2021-11-15: Personator Census Data#
Personator Census Data Advisory#
Major Update: Personator updating to 2020 Census Data:
Starting the Week of November 15, 2021, Personator’s Census data will be updated from 2019 to 2020. All clients who are currently using Personator’s default Census outputs will be affected including:
Census Block
Census Tract
Census Key
Those who are using the census outputs in Personator (and not specifically requesting for the 2010 Decennial Census Keys in the options) will automatically start getting the 2020 Census Data after this upcoming update. The change from 2019 to 2020 is quite significant and about 80% of the census blocks and tracts have changed. Businesses that are affected by the update in Census are recommend to look into using the static 2010 Decennial Census Data.
We understand that different companies have varying requirements for Census Data. Melissa’s Personator API will be supporting the 2010 Decennial Census Data, the 2020 Decennial Census Data and the latest yearly Census releases moving forward (2021, 2022, etc).
How Can I Access the Different Versions of the Census Data?#
In order to control which census data is returned, users may set the DecennialCensusKey option in the Personator API. More information on the option can be found here:
The DecennialCensusKey Option can be specified in your request:
REST#
&opt= DecennialCensusKey:value
XML#
DecennialCensusKey:value
The values may be set to the following:
Option Name |
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Return the 2020 static decennial census database released. |
|
Return the 2010 static decennial census database released. |
|
|
Default. Return the latest Census information available. |
What is the timeline for releases for the upcoming/future Census Data?#
Depending on the value specified in the DecennialCensusKey option, Personator will return the requested Census Key version.
Here are the timelines for when the various Census Data Options will be available:
Currently Live in Personator (Production as of 10/20/2021):#
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Returns the 2010 Decennial Census Data. |
|
Default. Returns the latest 2019 Census Data. |
Next Update to Personator (Week of November 15, 2021):#
A new option for the static 2020 Decennial Census Data will be available.
The default for 2020.
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Returns the 2020 Decennial Census Data. |
|
Returns the 2010 Decennial Census Data. |
|
Default. Returns the latest 2020 Census Data. |
Next Year (2022) when 2021 Census Data is Available:#
The yearly census data will be returned by default as they become available.
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Returns the 2020 Decennial Census Data. |
|
Returns the 2010 Decennial Census Data. |
|
Default. Returns the latest 2021 Census Data. |