Federal Statistical System
The 13 principal statistical agencies
The Federal statistical system consists of 13 principal statistical agencies each tasked with collecting, processing, analyzing, and disseminating data in their subject areas.
Seal |
Agency |
Department or Agency |
Established |
FY24 Budget (millions)A |
U.S. Department of Commerce |
1903 |
$1,503.9 | ||
1884 |
$698 | |||
U.S. Department of Education |
1867 |
$369.8 | ||
U.S. Department of Agriculture |
1961 |
$211.1 | ||
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
1960 |
$187.4 | ||
U.S. Department of Energy |
1977 |
$135 | ||
1972 |
$130 | |||
1979 |
$42 | |||
1961 |
$92.6 | |||
1950 |
$92.1 | |||
Statistics of Income Division, |
1862 |
$45.6 | ||
Social Security Administration |
1935 |
$41.3 | ||
U.S. Department of Transportation |
1992 |
$29.5 |
A Source: White House, “Leveraging Federal Statistics to Strengthen Evidence-Based Decision-Making” ().
Coordination
is responsible for coordinating the Federal statistical system, aiming to ensure its efficiency, effectiveness, integrity, objectivity, impartiality, utility, and confidentiality of information collected for statistical purposes. Part of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of the Chief Statistician develops and maintains statistical policies and standards, promulgates regulations, identifies priorities for improving programs, assesses statistical agency budgets, and reviews and approves agencies’ plans to collect information from households, businesses, and government entities.
The Interagency Council of Statistical Policy (ICSP) advises and assists the Director of OMB in coordinating the statistical system and setting statistical policy. The Chief Statistician of the U.S. chairs the ICSP. The ICSP has 24 members, including the heads of the 13 principal statistical agencies and 11 others designated as Statistical Officials in other departments or agencies that have a statistical agency or unit.