Instead of highlighting one single stat this week, I thought, "why not tell my data-deprived readers how to feed their own stat hunger?" The next time you need some quick numbers to fill space in an essay, or want to fact-check that bitter windbag who says he has the stats to prove that pollution is beneficial, you'll know where to get the data.   

• federalreserve.gov: A great source for economic data, this site has everything from interest rates to our total national debt.     
• irs.gov: Whether you're wondering how many people file taxes or just want the scoop on how many people are millionaires, this is the place.
• census.gov: Get the current population of the U.S., see how many people have health insurance and everything in between.
• ed.gov: The go-to site for education stats, this has everything from how many computers are in the average public school to total school enrollment numbers.
• epa.gov: Go here for statistics on air pollution and also check the EPA's EnviroFacts.
• mpaa.org: Learn how many movies were released during the year and how much the movie industry made, among other things--like how much revenue is lost to piracy (not that you'd ever do that).
• ncaa.org: Find statistics on NCAA-sanctioned college sports--that means everything from what-the-heck sports like rifle and bowling to watch-it-in-primetime ones like football and basketball.

Also, check out fedstats.gov for access to stats from more than 100 government agencies. Finally, just remember that Staten Island has the most statisticians in the U.S.--I have the stats to prove it. 

--Jens

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