Data Sources

Curated Resources for Research and Analysis

Overview

This page provides a comprehensive collection of data sources used in our research and teaching. Resources are organized by topic area and include both freely available and restricted-access datasets.

Last Updated: 2026-07-18

Links are checked regularly, but availability may change. Please contact us if you find broken links.

🔬 Featured ISSUES Lab Datasets

These datasets are actively used in ISSUES Lab research projects. They span public health, neighborhood conditions, social connectedness, housing, and traumatic brain injury.

🏥 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) — Emergency Department Module, 2021
  • Provider: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), CDC
  • Description: Annual survey of visits to hospital emergency and outpatient departments across the U.S. The 2021 ED module captures patient demographics, diagnoses, procedures, medications, and visit characteristics. Used in ISSUES Lab research on violence-related injury, IPV, and emergency care disparities.
  • Time Period: 2021 (annual series available 1992–present)
  • Format: SPSS (.sps), CSV
  • Access: CDC NHAMCS Website
  • License: Public domain
🩺 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) — 2022 Adult & Child Files
  • Provider: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), CDC
  • Description: Flagship annual household health survey covering health status, access to care, and health behaviors for U.S. adults and children. The 2022 release includes separate adult and child sample files with pair-weight files for family-level analysis. Used in ISSUES Lab research on child and family well-being and health disparities.
  • Time Period: 2022 (annual series available 1957–present)
  • Format: CSV (adult, child, pair-weight files)
  • Access: CDC NHIS Website
  • License: Public domain
🤝 Reconstructed Social Capital Atlas Dataset (Census Tract Level)
  • Provider: David Zhu (Virginia Commonwealth University), hosted on OSF
  • Description: Census-tract level social capital dataset reconstructed from multiple administrative and survey sources. Captures dimensions of social connectedness, civic participation, and community cohesion. Includes combined CSV, R scripts for construction, and full documentation. Used in ISSUES Lab research on neighborhood resilience, climate adaptive capacity, and family well-being.
  • Time Period: 2026 (constructed from multiple source years)
  • Format: CSV, XLSX
  • DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/H7URM
  • Access: OSF Repository
  • License: Open access
🏘️ Gentrification Dataset (GENTDATA), 1970–2019
  • Provider: Research data repository (DataVerse)
  • Description: Longitudinal dataset measuring neighborhood gentrification across U.S. census tracts from 1970 to 2019. Includes composite gentrification indices, housing value changes, demographic shift indicators, and income transitions. Available in multiple formats. Used in ISSUES Lab research on housing displacement, neighborhood change, and health inequities.
  • Time Period: 1970–2019
  • Format: CSV, Stata (.dta), R (.rds), SPSS (.sav), SAS (.xpt)
  • Codebook: Gentrification 1970–2019 Codebook (available with dataset)
  • Access: Harvard Dataverse
  • License: CC0 / Public domain
🗺️ National Zoning and Land Use Database (NZLUD)
  • Provider: Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center / Research consortium
  • Description: Comprehensive national database of local zoning and land use regulations across U.S. jurisdictions. Captures allowable land uses, density restrictions, minimum lot sizes, parking requirements, and affordability provisions. Used in ISSUES Lab research on housing accessibility, environmental justice, and neighborhood built environment.
  • Format: Shapefile / GeoJSON (spatial), CSV (tabular)
  • Access: NZLUD GitHub Repository
  • License: Open access
🏠 Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) — Single-Family & Condo, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted
  • Provider: Zillow Research
  • Description: Monthly smoothed, seasonally-adjusted home value estimates at the ZIP code level for single-family residences and condominiums, covering the middle tier (33rd–67th percentile) of the housing market. Used in ISSUES Lab research on housing affordability, neighborhood economic conditions, and displacement risk.
  • Time Period: Monthly series (available from early 2000s to present)
  • Format: CSV
  • Access: Zillow Research Data
  • License: Free for non-commercial research use
🧠 Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) National Database
  • Provider: TBIMS National Data and Statistical Center (TBINDSC), Craig Hospital
  • Description: One of the largest longitudinal TBI datasets in the world, containing information on over 20,000 individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI. Covers pre-injury characteristics, acute hospitalization, inpatient rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up outcomes up to 30 years post-injury. Includes functional status, cognitive outcomes, community participation, quality of life, and employment. A de-identified public use file is available for download. Used in ISSUES Lab research on TBI, IPV-related brain injury, and long-term health consequences of violence.
  • Time Period: 1988–present (longitudinal)
  • Format: SAS, SPSS, CSV (public use file)
  • Access: TBINDSC Website (tbindsc.org) — Complete a short data request form to receive download link
  • Data Dictionary: Available at tbindsc.org
  • Contact: tbimsdata@craighospital.org
  • License: Public use file freely available; restricted data requires formal request
🌟 Human Flourishing Geographic Index (USA, 2013–2023)
  • Provider: Harvard Dataverse
  • Description: County-level dataset measuring human flourishing across the United States from 2013 to 2023. Captures multidimensional aspects of well-being including happiness, health, meaning, character, close social relationships, and financial security at the county level. Designed for research on place-based determinants of human thriving and inequality in well-being across U.S. communities.
  • Time Period: 2013–2023
  • Geographic Unit: County (USA)
  • Format: Available via Harvard Dataverse
  • DOI / Access: Harvard Dataverse — doi:10.7910/DVN/T39JBY
  • Citation: Barboza-Salerno, G. E. (2026). The Human Flourishing Geographic Index: A County-Level Dataset for the United States, 2013–2023. Scientific Data. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-026-07803-1
  • License: Open access
⚖️ Structural Racism and Discrimination Index (SRDI)
  • Provider: University of Connecticut — Structural Racism and Discrimination Index Project
  • Description: A composite, multidimensional index measuring structural racism and discrimination across U.S. geographies. Operationalizes structural racism through indicators spanning health, education, criminal justice, housing, employment, and political representation to capture systemic racial inequities embedded in social institutions. Intended for research on the upstream drivers of racial health disparities and neighborhood-level inequality.
  • Geographic Unit: U.S. counties and states
  • Format: Available via the project website
  • Access: Structural Racism and Discrimination Index — University of Connecticut
  • License: Open access for research use

