The Statistical Abstract of the United States was a publication of the United States Census Bureau, an agency of the United States Department of Commerce. Published annually from 1878–2011, the statistics described social and economic conditions in the United States. The Census Bureau ceased publication with the 2012 edition, released August 2011; the Bureau stopped compiling the data for the Statistical Compendia program, including the Abstract and supplemental publications, as of October 1, 2011. Washington Post columnist Robert J. Samuelson wrote, "This is a mighty big loss for a mighty small saving." The agency’s 2012 budget would eliminate the Statistical Compendia Branch, which compiles the Statistical Abstract and other publications. This would save $2.9 million and cut 24 jobs. Both the book and online versions of the Statistical Abstract would vanish. The American Library Association, representing about 16,700 public libraries and more than 100,000 academic and school libraries, is arguing to keep the Statistical Abstract. Alesia McManus, library director at Howard Community College in Columbia, started a Facebook page and launched a petition dedicated to reversing the decision, wrote Samuelson. He quoted one librarian as writing, “If the library were on fire, this would be the reference book I would try and save first,” and another saying, The “Statistical Abstract has for years been one of the top five reference books used by students and faculty at South Dakota State University.” Samuelson said he didn't think the librarians' protest would have much effect. Joseph Dionne and Paul Krugman published columns agreeing with Samuelson. ProQuest continued the series, in co-operation with Bernan Press. The list price of the 2012 Department of Commerce edition was $20, free online. The list price of the Proquest edition is $199. In 1975 a two volume Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970 Bicentennial Edition was published. The 2010 Statistical Abstract of the United States contains 30 sections, 926 pages and over 1300 individual tables covering over 200 topics including income and wealth, imports-exports, agriculture, energy production and consumption, natural resources and some international comparisons. All information is downloadable in PDF and Excel spreadsheet formats. The statistical abstract is the standard summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. It is also designed to serve as a guide to other statistical publications and sources.
Abbreviated section contents and appendixes
Sec. 1. Population Sec. 2. Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces Sec. 3. Health and Nutrition Sec. 4. Education Sec. 5. Law Enforcement, Courts, and Prisons Sec. 6. Geography and Environment Sec. 7. Elections Sec. 8. State and Local Government Finances and Employment Sec. 9. Federal Government Finances and Employment Sec. 10. National Security and Veterans Affairs Sec. 11. Social Insurance and Human Services Sec. 12. Labor Force, Employment, and Earnings Sec. 13. Income, Expenditures, Poverty, and Wealth Sec. 14. Prices Sec. 15. Business Enterprise Sec. 16. Science and Technology Sec. 17. Agriculture Sec. 18. Forestry, Fishing, and Mining Sec. 19. Energy and Utilities Sec. 20. Construction and Housing Sec. 21. Manufactures Sec. 22. Wholesale and Retail Trade Sec. 23. Transportation Sec. 24. Information and Communications Sec. 25. Banking, Finance, and Insurance Sec. 26. Arts, Recreation, and Travel Sec. 27. Accommodation, Food Services, and Other Services Sec. 28. Foreign Commerce and Aid Sec. 29. Puerto Rico and the Island Areas Sec. 30. International Statistics Appendix I. Guides to Sources of Statistics, State Statistical Abstracts and Foreign Statistical Abstracts Appendix II. Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: Concepts, Components, and Population Appendix III. Limitations of the Data Appendix IV. Weights and Measures Appendix V. Tables Deleted From the 2009 Edition of the Statistical Abstract
Supplements
Two specialized data series issued irregularly by the Census Bureau constitute Statistical Abstract supplements:
County and City Data Book - formed by merger of a 1944 Cities Supplement to the Abstract and a 1947 County Data Book, began publication in 1949 with the latest edition being the 14th.
State and Metropolitan Area Data Book - began publication in 1979 with the latest edition being the 7th.
