Resources

The U.S. Census Bureau collects and distributes the nation's statistics. Demographic data from the bureau include Profiles of General Demographic Characteristics and Population Projections Program (projections released periodically). The bureau also produces studies on racial and ethnic groups, including The Asian and Pacific Islander Population in the United States: March 2002 (2003), The Black Population in the United States: March 2002 (2003), The Hispanic Population in the United States: March 2002 (2003), The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Population: 2000 (2001), and The American Indian and Alaska Native Population: 2000 (2002).

The bureau releases financial and family statistics in America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2004 (2005), Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2004 (2005), and Educational Attainment in the United States: 2003 (2004). The bureau also compiles statistics on home ownership rates, health and disability trends, and fertility rates. The Census Bureau periodically publishes a Survey of Minority-Owned Business Enterprises.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides labor force data. The bureau publishes a monthly Employment Situation Summary, as well as Household Data Annual Averages. Another source, published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, is Job Patterns for Minorities and Women in Private Industry (2005).

The National Center for Health Statistics produces monthly National Vital Statistics Reports and Health, United States, 2005 (2005). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes an annual HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report. Another helpful source, America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2005 (2005) is published by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. The SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2002 (2005), published by the National Cancer Institute, provides invaluable data on cancer.

The U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics publishes an annual report, The Condition of Education, 2005 (2005), as well as Status and Trends in the Education of American Indians and Alaska Natives (2005). The College Board provides useful data in College-Bound Seniors 2005. The Civil Rights Project at Harvard University published a report on charter schools, Charter Schools and Race: A Lost Opportunity for Integrated Education (2003).

The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics produces Homicide Trends in the United States as well as numerous other reports. The bureau reports used in this publication include Criminal Victimization 2004, Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear 2004, Probation and Parole in the United States, 2004, and Capital Punishment, 2004. Hate Crime Statistics, 2004 (2005) was published by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Lastly, the Gallup Organization provides valuable polling information.