Where can I find statistics and what statistics should I look for?

Which is what lead to this question list.For example, I can memorize and quote market statistics, absorption rates, common housing types, and the such, but it's still suggested at that level of knowledge you don't "know the market". 

I looked it up and it looks great...just type in the address, it give crime statistics, school ratings. etc., so that should be helpful in your neighborhood analyses.  

I realize that I became another statistic of the times, as so many people were going through hardships and losing their homes.

Great answers to this post.In addition to the items already mentioned, I would add the following:local population over 100,000MSA (metropolitan statistical area) population close to, or above, 1 millionInternational airportzoopublic transportationThese are some of the things I like to see. 

I was writing what was supposed to be my first post (about the blog Calculated Risk), and in the process I looked into some Seattle statistics.

Time will tell whether they become interested in marriage (large percent say they will never marry) and having children will influence their decision to move to areas with lower costs of living and lower priced homes.Personally, I think the statistical fact that young people are interested in staying uncommitted is great for real estate investors.  

I hear that statistic a lot and it would make sense that in most businesses it's like that. 

I believe there are some statistics that talk about the learning habits of people that says that our brains only retain a certain amount of information over a given time.

Please show me some statistics that indicate that the crime is increasing in the neighborhoods you listed.