Below is a listing of some of the many US agencies included in the Data Planet repository that collect and disseminate statistical data relevant to creating a business plan. This data ranges across a wide array of subject areas: demography, industry, commerce, banking, finance, housing, agriculture, and more - the best source for your research will depend on the services or products you are interested in bringing to market.
The links surface samples of their data included in the Data Planet repository. Note that the searches retrieve top-level views of datasets in the Data Planet Statistical Ready Reference interface: there are many more indicators and variables included in each dataset. Add additional keywords to retrieve more precise results, and drill into the datasets and compare statistics across nations in Data Planet Statistical Datasets.
Bureau of Economic Analysis Along with the Census Bureau and STAT-USA, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is part of the Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration. BEA produces economic accounts statistics that enable government and business decisionmakers, researchers, and the public to follow and understand the performance of the United States economy. BEA economic statistics are key ingredients in critical decisions affecting monetary policy, tax and budget projections, and business investment plans. The cornerstone of BEA's statistics is the national income and product accounts (NIPAs), which feature the estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) and related measures. BEA prepares national, regional, industry, and international accounts that present essential information on such key issues as economic growth, regional economic development, interindustry relationships, and the nation's position in the world economy.
Bureau of Labor Statistics The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the United States Department of Labor is the principal fact-finding agency for the federal government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is an independent national statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical data to the American public, the US Congress, other federal agencies, state and local governments, business, and labor. The BLS also serves as a statistical resource to the Department of Labor.
EASI Analytics Easy Analytic Software Inc. (EASI) is a New-York based software engineering and statistical modeling firm that specializes in consumer demographics. Using input data from the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Mediamark, EASI develops model-based indicators of the demographic characteristics, consumer spending, and behavior patterns for a wide range of geographic areas—State, counties, census tracts, and block groups. Mediamark is a market research firm that annually publishes The Survey of the American Consumer, based on detailed interviews of 26,000 households. [Note: This is a premium dataset and may not be available at your institution.]
Energy Information Administration The Energy Information Administration (EIA), created by Congress in 1977, is an independent statistical and analytical agency within the United States Department of Energy. Its mission is to provide policy-independent data, forecasts, and analyses to promote sound policy making, efficient markets, and public understanding regarding energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.
Internal Revenue Service The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is a bureau of the United States Department of the Treasury. Its mission is to help US taxpayers understand and meet their tax responsibilities and enforce the law with integrity and fairness. The Revenue Act of 1916 mandated the annual publication of statistics related to “the operations of the internal revenue laws” as they affect individuals, businesses, estates, nonprofit organizations, trusts, investments abroad and foreign investments in the US. The Statistics of Income Division (http://www.irs.gov/taxstats/) fulfills this function by collecting and processing data and sharing data with other government agencies and the general public.
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau is a bureau of the United States Department of Commerce. The major functions of the Census Bureau are authorized by Article 2, Section 2 of the United States Constitution, which provides that a census of population shall be taken every 10 years, and by Title 13 and Title 26 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. The Census Bureau is responsible for numerous statistical programs, including census and surveys of households, governments, manufacturing and industries, and for United States foreign trade statistics. The first United States census was conducted in 1790 for the purposes of apportioning state representation in the House of Representatives of the United States and for the apportionment of taxes.
United States Department of Agriculture The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was created by the Agricultural Act of May 15, 1862, signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln. Key activities include: expanding markets for agricultural products and support international economic development; further developing alternative markets for agricultural products and activities; providing financing needed to help expand job opportunities and improve housing, utilities, and infrastructure in rural America; enhancing food safety by taking steps to reduce the prevalence of food-borne hazards; improving nutrition and health by providing food assistance and nutrition education and promotion; and managing and protecting America's public and private lands working cooperatively with other levels of government and the private sector. Major data statistical programs of USDA include the Economic Research Service, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and the World Agricultural Outlook Board.
In creating your business plan, you need to answer a number of questions relevant to business climate. For example, what's the local business climate in the area where I want to sell my product? What's the local employment picture in the area where I will produce my product? Are companies engaged in my industry doing well?
Stock market data can help you understand how well other companies in your industry are doing. The trend below tracks stock performance for companies in the solar industry:
You're interested in providing elder care services in Florida or Pennsylvania - states that your market research has shown are attractive to seniors. How does the tax environment compare - see the chart below:
You're determined to launch a skateboard manufacturing company in the Phoenix metropolitan area. What's the average wages of production workers in the area - see the trend below:
Define your business idea and then use statistics to explore the viability of its success!
American Community Survey - Provides granular information about communities, including transportation, housing, and much more.
Consumer Price Index Several datasets include the Consumer Price Index for the US. Linked here is CPI as produced by Bureau of Labor Statistics, considered the official source of this index.
Housing Price Index This index is produced by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Also see Zillow for more housing related statistics.
Local Areas Personal Income and Employment This dataset presents annual estimates of personal income and employment for states and counties in the Untied States. These estimates are developed as part of the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Economic Accounts program.