About the Household Pulse Survey

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. Originally launched in April 2020, the Household Pulse Survey (HPS) was designed to deploy quickly and efficiently to collect data to measure how emergent issues are impacting U.S. households from a social and economic perspective. Between April of 2020 to September 2024, the HPS continuously measured these data through cross-sectional data collection, and data were disseminated in near real-time to inform federal and state action.

In early October 2024, HPS content began transitioning into a longitudinal design, with data collected every other month. In 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.

The HTOPS continues 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 HPS-focused HTOPS data will initially be released only through microdata files, which contain respondent-level data. As the methodology matures, future release may include other data products, such as data tables. 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.

For information about the original HPS, please see below.

Was the HPS survey authorized by law?

Data collection for HPS was approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The current OMB approval number, 0607-1029, confirms this approval and expires on 01/31/2027.  The OMB approval number was required to be displayed to conduct this survey.

How is the HPS Different from Other Surveys Conducted by the Census Bureau?

The Census Bureau and its federal statistical partners are considered the preeminent source of the nation's most important benchmark surveys.  Many of these surveys have been ongoing for more than 80 years and provide valuable insight on social and economic trends. 

The production of these benchmark surveys is by nature a highly deliberative process. The process to release the data from these surveys can take months, sometimes years, before data are made publicly available.  

The approach for the HPS was different: it was designed to be a short-turnaround instrument that provides valuable data with a short turn-around time. The Census Bureau fielded the HPS as a part of the agency’s Experimental Data Series; as such, data products may not meet some of the Census Bureau’s statistical quality standards. Data were subject to suppression based on overall response and disclosure avoidance thresholds.

What information did the original HPS collect?

The Household Pulse Survey was a 20-minute online survey that measures how emergent social and economic issues impacted households across the country.

The HPS also asked about core demographic household characteristics:

  • Access to infant formula
  • Children’s mental health treatment
  • Vaccinations
  • Education, specifically K-12 enrollment
  • Childcare arrangements
  • Employment
  • Food sufficiency
  • Housing security
  • Household spending, including energy expenditures and consumption
  • Inflation concerns and changes in behavior due to increasing prices 
  • Physical and mental health
  • Feelings of pressure to move from rental home
  • Transportation, including behavioral changes related to the cost of gas
  • Health insurance coverage (including Medicaid)
  • Social isolation
  • Shortage of critical items
  • Participation with the arts
  • Internet access
  • Impact of living through natural disasters

What are the previous data collection cycles of the HPS?

Data collection phases

Phase 1: April 23, 2020 – July 21, 2020

Phase 2: August 19, 2020 – October 26, 2020

Phase 3: October 28, 2020 – March 29, 2021

Phase 3.1: April 14, 2021 – July 5, 2021

Phase 3.2: July 21, 2021 – October 11, 2021

Phase 3.3: December 1, 2021 – February 7, 2022

Phase 3.4: March 2, 2022 – May 9, 2022

Phase 3.5: June 1, 2022 – August 8, 2022

Phase 3.6: September 14, 2022 – November 14, 2022

Phase 3.7: December 9, 2022 – February 13, 2023

Phase 3.8: March 1, 2023 – May 8, 2023

Phase 3.9: June 7, 2023 – August 7, 2023

Phase 3.10: August 23, 2023 – October 30, 2023

Phase 4.0: January 9, 2024 – April 1, 2024

Phase 4.1: April 2, 2024 – July 22, 2024

Phase 4.2: July 23, 2024 – September 16, 2024

October 2024: October 15, 2024 – October 29, 2024

December 2024: December 17, 2024 – January 3, 2025

How were participants selected to be in the HPS?

The Census Bureau randomly chose addresses to participate in this survey. A limited number of addresses from across the country were scientifically selected to represent the entire population.

How were survey participants’ identity kept safe in the original HPS?

The U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to protect respondent information. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release responses in a way that could identify respondents. Participation in the survey was voluntary under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Sections 8(b), 182, and 193 to study emergent social and economic issues facing households. Federal law protects privacy and keeps answers confidential (Title 13, United States Code, Section 9). Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit data.

Privacy is protected by the Privacy Act (Title 5, U.S. Code, Section 552a).  Routine uses of these data are limited to those identified in the Privacy Act System of Record Notice titled, “SORN COMMERCE/Census-3, Demographic Survey Collection (Census Bureau Sampling Frame).” The Census Bureau can use responses only to produce statistics and is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify respondents.

How were HPS responses used?

The HPS data has been used only to create accurate, relevant statistics about the nation’s people, places, and economy. These statistics have helped inform officials and policymakers about communities and individuals across the United States impacted by emergent social and economic issues.

Additionally, the HPS has been a collaborative undertaking and in partnership with the following federal agencies:

Related Information


EXPERIMENTAL DATA PRODUCT

Household Pulse Survey
Page Last Revised - April 22, 2025