Weekly Pulse Newsletter

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Weekly Pulse Newsletter

The U.S. Census Bureau is in a unique position to produce data on the social and economic effects of COVID-19 on American households and small businesses. 

A woman wearing a face mask as protection against COVID-19 walks back to her car with a bag of groceries.

Household Pulse Survey Updates

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Based on responses collected August 19 through August 31, the Household Pulse Survey estimates that during the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • 26.2% of American adults expect someone in their household to experience a loss in employment income in the next 4 weeks
  • 36.3% of adults live in households where at least one adult substituted some or all in-person work for telework because of the coronavirus pandemic
  • 10.3% of American adults lived in households where there was either sometimes or often not enough to eat in the previous 7 days
  • 7.2% of adults are either not current on their rent or mortgage payment, or have slight or no confidence in making their next payment on time
  • Of adults living in households not current on rent or mortgage, 33.4% report eviction or foreclosure in the next two months is either somewhat or very likely
  • 31.9% of adults live in households where it has been somewhat or very difficult to pay usual household expenses during the coronavirus pandemic
  • 80.9% of adults in households with post-secondary educational plans had those plans cancelled or changed significantly this fall
Two restaurant workers wearing masks

Small Business Pulse Survey Updates

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Based on responses collected August 30 through September 5, the Small Business Pulse Survey estimates that:

  • 31.8% of U.S. small businesses have experienced a large negative effect from the COVID-19 pandemic
  • 45.3% of U.S. small businesses believe more than 6 months of time will pass before their business returns to its normal level of operations
  • 54.8% of U.S. small businesses did not furlough or lay off any paid employees after March 13, 2020
  • 60.4% of U.S. small businesses experienced no change in operating revenues in the last week, as seen in the below graph
  • 35.8% of U.S. wholesale trade businesses have experienced delays in delivery/shipping to customers in the last week
  • 49.0% of U.S. retail trade businesses have experienced domestic supplier delays in the last week
  • 43.9% of small businesses in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area have experienced domestic supplier delays in the last week
  • 40.1% of small businesses in the San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area have increased their use of online platforms to offer goods or services since March 13, 2020
Graphic showing what percent of businesses in the last week had a change in operating revenues/sales/receipts, not including financial assistance.

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COVID-19 Data Hub and More Resources

New COVID-19 Data Hub Updates

The Census Bureau has launched a new tool — the COVID-19 Data Hub — designed to help guide the nation as it begins recovery efforts from the sweeping COVID-19 pandemic by providing economic and demographic data. Version 1.4 is now available!

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Business Formation Statistics Updates

The Census Bureau recently released the updated weekly Business Formation Statistics (BFS) series with business application data at the national, regional, and state levels through the week ending September 5

Latest Updates

About the Data

A map of the United States showing business applications from corporations by U.S. state. Percent change from 2019 week 36 to 2020 week 36.

 

New Census data shows year-to-year changes in weekly state Business Applications from Corporations.

About the Census Bureau

We serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. The Census Bureau is the federal government's largest statistical agency. We are a scientific organization focused on data. Policy-makers, businesses, and the public use our information to make far-reaching decisions.