BUSINESS INFORMATION CENTER

DEMOGRAPHICS RESEARCH GUIDE

This Web guide focuses on identifying and locating demographic information. Demographics are the physical characteristics of a population such as age, sex, marital status, family size, education, geographic location, and occupation. Demographic data is available from many sources including both government agencies and private commercial sources. One of the primary sources is the government agency called the United States Census Bureau. Every ten years the bureau conducts the census of the American population.

For addition information on locating demographics or meeting a research need, please contact the BIC Library Staff.

Local Resources

The American Fact Finder- an "online source for population, housing, economic and geographic data". Retrieve a fact sheet for your community by searching on zip code, city name, or county name. Also find statistical information about education, housing, and businesses. Part of the US Census Bureau.

Community sourcebook of ZIP code demographics (Most recent edition, Fondren Library Center Reference, Non-circulating HA203.S66)
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County Business Patterns-View information about county, metro and zip code level business patterns. 2003 information now available. Part of the US Census Bureau.

HUD State of the Cities Data Systems (SOCDS)- The SOCDS provides data for individual Metropolitan Areas, Central Cities, and Suburbs. Scroll down the 'Quick Link' section to retrieve information first by state and then by city.

LexisNexis Statistical- This database provides the full text of selected U.S. federal and state documents. Many tables in Statistical Abstracts are from non-governmental sources and protected by copyright, and are not available in full text. Some downloadable content.

North Central Texas Council of Governments- Information about a 16 county region of North Texas including the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. At the home page click on the 'Departments' button and select 'Research & Information Services.' Click the yellow 'Demographics' link on the left of the page to find recent demographic information.

State & County QuickFacts - Select a state from a US map to view a statistical overview. Use drop down boxes to narrow by counties or cities. Information is downloadable to Excel. Part of the US Census Bureau.

TexasOnline- Information about the state of Texas. On the home page, mouse over 'About Texas' and click on 'Population and Demographics' to locate demographic information about the people and businesses in the state of Texas.

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International Resources

Infonation-Data and statistics about United Nations member countries. Compare statistics from up to six countries.

International Data Base (IDB)- "A computerized source of demographic and socioeconomic statistics for 227 countries and areas of the world." Part of the US Census Bureau.

Eurostat- Data and statistics about the European Union. Please note: this site may be slow to load.

Population Reference Bureau- U.S. and International population trends. On the home page, view information either by topic or region. Navigate to the DataFinder to retrieve information by selecting specific variables.

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Maps and Atlases

Rand McNally ... commercial atlas & marketing guide. (Fondren Library Center Reference Atlas Case, Non-circulating G1019.R22) This atlas provides current information on demographics for marketing. Maps and tables are included showing populations, income, and housing and sales data (with projections) for the U.S.
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Population of the United States, April 1, 2000 [graphic] : U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, U.S. Bureau of the Census (Fondren Library Center, Edwin J Foscue Map Library C 3.63/3:SCH 6/POP./MAP
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U.S. Census Bureau Maps and Cartographic Resources- Download free publicly available maps in Portable Document Format (PDF) or create your own map by visiting online mapping applications.

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Consumer Spending

The American marketplace: demographics and spending patterns / by the New Strategist editors (Fondren Library Center Reference, Non-circulating)
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Americans 55 & older : a changing market / edited by Sharon Yntema (Fondren Library Center Reference, Non-circulating HQ1064.U5 A6455 2001)
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Best customers : demographics of consumer demand (Most recent edition, Fondren Library Center Reference, Non-circulating HC110.C6 B47)
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Consumer spending during retirement / U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2000 (Fondren Library Center Government Info, US Collection)
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Household spending : who spends how much on what ( Temporarily Shelved at Fondren Library Center Reference, Non-circulating HC110.C6 H68, ON ORDER-BIC Reference)
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Older Americans : a changing market / by the New Strategist editors (Fondren Library Center Reference, Non-circulating HQ1064.U5 O43 2004 )
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Statistical Abstract of the United States -Collection of statistics on demographic, economic social and other aspects of the economy and society. See the section on Income, Expenditures, and Wealth. Also available in print-BIC Reference 2002-2005.

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Vital Statistics

Aging : demographics, health, and health services / Elizabeth Vierck and Kris Hodges (Fondren Library Center Reference, Non-circulating, RA564.8 .V54 2003)
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Aging, health, and public policy : demographic and economic perspectives / Linda J. Waite, editor (Fondren Library, HB1531 .A35 2004)
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American generations : who they are, how they live, what they think / by Susan Mitchell (Fondren Library Center Reference, Non-Circulating HC110.C6 M545 2003)
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American men and women : demographics of the sexes / by the New Strategist editors (Fondren Library Center Reference, Non-circulating HC110.C6 A44 2000)
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Americans and their homes : demographics of homeownership / by Cheryl Russell (Fondren Library Center Reference, Non-circulating HD7287.82.U6R87 1998)
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National Center for Education Statistics- The primary federal entity responsible for collecting and analyzing data related to education. Click on 'Tables & Figures' to search tables or run a keyword search, or click on 'Fast Facts' to view facts organized in broad categories.

National Center for Health Statistics - Statistical resource detailing American Health issues. Select 'FASTSTATS A to Z' from the left side of the page to view an alphabetical list of topics.

World population ageing, 1950-2050 / Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (Fondren Library Center Reference, Non-circulating, HQ1061 .W673 2002)
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Associations and Organizations

Population Association of America (PAA)- "The Population Association of America is a society of professionals working in the population field. PAA members include demographers, sociologists, economists and public health professionals. Individuals interested in demographic issues in research, education, business or public administration, will find membership in the Association a unique opportunity for professional growth and interaction with colleagues."

Population Council- "an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research"

Population Reference Bureau -"For 75 years, the Population Reference Bureau has been informing people about the population dimensions of important social, economic, and political issues. Our mission is to be the leader in providing timely and objective information on U.S. and international population trends and their implications."

Population Resource Center (PRC) - "The Population Resource Center, a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC and Princeton, NJ, aims to further the development of public policy by bringing the latest demographic data to policymakers through policy briefings and small-group discussions. The programs help inform the debate and serve as a bridge between the social science community and the world of public policy. The goal of PRC is to enable policymakers to incorporate the latest research findings in population change into the development of public policy."

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