By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Census Bureau releases business, household data
gbtribune news logo anvil app

The U.S. Census Bureau produces data on the social and economic effects of COVID-19 on American households and small businesses with its pulse surveys. Below are updates released Friday:  


Small Business Pulse 

Survey

Based on responses collected March 15 through March 21, the Small Business Pulse Survey estimates that:

• 11.9% of U.S. Small Businesses experienced an increase in operating revenues/sales/receipts in the last week. For responses collected March 8-14, this statistic was 10.1%.

• 8.4% of U.S. small businesses have experienced an increase in the total number of hours worked by paid employees in the last week. For responses collected March 8-14, this statistic was 7.7%.

• 7.4% of U.S. small businesses experienced an increase in the number of paid employees in the last week. For responses collected March 8-14 this statistic was 7.1%.

• 7.5% of U.S. small businesses required their employees to test negative for COVID-19 before coming to work in the last week.

• 30.5% of U.S. small businesses think they will need to identify and hire new employees in the next six months.

• 52.8% of U.S. educational services small businesses think more than six months will pass before their business returns to its normal level of operations. 

• 50.4% of U.S. retail trade small businesses experienced domestic supplier delays in the last week.

The Overall Sentiment Index, which assesses the overall average effect of the pandemic on businesses, shows an increase from the prior week of responses, indicating a less negative sentiment for responses collected March 15-21.


Household Pulse 

Survey

Based on responses collected March 3 through March 15, the House-hold Pulse Survey estimates that:

• 19.2% of American adults expect someone in their household to experience a loss in employment income in the next four weeks.

• 38.8% of adults live in households where at least one adult substituted some or all in-person work for tele-work because of the coronavirus pandemic.

• 10.7% of American adults lived in households where there was either sometimes or often not enough to eat in the previous seven days.

• 7.4% of adults are not current on their rent or mortgage payment and have slight or no confidence in making their next payment on time.

• 31.5% report eviction or foreclosure in the next two months is somewhat or very likely, based on responses collected March 3-15.

• The Household Pulse Survey estimates that 33.8% of adults live in households where it has been somewhat or very difficult to pay usual household expenses during the coronavirus pandemic, based on responses collected March 3-15.

• The Household Pulse Survey estimates that 73.6% of adults in households with post-secondary educational plans had those plans canceled or changed significantly this fall, based on responses collected March 3-15.

• The Household Pulse Survey estimates that 34.2% of adults have received a COVID-19V vaccine, based on responses collected March 3-15.

• The Household Pulse Survey estimates that among adults who have yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, 51.4% definitely will get one when available based on responses collected March 3-15.