Random Samplings
Random Samplings
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Random Samplings
The U.S. Census Bureau is the leading source of data about the population and economy of the United States. While the Census Bureau is best known for conducting a national headcount once every 10 years, the agency is continually conducting surveys that provide data about a variety of social and economic conditions.
Experts from around the Census Bureau will use Random Samplings to describe the objectives of their work and explain census and survey results. We hope this blog will increase awareness and use of the valuable data collected by the Census Bureau, and make this data more accessible to all users.
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American Community Survey (ACS)
American Housing Survey (AHS)
American Time Use Survey (ATUS)
Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
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Community Resilience Estimates
Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE)
Current Population Survey (CPS)
Decennial Census
Decennial Census Digitization and Linkage (DCDL) Project
Enhancing Health Data (EHealth) Program
Geographic Support System Initiative (GSS-I)
Geographically Updated Population Certification Program (GUPCP)
Household Pulse Survey
Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS)
Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS)
International Programs
Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Program
Metropolitan & Micropolitan Program
National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS)
National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS)
National Household Education Survey (NHES)
National Household Food Study (NHFS)
National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN)
National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH)
National Survey of Children’s Health – Longitudinal Cohort (NSCH-LC)
National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG)
National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR)
National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (NSHAPC)
National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS)
National Training, Education, and Workforce Survey (NTEWS)
New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS)
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Population Estimates
Population Projections
Principal Follow-Up Survey (PFS)
Private School Universe Survey (PSS)
Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS)
Redistricting Data Program
Residential Finance Survey (RFS)
School Crime Supplement (SCS)
School District Review Program (SDRP)
School Pulse Panel
School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS)
Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS)
Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE)
Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE)
Special Census Program
Statistics in Schools
Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)
Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA)
Survey of Program Dynamics (SPD)
Teacher Follow-Up Survey (TFS)
Telephone Point of Purchase Survey (TPOPS)
Tribal Affairs (AIAN) Program
Tribal Statistical Areas Program (TSAP)
Economic Survey/Program
Select Economic Survey/Program
Academic Libraries Survey (ALS)
Advance Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MARTS)
Annual Business Survey (ABS)
Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES)
Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES)
Annual Parole Survey & Annual Probation Survey
Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS)
Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs (ASE)
Annual Survey of Jails (ASJ)
Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM)
Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (ASPEP)
Annual Survey of Public Pensions (ASPP)
Annual Survey of School System Finances
Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (ALFIN)
Annual Survey of State Government Finances (ASFIN)
Annual Survey of State Government Tax Collections (STC)
Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS)
Building Permits Survey (BPS)
Business and Professional Classification Survey (SQ-CLASS)
Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS)
Business Enterprise Research and Development Survey (BERD)
Business Expenses Supplement (BES)
Business Formation Statistics (BFS)
Business R & D and Innovation Survey (BRDIS)
Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS)
Census of Governments (COG)
Census of Jails (COJ)
Census of Juveniles in Resident Placement (CJRP)
Census of State and Federal Adult Correctional Facilities
Center for Economic Studies (CES)
Center for Enterprise Dissemination (CED)
Commodity Flow Survey (CFS)
Common Core of Data (CCD)
Consolidated Federal Fund Report (CFFR)
Construction Progress Reporting Survey (CPRS)
County Business Patterns (CBP)
Criminal Justice Administrative Records System (CJARS)
Current Industrial Reports (CIR)
Directory Survey of Local Governments
E-Commerce Statistics (E-STATS)
Economic Census (EC)
Economic Census 2021 Industry Classification Report
Education Demographic, Geographic, and Economic Statistics (EDGE) Survey
Enterprise Statistics Program (ESP)
Export Statistics
Exports from Manufacturing Establishments
Federal Assistance Awards Data System (FAADS)
Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC)
Foreign Trade Statistical Program
Governments Integrated Directory (GID)
Governments Units Survey (GUS)
Import Statistics
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Survey
International Trade Program
Justice Assistance Data Survey
Justice Expenditure and Employment Extracts
Juvenile Residential Facility Census (JRFC)
Local Government School System Finance Survey
Management and Organizational Practices Survey (MOPS)
Management and Organizational Practices Survey—Hospitals
