Household Pulse Survey -- Measuring Household Experiences during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
https://www.census.gov/householdpulsedata
The U.S. Census Bureau is collecting data through a weekly Household Pulse Survey on the social and economic effects of COVID-19 on American households. The Survey asks individuals about their experiences in terms of employment status, spending patterns, food security, housing, physical and mental health, access to health care, and educational disruption. The questionnaire is a result of collaboration between the U.S. Census Bureau and the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Weekly, the Census Bureau is producing statistics at a state level and for the 15 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). Data collection for the Household Pulse Survey began on April 23, 2020 and is authorized for 12 weeks. As of June 3, four weeks of data have been released. The survey is designed to be longitudinal: data will provide insights with regard to how household experiences changed during the pandemic.
Data are currently available on an interactive map and in spreadsheet tables and public use files. Data topic areas -- employment, education, food sufficiency and security, health, and housing.
Weekly survey estimates are produced by weighting the results to various demographic controls from auxiliary sources like the Census Bureau official population estimates and the American Community Survey. Weekly source and accuracy documentation provide details about the methods and quality of the survey estimates. Technical documentation:
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/household-pulse-survey/technical-documentation.html
May 19 -- The Census Bureau invites public comment on any aspect of the Household Pulse Survey, such as survey design, sample design, and data products -- comments are due by July 20. See
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/19/2020-10650/proposed-information-collection-comment-request-household-pulse-survey
May 20 -- The Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution hosted a webinar at which the Household Pulse Survey and initial findings were described: "Webinar: Taking the pulse of the COVID-19 economy — New Census Bureau weekly surveys"
HPS slides:
https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Velkoff-HHP-Survey-Brookings-5-20-2020-final-vv.pdf
Audio:
https://www.brookings.edu/events/webinar-taking-the-pulse-of-the-covid-19-economy-new-census-bureau-weekly-surveys/
June 3 -- The Census Bureau invites public comment on conducting the Household Pulse Survey for 24 weeks, rather than 12 weeks -- comments are due by August 3. See
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/06/03/2020-11966/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-to-the-office-of-management-and-budget-omb-for
June 10 -- OMB approves Census Bureau request to revise the Household Pulse Survey questionnaire. Revised text at:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/DownloadDocument?objectID=101633400 Users can comment on revised questionnaire by responding to either of the above comment invitations.
June 11 -- Census asks OMB to approve new revisions to the Household Pulse Survey questionnaire -- proposed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding "Economic Impact Payments (EIP/Stimulus) made available through the CARES act and other legislation." See
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/DownloadDocument?objectID=101824600
Point of contact: Cassandra A. Logan, Survey Director, Household Pulse Survey, Census Bureau (301) 763-1087 Cassandra.logan@census.gov
