Linked below are the best tools we know of to find information about child care, schools, crime, demographics and more.  If you notice omissions or have ideas or suggestions, please send us an email. (For voter information, see Who Represents You?)

  1. Databases
  2. Specialized Directories & Guides
  3. Schools & Children
  4. Government Records
1) Databases

Census 2000: North Central Texas Council of Governments
 If you are looking for Census 2000 data in the DFW area, this is the best place to start.  You can download data electronically or even generate a report of demographics within a certain radius of your location.  Or choose your zip code or census tract. To find out what census tract you live in, click on this link. For a quick, statistical overview of Dallas demographics, click on this link. For data at the level of counties and cities, please see the American Community Survey, also from the Census Bureau and searchable from the American Factfinder site.

Community Information Database: Nonprofits, Agencies & Associations
The Community Information Database (CID) has contact information for 5,500 community organizations located in the Dallas area, including nonprofits, business associations, hobby groups, government agencies and more.  A browsable list of subject terms is also available online.

Crime Statistics: Dallas Police Department
There are several ways to access crime information in Dallas: 

  1. The Dallas Police Department publishes crime maps online.
  2. For crime data by zipcodes, see the Analyze Dallas database. 
  3. To access crime data by police reporting areas or to access the sex offender registry use this link. To find out what police beat or reporting area you live in, use this online map, being sure to click inside the square labeled "Check this box...". 

(Note that the Dallas Police Department makes available an online  Residential Reference Guide and Apartment Reference Guide to assist neighborhood Crime Watch groups.)

Dallas Central Appraisal District: Property Tax Information
Here you can search properties owned by individuals or corporations, either by street address or by the owner's name.  There are line drawings of buildings on each property, square footage, assessed values, market values and more.

Dallas City Code
Use this site to search for local City codes.  (Note that building, mechanical and plumbing and  codes are not available online. These can be accessed at the Building Inspection Office or at the Central Library, 6th floor.) 

Dallas County Elections Department
 Registered Dallas County voters can find their precinct by entering their names in the "Voter Registration Information" database. Or, simply enter a street address.  (Note: For further voter information, see our webpage called "Who represents me?")

Dallas International
 DFW International is a coalition of over 1,600 North Texas immigrant, ethnic, and internationally focused civic, community and educational organizations. Resources include lists of local ethnic organizations, dance and music workshops and performers and a comprehensive guide to English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

Foundation for Community Empowerment (FCE)
Analyze Dallas brings together data from a variety of sources on demographics, crime, housing, transportation and more and makes it available at various geographies, including census tracts, zipcodes and City Council districts. FCE is a partner in the Dallas Indicators project, a repository of key community measures on housing, health, environment, education, etc. (Most of the information takes the form of tables, lists or reports.)

iCommunities: North Central Texas Council of Governments
 This database from the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) enables you to find out many details about street addresses in the area.  You can even choose to see aerial photographs.

MLA Language Map Data Center
The Modern Language Association has created an easy-to-use database containing Census 2000 data about languages spoken at home. By plugging in a zip code, you can easily see what languages are spoken in a given area, including the number of individual speakers.

Reference USA
 Use your Dallas Public Library card to log in to this frequently updated database of residential and business telephone numbers.  You can search businesses using SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) or NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes and download selected records into spreadsheets.

Regional Directory 
 This annual publication from the North Central Texas Council of Governments is available for purchase or as a free, online database. It includes elected and administrative officials and contact information for cities, counties, school districts and special taxing districts.

Traffic Counts
Want to find out how many vehicles per day pass by a particular location?
Simply enter a street name in this database. Traffic counts are estimated vehicle volumes for an average 24-hour period.  In most cases, the count is for both directions of travel combined.

Volunteer Center of North Texas
 Looking for a way to give back to your community?  The Volunteer Center of North Texas offers an online database of volunteer opportunities and also publishes and annual guide, around the winter holidays. Or just enter your zipcode in Volunteer Match and find opportunities near you.

WiFi Hotspots
 Laptop computer users may consult sites from Auscillate or WifiFreeSpot to locate hotspots in the area. Note that some sites connect to services requiring registration and payment by the hour.

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2) Specialized Directories & Guides

Animal Rescue Groups
 There are well over 100 breed-specific animal rescue groups active in the Dallas area.  Here are two ways to find them:

Dallas / Fort Worth Media Directory
This directory, updated quarterly, contains names and contact information for broadcast and print media published in the Dallas / Fort Worth area, including foreign-language publications. [Ref. 302.23025 F494]

Directory of Dallas County Foundations
 Based on the latest available IRS Form 990-PF and information from the foundations, the Directory provides essential data on 472 private foundations located in Dallas County and the cities of Plano and McKinney. [Ref. 361.70257 D598 2001]

Community Council of Greater Dallas
The Community Council produces a number of essential guides to human services, some of which are freely available from their Website and some of which are available for sale. It also staffs a hotline offering comprehensive information on human services, including emergency services. To access the hotline, simply dial 211.

D / FW Party & Event Planner's Sourcebook
 This publication includes a wealth of useful information, including which restaurants have private rooms available for rental [Ref. 642.4 D14].  (You may also search on facilities or venues in the Library's Community Information Database.)

Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce Directories
http://www.dallaschamber.org

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3) Schools & Children

The Library's Community Information Database lists information on nearly 50 summer programs for children.

The Childcare Directory
 This annual publication provides comprehensive listings for daycare options in Dallas and many surrounding suburbs.  [Ref. 362.70976 C536]

Dallas Public Schools - School & Staff Directory
 This is an annual publication listing details about public schools in Dallas. [Ref. 370.25 D145]

A Guide to DFW Private Schools
 Directory of private schools in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex, useful for locating and comparing educational options.
 [Ref. 371.02025 M194G ]

isdCommunities
This site provides maps of Independent School Districts in the region.  It also provides a basic, statistical overview of each school district.  Provided by the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

Texas Education Agency's Academic Excellence Indicator System
These reports provide information on how different schools stack up on the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test.

Texas Department of Family & Protective Services - Child Care Finder
This agency, which regulates daycares and residential facilities, provides an online database of licensed child care providers.

The Web Guide to DFW Private Schools
This is an online version of the book listed just above.  It lets you do things like search for schools located just in a particular zipcode. 

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4) Government Records

Dallas County Clerk's Office
For information on how to obtain vital records, including birth and death certificates, see this website.  Copies of marriage licenses are also available from the County Clerk as are criminal records. If you cannot go in person, try the online records search.  It is free to search, but a fee is charged to view the results.  Details are online.

Texas Department of Public Safety
 This database contains information on sex offenders, criminal history and missing persons. Registration and fees apply.  See website for details. (To search for registered sex offenders by zipcode in Dallas, see the Dallas Police Department website).

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