Health & Public Health Data

National Surveys

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
  • Provider: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
  • Description: Annual household survey covering health status, healthcare access, and health behaviors
  • Time Period: 1957-present
  • Access: [CDC NHIS Website](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/index.htm)
  • Format: SAS, SPSS, Stata, CSV
  • License: Public domain
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
  • Provider: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Description: Telephone survey tracking health conditions and risk behaviors
  • Time Period: 1984-present
  • Access: [BRFSS Website](https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/)
  • Format: SAS, ASCII
  • License: Public domain

Medical & Clinical Data

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
  • Provider: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
  • Description: Healthcare costs, utilization, insurance coverage, and quality of care
  • Time Period: 1996-present
  • Access: [MEPS Website](https://www.meps.ahrq.gov/)
  • Format: SAS, Stata, SPSS, ASCII
  • License: Public domain

Social & Demographic Data

Census & Demographics

U.S. Census Bureau Data
  • Provider: U.S. Census Bureau
  • Description: Population, housing, economic, and geographic data
  • Time Period: Varies by dataset
  • Access: [data.census.gov](https://data.census.gov/)
  • API: Available via [Census API](https://www.census.gov/data/developers.html)
  • Format: Multiple formats available
  • License: Public domain
American Community Survey (ACS)
  • Provider: U.S. Census Bureau
  • Description: Detailed demographic and socioeconomic characteristics
  • Time Period: 2005-present (annual); 2000-2004 (test phase)
  • Access: [ACS Data Portal](https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/data.html)
  • Format: CSV, API
  • License: Public domain

Social Surveys

General Social Survey (GSS)
  • Provider: NORC at the University of Chicago
  • Description: Attitudes, behaviors, and attributes of U.S. residents
  • Time Period: 1972-present
  • Access: [GSS Data Explorer](https://gssdataexplorer.norc.org/)
  • Format: Stata, SPSS, SAS, R, Excel
  • License: Free for research/educational use

