The U.S. Census Bureau has announced that API keys are now mandatory for all Census Data API calls, a measure implemented to enhance security for both the Bureau and its users.
To facilitate a smooth transition, the Bureau has updated its Developers pages with new example queries, refreshed the API User Guide, and released a video detailing the process of requesting, activating, and using an API key. However, based on user feedback, API keys are not required for metadata queries, including resources like the API Discovery Tool.
In addition to the API key requirement, data.census.gov has received several site enhancements. These include clearer prompts for address searches, requiring a city/state or ZIP Code, and a new Search button for improved intuition. Mobile users will also see a new message suggesting they rotate their device to portrait mode for optimal viewing of data.census.gov and the Microdata Access Tool.
The Bureau also highlighted recent data releases, such as the 2020, 2018, 2017, and 2016 Community Resilience Estimates, and the 2024 Community Resilience Estimates for Puerto Rico. A series of free virtual workshops are scheduled for June, covering topics from basic data finding to advanced API usage and mapping.