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| 6 Nov 2025 | |
| Resources |
The People's Data 100 is a Data Coalition initiative to identify and honor the 100 national datasets that deliver the greatest value to Americans. These are the data assets powering daily life—from weather forecasts and GPS navigation to medical research and business information—that enable hundreds of millions of decisions and trillions of dollars in economic activity. The initiative recognizes the invisible data infrastructure that belongs to the American people and works for everyone.
Anyone can nominate datasets at peoplesdata100.org. We welcome nominations from business leaders, researchers, community advocates, government employees, civic technologists, and anyone who relies on federal data. We're looking for broad input on which national datasets create real value in people's lives and work. Please share the nomination form widely with colleagues, industry groups, and communities who depend on federal data.
We define datasets based on their collection infrastructure and primary purpose. Datasets that share collection systems and serve integrated purposes are considered together (like the entire Census or all weather observations). However, datasets serving distinctly different purposes are evaluated separately, even if they come from the same agency. When you nominate, describe the data asset as you actually use it. We'll apply consistent rules to determine dataset boundaries during our evaluation process.
We're using a rigorous, transparent process that combines objective metrics with expert judgment. Data Coalition members will evaluate datasets within their areas of expertise, assessing societal impact, economic value, irreplaceability, and democratic function. A panel of experts will apply objective criteria including usage metrics, data quality and infrastructure, foundational dependencies (how many other datasets rely on it), and scope of coverage. The final list balances both approaches—roughly half objective metrics, half expert assessment.
Usage numbers don't tell the whole story. Some of the most valuable datasets enable critical decisions for smaller user communities—like emissions data protecting vulnerable populations or specialized research data accelerating medical breakthroughs. Others serve as foundational infrastructure that many other datasets depend on. Pure metrics can't capture societal impact, whether private alternatives exist, or a dataset's role in democratic accountability. That's why we're combining measurable criteria with expert judgment.
No—while statistical agencies produce tremendously valuable data, many of the most important national datasets come from regulatory agencies and administrative processes. When businesses file with the SEC, submit emissions reports, or comply with safety regulations, that creates data the government has already collected (or rather, that businesses and citizens have borne the cost of providing). Making such data publicly accessible in standardized formats creates enormous economic value. The People's Data 100 will recognize valuable datasets across all federal agencies and sectors.
No, we're not creating a competitive ranking. The People's Data 100 is an honored list recognizing datasets across different sectors and categories—economic data, public health, environmental and geospatial data, demographic and social data, safety and justice data, and administrative transparency. Different datasets serve different critical purposes for American life. The final publication will organize datasets by sector rather than ranking them numerically. What matters is identifying the data infrastructure that deserves protection, investment, and continued support.
No. The People's Data 100 is a nonpartisan initiative from the Data Foundation, a nonprofit organization recognized by Candid Guidestar with the Platinum Seal of Transparency and 4-Stars from Charity Navigator. Open data has broad bipartisan support—the OPEN Government Data Act was signed by President Trump in 2019 and implementation guidance was issued in January 2025. National datasets serve everyone regardless of political affiliation: farmers use weather data, businesses rely on economic indicators, researchers depend on health data, and investors need company filings. The Data Coalition brings together diverse stakeholders—business, civil society, academia, and civic technology—united by the principle that accessible, high-quality government data benefits all Americans.
The Data Coalition is an initiative of the Data Foundation that brings together a diverse community of industry leaders, government allies, and data experts dedicated to improving government, business, and society through open data and evidence-informed public policy. As a trusted knowledge broker between industry and government, Data Coalition members have been instrumental in the successful enactment of numerous data-related laws over the past decade. The Coalition supports implementation of good data practices through advocacy, thought leadership, collaboration, and strategic networking opportunities that promote evidence-informed decision-making.
The Data Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. that champions the use of open data and evidence-informed public policy to make society better for everyone. As a nonpartisan think tank, we conduct research, collaborative thought leadership, and advocacy programs that advance practical policies for the creation and use of accessible, trustworthy data. The Data Foundation is recognized by Candid Guidestar with the Platinum Seal of Transparency and received 4-Stars from Charity Navigator. Learn more at datafoundation.org.
The People's Data 100 joins the Data Foundation's initiatives demonstrating data's public value. Together, they tell a complete story: the Datum Awards recognize the federal leaders transforming how we use data to serve the public; MyDataStory shows how national data touches individual lives through personal stories; and The People's Data 100 identifies the datasets delivering the greatest value to Americans. These initiatives work together to celebrate both the champions advancing government data and the data assets they steward, making the case for continued investment in our data infrastructure.
Your nomination can be anonymous if you choose not to include your name and contact information in the form. However, providing contact information helps us follow up if we need clarification about your nomination and allows us to keep you updated on the initiative's progress. Whether you identify yourself or not, all nominations will be evaluated using the same rigorous criteria.
Yes! Please nominate as many datasets as you believe deliver significant value to Americans. We encourage you to nominate all the federal data assets that matter to your work, your community, or the broader economy. Each nomination helps us build a comprehensive picture of the data infrastructure that powers American life.
The People's Data 100 defines the Data Coalition's advocacy priorities. These are the data assets we'll work to strengthen, protect, and ensure achieve substantial value. This means advocating for policies that improve accessibility and quality, identifying needed funding and infrastructure investments during budget cycles, strengthening data standards and documentation, and ensuring these assets continue delivering value to Americans. When resources are constrained, The People's Data 100 provides clear evidence of where investment creates the greatest public return.
The People's Data 100 aligns with and supports implementation of the OPEN Government Data Act, which establishes that government data should be open by default. In January 2025, OMB issued implementation guidance (M-25-05) that agencies are now working to follow. Our initiative provides signals to help prioritize investments—articulating which datasets deliver significant value. The initiative complements official government processes by giving data users and stakeholders a clear channel to signal which data assets matter most to the economy and society.
Nominate datasets at peoplesdata100.org—tell us which data matters to your work and community, and share the nomination form with colleagues and networks who rely on federal data.
Join the Data Coalition to participate in the evaluation process and help shape our advocacy priorities. Data Coalition members representing business, civil society, academia, and civic technology have the opportunity to evaluate datasets within their expertise and directly influence which data assets receive recognition and advocacy support.
Think about what you do every day! When you drive down the road, you rely on GPS (maintained by the Department of Defense) and traffic data. Flying on an airplane depends on weather forecasts, air traffic safety data, and aircraft registration information. Using the internet relies on standards and infrastructure data. Visiting a doctor involves medical research data, drug safety information, and healthcare quality metrics. Checking your weather app, comparing mortgage rates, looking up a business—all powered by federal data. If you're a business owner, think about economic indicators, industry statistics, or regulatory information you reference. You can also explore Data.gov to browse federal datasets by topic, or visit agency websites in areas relevant to your work. Even if you're not sure whether something qualifies, nominate it! We'll evaluate all submissions using our criteria.
