NICAR Database Library

Did you know you are slightly more likely to die within a month of your birthday? Or that people are fleeing some of the US's largest cities?

Well, maybe you did know that stuff. But there's only one way to talk about these concepts with authority. There's only one way to find out exactly how much more likely you are to die within a month of your birthday and how many people are fleeing urban areas.

And that's with data.

The NICAR Data Library has recently updated two datasets in our collection that can help reporters get a handle on the living (those moving around, at least) and the dead -- the IRS Migration data and the Social Security Death Master file.

The IRS Migration data shows, on the county level, the population that moves from one place to another in the United States. Where are people in your locale moving to? Where do the newcomers hail from? You can't get this stuff from the Census -- IRS tax returns are among the best sources for reporters who want to discuss who's coming and going.

The Social Security Master Death File sits among the crown jewels in the NICAR collection. Released by the Social Security Administration, it is a government-kept list of records showing people who have died in the United States since 1937. Many journalists have used this information to get clues about dead people in local voter rolls.

The datasets are only available to IRE Members, who can now purchase data on demand with this site. So if you're a member, please register today!