Statistical Sources for Historical Research

Use the Library Catalog to find items which contain historical statistics. You can do a subject search using the name of a country or a region along with the subdivision statistics. For example:
great britain--statistics
europe--statistics

Or, you can do a keyword search in the Library Catalog:
europe* and histor* and statistics

The following is a select list of sources for historical statistics:

Historical United States Census Data (1790-1960) at http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/census/index.html. This is a free Web site.

International:
International Historical Statistics: Africa, Asia & Oceania 1750-1988. 1995.
Reference HA 4675 M55. Covers climate, population, economics, and education.
World Almanac & Book of Facts. 1900+. Latest volume in Reference: Ref AY 67 N5 W7
Other volumes are either in general collection or Rare Books (see Library Catalog): AY 67 N5 W7

North and South America:
Datapedia of the United States, 1790-2000: America year by year. 1994.
Reference HA 202 K87 1994. Has chapters on population, vital statistics, migration, economic, (including industries and trade) and social statistics.
Historical Statistics of Canada. 1965. Reference HA 746 U7. Covers population, economics, agriculture, industry, education, politics, government and justice.
Historical Statistics of the United States, 1789-1945: A Supplement to the Statistical Abstract of the United States. 1949. HA 202 A385
See also Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970
(Reference HA 202 A385 1976)
Historical Statistics of the United States, 1790-1970. Vol. II, The Midwest. 1973.
Reference HA 215 D6. Covers population, agriculture, and manufacturing for 12 Midwestern states.
International Historical Statistics: The Americas 1750-1988. 1993.
Reference HA 175 M55 1993. Covers population and vital statistics, economics, and education.
Statistical Abstract of the United States. 1879-. HA 202 A32 (Most recent volume in Reference). Covers social, economic, education, and demographic statistics. Earlier volumes cover data as far back as the mid 19th century.

Europe:
Abstract of British Historical Statistics. 1962. HA 1135 M5. Covers economic history. This volume is succeeded by British Historical Statistics.
British Historical Statistics. 1988. HA 1134 M58 1988. This emphasizes economic history but does contain some social statistics.
The East European and Soviet data handbook : political, social, and developmental
indicators, 1945-1975. 1981. Reference HA1446 .S53. Social statistics, including education, population, ethnic and religious affiliations, class, communist party membership, standard of living and occupation.
European Historical Statistics, 1750-1970. 1975. HA 1107 M5 1975. Covers the economic history of Europe.
International Historical Statistics, Europe, 1750-1988. 1992. Reference HA 1107 M5 1992
Covers population and vital statistics, economics, and education.

TOPICAL RESOURCES:
To find statistical sources on a topic or event search the Library catalog using keywords. For example:
    civil war and statistics
    election* and statistics
    indians and histor* and statistics

Below is a select list of topical resources:

Historical Statistics of Black America. 1995. 2 vols. Reference E 185 H543 1995
    Among the topics covered are: economics, crime and law enforcement, education, the family, health, housing, politics, population, religion, slavery, and sports and leisure.
Nations Within a Nation: Historical Statistics of American Indians. 1987.
    E 77 S924 1987. Topics include: land holdings, population, migration, vital statistics, federal government activity, health care and education, occupations, and use of natural resources.
Presidential Elections, 1789-1996. 1997. JK524 .P6783 1997
    Includes data by state for popular vote returns for president and presidential primary returns as well as other information relating to elections.
Statistical Record of the Armies of the United States. 1989. E 491 P5 1989
    Gives data on numbers and organization of the armies of the United States.

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