Editorial policy
How we source data, what each number on this site means, and what we do when we get something wrong.
Where our data comes from
Reference figures are compiled from files published by federal agencies. Every page that shows a figure names the issuing agency, the dataset, the dataset year, and a link to the source file.
We reproduce published values as-is. We do not adjust, smooth, or interpolate an agency’s numbers.
How we classify every value
Each figure we publish carries one of five classifications. Only the first may be attributed to a government agency.
official_source- Reproduced exactly as published by the issuing agency.
user_input- A value you entered on this page.
calculated- Computed from official values and your inputs using the formula shown.
derived- Inferred from official data by DotGovSource. Not published by any agency.
estimated- An approximation produced by DotGovSource. Not an official figure.
What we will not publish
- A value we generated presented as an agency figure. If we do not have an agency’s data for something, the page says so and shows nothing in its place.
- A dataset year taken from the calendar rather than from the dataset. A page serving a 2025 file says 2025, whatever today’s date is.
- Structured data describing content that is not on the page, such as invented FAQs or ratings.
Corrections
When we find that a published figure was wrong, we correct the underlying data and the pages that use it. Where a correction changes what a page previously stated, we record it in the repository’s documentation rather than replacing the number silently.
Independence
DotGovSource is an independent private website. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any U.S. government agency.
Nothing on this site is financial, legal, tax, or lending advice. Confirm any figure with the issuing agency or a licensed professional before relying on it for a transaction.