2020 Census Urban Areas Release

The Census Bureau will release the list of 2020 Census urban areas as well as clarification of criteria for identifying both individual urban areas and the rural areas of the nation. (Scheduled for release December 29.)

2021 School Enrollment Data Tables

The U.S. Census Bureau will release school enrollment data that examine the characteristics of people enrolled in school at all levels in 2021 using statistics from the Current Population Survey. The data tables detail enrollment from pre-school through college. (Scheduled for release December 20.) 

Total Population and Components of Change Estimates for the Nation, States and Puerto Rico

The July 1, 2022, population estimates for the nation, states and Puerto Rico, as well as corresponding annual estimates and components of change since the 2020 Census. (Scheduled for release December 22.)

Census Bureau Projects U.S. and World Populations on New Year’s Day

As our nation prepares to ring in the new year, the U.S. Census Bureau will release total population projections for the nation and world for Jan. 1, 2023. For the nation, these projections show annual population growth and growth since Census Day (April 1) 2020. The release will also include components of change estimates (births, deaths and net international migration). Simulated real-time growth of the U.S. and world populations is available on the Census Bureau’s Population Clock. (Scheduled for release December 29.) 

New 2021 Journey to Work Report

The U.S. Census Bureau will release a new report, Home-Based Workers and the COVID-19 Pandemic, that describes trends in working from home during 2019 and 2021. The report uses data from the 2019 and 2021 American Community Survey 1–year estimates to describe the sociodemographic, occupational and geographic patterns associated with working from home the year before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the first full year after the pandemic’s onset. (Scheduled for release in January.)

Household Pulse Survey

The experimental Household Pulse Survey is an effort by the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal statistical agencies to provide near real-time data on how the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes in social and economic conditions are affecting people’s lives to inform federal and state response and recovery planning. Data collection for phase 3.7 is began December 9, with data dissemination, including detailed data tables and public use data files, on a monthly basis. (Scheduled for release January 5; January 25; and February 22.) 

School Pulse Panel

The Census Bureau has begun collecting data from schools for the new School Pulse Panel (SPP) as part of efforts to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and staff in U.S. public schools. The SPP is sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics and collects data on instructional mode offered, learning loss mitigation strategies, staffing levels, safe and healthy school mitigation strategies, use of technology and more. To learn more, visit the School Pulse Panel webpage.

2021 Service Annual Survey

The U.S. Census Bureau is scheduled to release a summary brief based on the new data tables from the 2021 Service Annual Survey (SAS). The brief supports the recently released table package that provides statistics on revenue, payroll, sources of revenue, expenses, exports, inventory, revenue from electronic sources and other selected industry-specific data for service industries. The data are accompanied by supporting materials, including a data visualization that provides revenue statistics for all sectors covered by the Service Annual Survey. (Scheduled for release December 20.)

2022 Economic Census Set to Begin January 2023

The U.S. Census Bureau is set to begin data collection for the 2022 Economic Census January 31. Selected businesses across the nation will be invited to respond online using an improved adaptive collection instrument. The economic census is the U.S. government’s official 5-year measure of businesses in the United States and their economic impact. It provides the most comprehensive data available at the national, state and local level, representing all industries and geographies. More information about the 2022 Economic Census is available online. (Scheduled to begin January 5.)

Business Trends and Outlook Survey

The U.S. Census Bureau launched a new survey to measure business conditions on an ongoing basis. The Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS) is the successor to the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS), a high-frequency survey that measured the effect of changing business conditions during the coronavirus pandemic and other major events like hurricanes on our nation’s small businesses.

BTOS experimental data products are representative of all single-location employer businesses in the U.S. economy, excluding farms. The data will allow greater insight into the state of the economy by providing continuous, timely data for key economic measures. The first data were released October 13, and will continue to be released biweekly and available by sector, state and the 25 most populous metropolitan statistical areas.

Monthly Business Formation Statistics

Business Formation Statistics (BFS) provide timely and high-frequency data on business applications and employer business formations on a monthly basis. The data are available at the state, regional and national level and by industry sector at the national level. The next monthly BFS release is December 14 and will include November 2022 data. 

Stats for Stories provides links to timely story ideas highlighting the U.S. Census Bureau’s newsworthy statistics that relate to current events, observances, holidays and anniversaries. The story ideas are intended to assist the media in story mining and producing content for their respective audiences.

• New Year’s Day: January 1, 2023 
• National Hot Tea Month: January 2023 
• National Poverty in America Awareness Month: January 2023 
• Georgia 235th Anniversary of Statehood (1788): January 2, 2023 
• Connecticut 235th Anniversary of Statehood (1788): January 9, 2023 
• National Milk Day: January 11, 2023 
• National Pharmacist Day: January 12, 2023 
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 16, 2023 
• National Popcorn Day: January 19, 2023 
• National Spouses Day: January 26, 2023 

Radio

By the Numbers: Join us each month as we shine a spotlight on notable observances, anniversaries and historical events for the month ahead. Celebrate your state’s birthday with fun facts. Explore Census Bureau data through audio, video, infographics and more that we invite you to share.  

