Existing Alternative Data Sources
- IPUMSIPUMS provides census and survey data from around the world integrated across time and space. IPUMS integration and documentation makes it easy to study change, conduct comparative research, merge information across data types, and analyze individuals within family and community contexts. Data and services available free of charge. IPUMS is a part of the Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation at the University of Minnesota
- DataLumosDataLumos is an ICPSR archive for valuable government data resources. ICPSR has a long commitment to safekeeping and disseminating US government and other social science data. DataLumos accepts deposits of public data resources from the community and recommendations of public data resources that ICPSR itself might add to DataLumos.
- LOCKSS-USDOCSThe Digital Federal Depository Library Program, or the “USDocs” LOCKSS network, replicates key aspects of the United States Federal Depository Library Program. The current focus is harvesting and preserving collections hosted on the U.S. Government Publishing Office’s (GPO) govinfo.gov database.
- PolicyMap This link opens in a new windowWeb-based online data and mapping application that provides access to thousands of indicators related to demographics, housing, crime, mortgages, health, jobs and more. Offers a free tier that can be used to view basic information down to the tract-level, but more detailed data and functionality requires a subscription. Purged Federal Agency Data Available.
- FRED, Federal Reserve Economic DataA source for economic data since 1991.
- The Census ReporterCensus Reporter is an independent project to make it easier for journalists to write stories using information from the U.S. Census bureau. Place profiles and comparison pages provide a friendly interface for navigating data, including visualizations for a more useful first look. Recently updated with the 2023 ACS data
- Social Explorer This link opens in a new windowVisually display demographic data in the U.S. from 1790-present at a variety of geographic levels. Create reports, maps and animations that can be downloaded.
- SimplyAnalytics This link opens in a new windowA web-based mapping, analytics, and data visualization application with 100,000+ data variables, including: demographic data from the US Census and American Community Survey (ACS), consumer spending data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CEX), and D&B's Points-of-Interest business file providing access to over 5 million US business profiles. Includes MRI-SimmonsLOCAL consumer behavior dataset, which includes data on over 8,000 brands, 450 categories, and the MOSAIC consumer lifestyle segmentation system. Data is available down to the Census Block Group level.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)Hosting copies of immunization schedules and contraceptive use guidance from the CDC.
- SAGE Data This link opens in a new windowAn interactive database that allows users to create tables, maps, and figures from a variety data sources covering a wide range of subjects. Data holdings for the United States are significant with some data available at state, county, or local geographies. International data,available at the country level, include population, food and agriculture, labor, trade, and more. Data are organized by subject and source. Formerly known as Data-Planet.
- US Data Masterfile This link opens in a new windowBibliography covering all 245 years of U.S. government publications—twenty-seven collections with a single search.