Education Data

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
  • Provider: U.S. Department of Education
  • Description: Various education datasets including NAEP, CCD, IPEDS
  • Time Period: Varies by survey
  • Access: [NCES Website](https://nces.ed.gov/)
  • Format: Multiple formats
  • License: Public domain
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
  • Provider: NCES
  • Description: College enrollment, graduation rates, faculty, finances
  • Time Period: 1980-present
  • Access: [IPEDS Data Center](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/)
  • Format: CSV, Access, Excel
  • License: Public domain
Civil Rights Data Collection
  • Provider: U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
  • Description: School-level data on enrollment, discipline, access to courses, and civil rights issues
  • Time Period: 1968-present (biennial since 2009)
  • Access: [Civil Rights Data Collection](https://civilrightsdata.ed.gov/data)
  • Format: Excel, CSV
  • License: Public domain
Urban Institute Education Data Explorer
  • Provider: Urban Institute
  • Description: School and district-level data on enrollment, disability, race/ethnicity, income, discipline
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: [Education Data Portal](https://educationdata.urban.org/)
  • API: Available
  • Format: CSV, API
  • License: Public domain
NCES Education Demographic and Geographic Estimates (EDGE)
  • Provider: National Center for Education Statistics
  • Description: School- and district-level demographic and socioeconomic characteristics
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: [EDGE Program](https://nces.ed.gov/programs/edge/)
  • Format: Shapefiles, CSV
  • License: Public domain
Monitoring the Future
  • Provider: University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (via ICPSR)
  • Description: Annual survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students on substance use, attitudes, and behaviors
  • Time Period: 1975-present
  • Access: [ICPSR MTF Studies](https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/ICPSR/series/35)
  • Format: SAS, SPSS, Stata, R, delimited
  • License: Registration required

Criminal Justice & Safety

Gun Violence Data

Gun Violence Archive
  • Provider: Gun Violence Archive
  • Description: Comprehensive database of gun violence incidents in the United States
  • Time Period: 2013-present
  • Access: [Gun Violence Archive](https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/)
  • Format: Online database, CSV (by request)
  • License: Varies
National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)
  • Provider: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Description: State-based surveillance system providing detailed information on violent deaths including homicides, suicides, and firearm-related deaths
  • Time Period: 2003-present
  • Access: [NVDRS Website](https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/datasources/nvdrs/index.html)
  • Format: Restricted-use data files available through application
  • License: Restricted access
Firearm Injury Surveillance
  • Provider: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Description: Surveillance data on fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: [CDC WISQARS](https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/)
  • Format: Online query system
  • License: Public domain
Mother Jones Gun Violence Data
  • Provider: Mother Jones
  • Description: Database of mass shootings in the United States
  • Time Period: 1982-present
  • Access: [Mother Jones Database](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/mass-shootings-mother-jones-full-data/)
  • Format: Excel, Google Sheets
  • License: Varies
Mass Shooter Database
  • Provider: The Violence Project
  • Description: Comprehensive database of mass shooters including demographic, psychological, and incident characteristics
  • Time Period: 1966-present
  • Access: [The Violence Project](https://www.theviolenceproject.org/)
  • Format: Online database
  • License: Available for research use
School Shooting Data
  • Provider: K-12 School Shooting Database
  • Description: Comprehensive data on school shooting incidents
  • Time Period: 1970-present
  • Access: [K-12 SSDB](https://k12ssdb.org/)
  • Format: Excel, CSV
  • License: Free for research use
Violent Deaths at School & Shootings
  • Provider: National Center for Education Statistics
  • Description: Data on violent deaths and shootings at schools
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: [NCES Indicators](https://nces.ed.gov/)
  • Format: Excel, PDF
  • License: Public domain
School Campus Database (CSCD)
  • Provider: National Center for Education Statistics
  • Description: Geographic data on school campuses and facilities
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: [NCES School Locations](https://nces.ed.gov/programs/edge/Geographic/SchoolLocations)
  • Format: Shapefiles, CSV
  • License: Public domain
Los Angeles Times Homicide Report
  • Provider: Los Angeles Times
  • Description: Database of homicides in Los Angeles County
  • Time Period: 2000-present
  • Access: [LA Times Homicide Report](https://homicide.latimes.com/)
  • Format: Interactive database
  • License: Varies
Chicago ShotSpotter Data
  • Provider: City of Chicago Data Portal
  • Description: Acoustic gunshot detection data from ShotSpotter sensors
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: [Chicago Data Portal](https://data.cityofchicago.org/)
  • Format: CSV, JSON, API
  • License: Public domain
Medical Examiner Case Archive
  • Provider: Various County Medical Examiners
  • Description: Death investigation data including manner and cause of death
  • Time Period: Varies by jurisdiction
  • Access: Varies by jurisdiction
  • Format: Varies
  • License: Varies; often requires data use agreement
PA Child Fatality Reports
  • Provider: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
  • Description: Reports on child fatalities including abuse and neglect-related deaths
  • Time Period: Annual reports
  • Access: [PA DHS Website](https://www.dhs.pa.gov/)
  • Format: PDF reports
  • License: Public domain

