Data Stories

Weekly highlights from Census data — the numbers behind American life, explained.

Week of April 27, 2026Trust

Trust in Congress Hits 17.9% — Lowest of All Institutions

New Census HTOPS data reveals Congress is the least trusted institution in America. Only 17.9% of Americans express "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of trust in Congress, while the Census Bureau leads at 70.7%.

Week of April 20, 2026AI

Census Releases First HTOPS Data — 24.45% of Americans Use AI

The Census Bureau's new Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey reveals nearly 1 in 4 Americans have used AI tools. Usage varies dramatically by state, from 15% to over 33%.

Week of April 13, 2026Food

Food Insecurity Persists at 7% Nationally — 3× Higher for Low-Income

Despite economic recovery, 7% of American households report food insufficiency. The burden falls disproportionately on households earning under $25K, where rates are nearly three times the national average.

Week of April 6, 2026Spending

80% of Americans Report Expense Difficulty

A staggering 80.39% of Americans say it's "somewhat" or "very" difficult to pay for usual household expenses. Housing costs remain the biggest driver, with 8.6% behind on rent.

Week of March 30, 2026Health

The Uninsured Map: Arkansas Leads at 16.1%, Massachusetts Lowest

Health insurance coverage varies dramatically by state. Arkansas has the highest uninsured rate at 16.1%, while several northeastern states maintain rates below 4%.

Week of March 23, 2026Wellbeing

State Wellbeing Rankings: The Geographic Divide in American Life

Our composite Wellbeing Index reveals stark geographic disparities. Northeastern and western states consistently outperform the South on income, health, and food security metrics.