Additional Resources

Whether you’re looking for nationwide trends or information about a particular community, these sources can help with your search:

ePodunk.com. Launched in 2000 by former journalists, the site contains profiles of more than 25,000 communities and every county in the United States. Entries are extensive, with specifics on history and geography of the area; home prices; schools, libraries, and other cultural amenities; air quality; taxes; economic and employment data; and much more.

U.S. Census Bureau. This government resource offers new population and housing analyses from the Census 2000 and other reports. The latest state and city population trend reports are helpful in pinpointing areas that are gaining or losing residents. The bureau’s State Data Center Program provides local and state demographic, economic and social statistics through a network of state agencies, universities, libraries, and regional and local governments.

National Center for Education Statistics. Part of the U.S. Department of Education, this agency collects and analyzes data related to education in the United States and other countries. Use the Search for Schools, Colleges, and Libraries function to find detailed information about any school in the country.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. This independent agency of the federal government insures deposits and promotes safe and sound banking practices. This site provides employment growth and unemployment information for a few metropolitan areas under its State Profiles.

Sperling's BestPlaces. This site generates rankings of places and people for major publications. It offers city profiles as well as a feature that allows users to compare any two cities in the United States in categories such as housing, people, economy, health, and education.

National League of Cities. The oldest and largest national organization representing 18,000 cities, villages, and towns throughout the United States, this site offers research reports on cities that focus on fiscal conditions and demographic changes.