The U.S. Census Bureau, in collaboration with multiple federal agencies, is in a unique position to produce data on critical social and economic matters affecting American households. The Household Pulse Survey (HPS) was designed to deploy quickly and efficiently, collecting data to measure how emergent issues are impacting U.S. households from a social and economic perspective. Data were disseminated in near real-time to inform federal and state action.

As part of the Census Bureau’s efforts to ensure these vital data are produced in an efficient, less burdensome manner that enhances their richness for informing policy, the Census Bureau is introducing new methods for conducting the survey. Since early October 2024, HPS content has been incorporated into a longitudinal design, with data collected every other month and released at a national level. The longitudinal design will benefit HPS data by allowing direct measurement of change over a much longer period of time in critical elements like spending, inflation, and other social and economic indicators of well-being. 

In January 2025, the HPS will be relaunched as the Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS).  The HTOPS will continue the strong tradition of the HPS by rapidly providing insight into national events that have social and economic impacts on U.S. households. It will complement more traditional federal surveys by producing data much closer to real time as the events develop. The HTOPS will begin producing an experimental data product, like the HPS, but the goal is to produce an official data product as the methodology matures. Along with HPS content, HTOPS will enable the Census Bureau to address research and content development needs for its census and survey programs. The HTOPS will be one more tool among the Census Bureau's data collection efforts to provide the nation with quality, up-to-date information that informs our future. More information on the transition to HTOPS is available at Evolving the Household Pulse Survey.