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