Census Bureau Tip Sheet: TP26-15
Upcoming
Online Product Calendar — The U.S. Census Bureau provides anticipated release dates for its regular and recurring statistical products through its online product calendar. This calendar is regularly updated to reflect the most current information.
Data.census.gov Users Needed for Survey — The U.S. Census Bureau’s Center for Enterprise Dissemination Services and Consumer Innovation is looking for participants for an upcoming Usability Testing study. A wide range of data users with varying backgrounds are needed to learn how users interact with the site. Participants should have past or current experience using or analyzing data – and use data from data.census.gov or other statistical sites for research and to make decisions. Visit census.gov to complete the eligibility survey. Email for more information.
American Community Survey
2025 and 2026 Planning Database Updates — The 2025 and 2026 Planning Database (PDB) vintages will be released concurrently in late summer. The data will include the most recent American Community Survey 5-year estimates as well as updated Low Response Scores for both census tracts and block groups. The interactive tool known as Response Outreach Area Mapper (ROAM) will also be updated with the latest 2026 PDB data. PDB estimates can be downloaded from the PDB datasets page or accessed through the API. (Scheduled for Aug. 4.)
Demographic
Local Estimates of Internet Adoption (LEIA): 2024 — The U.S. Census Bureau and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will release 2024 county-level estimates of households that subscribed to high-speed internet service. This is an update of the 2022 experimental estimates. (Scheduled for release July 30.)
2024 Small Area Health Insurance Estimates Data — The U.S. Census Bureau will release new data from the Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE) Program, the only source for single-year estimates of the number of people under age 65 with and without health insurance coverage in each of the nation’s 3,143 counties. County statistics will be available by sex and age groups and at income levels that reflect thresholds for state and federal assistance programs such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid eligibility. State estimates also include health insurance coverage by race and Hispanic origin. (Scheduled for release Aug. 6.)
Economic
Legacy USA Trade Online Tool Decommissioned, New USA Trade Online Tool Available — As of June 30, the legacy USA Trade Online platform has been decommissioned and replaced with the new USA Trade Online: Reimagined platform. The new version features the same trade data as the legacy version while improving user experience with a modern, more intuitive interface and streamlined design.
“Connecting Jobs and Walkability with Census Data” — The U.S. Census Bureau and the Local Employment Dynamics (LED) Partnership, in collaboration with the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) and the Labor Market Information (LMI) Institute, welcome Evan Johnston, Reece Neathery and John Karras as they present “Connecting Jobs and Walkability with Census Data.” Using the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) Origin-Destination Economic Statistics (LODES) data and walk-time analysis can identify employment centers and improve existing areas. Learn how these tools support data-driven decisions for economic development and infrastructure investments. (Scheduled for release Aug. 19)
Census Business Builder Tool — The U.S. Census Bureau will release version 5.12 of the Census Business Builder (CBB) tool. This release includes streamlined visual styling, clearer selection prompts, and improved legend and dashboard functionality. The release also includes expanded industry information, enhanced tooltips and new data such as per capita income available across all geographic levels. Additional improvements include a new national‑level geography option, updates to the Industry Tree, and metadata updates and bug fixes for previously known issues. More information on Census Business Builder is available online. (Scheduled for release Aug. 26.)
Business Trends and Outlook Survey — The Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS) measures business conditions on an ongoing basis. BTOS experimental data products are representative of all employer businesses other than farms in the U.S. economy. The data allow greater insight into the state of the economy by providing continuous, timely information for key economic measures. Data are released biweekly and are available by sector, state, employment size and the 25 most populous metropolitan statistical areas.
Facts for Features
National Hispanic Heritage Month: 2026 — During this month-long observance, our nation celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The Census Bureau joins in the celebration with this fact sheet presenting a range of updated statistics describing the demographic state of the nation’s Hispanic population. (Tentatively scheduled for release in July/August.)
Federal Register Notices
The U.S. Census Bureau publishes updates in the Federal Register to keep the public informed about surveys, censuses and related activities. Some notices include a comment period during which the public can provide feedback. For more information on Census Bureau Federal Register notices (FRNs), check out Collections of Information and Federal Register Notices.
Current FRNs include:
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