U.S. Government Data
U.S. government sites are traditionally a reliable source of publicly available data on a wide range of topics. As government organizations adapt to executive actions and other federal funding and policy changes, access to some datasets has been changing as well.
When working on a project, regardless of source, the best practice is to save all the data you will need when you first find it and record the date on which you accessed the data.
There are efforts underway to preserve access to U.S. government data via other open web archives. If you have trouble accessing the data you need, you can learn more about other potential access points, or ask a librarian for help.
- CDC Data and StatisticsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a database on cause of death. The data can be segmented in almost every way imaginable: age, race, year, and so on.
- BLS Databases, Tables, and Calculators by Subject (Bureau of Labor Statistics)Includes materials on employment, unemployment, prices and inflation, productivity, and pay and benefits, and workplace injuries. Also international comparative data.
- Data.govHome of U.S. Government Open Data. Here you will find data, tools, and resources to conduct research, develop web and mobile applications, design data visualizations, and more with access to over 300,000 datasets.
- DataCiteSearch for datasets across over 1000 different major data centers and repositories including ICPSR, Harvard Dataverse, Data-Planet, etc.
- DOE Data ExplorerSearch tool for finding publicly available, scientific data records submitted by data centers, repositories, and other organizations funded by the U.S. Department of Energy
- Energy Information Administration (EIA)Provides statistics and other data relating to major energy sectors, including petroleum, natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewables
- FBI Crime Data ExplorerThe Crime Data Explorer is part of the FBI’s broader effort to modernize the reporting of national crime data. It allows you to view trends, download bulk data, and access the Crime Data API for reported crime at the national, state, and agency levels.
- HealthData.govThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides data on a wide range of topics, including environmental health, medical devices, Medicare & Medicaid, social services, community health, mental health, and substance abuse.
- NASA Open Data PortalCatalog of publicly available NASA datasets
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)one-stop shop for finding, browsing, and downloading genomic data
- National Center for Science and Engineering StatisticsData on research and development, the science and engineering workforce, the condition and progress of STEM education, and U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)Publicly available geophysical data and information for the U.S.
- ResearchDataGovResearchDataGov is a web portal for discovering and requesting access to restricted microdata from federal statistical agencies.
- United States CensusBusiness, economic, and population data.
- USDA Geospatial Data GatewayEnvironmental and natural resources data curated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture