ProQuest Revives The Statistical Abstract of the United States

ProQuest has published the 2013 edition of the Statistical Abstract of the United States, rescuing one of researchers’ most valued reference tools — the premier collection of statistics on the United States and its people. The ProQuest Statistical Abstract is available in new online and print editions. The work that went into producing the online edition leverages ProQuest’s particular expertise creating superior digital statistical references. The print edition — published in cooperation with Bernan Publishing — strongly resembles beloved past editions.

“ProQuest has a unique set of strengths that made this project a perfect fit for us. We have a staff experienced in working with statistical data, a deep understanding of how the ‘Stat Ab’ is used by researchers and a relationship with government statisticians that could enable a smooth transition,” said Susan Bokern, ProQuest Vice President, Information Solutions. “So, when the Census Bureau announced that it would cease production of the Statistical Abstract after the 2012 edition, we felt a responsibility to step in and ensure this essential research tool would continue. It turned out to be a labor of love and we’re confident that researchers will be delighted with the results.”

ProQuest’s Bethesda-based staff of 25 statistical editors has been acquiring, indexing and republishing Federal statistics since 1973, building a reputation for accuracy and precision annotation. As a result, ProQuest Statistical Abstract of the United States 2013 continues its dual role as answer book and source guide, presenting high-value data in a way that makes it simple for users to locate just the right nugget of information.

ProQuest has enhanced both editions of the ProQuest Statistical Abstract. The online edition boosts researcher productivity and precision with…
Line-item access to tables

Monthly updates to tables as the data becomes available.

Table-specific capabilities for narrowing results by source, data date, subject, and type of data breakdown
Spreadsheets with deep time series too detailed for the print version.

The print edition resembles the Census version that users know and love. Roughly 99% of the tables in the 2012 edition are republished in the new edition, fully updated if new data has been issued this year. New tables have been added on such topics as same-sex households, student loan debt, “under-water” mortgages, and trade with China. Additionally, the ProQuest version includes updated introductory sections, bibliographic documentation, and a back-of-the book index.