Statistical sources, on the simplest level, are sources to consult when you need answers to questions "how much?" or "how often?" or "how many?" Page upon page of numbers, charts, and graphs can start to make your eyes glaze over in a hurry, but within those numbers you may find important correlations or numerical evidence that will back up or help prove your arguments.

The United State government is the world's leading producer of statistical information, and of all the government bodies, the United State Census may be the most important source for statistical information. The Census Bureau, of course, compiles detailed information about the people of the United States every ten years. However, in addition to publishing the census, it also makes available several documents and series of reports.

The Statistical Abstract of the United States, published by the Census Bureau, is an annual government publication with statistical information gathered by all branches of the federal government. The latest edition is online, and the Ithaca College Library keeps earlier editions in reference.

Almanacs are another excellent source of statisticson a wide range of subjects. Most are privately published, and relay on the informatin they have gathered from other sources. Many of the leading publishers of almanacs are comprehensive, up-to-date, and reliable. Most do not have room in their pages to provide more than cursary coverage of any one topic. Online almanacs and other fact and statistical reference sources are listed on the Ithaca College Library Online Reference page.