Data.census.gov Newsletter – September 2023

What's New?

In August, we released new updates to improve your experience on data.census.gov. With this release, you will now see:

• Redesigned map variable selection
• Simplified labeling for the variable shown in the variable drop-down menu
• Improved readability of map legend
• Improved “Select” and “Identify” buttons on the map
• Integration of table header details into the table toolbar
• Ability to search for International Trade codesets in the “search for filter” section of the advanced search
• Behind-the-scenes improvements to the API
• Fixes to nine defects

In August, we introduced several updates on our site. To start, we redesigned the process of selecting map variables, and applied several improvements to the feature. This update replaced the previous “Variables” button with a drop-down menu. The menu shows you map variables in a readable, hierarchical format that is similar to the table display. Drop-down menus in the “Dimensions” section allow you to switch between different categories available for the map that further contextualize your variable selection. The map also defaults to show percentages when available, and the new “Units” section allows you to switch between percentages and numbers. Percentages must be provided in the corresponding table display to be available for the map.

Users will also notice simplified labeling for the variable shown in the variable drop-down menu. Variable labels are now broken down into manageable parts. The primary selection is shown in large font for easy readability, with the full context included in the boxes below the variable.

We’ve also improved “Select” and “Identify” buttons on the map. When you use these features, the other buttons on the map will no longer disappear, providing a consistent experience for you to make use of all map features. You’ll see integration of table header details into the table toolbar. The table ID, table title, survey/program, universe statement, and product will be all be shown as part of the newly redesigned product drop-down menu. We placed these details alongside the other table controls for your convenience, and to allow more room on your screen for the table display.

Also added was the ability to search for International Trade codesets in the “search for filter” section of the advanced search once data have been included in the platform. These codesets include results from the recently added Harmonized System (HS) Import, Harmonized System (HS) Export, End-Use Import, End-Use Export, Advanced Technology Products (ATP), Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This feature will support future releases of international trade data tables and will not be visible until the corresponding data are released in the notes section of American Community Survey data tables. You will now see the “Estimates” section in the notes to indicate whether the table is from the ACS 5-year or ACS 1-year estimates.

Lastly, you’ll observe enhancements to the API through behind-the-scenes improvements, technical updates to enhance our internal data review processes, and resolutions for any existing issues.

Latest Data Releases

• Current Population Survey: Time Series Poverty Status – 8/01
• Incremental Developmental Code Release – 8/03
• Time Series International Population Database by Single of Age and Sex – 8/08
• Time Series International Database by 5 Year by Age Group and Sex – 8/08
• July 2023 Currently Population Survey – 8/10
• 2020 Nonemployer Statistics – 8/17
• Quarterly Summary of State and Local Tax Revenue Time Series – 8/17
• 2020 Decennial Census 118^th Congressional District Summary File – 8/31

Coming Soon

In future updates to data.census.gov, Microdata Access and the Census Data API, we are working toward:

• Behind-the-scenes updates to allow searches for world geographies. This work is being done to support international datasets on data.census.gov.
• Easy-to-access citations for tables and maps.
• Improved load times when using the single search bar.
• Select Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMAs) in the Microdata Access Tool with improved response times.
• Technical work to make back-end data transfer processes run more smoothly.

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Featured Video Tutorials

Getting Started with your search on data.census.gov

Coming in September:

Webinar: Finding 2020 Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File A Data on data.census.gov

With the September release of the 2020 Census Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File A, data users will be able to access population counts for detailed racial and ethnic groups using data.census.gov.

The release includes population counts by age for approximately 1,500 racial and ethnic groups and detailed American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and villages, such as Lebanese, Mexican, Jamaican, Navajo Nation, and more.

This webinar will focus on the platform data.census.gov and finding available 2020 Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File A data.

Questions related to the data collection process, methodology, disclosure avoidance, and data analysis will not be addressed during this session.

New Recorded Webinar:

data.census.gov News and Updates: August 2023

For anyone who is interested in accessing the newly released 2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics tables and Demographic Profile, we bring you this webinar.

During this webinar, we took participants through data.census.gov to easily find 2020 Census demographic and housing characteristic data, including finding data for different levels of geography, using the mapping feature to visualize data for your community, where to find helpful technical documentation, and more.

More Upcoming Workshops:

These participatory classes walk you through examples that cover the basics of using data.census.gov.

Time is allotted throughout the training for questions, and participation is strongly encouraged. No prior knowledge of using data.census.gov is required for these classes.

Basics of Using the Census API in data.census.gov

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

Making the Most of Mapping in data.census.gov

Basics of Finding Data on data.census.gov

Advanced Usage of data.census.gov

Featured Question

What data are available on data.census.gov?

View a table of currently available datasets through data.census.gov here. Note that the earliest data on data.census.gov is from the 2000 Census. We are focusing our efforts on migrating data that was previously available on American FactFinder to data.census.gov, and preparing for new data releases.

Email us with any questions or comments. 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: 
  ced.cedsci.outreach@census.gov
• Request a training for your local area: census.askdata@census.gov
• Ask your questions: census.data@census.gov

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