Data Biographies
Many people want to know about the data that we share on Communities Count. We analyze and present data from many different sources and we know that it is important to provide information about the context, strengths, and limitations of data. Each data biography below includes information about where the data is from including how, where, when, and why it was collected. We hope you find these data biographies helpful!
Learn more about each of the following data sources:
| Data Source | Description |
|---|---|
| American Community Survey | The American Community Survey is a national survey of U.S. households fielded by the Census Bureau. ACS provides important data about demographic and socioeconomic characteristics including jobs and occupations, educational attainment, housing and other topics. To read the American Community Survey data biography, click here. |
| Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System | The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is a survey of adults that gathers information about health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services. To read the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data biography, click here. |
| Best Starts for Kids Health Survey | The Best Starts for Kids Health Survey is a survey about the health, well-being, strengths, and needs of King County children 5th grade and younger and their families. To read the Best Starts for Kids Health Survey data biography, click here. |
| Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System (CHARS) | The Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System (CHARS) is a system used to collect and track data to identify and analyze hospitalization trends. It contains data on the diagnosis, treatment, and demographics of patients admitted to hospitals in Washington State. To read the CHARS data biography, click here. |
| Healthy Youth Survey | The Healthy Youth Survey is a survey of Washington State public school students in grades 6-12 that asks about mental health, substance use, safety and violence, and related risk and protective factors. To read the Healthy Youth Survey data biography, click here. |
| Medicaid Data | Medicaid (also called Apple Health in Washington) data comes from enrollment and claims administrative data, which includes demographic information about the Medicaid beneficiary and details of submitted Medicaid claims. To read the Medicaid data biography, click here. |
| Population Estimates | The population estimates are approximations of the population size and demographic makeup within a given geographic area at a specific point in time. To read the population estimates data biography, click here. |
| Public Housing Authority Data | Public Housing Authority (PHA) data contains information about federally funded programs administered by King County Housing Authority (KCHA) and Seattle Housing Authority (SHA). To read the PHA data biography, click here. |
| Washington State Vital Statistics (Deaths) | Death data comes from death certificates and includes demographic information about the decedent as well as cause of death. To read the Washington State Vital Statistics (Deaths) data biography, click here. |
| Washington State Vital Statistics (Births) | Birth data comes from birth certificates and includes demographic information about the parents, newborn, and the delivery, such as birth weight, pregnancy history, prenatal care, smoking status, method of delivery, and risk factors in pregnancy. To read the Washington State Vital Statistics (Births) data biography, click here. |
To learn more about what a data biography is, click here.
Questions?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for additional support.
If you have more questions about these data biographies you may contact us at data.request@kingcounty.gov.