Linda ZellmerGovernment Information & Data Services

LibrarianWestern Illinois University

LR-Zellmer@wiu.edu

IntroductionSources of community information.

State & Local information.Census Data.Agricultural Data.Grant Resources.Historical Resources (tourism).

State & Local InformationCommunity Profiles (Illinois Department of

Commerce & Economic Development).County and Community Information (Illinois

Department of Commerce & Economic Development).

School Test Scores.Illinois Chamber of Commerce – local chambers

sometimes link to area businesses.Yellow Pages – number and types of businesses

in a particular category (restaurants, plumbers, etc.).

Census & Economic DataAmerican FactFinder (U.S. Census Bureau).Single site for accessing population, housing &

economic data.Decennial Census – data collected for every

resident every 10 years.American Community Survey – annual survey of a

sample of the population.Economic Census – data collected every 5 years.Annual Economic Surveys – County Business

Patterns.Some data may not be available at the community

level (privacy issues).

American FactFinder

Agricultural DataAgricultural Statistics – data on production, prices

and exports.Census of Agriculture – data on production, land

use & ownership, farm operators, production practices, income, farm expenditures and other topics.

Crop Progress – weekly report on planting, growing and harvesting progress and condition of crops.

Weekly Weather & Crop Bulletin – weather information, impact of weather on crops & crop progress.

Grant ResourcesUSDA Rural Development Grants.U.S. Department of Housing & Urban

Development – rural development grants.National Trust for Historic Preservation –

funds surveys of structures for historic preservation.

Historical ResourcesHistorical Tourism.Historic Structures Inventory – available for

most Illinois counties and some communities.Illinois Historic Aerial Photographs.Historic Maps.

David Rumsey Collection – http://www.davidrumsey.com.

University of Illinois Digital Maps - http://images.library.uiuc.edu/projects/maps/.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.Warner & Beers Atlas of the State of Illinois,

1876.

Historic Structures Inventory

Historic Aerial PhotographsPhase I Site Assessment.How was this property used before I decided

to buy it?What type of business has been located on

this property before I decided to buy it for my business?

Good for identifying potential environmental problems (leaking underground storage tanks, waste oil disposal).

Havana, 1938

David Rumsey Collection

David Rumsey Collection

University of Illinois Digital Maps

Carthage, Illinois Topographic Map.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

Nature TourismOther tourism options – visit state park,

natural features or other local sites (tour a farm).

Illinois State Geological Survey – Field Trip Guidebooks.

Spring & Fall Migration and mating seasons.Winter Bald Eagles.Illinois Natural History Survey.Illinois Audubon Society.Nature Conservancy in Illinois.

Online DemonstrationAmerican Factfinder –

http://www.factfinder.gov/.David Rumsey Collection –

http://www.davidrumsey.com.