State Data Center

About the State Data Center


The State Data Center (SDC) Program is a cooperative program between the states and the Census Bureau that was created in 1978 to make data available locally to the public through a network of state agencies, universities, libraries, and regional and local governments. The State Library of Kansas began as the lead agency in Kansas in 1982. In November 2018, the Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR) at the University of Kansas was appointed as the Lead Agency for the State Data Center and works closely with a network of coordinating and affiliate agencies, which are located throughout the state. The State Library will remain involved as a coordinating agency.

State Data Center Network


These agencies assist the SDC network by providing expert analysis and products:

Institute for Policy & Social Research


As of November 2018, the Institute for Policy and Social Research (IPSR) IPSR is designated as the Lead State Data Center in Kansas. The IPSR receives or accesses Census publications, CD and DVD-ROMs, and other electronic data files for Kansas and neighboring states. IPSR has a web application that allows users to create custom tables, graphs, and maps from the Kansas Data Archive, a repository of state, county, and city-level demographic and socioeconomic data for Kansas.

The IPSR web site also features an application that allows users to create Census 2000 profiles for a user-defined area. IPSR publishes county-level data profiles for all Kansas counties in addition to the Kansas Statistical Abstract, all of which are freely-available from the web site. IPSR staff are able to field general Census and other state data questions, create custom data extracts, and assist users in data visualization, including GIS. Some services may require a fee. For more information, please email Xan Wedel or call 785-864-3701.

Center for Economic Development and Business Research

The mission of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research (CEDBR) is to enhance the region's economic growth and development by:

  • collecting, analyzing and disseminating business, economic and demographic information
  • conducting applied business, economic and demographic research
  • serving as a vital link between the business and economic development community, Wichita State University and the W. Frank Barton School of Business.
The CEDBR strives to be recognized by the business and economic development community as:

  • a reliable and responsive source for business, economic and demographic information, and as an
  • essential partner in the region's economic development process by conducting high-quality, objective research on issues related to the community's current and future economic well-being.

Docking Institute of Public Affairs


The Docking Institute of Public Affairs is a public policy research institute located at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. Since its founding in 1980, the Docking Institute has worked with hundreds of local, state and regional organizations, agencies and communities to assist them in charting their future success. Our mission is to facilitate effective
decision-making among governmental and non-profit leaders. The Institute's six primary programs are:
  • Survey research, program evaluation research, public policy research, and community and economic development research
  • Strategic planning and consulting
  • Grants facilitation
  • Economic and community development consulting
  • Public administration training programs
  • Public affairs programming through conferences, speakers, forums, television and radio programming, newspaper columns, and scholarly publications

​Kelce Business and Economic Research Center (BERC)

The Business and Economic Research Center is an economic development research resource located at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. BERC is committed to nurturing economic development in the Pittsburg Micropolitan Area, Southeast Kansas, and entire Tri-State region by:
  • Maintaining and disseminating a wide range of relevant regional, state, and national economic statistics
  • Developing public outreach including the publication of the quarterly Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Profile
  • Conducting various fee and grant-based programs for both the private and public sectors
  • Creating proprietary economic impact studies, economic modeling, and more
BERC staff can provide the information and conduct the custom research necessary for business and non-profit decision-makers to make well-informed choices for their organizations.