PRB

Why It Matters

Public data guide representation, funding, and everyday policy. The decennial Census, the American Community Survey (ACS), and other key surveys determine how resources flow and whose needs are seen. Today these systems face real risks: undercounts of hard-to-reach populations, misinformation that erodes trust, political pressure that distorts methods, and funding cuts that threaten data collection and survey continuity. Without strong, reliable public data—and the ability to contextualize and interpret it fairly—communities lose fair representation, equitable funding, and the tools to plan for the future. That’s where PRB comes in.

How We Drive Change

We strengthen the nation’s data infrastructure by connecting producers and users. We provide tools, technical training, and analyses that make complex datasets clear and actionable, and we convene partners to defend scientific standards and transparency.

Our work includes:

• Building understanding of how census and survey data support fair representation, equitable funding, and effective community planning.
• Creating tools and platforms that make public data easier to use, from local government officials planning schools and hospitals to researchers answering tough public health questions to journalists holding governments accountable.
• Equipping advocates, educators, and policymakers with the training and context they need to interpret data accurately and responsibly and drive better policies.
• Promoting transparency and accountability in how data are collected, shared, and safeguarded.

Powering Policy With Data

ACS Data Users Group

In partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, PRB manages a nationwide community of over 7,000 data users and a biennial conference on the American Community Survey, the preeminent source for detailed, ongoing information about the U.S. population and households. ACS on the Road events bring hands-on training to state and local officials so they can use ACS data to plan stronger communities and shape sound policies.

ACS and U.S. Census Resources

We create handbooks, videos, and other user-friendly resources that help diverse groups—from journalists to business leaders to local and state governments—interpret and apply data from the American Community Survey and the decennial U.S. Census. These tools help advocates and decisionmakers identify problems in their communities—and develop targeted solutions.

Federal Data Forum

We convene researchers, advocates, and policymakers to safeguard America’s statistical infrastructure and support open, inclusive data. The Federal Data Forum builds cross-sector collaboration to identify risks early and keep federal data strong, trusted, representative, and ready to guide decisions. Launched in 2025, the forum convened over 500 members representing government, academia, and civil society in its inaugural year.

Census Undercount Risk Analyses

Our interactive maps and spotlight counties at high risk of undercounting young children, and reports assess the consequences of undercounts for underrepresented groups and individual states. Local governments, philanthropies, and community groups use these insights to target outreach, boost participation, and protect fair representation and resources.

Rapid Response Briefings

When threats emerge, PRB mobilizes quickly. With partners such as the Association of Public Data Users and DataIndex.US, we convene timely roundtable briefings to coordinate action and protect surveys like the American Time Use Survey and Medicare data, so debates about work, health, and family are grounded in evidence.

Protecting Public Data as a Public Good

At PRB, we believe demographic evidence must serve the people it describes. Our work defends public data as a shared resource that supports health, equity, and democracy. Together, we can keep these public goods reliable and available for the common good today and for generations to come.