Iowa State University Extension

Extension to Communities

Existing Data Approach

To Needs Assessment

A large volume of community-related data is routinely collected by various government agencies and community groups. Analyzing this data can be useful in identifying community problems and needs.

The Iowa PROfiles web site has census and economic data for Iowa cities and counties. The U.S. Census Bureau is also an excellent source of data.

Data for Decision Makers is a series of publications containing economic and demographic data for each of Iowa's 99 counties.

Your Iowa State University County Extension Offices have a library of statistical resources that you can look at. The Iowa Counties: Selected Population Trends, Vital Statistics, and Socioeconomic Data book is updated yearly. It contains Iowa statistics on population and housing, births, deaths, marriages, employment, income, and social statistics.

Advantages
  1. Makes use of already existing statistical data
  2. Can be done relatively quickly
  3. Easy to chart changes over time
Disadvantages
  1. Indicators often are indirect
  2. Available information may be dated
  3. Does not consider people's perceptions of needs
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.
Questions or comments? Contact the Extension to Communities Secretary, lindaek@iastate.edu
last updated Thursday March 01 2001