Census Data API · Behaviour change
GET /data/* now requires an API key
Stopped working
On May 11, 2026, the Census Bureau began requiring an API key for queries made to the Census Data API. This change impacts calls to GET /data/*, and any requests sent without a valid key now fail. The requirement applies to every user querying the API.
What to use instead of these calls
To update your integration, obtain a free key, activate it, and append key=<your key> to every query. Note that each deployment needs an API key that a person manually requests and activates.
Each deployment needs a Census API key that a person requests and activates.
Calls it hits
GET /data/*
May 11, 2026 The Census Bureau now requires an API key for all queries made to the Census Data Application Programming Interface (API). This change affects every user of the Census Data API.
Facts
- API
- Census Data API
api.census.gov - Kind
- Behaviour change
- Announced
- May 11, 2026
- Takes effect
- May 11, 2026
- Calls after that day
- Fail
- Source
- Announcement
- Last updated