Through use of practical examples and a plainspoken narrative style that minimizes the use of math, Running the Numbers demystifies data concepts, sources, and methods for individuals interested in understanding economic and social issues at the regional level. By blending elements of a general interest book, a textbook, and a reference book, it equips civic leaders, public administrators, urban planners, nonprofit executives, philanthropists, journalists, and graduate students in various public affairs disciplines to wield social and economic data for the benefit of their communities.