Economic Data Collection and Data Dissemination

Contents

• Need for Economic Data
• Sources of Data
• MRSC Related Pages
  • Statistical Resources for Washington Local Governments
  • County and City Economic and Demographic Information by County

Need for Economic Data

Before a community can develop policies for economic development, it needs to understand the nature of the local economy. Creating an inventory and profile by collecting data, then analyzing the data by evaluating the profile and inventory provides the factual basis for economic development goal setting and strategy development. Some of the resources for collecting that data are listed below.

In addition to collecting data understanding the local economy, communities need to present data about their communities to attract potential development. In a highly competitive environment, when marketing a community as a potential site for relocation or expansion of an industry or business, reliable, comprehensive data is needed that can be quickly provided to corporate location professionals. The International Economic Development Committee has devised a comprehensive site selection data template to guide communities with data collection, analysis and delivery. The end goal: to adopt the template as the industry standard for the site selection process. For more information see the IEDC Site Selection Standards.

Sources of Data

• Census and Demographic Data
  • American Fact Finder Main Page - Census Bureau
  • Census Information - Census 2000 - 2010 - MRSC
  • County and City Information - Washington State Office of Financial Management
• Choose Washington - Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
• County and City Economic and Demographic Information by County - MRSC
• EconData.Net - Supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration
• Economic Indicators.gov - Economics and Statistics Administration
• Economic Development Plans - MRSC
• Fiscal Data - County and City Information -Washington State Office of Financial Management
• Labor Market County Profiles - Washington State Employment Security 2002, for current information see Work Force Explorer
• Northwest Income Indicators - Washington State University Cooperative Extension - Provides access to economic data for the regions and counties of the Northwest compiled by the Regional Economic Information System (REIS) of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The data is annual, spanning 1969 to 2004
• Regional Economic Accounts -  U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
• Statistical Resources for Washington Local Governments - MRSC
• Washington Center for Real Estate Research
• Washington Workforce Explorer - Labor Market Information  
  • Publications and Reports

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Economic Data Collection and Data Dissemination Related Resources
MRSC Index – Community economic profiles, economic statistics