Proquest Statistical Abstract of the United States 2022: The National Data Book

This highly respected classic has been a reference fixture and go-to resource in libraries for many decades. Both readers and library staff value the work not only for its content but also for being a convenient and easy-to-use, one-stop hub for their statistical needs. After the Census Bureau ended production of the Abstract in 2011, ProQuest published it the next year and has continued to curate data and produce annual volumes while retaining the format and structure of previous editions—much to the delight of the library community. The current version is organized into 30 topical sections, 1,416 data tables, four appendixes, and an index. Of the tables, 40 are new, and 33 old ones have been cut. Several of the new tables provide in-depth information on current topics of interest: “Average Class Size in Public and Private Schools by Selected School Characteristics, 2018”; “COVID-19: Vaccinations by Week”; and “Customs and Border Patrol Drug Seizures, 2018–2020.” Population and election data for 2020 are represented in several tables. For many tables, data is current up to September 2021. Although national-level statistics are clearly emphasized, plenty of numbers are included on regions, individual states, and selected metropolitan areas. The last two sections are devoted to Puerto Rico and Island Areas and international studies. Most users will be able to use the book without much difficulty, although a guide on how to read/interpret the tables and an appendix on the limitation of the data are excellent aids for maximizing and understanding the wide range of facts and figures. The detailed index is an excellent tool for locating tables and individual subjects.