Cool Data

I am collecting a list of the most interesting economic data I have found on the web. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of every data web site but just what I have found most useful for my infographics about the economy.

INCOME

Income Inequality in the United States, 1913-1998 [xls file]

Emmanuel Saez and Thomas Piketty have been analyzing IRS micro files for several years and have constructed annual series based on income reported on individual tax returns. It is the best source I know of if you want to know the  how much to the wealthiest people (Top 1%, 0.1% and 0.01%) earn in the United States.

Number of Households per Income Range, 2007 [xls file]
Number of Families per Income Range, 2007 [xls file]

From the Census Bureau, using these tables one can create the income distribution curve for incomes up to $250,000. I used household income in my 2005 graphic.

Want to suggest other dataset you can let me know by filling out this form. Please include:

• Link to the data source
• Short title/description
• Explain why it’s “cool” data