CTData provided data literacy training and coaching sessions for each of the state’s legal service providers, helping them to develop a framework for measuring their impact. The coaching sessions with each provider also helped CTData understand the challenges faced across the legal aid system and build a framework for further research. This work to strengthen each organization’s data literacy and impact measurement laid the foundation for moving towards a shared data language and eventually better measurement across the system.
Read MoreWhile the topic of “disappearing data” may seem alarmist, or perhaps relevant only to data people, what we are learning about changes to the support of our publicly funded data is going to affect every organization, including non-profit and for-profit organizations. At our May 30 event in Hartford, we learned more about what is happening to data and data partnership that is affecting state data, what we can do in our own organizations to follow the law and protect privacy, and most importantly, identified actions that we can all take as participants in this great democracy.
Read MoreOn the afternoon of Tuesday May 13th, inside the historic Hall of Flags at the Connecticut State Capitol, Hartford youth took the spotlight. The 2025 Hartford Youth Data Walk, hosted by CTData, brought together young people, community leaders, nonprofit partners, and policymakers to engage with powerful, youth-led presentations rooted in local data. Click to read more.
Read MoreThe United States leads the world in providing open access to government data. However, the neutrality and availability of crucial data required for informed decision-making, dissemination of public funds, public services, and research, is at risk.
In our recent webinar, Safeguarding Federal Data for Democracy, experts from across the country gathered to discuss the urgent need to preserve public data, the threats facing federal data infrastructure, and we data users can respond.
Read MoreWhen designing surveys that include LGBTQ+ demographic questions, how do we balance the need for data with respect for privacy and identity? Our March Equity in Data Community of Practice session tackled this challenge by examining real-world examples and developing inclusive, transparent, and trustworthy data collection guidelines.
Read MoreThe 2025 Hartford Youth Data Fellows hosted members from Hartford Decides at the Swift Factory this past March, creating a powerful intersection of youth engagement, data literacy, and community activism. During this session, the Fellows learned firsthand about participatory budgeting—a democratic process that allows community members to directly decide how to allocate a portion of a public budget.
Read MoreHartford Promise faced challenges with their outdated data system while providing scholarships to Hartford public high school graduates. CTData helped them develop a strategic data plan that improved their ability to track impact and support scholars.
Read MoreThe 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates were released in December 2024. The ACS is a survey administered by the U.S. Census Bureau, reaching 3.5 million households nationwide and over 30,000 households in Connecticut in 2023. ACS data tables cover a variety of topics, including demographics, housing, and income.
Read MoreApril 1, 2030 will be our next Census Day. Today, in anticipation of that day, we're reflecting on the remarkable impact of the Census Bureau—a cornerstone of American data transparency. Read more.
Read MoreHave you ever tried downloading data across multiple years and towns, only to encounter a bunch of steps for what should be a straightforward question? We've been there too, which is why we created and recently updated our Data by Topic tool! This new and improved platform provides convenient way to access Connecticut data at state, town, county, and planning region levels.* Explore the tool with this webinar.
Read MoreTransportation infrastructure shapes not just how we move, but the economic opportunities and daily costs faced by residents. The newly confirmed U.S. Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, issued a memo on January 16th that could significantly affect the transportation landscape of the country. In this post, we examine the potential impacts of such a demographically-driven policy on Connecticut.
Read MoreThis past Tuesday, we submitted detailed recommendations to improve the Census Bureau’s race and ethnicity code list, drawing on years of experience with Census and ACS data. Our team identified several areas for improvement that, if addressed, should make a real difference in how Connecticut’s diverse communities are represented.
Read MoreIn January 2025, we held a Community of Practice session focused on the Race and Ethnicity Coding Improvement Project. The Census survey includes a write-in response option under race categories, and to better capture how people racially and ethnically self-identify, the Census Bureau is seeking feedback on its Race and Ethnicity Coding List. Submissions are due by February 18th. These changes will directly impact our understanding of community demographics in Connecticut, ensuring the data reflects the state's rich diversity.
Read MoreData Strategic Planning was able to transform how organizations like the SHU Discovery Science Center and Planetarium leverage their data for strategic decision-making and stakeholder engagement. Through structured workshops and personalized coaching, the program empowers nonprofits to address critical questions about their data needs while building a stronger data culture across Connecticut's public service landscape.
Read MoreOn December 19th, 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau released their vintage 2024 population estimates for the nation and states. This estimates series incorporates a methodological change to how the Census Bureau estimated net international migration, resulting in substantially higher nationwide estimates of net international migration over the last several years.
Read MoreConnecticut’s Secretary of the State has published results for the 2024 presidential election on their data portal. In this analysis, we explore changes in voter turnout and shifts in voting patterns using data from 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Read MoreOn September 23, 2024, we introduced our new 2024 Population Estimates Dashboard through an informational webinar. This powerful tool provides easy access to Connecticut census data from 2020 to the present for each of the state's towns and planning regions, marking a significant step forward in making vital demographic information easily accessible to the public, researchers and policymakers.
Read MoreIn May of 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program (PEP) released their vintage 2023 population estimates for Connecticut’s towns. However, there are some important caveats to keep in mind when interpreting Connecticut’s population estimates. In this blog post, we discuss some errors and adjustments in the Census Bureau's population estimates for Connecticut and provide guidance for data users.
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