Research Guides: Statistical Data and Information: Historical Statistics

Historical Statistics of the United States

Historical Statistics of the United States
Historical Statistics of the United States the standard source for quantitative facts of American history. Topics range from migration and health to crime and the Confederate States of America. Each topic is placed in historical context by a recognized expert in the field.

Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970

Books in the LIbrary Collection

The Historical Statistics of the United States by Richard Sutch (Editor); Susan B. Carter (Editor); Scott Sigmund Gartner (Editor); Michael R. Haines (Editor); Alan L. Olmstead (Editor); Gavin Wright (Editor)
Call Number: 317.3 H673 2006
ISBN: 9780521817912
Publication Date: 2006-01-30
One of the most important sources for U.S. historical statistics.
Statistical Abstract of the United States
Call Number: 317.3 U52
1955 - present

Historical Statistics on the Web

Selected Historical Decennial Census - Population and Housing Counts (U.S. Census Bureau) - Includes three important sources:

Historical Census Reports in PDF format back to 1790;
Measuring America, offering individual histories of each census including original questionnaires and instructions; and
Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970 (c1975, PDF doc). See our print collection for the more recent 2006 edition.

Bicentennial Edition: Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970
Consumer Income Reports (1946-)
Decennial Censuses: 1790-1930
Historical Statistics of Canada
Digital version of the 1983, 2nd edition reference work
Statistical Abstract of the United States (1878 to 2012)
"The Statistical Abstract of the United States, published from 1878 to 2012, is the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States.
It is designed to serve as a convenient volume for statistical reference, and as a guide to other statistical publications and sources both in print and on the Web. These sources of data include the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and many other Federal agencies and private organizations."
Vital Statistics of the United States (1900 to present)
Annual reports that present detailed vital statistics data, including natality, mortality, marriage and divorce.

Quick Stats

The latest edition of the Statistical Abstract of the United States (census.gov) provides historical statistics on a range of topics including population, immigration, marital status, households, births and deaths, etc.

Well regarded as a portal to free web-based statistical sources is the Goverment Documents section of the University of Michican Libraries website, specifically the Statistics results. Formerly called "Statistical Resources on the Web."

Historical Data

National Historical Geographic Information System
The National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS) provides easy access to summary tables and time series of population, housing, agriculture, and economic data, along with GIS-compatible mapping files, for years from 1790 through the present and for all levels of U.S. census geography, including states, counties, tracts, and blocks
Metastatic Prostate Cancer (MPC) Data Projects
The MPC is one of the world's leading developers of demographic data resources. We provide population data to thousands of researchers, policymakers, teachers, and students. All MPC data are available free over the internet.