Manufactured Homes Survey (MHS)
Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey (M3)
Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders (M3UFO) Survey
Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey (MECS)
Manufacturing Technology Survey
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MRTS)
Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey (MWTS)
Mortality in Correctional Institutions (MCI)
National Juvenile Justice Directory Program
National Prisoner Statistics (NPS) Program
National Public Education Financial Survey (NPEFS)
National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS)
New Residential Construction (NRC)
New Residential Sales (NRS)
Nonemployer Statistics
Police-Public Contact Survey (PPCS)
Pollution Abatement Costs & Expenditures Survey (PACE)
Property Owners and Managers Survey (POMS)
Public Libraries Survey (PLS)
Quarterly Financial Report (QFR)
Quarterly Services Survey (QSS)
Quarterly Summary of State and Local Government Tax Revenue (QTAX)
Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization (QPC)
Quarterly Survey of Public Pensions (QSPP)
Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI)
Rental Housing Finance Survey (RHFS)
Report of Organization
Service Annual Survey (SAS)
Small Business Lending Survey
Small Business Pulse Survey
State Library Administrative Agencies Survey (SLAA)
Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB)
Survey of Business Owners (SBO)
Survey of Construction (SOC)
Survey of Sexual Victimization (SSV)
Survey of State Government Research and Development (SGRD)
The Military Panel
Total Business Ownership by Demographics (TBOD)
Value of Construction Put in Place Survey
Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS)
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Topic
Select Topic
Business and Economy
Census Operations
Education
Employment
Energy and Environment
Families and Living Arrangements
Foreign Trade
Geography Program
Government
Health
History
Housing
Income and Poverty
Industry
Population
Research
Training
Transportation
Demographic Survey/Program
Select Demographic Survey/Program
American Community Survey (ACS)
American Housing Survey (AHS)
American Time Use Survey (ATUS)
Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
Census Household Survey (CHS)
Community Resilience Estimates
Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE)
Current Population Survey (CPS)
Decennial Census
Decennial Census Digitization and Linkage (DCDL) Project
Enhancing Health Data (EHealth) Program
Geographic Support System Initiative (GSS-I)
Geographically Updated Population Certification Program (GUPCP)
Household Pulse Survey
Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS)
Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS)
International Programs
Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Program
Metropolitan & Micropolitan Program
National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS)
National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS)
National Household Education Survey (NHES)
National Household Food Study (NHFS)
National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN)
National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH)
National Survey of Children’s Health – Longitudinal Cohort (NSCH-LC)
National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG)
National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR)
National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (NSHAPC)
National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS)
National Training, Education, and Workforce Survey (NTEWS)
New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS)
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Population Estimates
Population Projections
Principal Follow-Up Survey (PFS)
Private School Universe Survey (PSS)
Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS)
Redistricting Data Program
Residential Finance Survey (RFS)
School Crime Supplement (SCS)
School District Review Program (SDRP)
School Pulse Panel
School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS)
Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS)
Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE)
Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE)
Special Census Program
Statistics in Schools
Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)
Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA)
Survey of Program Dynamics (SPD)
Teacher Follow-Up Survey (TFS)
Telephone Point of Purchase Survey (TPOPS)
Tribal Affairs (AIAN) Program
Tribal Statistical Areas Program (TSAP)
Economic Survey/Program
Select Economic Survey/Program
Academic Libraries Survey (ALS)
Advance Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MARTS)
Annual Business Survey (ABS)
Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES)
Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES)
Annual Parole Survey & Annual Probation Survey
Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS)
Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs (ASE)
Annual Survey of Jails (ASJ)
Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM)
Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (ASPEP)
Annual Survey of Public Pensions (ASPP)
Annual Survey of School System Finances
Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (ALFIN)
Annual Survey of State Government Finances (ASFIN)
Annual Survey of State Government Tax Collections (STC)
Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS)
Building Permits Survey (BPS)
Business and Professional Classification Survey (SQ-CLASS)
Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS)
Business Enterprise Research and Development Survey (BERD)
Business Expenses Supplement (BES)
Business Formation Statistics (BFS)
Business R & D and Innovation Survey (BRDIS)
Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS)
Census of Governments (COG)