Check out our December spotlight, which includes:

• A feature on the Holiday Season 
• 4 Facts for the Holiday Season  
• Our History: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and Bill of Rights Day 
• A Celebration of 9 State Anniversaries  
• A look back at the year in Census Bureau data 
• Listen to a 1-minute interactive overview of each of this month’s features  
• Downloadable audio files and scripts     
• Shareable videos to post on social media or embed on your website 

Stay tuned for our next By the Numbers feature.

2020 Census Evaluations and Experiments (EAE)

The Census Bureau released a series of reports designed to assess the quality of 2020 Census programs and operations and test new methods suggested from previous research. These studies included evaluations, experiments, operational assessments, quality control profiles and a topic report. Conclusions and recommendations will play a key role in the design, research, testing and implementation of the 2030 Census.

• Previously posted reports: 2020 In-Office Address Canvassing; 2020 In-Field Address Canvassing.

New Statistics From the American Community Survey to Be Embargoed

The U.S. Census Bureau offered an embargo period for subscribers to view statistics from the 2017-2021 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, which cover more than 40 social, economic, housing and demographic topics such as homeownership rates and costs, health insurance coverage and educational attainment. Embargo subscribers had access to these statistics from December 6, at 10 a.m. EST to December 8, at 12:01 a.m. EST, when the embargo lifted and members of the media were able to post their stories. The data was available to all data users on data.census.gov December 8 by 10 a.m. EST. Spanish

Update on Confidentiality Protections for 2023 Current Population Survey Public-Use File

December 15 —  The U.S. Census Bureau announced modified confidentiality protections for the Current Population Survey Public-Use File (CPS PUF), which will be phased in beginning with the January 2023 panel.

Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates for States, Counties and School Districts

December 15 — The U.S. Census Bureau released new data on small area income and poverty estimates for states, counties and school districts. These data come from the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) program, which provides the only up-to-date, single-year income and poverty statistics for the nation’s 3,142 counties and 13,155 school districts.

2021 Rental Housing Finance Survey

December 13 — The U. S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the 2021 Rental Housing Finance Survey (RHFS) summary tables in the RHFS Table Creator on census.gov. The RHFS Table Creator is an interactive data tool that allows users to create custom tables of financial, mortgage and property characteristics of single-family and multifamily residential properties for rent in the United States. Data available include property, residential structure(s), mortgage characteristics, ownership status, commercial use of space, benefits received and more. Visit the Public Use File (PUF) and Codebook and the RHFS webpage for more information.

Annual Retail Trade Survey

December 15 — This report from the U.S. Census Bureau provides national estimates of total annual sales, e-commerce sales, end-of-year inventories, purchases, total operating expenses and gross margins for retail businesses located in the United States. The Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS) sample covers employer businesses classified in the retail trade sector located in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. ARTS excludes data for businesses located in the U.S. territories. The data are published on a North American Industry Classification System basis and used to benchmark the monthly retail sales and inventory estimates each spring.

2021 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey

December 15 — The U.S. Census Bureau released data from the 2021 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES) highlighting the industries with the largest total capital expenditures for structures and equipment for companies with employees in 2021. Data are based on the 2017 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The ACES provides the only comprehensive estimates of annual U.S. capital expenditures data covering all domestic nonfarm businesses and detailing investments by type and industry.

2021 Annual Survey of Manufactures

December 15 — The U.S. Census Bureau released data from the 2021 Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM). The 2021 ASM provides manufacturing statistics crucial to accurate estimates of domestic production and productivity and to making sound decisions on economic trade policies. Companies, business analysts and trade associations use these data in planning investments, production and marketing. These data are published annually, except in years ending in 2 and 7 when they are included in the manufacturing sector of the economic census.

Release of Business Dynamics Statistics of Single Unit Firms

December 15 — The U.S. Census Bureau has released the Business Dynamics Statistics of Single Unit Firms (BDS-SU) experimental data product. The BDS-SU provides quarterly data showing year-over-year changes in employment for businesses that operate in one location and file their taxes under a single Employer Identification Number (EIN). These data have numerous advantages: 1) simplified reporting of business characteristics since age and size are the same for the firm and the establishment, 2) more precise dating of business entry and exit during the year, 3) ability to capture large temporary disruptions to the economy that happen in a single year, such as the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic recession or a natural disaster, and 4) the inclusion of payroll allows BDS-SU to calculate payroll creation and destruction in an analogous manner to employment. 

Annual Wholesale Trade Survey

December 14 — The AWTS provides statistics about merchant wholesalers of durable and nondurable goods; manufacturers’ sales branches and offices; and wholesale electronic markets, agents and brokers. It produces estimates of sales, e-commerce sales, inventories, purchases and operating expenses. Estimates are published at the national level by 2-digit through 4-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. Data are also released for NAICS 42343 (Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers) and NAICS 42345 (Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers). 

