Special Collections in Hekman
For demographics data, some of the best sources come from government documents like the census. Hekman Library has census data in print prior to 2012 in its Government Documents Collection on the 2nd floor, with more recent data available online (check out our research guide on Government Documents for more).
Also, for local history, you might want to explore Heritage Hall. Some ethnographic data as well as primary sources like diaries and letters provide sources on founding Dutch immigrants and churches in the Grand Rapids area (visit our webpage for Heritage Hall and browse their materials through the library website).
Recommended Databases
- Data.census.gov
Created by the U.S. Census Bureau, this interactive site provides data on population, housing, economy, and geography from the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. - DemographicsNow
DemographicsNow provides "comprehensive business and demographic information," drawing on census and community data for the US to present household data, consumer and business profiles, place/people lookup, maps, and more. - MedlinePlus
An open database of health information geared toward the public, patients and families, with reliable information from the National Library of Medicine (connected with the more scholarly databases, PubMed and Medline)
Featured Web Resources
- American Community Survey (ACS)ACS data determines how "federal and state funds are distributed each year." The data can also help you compare social, economic, and housing data among different U.S. cities.
- American Time Use Survey (ATUS)This survey "measures the amount of time people spend doing various activities, such as paid work, childcare, volunteering, and socializing."
- Consumer Expenditure Survey (CEX)Visit this site for "information on the buying habits of American consumers, including data on their expenditures, income, and consumer unit (families and single consumers) characteristics."
- County Business Patterns (CBP)CBP is a part of the U.S. Census where you can search for economic and industry data by zip code. "This series includes the number of establishments, employment during the week of March 12, first quarter payroll, and annual payroll."
- State Health FactsUse the "health status" category in the left sidebar in order to compare states.
- U.S. Census Bureau - Economic StatisticsUse this part of the U.S. Census to zero in on economic indicators and data by business sector.