Federal Depository Library Program
Penn State Libraries
Federal Depository Library since 1858
Other related guides
- International Population CensusGuide resources for finding information for international censuses
- Restricted Use DataThe University Libraries is uniquely positioned as one of the sites for the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers. This guide describes how to get access.
Reports
Finding Reports
Please note that it can be challenging to navigate the layout of these publications particularly online.
As a U.S. Federal Depository library, the Penn State Libraries receive print volumes of other Census bureau publications as they are printed. At University Park, these volumes are shelved in the Social Sciences Library Census Area, 2nd Floor Paterno Library.
Note: these volumes do not help the genealogist or family historian [Genealogy] because they contain "numbers only". Please see the Libraries' Subject Guide: Genealogy and Family History for help with that type of research.
- [Census Information Links] Index A-ZA great place to get started. A comprehensive list of links to census information on the U.S. Census Bureau website.
- Publications [U.S. Census Bureau]the most recent publications released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Statistics (finding numbers)A guide create for users who simply want to find numbers on a topic.
Statistical Abstracts
Using the Statistical Abstract
A statistical abstract simply provides tables and summaries of topics that the Census Bureau consider popular or significant based on public policy and interest in Congress. Funding for this resource stopped in 2012 with work continuing from the private sector.
- Statistical Abstracts SeriesThis is the official, authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. Published by the US Census Bureau.
- Historical Statistics of the United StatesStatistical abstract of popular time series data collected by US statistical agencies including data from the US censuses. Millennial Edition.
Online Tools: free versions
Online Tools (Government)
Online tools allow the user to "create" their own tables and download the data. They have also developed several tools that provide various different ways of visualizing the data.
- Explore Census Dataprovides access to data about the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. It contains data from a broad range of surveys and censuses from the United States.
- QuickFactsQuickFacts provides statistics for all states and counties, and for cities and towns with a population of 5,000 or more.
- Data Tools and Appslinks to online data resources from the U.S. Census Bureau.
- CensusScopean easy-to-use tool for investigating U.S. demographic trends, brought to you by the Social Science Data Analysis Network (SSDAN) at the University of Michigan.
Online Tools (Publishers)
- Social Explorer This link opens in a new windowcreate maps and reports from census statistics from 1790 to 2010. Also contains current data from the American Community Survey.
- SimplyAnalytics This link opens in a new windowa web-based mapping and report generation application that lets users create thematic maps and reports using census demographic, business, and marketing data. [Sign in as a guest or create your own account]
- PolicyMap This link opens in a new windowAllows users to create maps, tables and reports for a variety of indicators from data providers including demographic data from the 2000-current census data files.
- Data Planet This link opens in a new windowProvides a convenient way to create create tables and charts for time series data from many sources including census data.