Crime & Justice

Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program
  • Provider: Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Description: Crime statistics from law enforcement agencies
  • Time Period: 1930-present
  • Access: [FBI Crime Data Explorer](https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/)
  • Format: CSV, Excel, API
  • License: Public domain
National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
  • Provider: Bureau of Justice Statistics
  • Description: Victimization experiences, characteristics, and reporting
  • Time Period: 1972-present
  • Access: [NCVS Data](https://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=dcdetail&iid=245)
  • Format: SAS, SPSS, Stata, ASCII
  • License: Public domain
Texas Death Row Information
  • Provider: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
  • Description: Information on executed offenders including demographics, offense details, and execution dates
  • Time Period: Historical executions
  • Access: [TDCJ Death Row Data](https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/dr_executed_offenders.html)
  • Format: HTML tables
  • License: Public domain
Philadelphia Gun Violence Mapping
  • Provider: Philadelphia City Controller's Office (Christy Brady, CPA)
  • Description: Interactive mapping of gun violence incidents across Philadelphia
  • Time Period: 2015-present
  • Access: [Gun Violence Map](https://controller.phila.gov/philadelphia-reports/mapping-gun-violence/)
  • Format: Interactive web map
  • License: Public domain
Everytown Gun Violence Research
  • Provider: Everytown Research & Policy
  • Description: Gun violence data, research, and policy analysis
  • Time Period: Varies by dataset
  • Access: [Everytown Research](https://everytownresearch.org/)
  • Format: Reports, datasets, interactive tools
  • License: Varies

Economic & Labor Data

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Data
  • Provider: U.S. Department of Labor
  • Description: Employment, wages, inflation, productivity data
  • Time Period: Varies by series
  • Access: [BLS Data Tools](https://www.bls.gov/data/)
  • API: [BLS API](https://www.bls.gov/developers/)
  • Format: Excel, CSV, JSON, PDF
  • License: Public domain
Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID)
  • Provider: University of Michigan
  • Description: Longitudinal household survey tracking economic and social behavior
  • Time Period: 1968-present
  • Access: [PSID Website](https://psidonline.isr.umich.edu/)
  • Format: Stata, SAS, SPSS, ASCII
  • License: Free registration required
Longitudinal Household & Employer Dynamics Data (LODES)
  • Provider: U.S. Census Bureau
  • Description: Job counts by census block, worker characteristics, and employment flows
  • Time Period: 2002-present
  • Access: [LEHD LODES](https://lehd.ces.census.gov/data/)
  • Format: CSV
  • License: Public domain

International & Comparative Data

World Bank Open Data
  • Provider: The World Bank
  • Description: International development data covering 200+ countries
  • Time Period: Varies by indicator
  • Access: [World Bank Data](https://data.worldbank.org/)
  • API: Available
  • Format: CSV, Excel, XML, JSON
  • License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
OECD Data
  • Provider: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
  • Description: Economic and social statistics for member countries
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: [OECD.Stat](https://stats.oecd.org/)
  • Format: CSV, Excel, SDMX
  • License: Varies by dataset

Environmental & Geographic Data

Environmental Quality & Hazards

EPA Environmental Dataset Gateway
  • Provider: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Description: Air quality, water quality, emissions, toxic releases
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: [EPA Data](https://edg.epa.gov/)
  • Format: Various
  • License: Public domain
USGS Earth Explorer
  • Provider: U.S. Geological Survey
  • Description: Satellite imagery, aerial photography, cartographic products
  • Time Period: Historical to present
  • Access: [Earth Explorer](https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/)
  • Format: GeoTIFF, JPEG, various GIS formats
  • License: Public domain
OpenTopography Data
  • Provider: OpenTopography
  • Description: High-resolution topographic data and digital elevation models
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: [OpenTopography](https://opentopography.org/)
  • Format: Various GIS formats
  • License: Varies by dataset
Digital Elevation Model Data
  • Provider: USGS, NASA, and other providers
  • Description: Terrain elevation data for geographic analysis
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: Various sources including USGS Earth Explorer
  • Format: GeoTIFF, ASCII, various GIS formats
  • License: Typically public domain
HUD Environmental Health Hazards Index
  • Provider: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Description: Exposure to harmful toxins including air quality, carcinogenic, respiratory, and neurological hazards
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: [HUD Data](https://www.huduser.gov/)
  • Format: Various
  • License: Public domain
EPA EJScreen: Environmental Justice Mapping Tool
  • Provider: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Description: Environmental and demographic indicators including particulate matter, ozone, air toxins, traffic proximity, and hazardous waste
  • Time Period: Updated annually
  • Access: [EJScreen](https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen)
  • Format: Online tool, downloadable data
  • License: Public domain

