FTS: The Politics of Housing and Homelessness: Community Data

In the US, many states have robust websites that will contain - among other things - information and statistics about local communities. It may take a little digging to uncover the information you're looking for, but be persistent and contact me if you need help. I've listed some examples from the State of Minnesota & the US government below; use these or see if you can find relevant pages for different states OR countries, depending on your community:

• Geographic Profiles with statewide, regional and local data - from Minnesota Compass
• Community Profiles (Twin Cities metro area only) from the Metropolitan Council
• State of Minnesota is the web portal to exploring resources provided by the state; most states will have a similar portal. Spend some time searching to find information, statistics, and the agencies and individuals who might be talking about your problem. You might also want to consult the Minnesota State Demographic Center.
• Statistical Abstracts Series: includes hundreds of tables of figures on population, economics, social factors in the US; the most recent volume (2021) is available in print at the small shelves near the Reference Desk.
• USA.gov is the US government's official web portal. If your local community is not within the US, see if your country has a similar portal (most will), as well as searching your local province or state websites.
• US Census Bureau provides access to all kinds of data from US communities; look for options to search local data

Here are two guides that include links to all kind of additional statistical sources online:

• Guide to Statistics is a library guide with all kinds of links to various statistical sources
• Statistical Sites on the World Wide Web comes to us from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics

These sites provide overviews and in-depth information about housing and homelessness at both state and national levels. You can also search for other organizations & resources online, especially if you're researching a different state.

• Housing (from the Census Bureau) 
• Housing Matters: An Urban Institute Initiative
• Minnesota Department of Human Services - Housing & Homelessness
• Minnesota Homelessness Study
• National Alliance to End Homelessness
• National Coalition for the Homeless
• National Homelessness Law Center
• US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Here are some resources that will help you explore the communities of Mankato and Nicollet. Browse the recommended resources to find statistics, data, reports, etc. You can also look to see if these communities have any commissions or boards studying housing issues. Also read the city council minutes to find out if and how they're discussing housing:

• Mankato Government Page
• Nicollet Government Page
• Blue Earth County Government (Mankato's county)
• Nicollet County Government (This is the county that the city of Nicollet is in)

To research area schools, visit the Minnesota Department of Education website. Click on Data Center to find data on Mankato and Nicollet schools

Related nonprofits in the area; use these sites to get a better sense of the issues within local communities:

• Partners for Housing
• Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership
• CADA: Supporting Survivors & Violence Free Communities

Here are some additional sites that might be useful for you, depending on the question you are exploring. Use them to find national and state-level data on various issues related to your city council presentation.

Domestic Assault Data

Employment Data

Crime