PolicyMap has both free and subscription options. Many data tables and maps are free; there is also a seven-day free trial available for access to additional datasets and tools. Below are a few examples of free data/maps.
Diversity IndexHow likely is it that two random people selected at random from a neighborhood will be of two different races?
Segregation IndexCompared with the racial composition of a larger region, how diverse is a neighborhood? Below this map, one for racially segregated areas of concentrated poverty
Neighborhood-Level Health IndicatorsIncludes health behaviors (e.g., physical activity, fruit & vegetable consumption, use of alcohol, tobacco, seatbelts) and outcomes (e.g., infectious disease, diabetes)
dwellr powers your phone with neighborhood-level statistics on topics such as home values, education, and how people get to work so that you can explore where you want to dwell. Powered by the U.S. Census. Apple and Android apps available.
All Kinds of Statistics and Data Visualization Tools
American FactFinderIt is simple to get quick facts on towns here, and harder but possible to get facts on smaller geographical areas. Use ADVANCED search and start with GEOGRAPHY.
New York Times Mapping America ToolExcellent map visualizations and very easy to get census-tract-level data by hovering over it, but data can't be exported
Proquest Statistical DatasetsData and graphics for more than 500 datasets from government and private industry, both domestic and international. Emphasis is in 20th century U.S. economic data and includes diverse subjects such as health, politics, demographics, social services and environmental data. Time spans vary by topic. Charting, plotting and mapping options available. Export data into MS Excel, XML, PDF, or into shape files for GIS.
Google Public DataGood for data visualization, e.g., population bubble animations, using statistics from the census, bureau of labor statistics, bureau of economic analysis and some others
Pew Research Center (Survey Data)Nonpartisan, non-advocacy public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis, and other empirical social science research.
DATA.govHome of the U.S. Government’s open data.
Here you will find data, tools, and resources to conduct research, develop web and mobile applications, design data visualizations, and more.
Graph Example
Crime and Traffic Stops
Bureau of Justice StatisticsStatistics on Corrections, Federal State and Tribal Courts, Employment and Expenditure, and Victims, among others.
Uniform Crime Reports4 statistical compilations: Crime in the United States, National Incident-Based Reporting System, Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, and Hate Crime Statistics are produced from data received from over 18,000 city, university/college, county, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies voluntarily participating in the program. The crime data are submitted either through a state UCR Program or directly to the FBI’s UCR Program.
Missouri’s state law requires that all peace officers in the state report specific information including a driver’s race for each vehicle stop made in the state. Law enforcement agencies are required to turn in the data to the Attorney General, and the Attorney General is required to compile the data and report to the Governor no later than June 1 of each year. The law allows the Governor to withhold state funds for any agency that does not comply with the law.
Illinois Traffic Stop Study ResultsOn July 18th, 2003 an Illinois Senate Bill was signed into law. This law established a four year statewide study of traffic stops to collect data to identify racial bias. The study began on January 1st, 2004 and was originally scheduled to end December 31, 2007. However, Public Act 96-0658 has extended the Illinois Traffic Stop Study. All Illinois law enforcement agencies must continue to collect and submit traffic stop data until July 1, 2015.
Educational Statistics
National Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), located within the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences, is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education.
