Data users who come to the site can use the single search bar to search on a geography such as their state, county, or place, and see an overview of that area in a geographic profile with visualizations and infographics. This is helpful for data users who need basic data, as it is much quicker than searching through tables for a variety of high-level estimates.

Because the platform is simple to use and has a search capability that points users to the data they need, they do not have to know Census Bureau jargon to use it. A search on income for a place gives a featured result and includes lists of tables, maps, and webpages that are intuitive to navigate and use.

When data users are working with tables, they can add additional geographies, such as those surrounding the initial search geography, by using the map and mapping tools. Users can easily toggle between the tables and maps.

With the search results, users can embed charts and graphs. Future capabilities include allowing users to embed tables and maps in their reports, articles, and other documentation.

Even though topics and geographies are easy to search using the single search bar, advanced data users, who seek out more detailed topics and geographies, can access them through the filters found in the Advanced Search option. Through Advanced Search, users can select multiple topics and a variety of geographies. For example, users can use one search to locate data on both health insurance and income for a state and multiple counties. From here, data users can create maps based on these results or download these tables to dig deeper.

Experienced data users often know the specific tables they want. Data.census.gov makes it possible to access tables by table name. For example, users can enter the full table name or can search specific terms or phrases.

Experienced users like to download data tables. Not only can they can do this in the new platform, but they can also download multiple tables across several years at the same time. In addition, variable names in the downloaded files are displayed as they appear in the Census Data API.

Email us at census.data@census.gov for any questions or comments you may have.  For more guidance on data availability and using data.census.gov, the Census API, and Microdata Access, visit our Resources page.