Related Guides
Statistical & Data Sources & Mapping
- Families in America 2015 Families in America presents a wide selection of information from the American Community Survey that helps us describe American living arrangements, relationships, marriages, births, children, and incomes. Each section includes a large selection of information for the United States, the 50 states, and the District of Columbia. This is followed by a more limited selection of data for 381 metropolitan areas, 980 counties with populations of 50,000 or more, and 795 cities with populations of 50,000 or more.
- Fragile Families Data Set The Fragile Families & Child Wellbeing Study is following a cohort of nearly 5,000 children born in large U.S. cities between 1998 and 2000 (roughly three-quarters of whom were born to unmarried parents). We refer to unmarried parents and their children as “fragile families” to underscore that they are families and that they are at greater risk of breaking up and living in poverty than more traditional families.
- Panel Study of Income Dynamics, University of Michigan The PSID is a longitudinal survey of a representative sample of US individuals and families, which has been ongoing since 1968.
- Child Trends Databank The Child Trends DataBank examines and monitors more than 100 indicators that focus on risks and positive developments for children. For each indicator we summarize what the research says about its importance to children’s development, track trends over time and by subgroup, and highlight strategies likely to improve well-being. We also provide links to state, local, and international data. Our estimates come from reliable sources including federal reports and websites.
- County-Level Marriage & Divorce Data, 2000 (National Center for Family & Marriage Research, BGSU) These maps present geographic variation in the adjusted marriage and divorce rates for over 3,000 counties in the United States. The estimates are from county court record data of numbers of marriages and divorces and U.S. Census data from 2000.
- County-Level Marriage and Divorce Data 2010 (National Center for Family & Marriage Research, BGSU) County-level marriage and divorce counts for 2010. Not available anywhere else at this geographic level—we provide researchers with data to examine geographic concentrations of marriage and divorce for over 3,000 counties in the United States. The county-level marriage and divorce data are provided in an Excel file, which contains the county-level number of marriages, divorces, state postal abbreviations, and unique county identifiers (county-level FIPS codes) that can be easily appended
- Familial Responses to Financial Instability (National Center for Family & Marriage Research, BGSU) The economic downturn in late 2008 prompted important questions about the familial consequences of economic uncertainty as well as how family environments influence coping and stress associated with financial instability (e.g., employment, income, asset accumulation, consumption patterns, public assistance usage). To address these topics, new data were urgently needed. The NCFMR aimed to fill this critical gap by sponsoring a data collection initiative on families and economic distress.
- National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) The National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) is the most comprehensive federal source of childcare prices at the county level. The database offers childcare price data by childcare provider type, age of children, and county characteristics. Data are available from 2008 to 2018.
- National Survey of America's Families (NSAF) Series he National Survey of America's Families (NSAF) is part of The Urban Institute's Assessing the New Federalism (ANF) multi-year research project. Its purpose is to track the effects of recent federal policy changes decentralizing many social programs from the federal government to the states, focusing primarily on health care, income security, job training, and social services. In collaboration with Child Trends, researchers from the Urban Institute monitor program changes and fiscal developments, along with changes in the well-being of children and families. The NSAF is a household survey that can be used to produce cross-sectional estimates for a wide variety of child, adult and family well-being indicators at the state level for 13 states and the nation as a whole. Data collection for the NSAF was carried out in 1997, 1999 and 2002 by Westat.
- Married and Cohabiting Couples (National Center for Family & Marriage Research, BGSU) The NCFMR Married and Cohabiting Couples, 2010 Pilot Data are composed of a nationally representative sample of U.S. married and cohabiting adults aged 18-64.
- LaborED: LaborED is a research project and comparative analysis of paid parental leave policies for faculty, staff and graduate students at R1 research universities in America
- Aging Stats This report provides the latest data on the 41 key indicators selected by the Forum to portray aspects of the lives of older Americans and their families. It is divided into six subject areas: population, economics, health status, health risks and behaviors, health care, and environment.
- Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health We are a free, national resource for data on children and families' health and health care quality. We work closely with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to make these resources available.
- Child Welfare Information Gateway Find reports, databases, and other sources of statistics and demographic data on children and families in the United States, child abuse and neglect, child welfare services, children and youth in foster care, and domestic and international adoption
- National Survey of Family Growth The National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) gathers information on family life, marriage and divorce, pregnancy, infertility, use of contraception, and men's and women's health. The survey results are used by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and others to plan health services and health education programs, and to do statistical studies of families, fertility, and health.
- Families and Living Arrangements, U.S.Census The Census Bureau collects data about American families for the nation, states and communities. Our statistics describe trends in household and family composition, and show the number of children, young adults and couples living in the United States.
International
- OECD Family Database In view of the strong demand for cross-national indicators on the situation of families and children, the OECD Family Database was developed to provide cross-national indicators on family outcomes and family policies across the OECD countries, its enhanced engagement partners and EU member states. Includes US data.
- International Labour Organization TRAVAIL Database The ILO Working Conditions Laws Database provides a picture of the regulatory environment of working time, minimum wages and maternity protection in more than 100 countries around the world (including the USA). Includes family leave and maternal protection.
Mapping
- Policy Map This link opens in a new window Easy-to-use online mapping and visualization tool. Downloadable U.S. demographic, economic and social data by city, state, zip code, county or census tract. Types of data include crime, housing, health, education and occupations, derived from both public and proprietary sources.
Public Opinion Sources
- Roper Center Public Opinion Archives This link opens in a new window The Roper Center is a public opinion archive that preserves the data from polls conducted by many leading survey organizations. Most of the data are from the United States, but over 50 nations are represented. The iPOLL databank offers access to nearly half a million survey questions and answers asked in the U.S. by more than 150 survey organizations. Direct links are given to study documentation and datasets. Date coverage: 1930s – present.
- Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. We do not take policy positions.
- Parenting in America Today (Pew Research Center, January 2023) Mental health concerns top the list of worries for parents; most say being a parent is harder than they expected.
