Delivery Times for Data
Our triple-check process, ensures you receive the most accurate available data at the time of ordering. This means that all data is cross-checked three times before sending for currency, quality, accuracy in a special process. This is because data can change from the moment of gathering, and moment of ordering.
All files are then prepared manually by our experienced data analysts.
This means, at current, we deliver multiple data points 4-10 working days (M-F) after order.
Smaller single data points orders will be sent quicker. Often in 1-2 working days.
More guidance on delivery times here. We can work with you, so please kindly advise your needs.
Top Questions Asked about City Data by People Like You
How many cities do you have data on?
2thinknow have full data on all cities in the Urban Cities list. That's 500+ cities.
Where have I seen 2thinknow data used?
You may recall Boston or London were named the world's most innovative cities - this is entirely 2thinknow data in the Innovation Cities Index since 2007 - and one way we built our expertise and large data sets in this area (since starting our first research in 2005) is building the world's largest and longest running index for innovation in cities since 2007. This Index alone has been in 1,000s of media articles in almost every major language and global news sources like Entrepreneur, NY Times (Freakonomics), Forbes, Les Echos, Huff Po, Reuters wires, Boston Globe, ORF (Austria), Khaleej Times (GCC), ABC Radio Australia, China Daily, CTV Canada and others.
You will also have see Tech Insiders Advanced Tech Cities Index in thousands more articles, or Dynamic Cities by Savills, Deloitte Mobility Index at Las Vegas or IESE Cities in Motion in the past. All these (among many more sources like PWC, Brookings and JLL use 2thinknow for inputs). Type 2thinknow into Google for some samples, or ask us.
You may not be aware but many major FMCG and retail stores have used 2thinknow data to decide where to locate their stores.
Same with world's top consulting firms in major industries, who consider our data a safe reliable option for their blue chip clients.
What data products can I use?
There are two main products: Data Points licensed for business, market, consulting and research purposes.
City Indicators licensed for city performance monitoring purposes (mainly) by cities and government.
Whats the difference between Data Points and Indicators?
Data Points are single units of data - e.g. Number of startups per city, GDP per capita per city, % of bicycle riders. These are standardized for safety and lower risk - using 2thinknow unique processes - so you are comparing apples with apples across different cultures. (With internet data you may be comparing apples and oranges). > Data Points
Indicators combine multiple of these Data Points (2-10), with a global ranking (from 500+ cities) and a global performance benchmark score (0 to 5) by 2thinknow. This simplifies the process of ranking and comparing cities performance over time, using advanced data science and maths behind the scenes to simplify city rankings for non-technical people. > Indicators
Indicators are also available in our simple City Scorecard product allowing one city to benchmark itself against all others easily on any mix of Indicators.
For business uses or academic research Data Points are better.
For cities and city researchers Indicators can be better.
How can I access your data?
You can request a Proposal for most requirements and we will allow you to select any list of cities and list of Data Points or Indicators.
You can also order data online for Indicators and some Data Points - more coming soon.
What format is your data sent in?
In an Excel format for your ease of use. Each Data Point contains a statistic, Units, Source, Year of Data, and any relevant Analyst Notes.
If you need a summary sheet or a Scorecard this is also possible.
What year is your data?
Data is typically the single most recent year, often this year or last year for most cities. Sometimes it may be a prior year.
You can ask when requesting a Proposal, but our data is guaranteed to be the Best Available.
Do you have any missing data?
For all Data Points and Indicators 2thinknow have complete data for all 500+ cities in the Urban Cities list.
For Metropolitan Areas and Extended Urban Areas city list we have the data for the majority, but this may take longer to locate.
How much data in your data set?
There are 1,000 data points available for cities and 4,000 data points available on each city in the Urban City list. The majority of this is available for the other lists.
If you tell us what areas you are interested in we will send you a Matrix of recommended Data Points. This may be Smart Cities, livability, tech, sustainability, transport, investment, economic development, and all other city themes.
Can I get the full list of Data Points?
We prefer our analysts to advise clients via email on the selection of Data Points as experts. This ensures you don't select the wrong Data Points.
Where do you get your data from?
