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Population Estimates

For a broad range of demographic topics that are comparable over the entire nation use the U.S. Census Bureau.

For population estimates between census years and projections use the Wisconsin Department of Administration's Demographic Services Center.

Income Estimates

Total personal income for states, metropolitan areas and counties that includes detail from all income sources and per capita personal income from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis' State and Personal Income.

Median household income, median family income and other income estimates are found in the income section at the U.S. Bureau of Census. These files include census items and reports from monthly and annual surveys.

Poverty estimates are found in the poverty section of the U.S. Bureau of Census. These data define the poverty line and give percentages of an area's population above or below the poverty threshold.

Economic Indicators

Economic Indicators including County Business Patterns, Manufacturing orders, Economic Census, Building Permits (by county), Foreign trade by states, and more are found in the U.S. Census Bureau site.

Census Information

By zip codes, cities, counties, and towns from the U.S. Bureau of Census' American Fact Finder. Clicking the Fact Sheet or People is a good way to browse topic areas by specific geographies. Note: The census site is very large and the American Fact Finder tool may not be the easiest to use initially. Please contact your regional labor market analyst/economist to assist with data that is difficult to find. Current population, household and income estimates are quickly displayed using State and County Quick Facts from the U.S. Census Bureau site.

Labor Force and Industry Employment

Estimates gathered by all states under the guidance of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Much of the labor market information posted on this site and the Wisconsin Bureau of Workforce Information is gathered by DWD in cooperation with BLS. Some of the more useful and popular links on the BLS site are:

U.S. Economy at a Glance - pick a state to find current and historic labor market information for states and metropolitan statistical areas.

Get Detailed State and County Statistics - Scroll to "Create Customized Tables (one screen)" for employment by industry for any state or county.

Get Detailed LAUS Statistics - Scroll to "Create customized tables" for current and historic local area unemployment statistics for every county, metropolitan area, and state.

Consumer Price Indexes - Provides monthly data on changes in the prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services. This is the most commonly used gauge of inflation.

Occupation information

From O*NET sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor to provide information skills needed, job tasks, educational level requirements, etc. for over 1,000 occupations.

Other Department of Workforce Development Sites

WORKnet is an interactive website developed by the Department of Workforce Development, Bureau of Workforce Information to serve as the portal for other sites within the Department, other state agencies, and national sites. WORKnet's secondary goal is to provide relevant, timely, and user friendly labor market information.

A Wisconsin Cookbook, Using Labor Market Information to Understand Your Local Economy (PDF, 2MB) is a document on how to use labor market analysis for local economic planning.

Wisconsin Labor Laws are posted by DWD's Division of Equal Rights to inform employers and workers of laws pertaining to civil rights and labor standards. The site includes information and posters regarding minimum wage rates, child labor laws, hours of work, and other Wisconsin laws and regulations regarding employment in Wisconsin.