Handbooks

Reporter’s Field Guide: Data Sources in California

By Paloma Esquivel

A guide to publicly available data in California on criminal justice, education, the environment, state and local finances and more.

This is a live document that will regularly updated. Access the most recent version here.

First Published: January 29, 2026

Data is one of the most important tools in a reporter’s toolbox. It can be the foundation of a deeply-reported story or enhance stories with support based in numbers. The good news is that across California, various agencies collect and publicly report data on many of the most important topics covered by journalists: criminal justice, education, health, state and local finances, and more.

This guide is designed to help point reporters to some of what’s available at the state and local levels. We also include examples of stories and reports that show how the data has been used previously.

The majority of the data we’ve highlighted here is shared directly by the government, but we have also highlighted some data from other sources, including nonprofits and other groups. (Those are included under the subhead non-governmental sources.)

These are a few things to keep in mind when using this guide:

  • Use it as a tip sheet but be sure to always review sources, methodology and data dictionaries for any data you plan to report on.
  • Proceed with caution when using any dataset. Always ask questions and double check definitions, numbers, and assumptions to make sure the data shows what you think it shows.
  • Remember that some data may have use limitations, terms of use or conditions that require the data only be used with certain conditions. Be sure to check any listed limitations or agreements before proceeding.
  • Publicly posted data is often (though not always) relatively dated. Datasets may reflect information from a couple of years ago, or more. If that’s the case, consider whether you should submit public records requests for updated data. Use what’s already available as a guide for what information the agency collects and how it collects it. And if citing dated data, be clear about the time frame it covers and, when applicable, note it is the latest available from the data source.

We plan to periodically update this guide as additional sources are made available, we become aware of additional sources or links change. If you have any tips, email us at [email protected].

The guide is divided into the following sections:

  1. Statewide: Government Sources
  2. Criminal Justice: Government Sources
  3. Criminal Justice: Non-Government Sources
  4. Criminal Justice (Prisons and Jails): Government Sources
  5. Education: Government Sources
  6. Environment: Government Sources
  7. Health: Government Sources
  8. Housing: Government Sources
  9. State and Local Government Finances: Government Sources
  10. State and Local Government Finances: Non-Government Sources