Pioneer Institute Launches US DataLabs: A Powerful New Tool for Citizen Engagement and Government Accountability
BOSTON, MA — Pioneer Institute today announced the launch of US DataLabs, a groundbreaking online platform designed to empower citizens with the data needed to effectively engage with policy makers.
US DataLabs is based on the notion that states compete for labor, business, people, and many other assets. The site will show the public how their state stacks up against others and is a resource to allow users to ask the right questions and hold governments accountable.
“US Data Labs is about putting power in the hands of the people,” said Mary Connaughton, Pioneer’s director of government transparency and chief operating officer. “When citizens have access to high-quality, comparative data, they can ask better questions, demand better outcomes, and make more informed decisions—whether it’s about where to live, how to vote, or what policies to support. States are indeed laboratories of democracy, and US DataLabs gives every American the tools to effectively participate in this experiment.”
US DataLabs compiles decades of longitudinal data across all 50 states and Washington DC in nine core policy areas—Government, Economy, Education, Infrastructure, Population, Taxation, Energy, Health, and Crime & Justice. The platform allows users to conduct their own research, compare state rankings, and explore trends across states and over time.
With just a few clicks, users can answer critical questions such as:
- Where is housing construction accelerating most rapidly?
- Where are young adults moving?
- How dependent are states on coal for electricity generation?
- How does my state compare in educational outcomes, healthcare spending, school shootings or other crime rates?
US Data Labs aggregates statistics from leading federal sources, including:
- U.S. Energy Information Agency
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics
- National Transit Database
- IRS SOI Tax Statistics
- FBI Crime Statistics
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Bureau of Economic Analysis
- Census Bureau
- National Center for Education Statistics
- Nation’s Report Card
- Business Dynamics Statistics
Pioneer will also release original reports and public education campaigns based on the data discoveries made through the platform.
Visit https://usdatalabs.org/ to explore US DataLabs and unlock a new era of data-driven citizenship.
