
Working Paper
The Value of Piped Water and Sewers: Evidence from 19th Century Chicago
WP 25-07 – The value of land doubled when sewer and water lines were installed in 19th century Chicago. The aggregate increase in land values exceeded the cost of installing sewer and water by a factor of 60.
Featured Work
Workforce & Economic Development
Article
Regional Spotlight: Technology vs. the Middle Class
Economic Insights — Thanks in part to technological change, many midwage occupations have vanished over the last 50 years. Are there lessons we can learn from this period that will help us in the age of AI?
Working Paper
Flood Underinsurance
WP 24-23 – Using data on expected flood damage and National Flood Insurance Program policies, we estimate annual flood risk protection gaps and underinsurance among single-family residences in the contiguous United States.
Brief
Timing of Flood Insurance Payments
In this research brief, we document important stylized facts about the payout structure and speed of flood insurance claims from the National Flood Insurance Program underwritten by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Featured Data

Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey
Monthly survey of manufacturers in the Third District
Updated: 20 Mar ’25

State Leading Indexes
Six-month forecast of the coincident index for each of the 50 states
Updated: April 29, 2020

COVID-19 Business Outlook Survey
Special survey (now monthly, previously weekly) of firms in the Third District
Updated: 23 Dec ’20

State Coincident Indexes
Monthly index of general economic conditions for each of the 50 states
Updated: 31 Jan ’25

Nonmanufacturing Business Outlook Survey
Monthly survey of nonmanufacturing businesses in the Third District
Updated: 25 Mar ’25

Third District Beige Book
Qualitative assessment of economic conditions in the Third District released prior to each FOMC meeting
Updated: 05 Mar ’25