Census of Jails (COJ)
Census of Juveniles in Resident Placement (CJRP)
Census of State and Federal Adult Correctional Facilities
Center for Economic Studies (CES)
Center for Enterprise Dissemination (CED)
Commodity Flow Survey (CFS)
Common Core of Data (CCD)
Consolidated Federal Fund Report (CFFR)
Construction Progress Reporting Survey (CPRS)
County Business Patterns (CBP)
Criminal Justice Administrative Records System (CJARS)
Current Industrial Reports (CIR)
Directory Survey of Local Governments
E-Commerce Statistics (E-STATS)
Economic Census (EC)
Economic Census 2021 Industry Classification Report
Education Demographic, Geographic, and Economic Statistics (EDGE) Survey
Enterprise Statistics Program (ESP)
Export Statistics
Exports from Manufacturing Establishments
Federal Assistance Awards Data System (FAADS)
Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC)
Foreign Trade Statistical Program
Governments Integrated Directory (GID)
Governments Units Survey (GUS)
Import Statistics
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Survey
International Trade Program
Justice Assistance Data Survey
Justice Expenditure and Employment Extracts
Juvenile Residential Facility Census (JRFC)
Local Government School System Finance Survey
Management and Organizational Practices Survey (MOPS)
Management and Organizational Practices Survey—Hospitals
Manufactured Homes Survey (MHS)
Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey (M3)
Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders (M3UFO) Survey
Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey (MECS)
Manufacturing Technology Survey
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MRTS)
Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey (MWTS)
Mortality in Correctional Institutions (MCI)
National Juvenile Justice Directory Program
National Prisoner Statistics (NPS) Program
National Public Education Financial Survey (NPEFS)
National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS)
New Residential Construction (NRC)
New Residential Sales (NRS)
Nonemployer Statistics
Police-Public Contact Survey (PPCS)
Pollution Abatement Costs & Expenditures Survey (PACE)
Property Owners and Managers Survey (POMS)
Public Libraries Survey (PLS)
Quarterly Financial Report (QFR)
Quarterly Services Survey (QSS)
Quarterly Summary of State and Local Government Tax Revenue (QTAX)
Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization (QPC)
Quarterly Survey of Public Pensions (QSPP)
Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI)
Rental Housing Finance Survey (RHFS)
Report of Organization
Service Annual Survey (SAS)
Small Business Lending Survey
Small Business Pulse Survey
State Library Administrative Agencies Survey (SLAA)
Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB)
Survey of Business Owners (SBO)
Survey of Construction (SOC)
Survey of Sexual Victimization (SSV)
Survey of State Government Research and Development (SGRD)
The Military Panel
Total Business Ownership by Demographics (TBOD)
Value of Construction Put in Place Survey
Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS)
487 Results
Page 1 of 14
Census Operations
How Is the Planning Database Updated and How Is It Used?
March 16, 2026
Planning Database now contains operational data and 2020 Census low response score.
Business and Economy
A More Timely, Comprehensive Look at the Economy: 2023 AIES
February 26, 2026
The Census Bureau announced the first-ever main release of data from the Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES).
Migration
New Population Estimates Show Decline in Net International Migration
January 27, 2026
Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released a new series of population estimates that reflect demographic change since the 2020 Census.
Population Estimates
Annual Updates to the Data and Methodology for Population Estimates
January 15, 2026
The U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program produces annual estimates of the population that reflect year-to-year changes.
Population
Understanding the 2024 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates
September 11, 2025
This blog discusses elements that may contribute to differences observed in some 2024 ACS 1-year estimates compared to prior years.
Poverty
Comparing Poverty Measures
September 02, 2025
There has been continued debate about the best way to measure poverty in the United States since the first official U.S. poverty statistics were published.
Migration
Improved Method Better Estimates Net International Migration Increase
December 19, 2024
Combining administrative data with survey data made net international migration estimates more responsive to short-term fluctuations in immigration.
Census Operations
Research Recommendations: Inputs for the 2030 Census Operational Plan
December 17, 2024
Building on lessons learned from 2020 and prior censuses and incorporating valuable input, we have now finished the Design Selection Phase.
Race
Updating the Race/Ethnicity Code List for the ACS and the 2030 Census
November 18, 2024
The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting its Race/Ethnicity Coding Improvement Project and is currently seeking public feedback through a FRN.
Race
Implementation of SPD 15 in the American Community Survey
November 05, 2024
Programs across the U.S. Census Bureau have been assessing how and when to implement the updated race and ethnicity standards set by OMB in the 2024 SPD 15.
Race
Implementation of SPD 15 in the American Community Survey
October 31, 2024
Programs across the U.S. Census Bureau have been assessing how and when to implement the updated race and ethnicity standards set by OMB in the 2024 SPD 15.
Emergency Preparedness
Evolving the Household Pulse Survey
September 16, 2024
The HPS is a program developed by the Census Bureau to meet data needs for informing emerging policy questions in an exceptionally timely way.
