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.

Small Business Pulse Survey Updates

A retail worker wearing a face mask holds up a sign to indicate that her clothing store is open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Based on responses collected March 29 through April 4, the Small Business Pulse Survey estimates that:

14.2% of U.S. Small Businesses experienced an increase in operating revenues/sales/receipts in the last week, marking the fifth consecutive week of reported increases

A graph showing if businesses had a change in operating revenues/sales/receipts in the past several weeks, not including financial assistance.

21.9% of U.S. Small Businesses have experienced little or no effect from the coronavirus pandemic, making it the largest estimate ever reported for this statistic

A graph showing how businesses have been affected overall by the Coronavirus pandemic, over the past several weeks.

9.5% of U.S. Small Businesses experienced an increase in the number of hours worked by paid employees in the last week. For responses collected 3/22 - 3/28, this statistic was 9.0%
13.9% of U.S. Small Businesses have returned to their normal level of operations. For responses collected 3/22 – 3/28, this statistic was 13.0%
22.9% of U.S. Retail Trade small businesses experienced an increase in operating revenues in the last week, marking the first time on the SBPS that more companies reported an increase over a decrease, based on responses collected 3/29 – 4/4

A graph showing if retail trade businesses had a change in operating revenues/sales/receipts in the past several weeks, not including loan assistance.

11.5% of U.S. Small Businesses experienced foreign supplier delays in the last week based on responses collected 3/29 – 4/4 from the SBPS

The Expected Recovery Index, which summarizes the length of the expected recovery of businesses, has risen three weeks in a row to -0.51, indicating shorter expected recoveries.

A graph showing the Expected Recovery Index, which summarizes the length of the expected recovery of businesses.

Household Pulse Survey

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

Data collection for Phase 3 of the Household Pulse Survey has concluded. Data collection for Phase 3.1 will begin on April 14 and continue through April 26. Data release will be approximately May 5.

17.4% of American adults expect someone in their household to experience a loss in employment income in the next 4 weeks
39.1% of adults live in households where at least one adult substituted some or all in-person work for telework because of the coronavirus pandemic
8.8% of American adults lived in households where there was either sometimes or often not enough to eat in the previous 7 days
6.3% of adults are not current on their rent or mortgage payment and have slight or no confidence in making their next payment on time
28.1% report eviction or foreclosure in the next two months is somewhat or very likely
28.9% of adults live in households where it has been somewhat or very difficult to pay usual household expenses during the coronavirus pandemic
71.1% of adults in households with post-secondary educational plans had those plans cancelled or changed significantly this fall
47.0% of adults have received a COVID-19 vaccine
Among adults who have yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, 47.7% definitely will get one when available

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COVID-19 Data Hub and More Resources

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 2.1 is now available!

More Resources and Recent Releases:
- Looking for local data on how to reach the most vulnerable populations in your area? Use our Community Resilience Estimates (CRE) and Dashboard!
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Resource Page
- Taking the Pulse of American Households During COVID-19
- Providing Perspective During COVID-19 Using Census Data

Business Formation Statistics Updates

The release of the March 2021 BFS data will come out later this month. See link below for data, graphs, and more.

Latest Updates

About the Data

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.

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