Demographics

Small Business Statistics

EntreWorld Media Resource Center a good compilation of statistics about small business NFIB Research Foundation The National Federation of Independent Businesses surveys small businesses on a quarterly basis. This is a good site for current trends and opinions. The SBA Office of Advocacy publishes statistics about small businesses overall (Small Business Economic Indicators) and by region (Small Business Statistics by State). In addition, periodic research reports are commissioned and published by this office. See Minority & Women Owned Businesses for additional statistics.

Information on the Small Business Development Program

Additional Entrepreneurship Programs

Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Clearinghouse on Entrepreneurship Education
Center for Rural Entrepreneurship
Ed Lowe Foundation
The Kauffman Foundation
National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship - Provides information for entrepreneurs and stats.
Small Business Advancement National Center

General Statistics

The federal government collects and reports statistical information for a wide range of demographic and economic topics. You can search for collected information at www.FedStats.gov. The White House has also prepared a compilation of frequently requested topics on their web site. The greatest source of demographic information can be found at the AmericanFactfinder, the Census Bureaus web site for disseminating Census 2000 data.

During each decade, the Census Bureau collects data on a variety of different subjects, including economic and business related, housing, and special demographic tabulations. See Subjects A to Z to locate the information you need. The Statistical Abstract of the United States is a compendium of statistics from a variety of government and other publications.

Sometimes, information on best customers or target markets can be found within articles in newspapers and magazines. American Demographics is the primary resource for market research articles. Their web site provides snippets of information for free and full articles for a nominal fee.

The Population Reference Bureau provides overviews of their studies at AmeriStat.

Sources of Data by Geography State, MSA and County

State & County Quickfacts Most recent economic and demographic estimates by State and County.
CensusScope Create eye-catching charts and tables for key demographic variables by State or MSA.
FDIC Regional Economic Conditions (RECON) Nice charts and tables of economic indicators by MSA and County. Includes statistics on bankruptcies, housing, employment, and income.
County Business Patterns - employment and establishment data for counties, ZIP Codes, and Metropolitan Areas for 1993 to 2000
Migration Data can be charted on this web site. See migration by year for the 1990s for MSAs and States. ZIP Code
Acorn Lifestyle Lookup - see 2001 demographic estimates and geo-demographic lifestyle data.
Don't know the ZIP Code? Look up the ZIP Code for any address here.
Use MelissaData.com to find out what ZIP codes are within a certain radius of your primary ZIP code.

Ring Studies

ICSC Ring Analysis (1990 Free Data)
The Right Site 2000 Census Data (Free)

Sources of Data by Subject

Agriculture and Forestry 1997 Census of Agriculture - statistical information about farms and farming (USDA). American Indians/Alaskan Natives Facts on the American Indian/Alaska Native Population - fact sheet and links to American Indian/Alaska Native data from the Census Bureau.
Asians/Pacific Islanders Facts on the Asian/Pacific Island Population - fact sheet and links to Asian/Pacific Islander data from the Census Bureau.
Blacks/African Americans Facts on the Black/African American Population - fact sheet and links to Black/African American data from the Census Bureau. Business & Economic Data 1997 Economic Census - business establishment data for the nation, states, MSAs, counties and cities.
EconData.net - another webliography of economic related data sources.

Computer and Internet Use

CyberAtlas - compendium of online statistics.
Computer Use and Ownership national data from the Census Bureaus Current Population Survey.
Pew Internet & American Life Research on the hyperspace use. Consumer Expenditures Consumer Expenditure Survey consumer expenditure estimates by region and consumer type.

Crime

Bureau of Justice Statistics - everything you want to know about crime and crime control.

Education/Schools

National Center for Educational Statistics - from the US Dept. of Education.
National Child Care Information Center - statistics related to the childcare industry. Employment Bureau of Labor Statistics Official Source for statistics on unemployment, employment and wages.

Healthcare, Aging and Vital Statistics

Demographic Characteristics of the Aging Population compiled by the Administration on Aging.
Statistics on Healthcare and Healthcare Expenditures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
National Center for Health Statistics - vital (births & deaths) and health statistics for the nation and states.

Hispanics

Hispanic Research provides overview of Hispanic market.
Facts on the Hispanic/Latino Population fact sheet and links to Hispanic/Latino data from the Census Bureau.

Housing

American Housing Survey - US Census Survey of Housing in metropolitan areas (2001).
Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Research - recent research about affordable housing.

Other Useful Links

SBDCNet Business information, help, and examples.
SBA Office of Advocacy has information and ACE-Net, Angel Capital, Electronic Network.
SBA's Online Women's Business Center has resources for women entrepreneurs.
Minority Business Development Agency has the self-registering Phoenix database of minority entrepreneurs.
Knowthis.com is a meta-site with links to marketing-related topics.
StartupJournal.com has start-up information and databases of businesses for sale and venture capital from the Wall Street Journal.
Business Week Small Business Resource Center has articles, tips and information on small business.
TannedFeet.com is for entrepreneurial forms and information.
PeerSpectives has information, tips, success stories and links.
Inc.com is the Web site of Inc. Magazine.
Entrepreneur.com has start-up ideas, resources and articles.
eVenturing includes “the best of the best” on the Web about running a small business
FindLaw has legal information, guides, sample forms and other legal resources.
Quicken.com has accounting and tax information, forms and other business planning tools.
IRS' Digital Daily has resources for employers and tax and wage information for new and existing businesses.
PreFlight PowerTips has audio resources to help coach entrepreneurs.

To find out if CCSBDC consulting can help you call or email us, or fill out a request for services. There is no cost to you. What will it cost you not to get all the help you could?

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of California, Merced. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. The Central California Small Business Development Center is funded in part through a subcontract between the California State University, the Office of Economic Development and the University of California, Merced under the current cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.