Data Guide
Updated July 15, 2026
CensusOS combines datasets with different vintages, coverage, geography definitions, and uncertainty. The active dataset card, report source footer, and catalog availability fields are the authoritative record for a specific output.
Status labels
- Complete means every geography declared for that catalog entry has a verified runtime file. It does not mean every record has a non-null estimate.
- Partial means at least one declared geography file is absent. Available geography levels remain usable.
- Unavailable means the catalog entry has no usable runtime source in the current release.
Source badges
The information badge on a dataset card identifies its attributed provider and vintage. It is not a claim of endorsement, independent validation, or unrestricted licensing. Detailed notices are maintained on the Attribution page.
ACS estimates
American Community Survey values are survey estimates, not exact counts. Small-area estimates may have large margins of error. CensusOS may display estimates without a margin-of-error visualization in some views; consult the source table before consequential use.
Boundaries and time
Boundaries change. A value's data vintage and its displayed geography vintage may differ when normalization is enabled. Normalized views support comparison but are modeled transformations, not original Census tabulations.
Political data
Election layers may have incomplete state or precinct coverage and are not official certifications. CensusOS excludes restricted political sources from normal public builds and ships a political layer only when its source ledger marks commercial use and redistribution as clear.
Verification
Before using a result for legal, financial, medical, electoral, policy, grant, or other consequential decisions, verify it against the cited primary source and applicable methodology.
Report suspected data errors through the in-app feedback form or email whatkins107@gmail.com.