U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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

Census Data API User Guide

The purpose of this user guide is to instruct developers and researchers on how to use the Census Data Application Programming Interface (API) to request data from U.S. Census Bureau datasets.

What is the API
  • Overview
  • What is the API
  • Available Data
  • Core Concepts
  • Example API Queries
  • Help & Contact Us
What is the API

What is the Census Data API?

The Census Data Application Programming Interface (API) is a data service that enables software developers to access and use Census Bureau data within their applications.

Researchers and software developers both inside and outside the Census Bureau use this API. Its simple raw format provides greater ease and accessibility for inputting data to whatever format you need for presenting and manipulating these data.

The Census Data API is an efficient way to query data directly from Census Bureau servers with many advantages:

  • No complex interface
  • Continual accessibility eliminates need to host data on own server
  • Easily downloads target variables and geographies
  • Connects to statistical software like R and SAS
  • Provides immediate access to most current data
  • Facilitates building new mobile and Web applications
  • Drives interactive data visualizations

Page Last Revised - December 21, 2023
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