located in the upper right hand corner. If you place your mouse pointer over the icon you will get a pop-up description of the data source along with the date of udpate.
Decennial Census - This well known data is collected by the Census Bureau every 10 years in years ending in "0". Its data collection is required by the U.S. Constitution under Article I, section 2. This is data is used by the government for understanding the population in the United States and specifically for congressional districting, the number of congress people per state, public policy development, and much more. The census survey counts all residents living in the United States and accumulates data about gender, age, date of birth, race, ethnicity, relationship and housing tenure.
American Community Survey (ACS) - Also collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, based on the Decennial Census but updated using survey sampling on an annual basis. This data contains much more detailed socioeconomic information about the population. This data tracks all communities, every year, rather than once every 10 years. It is sent to a small percentage of the population on a rotating basis throughout the decade. No household receives the survey more than once every five years.
The data in the ACS is collected over a year range of 1, 3 or 5 years. The 1 year estimates contain the most recently available estimates but only cover the largest geographic areas whereas the 5 year estimates will be based on survey data collected over 5 years and will cover the most detailed geographic areas. The data estimates are for demographic, social, economic and housing characteristics.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) - The USGS is a science organization that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and useable information. A key data source from the survey is the longitude and latitude of every location contained in Towncharts.
Current Population survey - Also collected by the Census Bureau in conjuction with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this data provides a monthly measurement of unemployment using survey conducted on random sampling methodology of the population.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - Government agency that is part of the Department of Labor. It conducts data collection and research of the labor markets. The BLS collects, processes, analyzes, and provides research to consumers, Congress, other agencies, and businesses. Data from the BLS includes cost of living estimates for geographic areas throughout the United States as well as key statistics about the labor market.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development - Organization of democratic and market-economy based countries working together to economic and social success. Seeks to improve economy, environment, and society by policy improvements. They collect a variety of data on social and economic performance for a large number of countries in the world.
Census Bureau International Database - The Census Bureau also compiles this annual database of statistics for over 100 countries in the world. The data covers a range of demographic, economic, and geographic indicators.
CIA World Fact Book (a.k.a "The World Factbook") - An annual reference of key statistics for the United States and other countries. Research database produced by the Central Intelligence Agency key information about the largest countries of the world and is partially updated every week. It provides demographics, geography, communications, government, economy, and military information on 267 countries.
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) - This arm of the Federal Government that administers Medicare, Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP.) This agency is concerned with healthcare and provides data about providers of healthcare and other healthcare services in the United States.
Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems - Collects consumer perceptions and quality of care delivered during hospital care. This agency uses a standard measurement approach along with standardized questions used to evaluate care provided throughout hospitals in the United States.
Common Core of Data - This data is collected by the Department of Education and includes fiscal and non-fiscal data about all public schools and districts. The data includes qualitative information about schools detail about the student body, school staffing, demographics and financials.
