Finding Demographic and Business Data on Local Areas
Starting Points
- American Factfinder Community Facts - American FactFinder provides access to data about the United States, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. The data in American FactFinder come from several censuses and surveys. For more information see Using FactFinder and What We Provide.
- Finding Census 2010 Data by Zip Code
- ZIPSkinny (ZIPskinny.com) - Includes basic demographics from Census 2010 and comparisons with nearby Zip Codes. (Note: you can find comparisons between Zip Codes using the Census Bureau's American Factfinder database also--and get more data that way, but ZIPskinny is easy if you just need the basics).
- The Right Site (EASI) includes both free data and reports that must be purchased. To access the free section, select the Free Census 2000 Reports image at the top of the page. (You will need to register your email with the company and log in for the free access). This site allows you to generate free demographic ring studies of Census 2010 data.
- Community Sourcebook of ZIP Code Demographics. Print source with estimates used to update Census data.
- Demographics USA (ZIP edition). Print source with estimates used to update Census data.
- Zip Code Business Patterns by NAICS
- Switchboard - Particularly the Find a Business Search option called Search by Distance.
Oviatt Library online guides to local information sources
- Community Information by Zip Code
- San Fernando Valley Statistics and Facts
- Los Angeles Government Sources. Information on Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles; some sources included have information on other cities and other counties also.
Reference Books with Demographic Data
A collection of Reference books with demographic data (depending on the book, either zip code, county, metropolitan area, and/or national level data) are on the Business Index Table between the Reference Desk and the windows in the Reference Room. Titles of special interest shelved in that area include:
Useful Books and Articles
Books on Starting a Business
Use the Library Catalog to find additional books such as:
- Business Plans Handbook (print and online). Each volume covers different types of businesses; volume 9 includes an example for Retail clothing stores, volume 4 includes a Men's clothing retailer, volume 6 has a Bridal salon, volume 14 has a Shoe store.
- How to Set Up Your Own Small Business
- Encyclopedia of Small Business (print and online)
- Gale e-commerce sourcebook, which has a print version and an online version
Articles
Databases by Subject has a link for Business + Economics, for databases to find articles from business journals and magazines, as well as a link for Family + Consumer Sciences.
Internet resources
Industry associations and their publications--examples:
- National Retail Federation
- Stores Online (The Oviatt Library subscribes to Stores in print format.)
- Directories and Location Reports (from International Council of Shopping Centers; note these reports are now available to members only.)
Commercial site examples:
Government site examples:
- U. S. Small Business Administration including Small Business Planner.
- Business Information from the Federal Trade Commission
- U. S. Census Bureau, especially their American FactFinder database.
Originally created by Mary M. Finley and currently updated by Doris Helfer . For questions and comments about this page contact Doris Helfer at doris.helfer@csun.edu.