Institute offers searchable economic indicators database

Researchers at the University of Kansas have created a new tool to help local and state organizations gather information on the state’s economic climate.

 

The Economic Indicators Database, designed by staff at KU’s Institute for Educational Research and Public Service, is intended to help entities gather economic information to use in grant applications and for other projects.  The database contains a collection of economic indicators broken down by county in the state of Kansas. 

 

“Our Head Start programs see the impact of the recession every day, as families experience job losses, income reductions and the loss of basic needs like food and shelter,” said Mary Baskett, Executive Director of the Kansas Head Start Association.  “The recession indicators database created by KU provides up-to-date quantitative evidence of this impact by county, which is critical to documenting the needs of children and families in grant applications and other requests for funding.” 

 

The data, gathered from national, state and local sources, was selected to show the effects of the recession on local economies.  The database has information on 18 economic indicators including: percentage of unemployment; median household income; property tax generation; percentage of public school children in the Free and Reduced-Cost Lunch program; percent change in sales tax distribution; and household Food Stamp participation.

 

For more information about using the database, access the instruction information or contact Rebecca Gillam.