Census Bureau Releases 2020 Census Microdata

AUGUST 5, 2024 - The U.S. Census Bureau today released the 2020 Census Privacy-Protected Microdata File (PPMF). The 2020 PPMF includes two protected microdata files - a person file and a housing unit or household file. The PPMF is the successor to the former decennial census Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS), last issued for the 2010 Census.

As with the 2010 PUMS, the PPMF presents the data as rows of privacy-protected individual records (called microdata) rather than the aggregated totals found in data tables. This allows data users to generate custom tabulations not included in the Redistricting Data Summary File (P.L. 94-171), Demographic Profile, and the Demographic and Housing Characteristics File.

More information about the PPMF and how it differs from the 2010 Census PUMS is available on the 2020 Census Privacy-Protected Microdata File (PPMF) page.

Additionally, data users are invited to join a webinar tomorrow, August 6, to learn more about accessing and using the microdata files.

Log-In Details:

• Date: Tuesday, August 6
• Time: 3-4 p.m. EDT
• WebEx link
• Webinar/Access number (if needed): 2821 339 0853
• Webinar password (if needed): Census#1

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