5+ FREE U.S. Census Data Tools

Where to find census data when you want to explore alternatives to data.census.gov.

Data Hunt: Find Percent Uninsured (%) by congressional district

We use an example "Data Hunt" to show demonstrate the capability of these tools. Note: Paid options are available like PolicyMap and MySidewalk. Below, we will highlight fully free options for exploring demographic data using the example indicator of percent (%) uninsured.

Census Reporter

• ❤️ Why we love it: The best source (that we know of) for American Community Survey data outside of data.census.gov. Easiest way to find table numbers.

• ✏️ Limitations: Trends over time are not available. Latest data only. Choosing between 1-Yr and 5-Yr estimates may not be possible. Refreshed once a year.

• 📍 Geographic Levels: Census tract and all the others: city, county, state, congressional district

• 📊 Census Data Indicators:

  • Insurance-related tables https://censusreporter.org/topics/health-insurance/

  • Example Query

    • Uninsured by Congressional District https://censusreporter.org/data/table/

    • Map View https://censusreporter.org/data/map/

My Congressional District App

• ❤️ Why we love it: Connects directly to Census API, so has the latest data including 2024 1-year American Community Survey estimates

• ✏️ Limitations: Small list of indicators, only at Congressional District level

• 📍 Geographic Levels: Congressional District

• 📊 Census Data Indicators:

  • Uninsured (#) > tab: Socio-Economic: https://www.census.gov/mycd/application/?st=55&cd=04

  • Many other indicators from U.S. Census Bureau

CARES MAP ROOM

• ❤️ Why we love it: One of the largest collections of publicly available data. A good place to start if you are not sure if an indicator is available. Trends (i.e. changes over time) may be possible.

• ✏️ Limitations: No U.S. national benchmarks listed, no congressional districts

• 📍 Geographic Levels: Tract, ZCTA (~ZIP code), County, State, PUMA (collections of 100,000 ppl)

• 📊 Census Data Indicators:

  • Uninsured: https://careshq.org/map-room/  

  • Many other indicators too

Tools with a Public Health Focus

County Health Rankings

• ❤️ Why we love it: A carefully curated list of indicators that have an evidence-based association with health outcomes and background is given why indicator was chosen

• ✏️ Limitations: County level geography, includes big cities

• 📍 Geographic Levels: City, County (+/- organized by congressional district)

• 📊 Census Data Indicators:

  • Uninsured and other health-related indicators https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data/community-conditions/health-infrastructure/clinical-care/uninsured?year=2025

Congressional District Health Dashboard

• ❤️ Why we love it: A carefully curated list of 40 health indicators calculated to be at the Congressional District level with disparities by race, ethnicity, age, sex

• ✏️ Limitations: Unable to to regional disparities within a congressional district.

• 📍 Geographic Levels: U.S. Congressional Districts

• 📊 Census Data Indicators:

  • Uninsured and 40 other health-related indicators https://www.congressionaldistricthealthdashboard.org/maps/national?metric=24&dataPeriod=2023

➕ BONUS: Direct Query Using API

The U.S. Census API

• ❤️ Why we love it: All the data, all. of. it.

• ✏️ Limitations: There is a learning curve to the Census API. With the right instructions, anyone can set up a webhook.

• 📍 Geographic Levels: All, including small geographies: blocks, block groups, tracts

• 📊 Census Data Indicators:

  • All of them!

  • 🏁 Video How-To Guide: https://www.census.gov/library/video/2025/adrm/using-the-api-to-access-census-data.html

Disclosure. BroadStreet believes in publicly available data and is incredibly grateful to the tools above. We encourage everyone to support these organizations. We are not affiliated with Census Reporter, My Congressional District, CARES, County Health Rankings, or Congressional District Health Dashboard. Logos are property of those organizations.