Data Resources Guide: N.C. OSBM: N.C. Data

 The State Data Center program is a partnership created by the United States Census Bureau in 1978 with all 50 states and  territories to help disseminate data at local levels.  The North Carolina State Data Center leads a cooperative network of state agencies, libraries, universities, and local governments within the state.  The State Library of North Carolina is one of three coordinating agencies of the North Carolina State Data Center. To learn more, visit these websites:

• U.S. Census Bureau State Data Center Program
• N.C. Data Affiliates
  • Local List
  • Service Areas

Yes, North Carolina has a State Demographer!

Our State Demographer, Michael Cline, produces North Carolina estimates to help distribute government funds in our state. He also publishes annual population projections. In addition, he works closely with local governments who provide information about local demographic shifts, such as annexations or construction that impact county and city populations. 

• Learn about the State Demographer
• Explore the State Demographer Platform 
• County Population Estimates
• County/State Population Projections
• Municipal Population Estimates

Learn about data updates and releases by signing up for the NC Data list serve:

https://statelibrarync.simplelists.com

LINC (Log Into North Carolina) is a data platform that allows data visualization, mapping, and downloads.  It is comprised of statistics reported by State and federal agencies, making it a first stop in data retrieval about North Carolina.  Users can register to save inquiries and receive notifications of updates.

• Access LINC
• LINC Registration

Learn More about LINC.

• Navigating LINC
• Using LINC for Research and Visualizations
• Introduction to the State Demographer Data on LINC
• LINC, North Carolina's One-Stop Data Source: A Hands-On Virtual Workshop from the N.C. Government and Heritage Library's Academy

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Practice Exercises:

The best way to learn how to use LINC is to practice.  Here are some exercises to help you locate datasets using LINC filters.  There may be more than one way to locate an answer.

A.  Which counties had the most vacant housing in 1990, and 2010?  

B.  Find the Forsyth County Community College enrollment for all years.

• When is the earliest year?
• When is the latest?

C. What state has the most and the least electric car charging stations? 

• What is NC’s rank? 
• How did you find the data? 

Start your search! 

A.  Which counties had the most vacant housing in 1990, and 2010?  

• Use filter search for "vacant"
• Choose dataset "Census Housing and Household"
• Select
  • Area Type: County
  • Years: 1990 and 2020
  • Variable: Vacant Housing Units

B. Find the Forsyth County Community College enrollment for all years.

There are multiple search options:

• Select
  • Dataset: Education     or
  • Variable "Community College Enrollment"
• Area type "County"
  • Area Name "Forsyth County"
  • Within the table use the arrow keys to the right of the "Year" column to sort year.

C.  Which state has the most and the least electric car charging stations? 

• Locate "State Comparisons" under Themes
• Choose “State Comparisons - Energy and Utilities.”

*This is tricky because there is a subgroup in "State Comparisons" for “Transportation.”