Built Environment & Accessibility

EPA National Walkability Index
  • Provider: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Description: Street intersection density and walkability metrics for neighborhoods
  • Time Period: Updated periodically
  • Access: [National Walkability Index](https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/smart-location-mapping)
  • Format: Geodatabase, CSV
  • License: Public domain
EPA Smart Location Database
  • Provider: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Description: Nationwide data on development patterns, diversity of land use, street network design, and accessibility
  • Time Period: Updated periodically
  • Access: [Smart Location Database](https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/smart-location-mapping)
  • Format: Geodatabase, CSV
  • License: Public domain
EPA Access to Jobs and Workers Via Transit
  • Provider: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Description: Transit accessibility index comparing block groups within metropolitan regions
  • Time Period: Updated periodically
  • Access: [EPA Transit Access Data](https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/smart-location-mapping)
  • Format: Geodatabase, CSV
  • License: Public domain
OpenStreetMap Data
  • Provider: OpenStreetMap Foundation
  • Description: Collaborative mapping data including streets, buildings, points of interest
  • Time Period: Continuously updated
  • Access: [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/)
  • Format: XML, PBF, various GIS formats
  • License: Open Database License (ODbL)
Zoning Data
  • Provider: Various municipal and county planning departments
  • Description: Land use and zoning designations
  • Time Period: Varies by jurisdiction
  • Access: Varies by jurisdiction
  • Format: Shapefiles, geodatabase
  • License: Varies
SafeGraph Data
  • Provider: SafeGraph
  • Description: Points of interest, foot traffic patterns, and demographic data
  • Time Period: 2018-present
  • Access: [SafeGraph](https://www.safegraph.com/)
  • Format: CSV, Parquet
  • License: Requires data agreement; free for academic research
Foursquare Venues
  • Provider: Foursquare
  • Description: Location data and venue information including restaurants, retail, services
  • Time Period: Current
  • Access: [Foursquare API](https://developer.foursquare.com/)
  • Format: JSON via API
  • License: Requires API key

Social & Health Vulnerability

CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)
  • Provider: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Description: Census tract-level social vulnerability including socioeconomic status, household composition, housing, race/ethnicity, and health factors
  • Time Period: 2000, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020
  • Access: [SVI Data Download](https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/placeandhealth/svi/data_documentation_download.html)
  • Format: CSV, geodatabase, shapefiles
  • License: Public domain
Neighborhood Atlas Area Deprivation Index (ADI)
  • Provider: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
  • Description: Neighborhood-level measure of socioeconomic disadvantage including income, education, employment, and housing quality
  • Time Period: Updated periodically
  • Access: [Neighborhood Atlas](https://www.neighborhoodatlas.medicine.wisc.edu/)
  • Format: CSV, online mapping tool
  • License: Free for research use
Healthy Places Index
  • Provider: Public Health Alliance of Southern California
  • Description: Community conditions that predict life expectancy including economic, social, and environmental factors
  • Time Period: Updated periodically
  • Access: [Healthy Places Index](https://www.healthyplacesindex.org/)
  • Format: Interactive map, CSV
  • License: Free for public use
Urbanization Index
  • Provider: Various sources including Census Bureau
  • Description: Measures of urban versus rural character of geographic areas
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: Varies by source
  • Format: Various
  • License: Typically public domain

Food Access & Nutrition

USDA Food Desert Data
  • Provider: U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service
  • Description: Low-income census tracts with limited access to supermarkets and healthy food sources
  • Time Period: Updated periodically
  • Access: [Food Access Research Atlas](https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/)
  • Format: Excel, CSV, GIS files
  • License: Public domain
SNAP Retailer Database
  • Provider: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
  • Description: Locations of retailers authorized to accept SNAP benefits
  • Time Period: Updated monthly
  • Access: [SNAP Retailer Locator](https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator)
  • Format: CSV, API
  • License: Public domain

Parks, Green Space & Environmental Justice

Trust for Public Land ParkServe
  • Provider: Trust for Public Land
  • Description: Park access and equity data including 10-minute walk access to parks
  • Time Period: Updated regularly
  • Access: [ParkServe](https://www.tpl.org/parkserve)
  • Format: Interactive map, API
  • License: Varies
American Forests Tree Equity Score
  • Provider: American Forests
  • Description: Tree equity scores, heat extremity, and heat disparity metrics
  • Time Period: Current
  • Access: [Tree Equity Score](https://www.treeequityscore.org/)
  • Format: Interactive map, downloadable data
  • License: Varies
National Tree Equity Score
  • Provider: American Forests
  • Description: National-level tree canopy and equity analysis
  • Time Period: Current
  • Access: [Tree Equity Score](https://www.treeequityscore.org/)
  • Format: Interactive map, CSV
  • License: Varies

