This is an overview of the sources of data used by existing community indicator projects. It is not a comprehensive list of exactly who to contact since this will vary depending on where your community is located. Instead, it provides ideas on the types of agencies and organizations that may have data available. This section is specifically related to United States data sources. Other countries may have similar data, but due to time and resource limitations, no attempt was made to identify non-U.S. sources of data.   Remember that the less local the source of the data, the more generalized the data will be and the less relevant it may be to local community sustainability. For example, a national inventory of chemical emissions from manufacturing plants may not include information about your community because none of the local manufacturers meet the reporting requirements. In this case, your local emergency planning committee may be a better source of information. Likewise, unemployment data may be available from a state agency on a statewide basis but a local social service agency may have more accurate information for your community.   The list below gives the names of organizations that may have useful information. Because of the many different ways that state and local governments can be organized, the names listed below may not fit the names in your particular area. The names are intended to give you an idea of what type of agency to approach for information.   Economy     United States         Department of Commerce             Bureau of the Census             Bureau of Economic Analysis             Bureau of Labor Statistics         Department of Labor         Federal Small Business Administration     State         Bureau of Labor and Industries         Department of Consumer and Business Services         Department of Employment Security         Department of Revenue         Employment Department: Childcare Division         Manufacturers' Guide         Office of Minority, Women, and Small Businesses         Office of Tourism     Local         Local Chamber of Commerce         Local Economic Development Council         Local Food Banks         Local Shelters         Mayor's or Town Manager's Office         Town or City Finance Department   Education     United States         Department of Education         Department of Labor     State         Department of Education         System of Higher Education     Local         Board of Education         Colleges and Universities         School Superintendent's Office   Environment     United States         Department of Agriculture         National Resources Inventory         Soil Conservation Services         Department of Energy         Environmental Protection Agency         Forest Service         National Forest Health Monitoring Program     State         Department of Agriculture         Department of Environmental Quality         Department of Fish and Wildlife         Department of Forestry         Department of Land Conservation         Department of Natural Resources         Department of Parks and Recreation         Department of Water Resources         Division of State Lands         State Emergency Response Commission     Local         Environmental organizations         Audubon Society - annual species count         Local Emergency Planning Committee   Government     State         Economic Development Department         Election Commission         Secretary of State         Tax Commission     Local         Town or City Registrar         Town or City Annual Reports         Town, City or County Clerk         League of Women Voters   Health     United States         Centers for Disease Control     State         Department of Human Resources     Local         Public Health Department   Housing     United States         Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census         Department of Housing and Urban Development     State         Department of Housing and Community Service         Planning Commission, Planning Board, Planning Office         Population Surveys         Social and Health Services     Local         Community Development Department         Department of Buildings and Inspections         Health Inspector         Housing Department         Public Health Office   Population     United States         Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census     State         Data Center         Planning Commission, Planning Board, Planning Office     Local         City Planning Department         Town, City or County Clerk         Community Development Office   Public Safety     State         State Attorney General's Office         State Police Department     Local         Department of Public Health         Local Police and Fire Department   Recreation     State         Department of Parks and Recreation     Local         Department of Parks and Recreation         Parks and Recreation Advisory Board   Resource Use     United States         Department of Energy         Environmental Protection Agency     State         Department of Environmental Protection         Department of Natural Resources         Department of Revenue     Local         Department of Public Utilities         Department of Public Works         Utility Companies   Society     State         Department of Corrections         Department of Justice         Child Support Enforcement Division         Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs         Senior and Disabled Services Division         State Arts Commission         State Library     Local         Community Service Department         Department of Youth Services         Public library   Transportation     United States         Department of Transportation     State         Department of Motor Vehicles         Department of Transportation         Port Authority         State Police Department     Local         Metropolitan Transit Authority         Police Department

About data sources Examples of good indicators

Subjects Covered in This Topic:     What data sources are available for indicators?     A list of data sources for indicators.     Related Topics:     What is an indicator of sustainability?     What are the characteristics of effective sustainability indicators?     Is there a checklist that a community can use to evaluate sustainability indicators?     How can you organize indicators; how many and what kind do you need?     Can you show me examples of good sustainability indicators?     Are there any training materials that explain indicators and sustainability?

Indicators Database Questions Training Resources Sustainability

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