Census Business Builder Version 5.0

December 5 —The U.S. Census Bureau released version 5.0 of the Census Business Builder tool. The updated tool will feature a new look as it combines the Regional Analyst and Small Business editions into a single platform and features new map and legend updates and the latest data available. More information on the Census Business Builder is available online.

The 2022 Holiday Season

November 30 — The holiday season is a time to celebrate, reflect, and give thanks. To commemorate this time of year, the U.S. Census Bureau presents holiday-related facts and figures from its vast collection of statistics.

America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new, inviting way. We feature stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, the economy, emergency preparedness and the population. New stories include:

• LGBT Adults Report Anxiety, Depression at All Ages (December 14)
• Housing Costs a Big Burden on Renters in Largest U.S. Counties (December 8)
• U.S. Poverty Rates Differ by Age and County (December 8)
• What Languages Do We Speak in the United States? (Spanish) (December 6)

Stats for Stories provides links to timely story ideas highlighting the Census Bureau’s newsworthy statistics that relate to current events, observances, holidays and anniversaries. The story ideas are intended to assist the media in story mining and producing content for their respective audiences.

• National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day (First day of Winter): December 21, 2022
• New Jersey 235th Anniversary of Statehood (1787): December 18, 2022
• Wright Brothers Day (1903): December 17, 2022 
• Virginia 245th Anniversary – First State to Ratify Articles of Confederation (1777): December 16, 2022
• Bill of Rights Day (1791): December 15, 2022 
• Pennsylvania 235th Anniversary of Statehood (1787): December 12, 2022
• Mississippi 205th Anniversary of Statehood (1817): December 10, 2022
• Delaware 235th Anniversary of Statehood (1787): December 7, 2022
  
• National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (1941): December 7, 2022
• National Miners Day: December 6, 2022
• Cyber Monday: November 28, 2022
• Small Business Saturday: November 26, 2022
  
• Black Friday: November 25, 2022
• Native American Heritage Day: November 25, 2022
• FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: November 20–December 18
• National Family Week: November 20-26, 2022
• National Aviation History Month: November 2022
• National Diabetes Month: November 2022
• National Family Caregivers Month: November 2022 

Disclosure Avoidance Protections for the American Community Survey

Written by: Donna Daily, Chief, American Community Survey Office

December 14 — We’ve heard from a number of data users lately who have questions about the status of our plans to strengthen confidentiality safeguards for our data products, including the American Community Survey (ACS), the nation’s premier source for detailed population and housing information. We wanted to provide an update as we continue to evolve these safeguards in the face of challenges posed by the digital world we live in.

Emergency Management/Disaster Resources

When major disasters strike, visit our Emergency Management Page to get demographic and economic data on impacted areas. Each disaster will include data from our key Emergency Management Tools: OnTheMap for Emergency Management, Community Resilience Estimates, Census Business Builder: Regional Analyst Edition and other useful resources.

Learn What Surveys Are Being Conducted in Your Community

See which of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 130-plus annual surveys are being conducted in your community. In a variety of surveys and censuses, evolving from the first census in 1790, the Census Bureau provides official information about America’s people, businesses, industries and institutions. Learn more about surveys currently being conducted in each Census Bureau region:

• Atlanta
• Chicago
• Denver
• Los Angeles
• New York
• Philadelphia
• All Surveys

Data Tools

Listed below are a few of the U.S. Census Bureau’s interactive applications used to access statistics from our 130-plus annual surveys. A complete list can be accessed on the Census Bureau’s Data Tools and Apps webpage.

• 2020 Census Quality Metrics Viewer — This map provides a visual tool for exploring 2020 Census operational quality metrics for counties and census tracts.
• OnTheMap for Emergency Management — Access U.S. population and workforce statistics, in real time, for areas being affected by natural disasters.
• Poverty Ratios of School-Age Children in Families by School Districts —This animated map series presents national maps of child poverty rates at the school district level.

Census Bureau Training Opportunities

Webinars are available on a regular basis to help the public access and use U.S. Census Bureau statistics. These free sessions, lasting 60 to 90 minutes each, show how to use Census Bureau databases and mapping tools and find demographic and economic statistics at a local or national level. Descriptions of upcoming sessions are available on our Census Academy page. Login details are provided at least one week before a webinar.

• Census Business Builder (CBB) v5.0 Demonstration (Thursday, January 5, 2-3 p.m. EST)
• Using the Census Survey Explorer to Get Started (Thursday, January 12, 2-3:30 p.m. EST)
• Puerto Rico and the American Community Survey (Wednesday, January 18, 2-3 p.m. EST)
• Finding Your Way Through Census Bureau Geographies (Thursday, January 26, 2-3 p.m. EST)

Archived Training Resources

Visit the Census Bureau’s Educational Resource Library for previously recorded, free training available at your convenience. The library includes presentations, recorded webinars, tutorials and other helpful materials.

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