New Weekly Survey from U.S. Census Bureau Provides Crucial Insight for Recovery Efforts

Weekly releases of key data sets illustrate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on U.S. citizens as a U.S. Census Bureau effort to enable data-driven decision-making in recovery planning.

1 minute read

May 22, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By Lee Flannery @leecflannery


U.S. Census

U.S. Department of Commerce / Wikimedia Commons

On Wednesday, the U.S. Census Bureau released initial results from the new Household Pulse Survey, a measure of "a range of ways in which people’s lives have been impacted by the pandemic," expected for publication on a weekly basis through late July. The survey's data are intended to inform response and recovery planning at state and federal levels. 

The survey tracks six key impact measures related to loss and expected loss of employment income, food scarcity, delayed medical care, housing insecurity, and K-12 educational changes, both nationally and by state. The first two weeks of data show that 21.3% of Americans had "only slight or no confidence in being able to pay next month’s rent or mortgage on time," reports Jane Callen. 

Even during 2020 Decennial Census operations, the Census Bureau is dedicated to producing the near real-time data necessary to understand important changes in American life to effectively respond during this time of crisis, as described when the Census Bureau announced its new, coronavirus-related surveys in April

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 in U.S. Census Bureau

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing