U.S. Census Bureau Unveils New Data Products on AC Access, Disabilities, and Economic Trends

The U.S. Census Bureau is set to release a series of new data products this week, offering insights into local air conditioning access, disability statistics, community resilience in Puerto Rico, and current business trends. These releases aim to provide critical information for policymakers, businesses, and the public to make informed decisions.

On May 19, the Census Bureau will publish new experimental Local Air Conditioning Estimates (LACE), detailing AC access at national, state, county, and census tract levels. This data, derived from the American Community Survey and American Housing Survey, is designed to help communities identify areas vulnerable to extreme heat and support local planning efforts. Additionally, May 19 will see the release of statistical information commemorating the July 26, 1990, signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act, providing a wide array of data on people with disabilities.

Further releases on May 19 include new data from the Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS), which measures ongoing business conditions and projections, covering aspects like revenues, employees, hours, and inventories. On May 21, the Census Bureau will release Community Resilience Estimates (CRE) for Puerto Rico, offering population estimates by social vulnerability to disasters for the commonwealth, municipios, and census tracts, alongside an interactive tool for easy data access.

The Bureau also highlighted several recent releases, including the Vintage 2025 Population Estimates for incorporated places and minor civil divisions, and housing unit estimates, released on May 14. The 2025 Annual Survey of Public Pensions, providing financial and membership data for defined-benefit public pension systems, was also released on May 14. Earlier in May, the 2026 Census Test began, inviting select households in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, to respond online. These ongoing data collections underscore the Census Bureau's commitment to providing quality data about the nation's people and economy.