Catalog of Administrative Data Sets

Administrative data are information collected, used, and stored primarily for administrative (i.e., operational), rather than research, purposes. These data can be an excellent source of information for use in research and impact evaluation. Specific requirements and processes for obtaining data vary by data source. To assist researchers in screening potential data sources, J-PAL North America has cataloged a number of key US data sets. The catalog documents procedures on how to access data based on information provided by the originating agencies.

For further information, view all of J-PAL North America's current resources related to administrative data

Used by a J-PAL affiliate for a randomized evaluation.
First year for which the data set is available.
State or province
Personally identifiable information is available such that data may be linked to external data sources.
62 result(s)
  • Health

Colorado Vital Statistics and Health Information Data Set

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Registries and Vital Statistics Branch (RVSB)
Individual-level vital records data from birth and death certificates in Colorado.
  • Political Economy and Governance

Colorado Voter Records

Colorado Secretary of State
Individual-level data on all registered voters in the state of Colorado. Voter record include registration status, voting activity, as well as geographic information.
  • Crime, Violence, and Conflict

Criminal Justice Administrative Records System (CJARS) Data

University of Michigan U.S. Census Bureau law enforcement departments, criminal court systems, correctional departments, and state repositories at the state, county, and municipal level
Nationally harmonized database that tracks criminal justice episode(s) across 24 states for an individual including arrests, court charges and dispositions, probation terms, incarceration terms, and parole terms.
  • Labor Markets

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Rental Assistance Program Data

Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) Public Housing Agencies (PHAs)
Household-level and/or member-level data on residents who participate in HUD’s housing rental assistance programs, such as public housing, housing choice vouchers, and multifamily housing (including project-based section 8).
  • Education

District of Columbia (DC) Public Schools

DC Public Schools (DCPS)
Student-level data collected by DCPS including grades and attendance data.
  • Education

Florida Department of Education

Florida Department of Education Bureau of Accountability Reporting, PK-20 Education Data Warehouse (EDW)
Individual student level data on Florida public school students, including course, enrollment and test data, and post-education outcome data.
  • Education

Houston Independent School District (HISD) Data

Houston Independent School District (HISD)
Student-level information collected by HISD, including data on demographics, transcripts, assessment results, teacher administration and a variety of other outcomes.
  • Crime, Violence, and Conflict

Illinois Criminal History Record Information

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) Research & Analysis Unit, Illinois State Police (ISP)
Individual-level data on the arrest cycle, including misdemeanors and subsequent formal events in the criminal justice system, since the 1960s.
  • Health

Illinois Department of Public Health Discharge Data

Illinois Department of Public Health
Patient encounter data on health care utilization and cost in all acute care hospitals, specialty hospitals, and ambulatory surgical clinics in Illinois.
  • Labor Markets

Illinois State Unemployment Insurance Program Data

Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
Information on employees on Unemployment Insurance (UI) collected from individuals, employers, and workforce service providers in the course of administering unemployment insurance programs and benefits in the state of Illinois.