Data.census.gov Newsletter – November 2024

What's New?

Over the past eight months, we have added numerous improvements to data.census.gov. Your feedback is essential in helping us add features that matter most to you. Check out our newest enhancements and let us know what you think at [email protected].

• Address Search: This feature provides a clickable list of Census Bureau geographies that shows within what areas an address falls.
• Geography Information Dataset: Combines all disseminated geographies into one centralized location and includes spatial attributes for the disseminated geographies, such as a point of internal latitude, a point of internal longitude, and the area of the water and land both in square meters and square miles.
• New Table Controls – API Button: The new API button provides an API request to access data and metadata for the table you are viewing.
• New Apps Tab – API Updates:
  • The API key sign-up page has been updated.
  • The new API status page shows the status of our API and response times.
• Improved maps:
  • GeoJSON button: This new button in maps offers boundary files in GeoJSON format.
  • Editable Map Title: The new edit button for map titles lets you create custom titles for your map.
  • New Margins of Error Toggle and Download Button: The new toggle feature that shows margins of error is displayed in the table view for your map, and users now have the ability to download a table in the map view.
• Population Pyramid Improvements: A clickable progress bar now allows users to navigate between different sections of the app or start over from the beginning. Access the Geography Profile by clicking the geography name underlined with dotted lines. A new source statement has been added to the widget. URLs include the GEO ID to capture your geography selection, allowing you to share results to specific population pyramids.
• Enhanced Messaging and Usability Updates: The messaging for several features has been improved. The Tables message now indicates when no data is available for a specific filter combination. The Columns button has been renamed for clarity, allowing users to show or hide table columns. Additionally, when viewing table content on mobile devices, users can tap cells with truncated text to see the full content in a pop-up.
• Geography Profile Enhancements: Ancestry, industry, and occupation bar charts appear in descending order. The industry chart shows the top 10 industries for your selected geography.
• Improved Default Views: Geography filters are now ordered by the Geography ID, replacing the previous alphanumeric sorting of geography names.
• Improved Default Views: International Trade Codes: Codes are now grouped under a new category titled “International Trade Codes” within the filter panel for easier navigation.
• Improved Default Views: ACS 5-Year Estimates: Census.gov will automatically show you data from the ACS 5-Year Estimates in most instances when you have made a filter selection to choose a collection of geographies, such as "All Counties in Indiana."

October Releases

October 1, 2024
November 2023 CPS Computer and Internet Use Supplement

October 8, 2024
Incremental Developmental Code Release

October 10, 2024
September 2024 Current Population Survey Basic Monthly

October 17, 2024
2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Supplemental Estimates

2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Public Use Microdata Sample

2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Puerto Rico Public Use Microdata Sample

January 2024 CPS Displaced Worker, Employee Tenure, and Occupational Mobility Supplement

October 29, 2024
2012 Commodity Flow Survey Public Use Microdata: Destination of Shipments

2017 Commodity Flow Survey Public Use Microdata: Destination of Shipments

2012 Commodity Flow Survey Public Use Microdata: Origin of Shipments

2017 Commodity Flow Survey Public Use Microdata: Origin of Shipments

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Featured Video Tutorials

Exploring Address Search on data.census.gov

In this video we show you how to use an exciting new feature on data.census.gov — our address search functionality!

Determining Population Density Using the GEOINFO on data.census.gov

In this data.census.gov tutorial, we introduce you to the new GEOINFO dataset, which provides land and water area measurements for all the geographies that are disseminated by the Census Bureau during a calendar year.

Find this and other video tutorials on our Resources page.

Upcoming Webinar: November 19

data.census.gov Essentials for Beginners

Time: 2:00 p.m. ET

Discover essential techniques for navigating Census Bureau data through data.census.gov, from basic search strategies to downloading datasets, exploring interactive maps, and personalizing your table displays.

November Workshops

These participatory workshops guide you through practical examples to help you master the fundamentals of navigating data.census.gov to find demographic and economic data.

Basics of Using the Microdata Access Tool in data.census.gov

Basics of Finding Data Using data.census.gov

Basics of Using the Census API

Featured Question

How Can I Find the Land Area of a Geography?

Visit the advanced search on data.census.gov.
Under the “Surveys” heading, select Geography → Geography Information
Under the “Geographies” heading, select your desired geographic areas. Example: County → Indiana → All Counties in Indiana

Click Search in the lower right. Click Tables at the top. View your results!

The GEOINFO table provides land area data in square meters and square miles, as well as data for water area and the internal point of the geography.

Keep in mind:

When using this geographic information with data from other Census Bureau surveys/programs (e.g. to calculate population density), be sure to use the appropriate geographic vintage that is relevant to the reference year for your dataset.

For example, the 2023 American Community Survey uses boundaries that correspond to the 2023 GEOINFO table.

Get In Touch

Email us with any questions or comments you may have.

For more guidance on data availability and using data.census.gov, the Census API, and Microdata Access, visit our Resources page.

About data.census.gov

Data.census.gov is the primary platform to access data and digital content from the U.S. Census Bureau. We continuously update data.census.gov with new data from our most popular survey and programs, as well as system enhancements to improve your experience on the platform.

We’re here to help with your data needs:

• Visit our data.census.gov Resources page for educational materials
• Learn about Microdata Access and the Census Data API
• Request a data.census.gov training: 
  [email protected]
• Request a training for your local area: [email protected]
• Ask your questions: [email protected]

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Your suggestions help determine future improvements we implement to make data.census.gov work better for you!