Statistics can provide data for making comparisons and determining historical trends. Your argument will in many cases be more convincing if you use statistics to back up what you say.

The United States government is one of the largest publishers of statistical information. Many of its agencies and departments have statistical divisions which regularly publish statistical abstracts and digests of basic socio-economic data about the United States. Following are some important sources of statistical information.

• Statistical Abstract of the United States (Ask at Reference Desk)
  Published since 1878 by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, Statistical Abstract presents statistics of the U. S. government as well as some private agencies. It covers social, economic, and political aspects of the country such as population, vital statistics, immigration, education, labor, and transportation. Tables in this book will lead you to statistical publications with more detail.

  America Votes (Ref JK1967 A18)

  Accident Facts (Ref HA217 .A4)

  CIA World Factbook

  County and City Data Book (Ref HA202 A36)

  Crime in the United States:  Uniform Crime Reports - from the FBI

  Europa World Year Book (Ref JN1 E85) - Good information on countries.

  FedStats - Statistics from over 100 U.S. Federal agencies.

  LexisNexis Statistical - index with abstracts for statistical information from over 100,000 U.S. government publications, state and private sources, and approximately 2000 documents from international organizations.

  National Center for Health Statistics

  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

  U.S. Census Bureau

  U.S. Centers for Disease Control

  USA Statistics in Brief

  VAStat - Statistics on Virginia.