How Dependent Are We on Federal Data?
Current changes in federal agencies and policies raise concerns about immediate consequences, with potential impacts that could extend for years to come. This is particularly true when it comes to the multitude of data sources we rely on for local decision making. In response, HDC has highlighted the need to make investments in local capacities to fill potential gaps. While we may intuitively know these impacts may be significant based on experience working with community partners across sectors and over time, it is important to understand in specific and concrete terms the role federal data sources play in local decision making.
To illustrate this potential impact, we analyzed the State of Hawaiʻi Data Book. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) compiles the State of Hawai‘i Data Book annually as “the official summary of statistics on the social, economic, and political organization of our state.” Comprised of 842 data tables across domains such as population, vital statistics and health, and education, the Data Book serves not only as a valuable data resource but also indicates where we are currently dependent on federal data.
To understand where these dependencies, and therefore potential gaps exist, we conducted an analysis of sources used for each table in the Data Book. If a table was reliant wholly or in part on a federal data source, it was categorized as ‘Reliant on Federal Data.’ Otherwise, we labeled the data source as ’Local Government’ or ’Non-Government.’ For those tables identified as reliant on federal data, we recorded the specific federal agency source (e.g. Census Bureau, National Agricultural Statistics Service, etc.) to examine which agency’s data was most frequently utilized.
Out of the 842 tables in the Data Book, 441 (52%) relied wholly or in part on federal data, while 304 (36%) were based entirely on state and county data. The remaining tables drew from non-government or a mix of local government and non-government data.
State of Hawai‘i Data Book Sources
To understand the impact of federal data thematically, we looked at the proportion of data sources for each section of the Data Book. This helped us see, for example, that population (counts by geographies and demographics) and agriculture data are highly dependent on federal sources, while education, law enforcement, and travel are less so. Overall, most Data Book sections have a significant number of tables reliant on federal sources.
Data Sources by Data Book Section
The following chart shows which federal agencies the State Data Book is most reliant upon for data. Not surprisingly, Census Bureau data is by far the most frequently used.
Number of Tables by Federal Sub-Agency
* This graph only shows sub-agency data sources used in three or more tables in the Data Book. An additional 40 federal sub-agencies informed the remaining tables. Further, the overall count does not include tables where there were multiple sub-agency data sources, and tables where the specific sub-agency was not identified.
The Impact of Federal Data on Other Resources
In addition to the Data Book, we also looked at the Aloha+ Challenge Dashboard, which tracks progress on the “statewide public-private commitment to achieve Hawai‘i's social, economic, and environmental goals by 2030.” We found that of the 33 indicators tracked, 36% rely on federal sources; 58% represent local data; and the remaining 6% rely on non-government sources. Only under ‘Green Workforce and Education’ are the majority of indicators based on federal data, while ‘Solid Waste Reduction’ is based entirely on local government data.
Other commonly referenced data reports about Hawaiʻi include the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Profile – Hawai‘i and the United Way The State of ALICE in Hawai‘i report. These reports, compiled outside of Hawai‘i, track the progress and wellbeing of children, individuals, and families, and are based entirely on federal data. These reports are eagerly anticipated, receive regular coverage by local media, and are relied upon by local leaders and advocates for understanding and highlighting the circumstances of those in need in our state.
Short and Long-Term Perspectives on Federal Data
For now, federal data is good data – robust, reliable, and stewarded by top experts from a wide range of disciplines. Using this data has been and is still currently prudent. If shifts in policy and declines in agency resources and staffing continue, however, these valuable data resources may be curtailed or cease to exist entirely. To address this long-term uncertainty, now is the time to take steps to identify and address local data gaps so we may avoid “flying blind” on Hawai’i’s most pressing challenges.