The Many Forms of Data
Data can often be collected in different ways. Sometime it's through a census. Or it can be health information collected in the medical setting. Or it can just be a sampling of a larger population.
Before searching for your data, you may want to consider the format that you are looking for:
- Secondary materials
- Summaries
- Reports with tables and charts
- Full data sets
Based on what your need is, you may need different types of data. These sources will deal mostly with summaries, reports and a few opportunities to access full data sets.
Finding a source of statistics is only half the battle! You may want to consider some questions regarding bias: who collected the data? Are there any limitations to collecting this particular data? Remember, multiple sources can report on the same health issue but have different numbers. Consider your sources before citing!
Demographics
For basic information about the people who live in Los Angeles
- data.census.gov This link opens in a new windowData from the decennial Census and the American Community Survey about households, education, income, homeownership, business, and more.
- Los Angeles Times - Mapping L.A. Neighborhoods This link opens in a new windowPortal to individual maps and statistics for 158 cities and unicorporated places and neighborhoods within the city of Los Angeles. Includes 42 additional maps of unicorporated areas in adjacent cities.
- Know Your CommunityThe City of Los Angeles hub for information, data, and resources by neighborhood.
Health Statistics
For health-related information in Los Angeles county and city
- RAND State Statistics This link opens in a new windowContains nearly 200 Social Science databases covering all 50 U.S. states. The California (CA) collection contains these 200 U.S. databases, plus about 80 detailed databases on California. The Texas (TX) collection contains these 200 U.S. databases, plus about 60 detailed databases on Texas.
- California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) This link opens in a new windowData from state-wide telephone based health survey. Topics include health, housing, access to care, employment, insurance, food environment, etc. Access requires free AskCHIS account.
- County of Los Angeles Public Health DataLA County Public Health Reports by Topic listing. View menu options under Health Assessment Quick Links for other views/options.
Financial statistics
- Government Financial Reports This link opens in a new windowCalifornia State Controller's Office provides revenue expenditures, pension plans and other financial data at county level, with some data for cities and special districts.