Find the Data You Need with Over 130 Programs and Surveys from the U.S. Census Bureau

The U.S. Census Bureau is typically associated with the once-a-decade count of the entire population of the United States, but did you know the bureau collects and shares data from over 130 surveys and programs?  

Policymakers, business owners, government agencies, nonprofits—everyone no matter their profession or passion can utilize census data. However, with such an extensive data collection, it can be hard to know where to begin. To help get you started on your census data journey, CTData created the post below based on this presentation from the New York Regional Census Center as a roadmap.   

 

The Big Three 

Our census data exploration begins with an introduction to the three major censuses. You will learn more about the decennial and economic censuses later in the post, but here is a quick preview: 

  1. The Decennial Census: Established by Congress in 1790, the decennial census happens every ten years, with the most recent one occurring in 2020. The decennial census counts the population of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas.  

  2. Economic Census: While the decennial census focuses on population and demographics, the economic census centers on the nation’s economy. Conducted every five years, the economic census offers information on nearly every industry and geographic area in the country.  

  3. Census of Governments: Every five years, this census collects data on 90,000 state and local governments across the nation and releases information about government organization and structure, employment, and finances. 

 

Types of Surveys and Programs 

The Census Bureau also collects and shares data on topics including population and demographics, housing, and the economy.  

 

Demographic and Housing Surveys 

Decennial Census: As mentioned above, the decennial census is conducted once every 10 years, with the goal to count the entire population of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. The decennial census informs federal funding for essential programs and services like hospitals, roads, school lunch programs, and more. Data from this count is also used to determine the number of congressional seats for each state. 

American Community Survey (ACS): This survey is conducted once a year, and you may have even participated in one yourself! The American Community Survey shares characteristics about the U.S population. This data can be used for purposes like applying for grants, informing Covid-19 response efforts, and business development because of its insight into communities from a broad to granular perspective.

American Housing Survey (AHS): Sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the American Housing Survey includes information about the “physical condition of homes and neighborhoods, costs of financing and maintaining homes, and characteristics of people who live in these homes.” Community stakeholders, policymakers, and advocates can use this data to understand housing in specific areas and connect community members to resources.  

Population Estimates Program: As its name suggests, this program oversees yearly population estimates and projections for “the United States, states, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, counties, cities, towns, as well as for Puerto Rico and its municipios.” The data produced by this program can illuminate demographic changes such as births, deaths, and migration, and housing unit estimates are also included. Information gleaned from these projections and estimates can be “used in federal funding allocations, as survey controls, denominators for vital rates, per capita time series, and as indicators of recent demographic changes.” 

 

Economic Data and Surveys 

While the Census Bureau’s oldest operation is counting the population, its mission has expanded to collect and publish economic data, as well. Both surveys listed below can be used for a range of purposes. Small business owners and business-to-business enterprises can use this data to identify target markets and locations, and community members can explore the data to learn more about the economic development of their neighborhood.  

Economic Census: Conducted every five years, this census is deemed the “official measure of the nation’s businesses and economy.” The Economic Census provides data on type of establishment, industry, firm operations, earnings, payroll, number of employees. 

Survey of Business Owners: This survey collects data every five years on certain economic and demographic aspects of businesses and business owners, and the data is disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran status.  

 

Want to Learn More? 

As Connecticut’s State Data Center, CTData is here to help you access and understand census data. You can find more resources below from this New York Regional Census Center presentation and browse tools, data, and more on our Census Data page. For general and census data updates, sign up for our newsletters, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.  

 

Resources

Business & Economy, Housing, Demographics & Population, Census & ACSGuest Usercensus