Tip Sheet Number 5 — March 6, 2026

Upcoming

Online Product Calendar

The U.S. Census Bureau provides anticipated release dates for its regular and recurring statistical products through its online product calendar. This calendar is regularly updated to reflect the most current information.

Data.census.gov Users Needed for Survey

The Census Bureau's Center for Enterprise Dissemination Services and Consumer Innovation is looking for participants for an upcoming Usability Testing study. A wide range of data users with varying backgrounds are needed to learn how users interact with the site. Participants should have experience, currently or in the past, using or analyzing data. They should also use data from data.census.gov or other statistical sites for research or decision making. Visit census.gov to complete the eligibility survey. Email [email protected]for further information.

Demographic

New Data Tables on Most Common First Names and Surnames in the 2020 Census

The U.S. Census Bureau is set to release a series of data tables of the most common first and last names reported in the 2020 Census. The tables will include national-level counts such as last names by race and Hispanic origin, first names by race and Hispanic origin, and first names by sex. The Census Bureau has produced counts of the most common last names in each decennial census since the 1990 Census. The 2020 Census is the first since 1990 to provide data on first names. (Scheduled for release March 17.)

Vintage 2025 Estimates of Population and Demographic Components of Change for Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas and Counties, and Estimates of Population for Puerto Rico Municipios

Internet tables and detailed downloadable files will show annual population estimates, rankings, and components of population change for metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas and counties as well as population estimates for Puerto Rico municipios since the 2020 Census. (Scheduled for embargo March 24; public release March 26.)

Census Bureau Releases New U.S. Population Estimates by Age and Sex

The U.S. Census Bureau is set to release a downloadable file containing estimates of the nation's resident population by sex and single year of age as of July 1, 2025. In the coming months, the Census Bureau will release housing unit estimates for states and counties; population estimates for cities and towns; population estimates by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin for the nation, states, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas and counties; and Puerto Rico Commonwealth and municipio population estimates by age and sex. (Scheduled for release April 9.)

Economic

"The Strengths of Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI) and Administrative Data in a Small State"

The U.S. Census Bureau and the Local Employment Dynamics (LED) Partnership, in collaboration with the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) and the Labor Market Information (LMI) Institute, welcomes Mark McInerney - an economist and director of the Center for Workforce Research and Information (CWRI) for Maine's Department of Labor - as he presents, "The Strengths of QWI and Administrative Data in a Small State." This presentation will document advantages that QWI and administrative data generally have compared to survey-based estimates in a small state context. (Scheduled for March 18.)

"Understanding the Annual Integrated Economic Survey: A Streamlined Approach to Business Statistics"

Join us for an informative webinar exploring the U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES), a groundbreaking effort to modernize and streamline essential data about businesses across the nation. In this session, you'll learn what the AIES is and why it was developed; types of free business data available at new geographic levels and how to access the data during a live demonstration. Whether you're a business owner, data professional, researcher, policymaker, or simply interested in how economic data is evolving, this webinar offers a guide to one of the Census Bureau's most transformative new initiatives. (Scheduled for March 19.)

"2026 Local Employment Dynamics (LED) Partnership Hybrid Workshop"

Join us at the 2026 Local Employment Dynamics (LED) Partnership Hybrid Workshop for a fireside chat with our keynote speaker, Ellen Zentner, Chief Economic Strategist and Global Head of Thematic and Macro Investing at Morgan Stanley. This year's theme is, "Numbers to Narratives: Data for Better Decisions." We will be highlighting the work of our state Labor Market Information (LMI) partners and other data users through plenary sessions. Details will be posted on the LEHD website when available. Information on previous workshops can also be found at Workshops and Webinars - Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics. If you have any questions about the workshop, email [email protected]. (Scheduled for May 12-13.)

Business Trends and Outlook Survey

The Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS) measures business conditions on an ongoing basis. BTOS experimental data products are representative of all employer businesses other than farms in the U.S. economy. The data allow greater insight into the state of the economy by providing continuous, timely information for key economic measures. Data are released biweekly and are available by sector, state, employment size and the 25 most populous metropolitan statistical areas. New questions on artificial intelligence were added Nov. 17 and will be released in Spring 2026.

Federal Register Notices

The U.S. Census Bureau publishes updates in the Federal Register to keep the public informed about surveys, censuses and related activities. Some notices include a comment period during which the public can provide feedback. For more information on Census Bureau Federal Register notices (FRNs), check out Collections of Information and Federal Register Notices.

Current FRNs include:

• Annual Business Survey (Comment period ends March 9).
• High-Frequency Surveys Program/Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS) (Comment period ends March 11).
• Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Operation (Comment period ends April 20).
• Age Search Service Fee Structure (Comment period ends April 24).
• Current Population Survey (CPS) 2026 Field Test (Comment period ends May 4).

Recently Released

(Released since Feb. 20, 2026)

American Community Survey

2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-year Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

March 5 - The 2020-2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) files were released March 5. The ACS PUMS files enable data users to create custom estimates and tables not available through pre-tabulated ACS data products. These statistics are available for the nation, regions, divisions, states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Public Use Microdata Areas.