Housing & Neighborhood Change

University of Richmond Mapping Inequality
  • Provider: Digital Scholarship Lab, University of Richmond
  • Description: HOLC redlining maps and neighborhood grades for U.S. cities
  • Time Period: 1930s-1940s
  • Access: [Mapping Inequality](https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/)
  • Format: Interactive maps, downloadable shapefiles
  • License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Redlining Data
  • Provider: Various sources including University of Richmond
  • Description: Historical HOLC maps and modern redlining analysis
  • Time Period: 1930s-present
  • Access: Various sources
  • Format: Shapefiles, GeoJSON
  • License: Varies
Gentrification & Displacement Data
  • Provider: Urban Displacement Project, Federal Reserve Banks, academic researchers
  • Description: Indicators of neighborhood gentrification and displacement risk
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: [Urban Displacement Project](https://www.urbandisplacement.org/)
  • Format: Interactive maps, CSV, shapefiles
  • License: Varies
Housing Affordability Index
  • Provider: National Association of Realtors, HUD, various sources
  • Description: Measures of housing cost burden and affordability
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: Various sources
  • Format: Excel, CSV
  • License: Varies
Housing & Mortgage Act Disclosure Data (HMDA)
  • Provider: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  • Description: Mortgage lending data including loan applications, originations, and denials
  • Time Period: 1975-present
  • Access: [FFIEC HMDA Data](https://ffiec.cfpb.gov/data-browser/)
  • Format: CSV, API
  • License: Public domain
Center for Neighborhood Technology Housing + Transportation Index
  • Provider: Center for Neighborhood Technology
  • Description: Comprehensive housing and transportation cost data by neighborhood
  • Time Period: Updated periodically
  • Access: [H+T Index](https://htaindex.cnt.org/)
  • Format: CSV, interactive maps
  • License: Varies
Transit Center Transit-Oriented Development Database (TED)
  • Provider: Transit Center
  • Description: Accessibility to neighborhood amenities including colleges, hospitals, urgent care, parks, and supermarkets
  • Time Period: Varies
  • Access: [TED Database](https://tod.transitcenter.org/)
  • Format: Interactive web tool
  • License: Varies
Google Open Buildings Dataset
  • Provider: Google Research
  • Description: Building footprints by type (residential, commercial, etc.) from satellite imagery
  • Time Period: Current
  • Access: [Open Buildings](https://sites.research.google/open-buildings/)
  • Format: GeoJSON, CSV
  • License: CC BY 4.0

Data Repositories & Archives

Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR)
  • Provider: University of Michigan
  • Description: Archive of social science data
  • Access: [ICPSR Website](https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/)
  • Format: Multiple formats
  • License: Varies; institutional membership may be required
Harvard Dataverse
  • Provider: Harvard University
  • Description: Open research data repository
  • Access: [Dataverse](https://dataverse.harvard.edu/)
  • Format: Various
  • License: Varies by dataset
Open Science Framework (OSF)
  • Provider: Center for Open Science
  • Description: Research data, materials, and preprints
  • Access: [OSF.io](https://osf.io/)
  • Format: Various
  • License: Varies by project

Data Tools & APIs

R Packages for Data Access

# Census data
library(tidycensus)
library(censusapi)

# Health data
library(nhanesA)

# Economics
library(fredr)  # FRED API
library(wbstats) # World Bank

# General
library(dataRetrieval) # USGS water data

Python Libraries

# Census data
import census
from census import Census

# World Bank
import wbdata

# Federal Reserve
from fredapi import Fred

# General APIs
import requests
import pandas as pd

Data Citation Guidelines

When using these data sources, please follow appropriate citation practices:

::: callout-important

General Citation Format

Author/Organization. (Year). Dataset Title [Data file]. Retrieved from URL

Example:

National Center for Health Statistics. (2023). National Health Interview Survey, 2022 [Data file]. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/ :::

Additional Resources

::: callout-tip

Suggest a Data Source

Know of a valuable data source not listed here? Please submit a suggestion. :::

Working with Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Data
A quick overview of how we use HMDA data in our research
2024-12-19 Blog