Over 5,000 sources are used and accessed by 2thinknow data analysts. This includes our own data gathered or calculated over 10 years+, as well as common sources such as World Bank, US Census, local censuses or UN, and a large range of local sources including police departments, mayors offices and online sources. We may blend sources and often combine sources to cross check accuracy.
What is your data methodology?
The difference is 2thinknow standardize this data and make it all comparable. So you compare apples with apples (not with oranges).
By default data from so many sources is not interchangeable (this is why news media often seem wrong).
If you work with data and dig into it you will find that virtually no data is comparable by default. That's where 2thinknow magic data science comes in.
This means 2thinknow ensures your data is more accurate, and makes your data job easy and with less worry.
How can I select which cities I want?
Easy. You can view the Urban Cities list and other cities lists here.
Most people select cities from the Urban Cities list - unless you have highly specific needs.
You can download an Excel file and mark the cities you want in yellow, or copy paste them into an email. It's better to mark them in the file as some cities cover multiple locations in different countries (e.g. London UK and London Canada, Manchester UK and Manchester USA or San Juan everywhere!).
How do I place an order?
You can order Indicators online , all the data on any Single City online or City Scorecard online and pay via Credit Card.
Some individual Data Points (a limited number to date) can be ordered online here.
Otherwise request a Proposal and we will send you a Proposal with pricing.
Simply click to Accept Proposal then pay online via Credit card to complete your order. For wire transfer or other methods, Accept and contact us for invoice.
How long is the guarantee period on my data?
There is a 60 day guarantee on all data work against errors and omissions. This means you have 60 days from last of files shipped (in the first full set) to request corrections to those files or clarifications of those files.
This protects you, and ensures that you get support on your data and has been very popular with customers.
2thinknow will investigate all reasonable alternate sources provided during the data guarantee period, and rectify any errors or omissions, or provide an analyst note with explanation of variances identified by the Customer.
What's the difference between Urban and Metropolitan Area list cities?
Urban definitions are the most commonly accepted urban definition of the city. i.e. what would most people term the city. 2thinknow have spent 10 years developing these definitions, to be the most logical definition of 'what a city is'.
Metropolitan Area definitions are commonly accepted (not so easy to agree on) Metro Area definitions of the greater city and commuter belt and may include more than one city. In the case of the U.S. these are U.S. Metro areas (which may not reflect reality of living in a city).
We can also use your preferred definitions and standardize data to that (at added cost). More info on definitions.
Can I reproduce data in an Index or ranking?
This means you have 60 days from last of files shipped (in the first full set) to request corrections to those files or clarifications of those files.
What other uses have customers used your data?
Customers have used city data:
- to evaluate launching products or services
- to identify the size of markets for products or services
- to open or close locations/offices
- to measure the revenue size of markets (we can provide Total Addressable Market data on your markets)
- to plan for staff welfare
- to locate manufacturing or other facilities
- to plan marketing spend
- to identify other market characteristics
- to plan services for citizens
- to plan to target customer segments
- to road test strategy
- to evaluate service delivery to citizens
- to plan government services
- to measure cities
- to measure success of change initiatives
- to produce reports on market characteristics
- to advise clients on any of the above
- and a myriad of other uses.
Am I right to think that all in the list of data points are available in all cities in the list (=no missing data points for any city)?
Yes that is correct. If you choose a city on our extended list or non-major / emerging city on a metro list this may take some time longer to compile and cross-check any missing data from sources that's all.
Can I publish the data?
Upon purchase, you may use all the Data Points disguised in an Index or ranking or mathematical study. You may publish the Index but not the raw Data Points or Indicators.
You may also quote (e.g. to media, events and online) percentage changes in raw Data Points or Index over time provided you
a) hold a current license with 2thinknow, and
b) attribute data to 2thinknow.
Can I share the data with my client as a consultant?
Data Points provided by 2thinknow are licensed to the client for sharing with a single client of your firm, as per our Terms and Conditions.
Can you customize the data to our needs?
Yes of course. We can add or create new data points. We can add or create data for cities, vary definitions, and work with you in whole new ways.
Please ask.