and variables.
- Statistical Abstract of the United StatesThe Statistical Abstract of the United States, published since 1878, is the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States.
- Selected Historical Decennial Census for Population & HousingDeveloped and maintained by the US Census Bureau, this site provides access to select tables and reports from 1790 to 2000.
- Historical Census Data on the Foreign-Born Population in the U.S. (1850-2000)Produced and maintained by the US Census Bureau, this paper summarizes historical data on the foreign-born population in the United States from 1850 to 2000.
- Native American Genealogical Research Documents (1800-1927?)Collection at the Genealogical Forum of Oregon - find out more at their website http://www.gfo.org
State and Local Data Sets
- Oregon QuickLinksA compilation of Census data from the US Census Bureau.
(legacy Factfinder) - Oregon 2010 Census DataFrom the state office of Economic Analysis
- Oregon 2000 Census Data (GIS)All themes statewide in scope, from the Oregon Geospatial Enterprise Office.
- Census data for OregonCensus data for Oregon - from the Portland State University Population Research Center
Portland Data
- Portland MapsCity of Portland site for metropolitan area geographic data. Search by street address or geography for many types of data including assessed and market values, as well as elevation, crime data, and school district information.
- Census Data for Portland NeighborhoodsNeighborhood demographic profiles.
- Data For Local CommunitiesStatistical, spatial, and descriptive information about the cities, counties and other civil, economic and natural regions of Oregon and Washington
- Institute of Portland Metropolitan StudiesAdvances the economic, environmental, and social goals of the Portland metropolitan region by gathering and disseminating credible information, convening regional partners, and stimulating dialogue and action about critical regional issues.
Recent Federal and State Census Data
- Census Quick FactsProvides quick census data for states, counties and cities.
- Oregon U.S. Decennial Census and American Community Survey ResultsFrom the state Office of Economic Analysis
- Census DataExplore a variety of data collected from the census.
- Social Explorer
- This link opens in a new window
Social Explorer is an online research tool designed to access current and historical U.S. Census data and demographic information. It contains maps, profile reports, data elements, and variables.
Finding Historical Statistics
There are sources of historical statistics
- Compiled volumes, published as secondary sources that record historical data. An example is Cambridge's Historical Statistics of the United States
- Compiled volumes, published during the historical period being studied (in the 19th century, sometimes called "blue books" or almanacs). A example are Census reports, like this 1850 Census study of Oregon Territory.
- Contemporary reports (primary sources) published by authors or organizations, such as the USDA Annual Report Animal Usage. These contain bits of important data that you can piece together.
- Collected data in published secondary books or articles. An example would be an article in which the author(s) consulted local archival records and compiled data for themselves. An example is Allen's "On the Mammals of Aransas County, Texas, With Descriptions of New Forms of Lepus and Oryzomys," in which archival materials were consulted to determine the number of camels in Texas in 1855.
- Archival materials, such as contemporary organization minutes/records. An example may be minutes, records, or letters of American Humane members in 1880.
Generally speaking, it is best to begin with a review of published (secondary) materials first to determine whether the data you need has already been compiled. Citations in published studies will also tell you were to look for statistics. Finding raw statistical data in primary sources can be difficult and time consuming, and accessing statistical information in restricted archival material can be extremely challenging (and sometimes impossible).