Between April of 2020 to September 2024 the Census Bureau’s experimental Household Pulse Survey (HPS) measured how emergent issues were impacting U.S. households from a social and economic perspective. During this period, Census Bureau staff regularly gave presentations focused on the methodology and results of the HPS and produced a wide variety of analytical stories. In addition, HPS data informed evaluative research and was used to produce data visualizations.

The cross-sectional data collection for the Household Pulse Survey (HPS) ended on September 16, 2024, with the final data of the cross-sectional data collection released on October 3, 2024.

In early October 2024, HPS content began transitioning into a longitudinal design, with data collected every other month to be released at a national level. By January 2025, the HPS officially relaunched as an integral part of the Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS).

In the longitudinal design of HTOPS, the survey content alternates every other month between HPS-focused content, which address timely issues affecting U.S. households, and content submitted by internal Census partners and stakeholders, allowing for flexible, targeted exploration of emergent topics. The longitudinal design of HTOPS also helps ensure these vital data are produced in an efficient, less burdensome manner that enhances their richness for timely data. Additionally, the longitudinal design benefits 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. More information on the transition to HTOPS is available at Evolving the Household Pulse Survey.