Economic

2025 Annual Business Survey First Look

March 5 - The U.S. Census Bureau released new first look data from the 2025 Annual Business Survey (ABS) covering reference year 2024. Data included estimates on employer business credit use by owner characteristics. The ABS is conducted jointly by the Census Bureau and the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES).

2024 Annual Survey of State Government Finances

March 5 - The U.S. Census Bureau released data on the Annual Survey of State Government Finances, which provides a summary of the finances of state governments for fiscal year 2024. Tables include data for each state, along with detailed information on revenue sources, spending and debt. The data are used by federal, state and local governments and educational and research organizations for comparative studies and other activities like developing the government component of the gross domestic product.

OnTheMap for Emergency Management Data Update

March 4 - The U.S. Census Bureau recently released version 4.26.1 of OnTheMap for Emergency Management. OnTheMap for Emergency Management provides real-time access to a range of detailed Census Bureau data about the people living and working in areas affected by hurricanes, floods, wildfires, winter storms and federal disaster declaration areas. The latest version of the tool includes updates incorporating 2020-2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates and 2023 Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (LODES) data.

2023 Annual Integrated Economic Survey

Feb. 26 - The U.S. Census Bureau released the main set of data from the 2023 Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES). The AIES provides economic data - including business revenue, expenses and assets - at detailed geographies for many sectors previously only available nationally.

Census Business Builder Version 5.11

Feb. 26 - The U.S. Census Bureau released version 5.11 of the Census Business Builder (CBB) tool. This release included new data for the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, a new variable for unemployment rate, metadata updates and bug fixes for previously known issues. More information on Census Business Builder is available online.

Facts for Features

Women's History Month: March 2026

Feb. 25 - The roots of National Women's History Month go back to March 8, 1857, when women from various New York City factories staged a protest over poor working conditions. The first Women's Day celebration in the United States was in 1909, also in New York City, but Congress did not establish National Women's History Week until 1981 to be commemorated annually the second week of March. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month. We celebrate their contributions to our nation with a host of demographic and economic statistical information.

Irish-American Heritage Month and St. Patrick's Day: March 2026

Feb. 17 - You may not find a pot of gold at the end of this edition of Facts for Features but you will find it useful and filled with statistical information from the U.S. Census Bureau's demographic and economic subject areas on the nation's Irish American population and other facets of this celebration of all things Irish.

National Black (or African American) History Month: February 2026

Feb. 11 - To commemorate and celebrate the contributions of people of African descent to our nation, the U.S. Census Bureau presents a collection of demographic and economic statistics about the Black community.

America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers

America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new and inviting way. We feature stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, the economy, emergency preparedness and the population.

• U.S. Chemical Manufacturers Grew Despite Overall Manufacturing Decline (March 5)
• Many U.S. Counties Had High Poverty Rates Over 20 Years (Feb. 26)

Stats for Stories

Stats for Stories provides links to timely story ideas highlighting the U.S. Census Bureau's newsworthy statistics that relate to current events, observances, holidays and anniversaries. The story ideas are intended to assist the media in story mining and producing content for their respective audiences.

• Small Business Saturday: Nov. 29, 2025

Resources

Emergency Management/Disaster Resources

When major disasters strike, visit our Emergency Management webpage for demographic and economic data on impacted areas. Each disaster will include data from our key emergency management tools: OnTheMap for Emergency Management, Community Resilience Estimates, Census Business Builder: Regional Analyst Edition and other useful resources.

Learn What Surveys Are Being Conducted in Your Community

Discover which of the U.S. Census Bureau's annual surveys are being conducted in your community. In a variety of surveys and censuses, evolving from the first census in 1790, the Census Bureau provides official information about America's people, businesses, industries and institutions. Learn more about surveys currently being conducted in each Census Bureau region:

• Atlanta
• Chicago
• Denver
• Los Angeles
• New York
• Philadelphia
• All Surveys

Data Tools

The U.S. Census Bureau's interactive applications are used to access statistics from our annual surveys and programs. A complete list can be accessed on the Census Bureau's Data Tools and Apps webpage.

Training Opportunities

U.S. Census Bureau Training Opportunities

Webinars are available on a regular basis to help the public access and use Census Bureau statistics. These free sessions, which are 60 to 90 minutes each, show users how to navigate Census Bureau databases and mapping tools and find demographic and economic statistics at the local or national level. Descriptions of upcoming sessions are available on our Census Academy webpage. Login details are provided at least one week before a webinar.

• Using American Community Survey Estimates and Margins of Error (Wednesday, March 11, 2-3 p.m. ET)
• No Data Degree Required: Your Census Data Starter Kit (Thursday, March 12, 1:30-2:45 p.m. ET)
• The Strengths of QWI and Administrative Data in a Small State (Wednesday, March 18, 1:30-2:45 p.m. ET)
• Understanding the Annual Integrated Economic Survey: A Streamlined Approach to Business Statistics (Thursday, March 19, 2-3 p.m. ET)
• Microdata Access Tool (MDAT) Made Easy (Tuesday, March 24, 2-3 p.m. ET)
• Building School Budgets With Census Data (Wednesday, March 25, 2-3 p.m. ET)

Archived Training Resources

Visit the U.S. Census Bureau's Educational Resource Library for previously recorded, free training available at your convenience. The library includes presentations, recorded webinars, tutorials and other helpful materials.

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