U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Skip Header
About
Guidance
Latest Releases
Search data, events, resources, and more

About

We have a machine-readable dataset discovery service. Visit our Discovery Tool page to learn more.

In alignment with the Digital Government Strategy, the Census Bureau is offering the public wider access to key U.S. statistics. The Census application programming interface (API) lets developers create custom apps to reach new users and makes key demographic, socio-economic and housing statistics more accessible than ever before. The Census Bureau’s API allows developers to design web and mobile apps to explore or learn more about America's changing population and economy.

The API lets developers customize Census Bureau statistics into web or mobile apps that provide users quick and easy access from an every increasing pool of publicly available datasets (see Data Sets for more information).More data sets will be added over time.

Currently available statistics provide key demographic and economic information on the nation, it's neighborhoods and areas in between. These data are currently used to distribute around $400 B in Federal, State and local funds in ways that help communities plan for schools, social and emergency services, highway improvements and economic developments.

Developers could use the statistics available through this API to create apps that:

  • Show commuting patterns for every city in America.
  • Display the latest numbers on owners and renters in a neighborhood someone may want to live in.
  • Provide a local government a range of socioeconomic statistics on its population.

We highly encourage developers to sign up for updates via our newsletter and report bugs, request features and share your ideas through the Census Bureau’s Developers Forum. Additionally, this developer portal includes an “App Gallery” where the public can view some of the apps that have already been created.

With the release of this API and other upcoming forward-looking online communications improvements, the Census Bureau is meeting the goals of the President's digital strategy to make information more transparent and customer-centered.

Please note: The API does not include any information that could identify an individual; such information is kept strictly confidential by law. The API only uses statistics that the Census Bureau has already released publicly and in aggregate form.

View by Content

About

Find out how to get a key, subscribe to our newsletter or read our Terms of Service on our 'About' page.

Available APIs

We plan on adding all of our publicly available data sets. Here you'll find which of our many data sets are currently available via API.

Guidance for Developers

This page provides developers and researchers on how to use the Census Data API and Census Microdata API from U.S. Census Bureau datasets.

Census Data API Discovery Tool

Use this tool to dive in and through the many API endpoints to discover available variables, geographies and vintages of data.

App Gallery

Here you'll find a mix of applications created both by the Census Bureau as well as by our developer community.

Geography

The greater your understanding of Census' geographic concepts, the more powerful you become as a developer using these data.

Latest Data Releases

Find out the latest news about data.census.gov, the Census API, and the Microdata Access, including the most recent data releases.

Video Tutorials

Our team has created a series of "how-to" videos for those looking for ways to enhance their knowledge of data.census.gov, Census API, and Microdata Access.

How-to Materials for Using the Census API

Do you have questions on how to use the Census API? Check out our step-by-step guidance to learn how to use the Census API to find the data you need.

Basics of Using the Census API

Join us in this hands-on class as we learn how to access data through the Census Data Application Programming Interface (API).

Webinars

Did you miss our latest webinar? Would you like to watch it again? View our latest recorded webinars on data.census.gov, the Census API, and Microdata Access.

Updates

Visit this page to find out the latest updates sent out via our newsletter.

Contact Us

In these informational one-pagers, we address some of the most frequently asked questions to better assist with your data needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our FAQs to learn about using data.census.gov and the Census API. Find out what data, features, and functionality are available.

Terms of Service

News

Find out the latest news around the US Census Bureau that pertains to our API and developer community here!

Page Last Revised - March 15, 2024
Is this page helpful?
Thumbs Up Image Yes Thumbs Down Image No
NO THANKS
255 characters maximum 255 characters maximum reached
Thank you for your feedback.
Comments or suggestions?

Top

Back to Header