Race
Understanding the Supplemental DHC File
September 16, 2024
On Sept. 19, the Supplemental DHC File, the final 2020 Census data product, will be released. The blog concludes with a look ahead to 2030 Census data products.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance Coverage Measurement in Two Major Surveys
September 04, 2024
This blog provides an overview of key similarities and differences between CPS ASEC and ACS health insurance coverage measures.
Poverty
Difference Between the Supplemental and Official Poverty Measures
September 04, 2024
This blog discusses the development of the SPM and differences between the two measures.
Race
Understanding the Detailed DHC File B
July 23, 2024
On August 1, the U.S. Census Bureau will release the 2020 Census Detailed DHC File B, adding to what we know about our nation’s diverse population.
Race
Información para comprender el Archivo DHC Detallado-B
July 23, 2024
El 1 de agosto, la Oficina del Censo publicará el Archivo DHC Detallado-B del 2020, que nos permitirá saber más sobre la diversa población del país.
Census Operations
2020 Census Operational Statistics on the Planning Database
July 10, 2024
The Census Bureau released the 2023 PDB, the first PDB to include operational statistics from the 2020 Census, including metrics on online self-response.
Census Operations
Testing Our Innovations
April 30, 2024
Working toward our goal of counting everyone in the census requires a wide variety of interconnected activities.
Race
Updates to OMB’s Race/Ethnicity Standards
April 08, 2024
OMB published the results of its review of SPD 15 and issued updated standards for collecting and reporting race and ethnicity data across federal agencies.
Business and Economy
Integrating Our Business Statistics for an Ever-Changing U.S. Economy
March 18, 2024
Reimagining the flow of economic business data from data respondents to users.
Census Operations
2030 Census Planning: What 2024 Brings
January 23, 2024
As we embark on a new year filled with possibilities, it’s time to share exciting updates and innovations that will shape the 2030 Census.
Population
2020 PES Coverage Results in the Vintage 2023 Population Estimates
December 18, 2023
Census Bureau experts have been examining whether to use PES results to improve the annual population estimates.
Data Collection & Processing
2022 Economic Census – End of Data Collection
November 29, 2023
Serving as the cornerstone of the nation’s economic statistics, the economic census is the most comprehensive measure of our nation’s economic activity.
Research
New Experimental Products Designed with the AIAN Community in Mind
November 13, 2023
We’re committed to reflecting an accurate portrait of our nation, and our success depends on delivering statistics that address the needs of all our data users.
Race
Understanding Hard-to-Count and Historically Undercounted Populations
November 07, 2023
In a world driven by data, accurate population counts form the foundation for informed decision-making.
Information and Communication Technology
Protecting Your Data, Our Systems and the Public
October 31, 2023
At the U.S. Census Bureau, protecting your data and privacy is a top priority.
Race
Data Quality and the Detailed DHC File A
September 21, 2023
Today the Census Bureau released new statistics about our nation’s communities, providing population counts and sex-by-age statistics.
Race
What You Should Know About the Upcoming Detailed DHC File A
September 13, 2023
The upcoming 2020 Census Detailed DHC-A greatly expands what we know about the racial and ethnic composition of the U.S. population.
Population
Exploring the Racial and Ethnic Diversity of Various Age Groups
September 06, 2023
The 2020 Census showed that while the population under 5 years was the nation’s most racially and ethnically diverse age group, variation existed among states.
Poverty
Difference Between the Supplemental and Official Poverty Measures
September 06, 2023
There has been continued debate about the best way to measure poverty in the U.S. since the first official U.S. poverty statistics were published.
Business and Economy
Transforming the Census Bureau’s Annual Surveys of Businesses
September 05, 2023
As part of the Census Bureau’s ongoing commitment to innovation, we are working to reengineer our processes to increase efficiency and improve the data generate
International
International Collaboration Helps Us Transform To Build Our Nation’s 21st Century Data Infrastructure
August 03, 2023
Good data – comprehensive, timely and accurate – are an essential part of the world we live in.
Innovations
How the Census Bureau Is Optimizing Its Research and Testing Strategy for the 2030 Census
July 27, 2023
Today we’re making the first in a series of major announcements about preparations for the 2030 Census.
Decennial Census
The Currency of Our Data: A Critical Input Into Federal Funding
June 14, 2023
We often describe how the data can benefit people when we encourage them to respond to the census or to a U.S. Census Bureau survey.
Age
Age Heaping in the 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC)
May 25, 2023
While age heaping is an issue in all decennial census and household survey data, the 2020 Census shows patterns of age heaping that are more pronounced.
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Page Last Revised - December 22, 2025
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