Where can I find government data?

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Where can I find government data

Finding government data can be a challenge, but there are many great resources available online. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best places to find open government data at the federal, state, and local levels. We will also look at sources for international government data. With so many options, you are sure to find the statistics, reports, and other information you need.

Federal Government Data

The federal government collects a massive amount of data each year across many agencies and departments. Much of this data is available to the public for free. Here are some of the top websites to find US federal government open data:

  • Data.gov – This is the central site to find US government data. Data is organized by topic areas like agriculture, climate, education, energy, finance, health, local government, manufacturing, maritime, ocean, public safety, and science. You can browse by category or search for specific data.
  • Census.gov – The US Census Bureau provides demographic, economic, and geographic data. You can find statistics on population, housing, businesses, international trade, and much more.
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics – The BLS offers extensive data on employment, prices, compensation, injuries, and productivity across different industries and occupations.
  • Data.gov Data Catalog – Search this catalog of over 200,000 US federal datasets. Data is available in many formats like API, CSV, JSON, XML, and more.
  • Federal Register – Access official documentation like proposed rules, executive orders, and notices published by government agencies.
  • USA.gov Statistics and Data – Find popular statistics and national data across topics like jobs, public health, crime, economy, education, energy, and more.

Focusing your federal government data search by agency can also be helpful. Some agencies with valuable open data include:

  • Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • Department of Commerce
  • Department of Education
  • Department of Energy
  • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
  • Department of Justice (DOJ)
  • Department of Labor (DOL)
  • Department of Transportation (DOT)
  • Department of the Treasury
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Most agency websites have an open data section or resources dedicated specifically to statistics, reports, and public records.

State Government Data

Each state collects and publishes its own data as well. The sites below allow you to find open data from state governments:

Most states have open data portals or initiative similar to the federal Data.gov site. These are the best places to look for each state’s available resources. You can find links to the open data sites for every state at opendata.us.org.

Local Government Data

Finding open data for cities, counties, and local municipalities takes a bit more digging than federal and state data. Here are some tips for finding local open government data:

  • Search the local government’s website – Most city and county government sites have an open data portal, initiative, or resources page.
  • Look for GIS/mapping data – Local governments often provide geographical data like crime maps, zoning maps, property maps, and more.
  • Contact the agency directly – If you can’t find the data online, contact the specific department or agency to request access to datasets.
  • Search by agency/department – Local health departments, law enforcement, boards of education, and other agencies often publish reports, statistics, and records online.
  • Use aggregation sites – Sites like the Census Bureau, data.gov, and others sometimes host data submitted by local governments.

Some examples of city open data portals include:

For local government GIS data, try sites like:

International Government Data

Many national governments around the world are making data public as part of open government initiatives. Here are some key sites to find international statistics:

  • OECD Data – Extensive data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on topics like economy, education, employment, environment, health, trade, and more.
  • United Nations Data – Statistics from UN agencies on population, labor, national accounts, agriculture, health, human development, and more.
  • World Bank Open Data – Data related to poverty, health, climate, agriculture, infrastructure, and other development issues.
  • Eurostat – Statistical data and reports from European Union institutions.
  • International Monetary Fund Data – Global economic, financial, and commodity data from the IMF.
  • Our World in Data – Explore global data on population, health, energy, environment, and more topics.

You can also find open government data portals for many countries directly through their national government websites or data catalog sites like Open Data Watch.

Tips for Finding Relevant Data

With so many open data resources available, the key is locating the right data for your needs. Here are some tips:

  • Think about the level of government – Some data like local crime statistics will only be available at the city level, while data like GDP is national.
  • Consider which agency or group is responsible for collecting the type of data you need.
  • Use site search bars and filters to narrow down data sources.
  • Prefer government sources over third parties when possible for most accurate and up-to-date data.
  • Compare data from multiple sources to cross-check accuracy if needed.
  • Check how often data is updated – Some datasets get updated daily or monthly, while others may be updated annually.
  • Think creatively about ways to combine data from multiple sources to get what you need. For example, census demographic data combined with crime data.

Evaluate Data Quality

When using government statistics and datasets, it’s important to evaluate quality. Here are factors to consider:

  • Source – Is this coming directly from a government agency or third party?
  • Timeliness – How recent is the data? Is it the latest available?
  • Methods – Do you understand how the data was collected and processed?
  • Format – Is the data readable and usable? Available in API, CSV, etc?
  • Documentation – Is methodology and other info provided to interpret the data correctly?
  • Accuracy – Have values been cross-checked? Do they align with other sources?
  • Objectivity – Is the data factual/impartial or could there be biases?

Understanding the strengths and limitations of government data will allow you to use it most effectively. Always check documentation and methodology.

Conclusion

Government agencies provide a wealth of open data that can be invaluable for research, analysis, building apps, journalism, and more. Sites like Data.gov, Census.gov, and agency resources make finding federal data easy. State and local data takes more work to locate, but many jurisdictions now have open data as well. For international statistics, resources like the UN, World Bank, and OECD publish global open data. Just remember to evaluate data critically before using it. With the right methodology and context, government open data can provide fascinating insights across many fields.