Statistical Abstract of the United Stated

Description of publication

 

One of, if not the best single publication from our government."
Economic Developer/Chamber of Commerce

"Single most valuable reference tool"
Librarian

If that hasn't whetted your appetite, you probably lack that proverbial thirst for knowledge. The Statistical Abstract of the United States, published since 1878, is the standard summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. It is designed to serve as a convenient volume for statistical publications and sources. The latter function is supported by the introductory text to each section, the source note appearing below each table, and Appendix I, which comprises the "Guide to Sources of Statistics," the "Guide to State Statistical Abstracts," and the "Guide to Foreign Statistical Abstracts." This volume includes a selection of data from many statistical publications, both government and private.

As can be seen in the table of contents, there are 31 sections in the book. Therefore, it behooves one to look closely at the table of contents to get a feel for an otherwise very thick book (approximately 1,050 pages).

Originally, I thought that not all these categories would interest the average business student. But when I tried to list only categories that business students would be interested in, I found there were none that could be considered outside the interest of business studies (the lone candidate-Section 8: "Elections"-might arguably be construed as peripheral to business interest until you stop to think who writes the laws that control business). The bottom line is: scan all of them.

There is also a handy three-page "Telephone Contacts List" in the front of the book that lists telephone numbers and addresses of federal agencies with major statistical programs. These agencies will provide general information on their statistical programs and publications, as well as specific information on how to order their publications.

Although both the Statistical Abstract of the United States and the Survey of Current Business address the economic perspective in part, a useful addition to these figures would be the regional Federal Reserve's own publications dealing with the economy. One example is the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's Economic Review (ISSN 0732-1813). This is a very thin publication (40 pages) but has some interesting articles. It presents analysis of economic and financial topics relevant to Federal Reserve policy. In a format accessible to the nonspecialist, the publication reflects the work of the Research Department. It is edited, designed, produced, and distributed through the Public Affairs Department. Free subscriptions are available by calling (404) 521-8020 or on the Internet at http://www.frbatlanta.org.

It's hard in this environment not to get involved in some trivia from the Statistical Abstracts, soooo . . . to make things interesting (click an icon for answers):

  1. The median age of the resident population on July 1, 2050, will be?
    39 years
    Fairly easy, no? Almost all of you got it, I'll bet. How about this one though.
  2. The median age of the resident population on July 1, 1850, was?
    18.9 years
    Ha! Want to bet your Mustang convertible?
  3. The state with the largest number of drivers licenses issued in 1993?
    California 20,123,000
    So . . . if it's that easy, then how many?
  4. As of 1990, which state had the largest percentage of the population with a college degree?
    Colorado
    Yeah . . . it is getting boring, just one more.
  5. Per capita, in 1993, which was consumed the most-milk, coffee, or beer?
    Beer



Statistical Abstract of the United Stated
www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs
bybssys@access.digex.net
CD available

Statistical Abstract of the United Stated


ISBN 0-89059-055-9
For more information, call
U.S. Government Printing Office
Phone: (202) 512-0000