The U.S. Census Bureau is in a unique position to produce data on the social and economic effects of COVID-19 on American households and small businesses.
The United States Census Bureau’s Weekly Pulse Newsletter chronicled some valuable information, which gives us a snapshot of how families fared during the pandemic. As the economy took a deep dive and impacted businesses, particularly small businesses, such as ‘mom and pop’ operations, we are slowly recovering. Jobs are opening up and this will have a positive effect on the lives and livelihood of families.
Based on responses collected September 27 through October 3, the Small Business Pulse Survey[SBPS] estimates that:
- 11.6% of U.S. small businesses required employees to have proof of COVID-19 vaccination before physically coming to work last week, based on SBPS responses collected 9/27-10/3
- 9.4% of U.S. small businesses required employees to test negative for COVID-19 before physically coming to work in the last week, based on SBPS responses collected 9/27-10/3
- 23.2% of U.S. small businesses experienced decreased operating revenues/sales/receipts not including financial assistance or loans last week, based on SBPS responses collected 9/27-10/3. For responses collected 9/20-9/26, it was 24.2%
- 23.0% of U.S. small businesses reported a large negative effect from the coronavirus pandemic last week, based on SBPS responses collected 9/27-10/3. For responses collected 9/20-9/26, it was 24.1%
Comparing now to what was normal before March 13, 2020, how have the following changed? Number of paid employees, demand for goods/services, and more.
- 87.1% of U.S. manufacturing small businesses experienced a large or moderate increase in prices they pay for goods or services compared to what was normal before 3/13/20 based on SBPS responses collected 9/27-10/3. The national average was 69.7%
- 29.0% of U.S. manufacturing small businesses experienced a moderate increase in demand for their goods or services compared to what was normal before 3/13/20, based on SBPS responses collected 9/27-10/3. The national average was 23.9%
- 25.9% of U.S. manufacturing small businesses experienced a moderate decrease in the number of paid employees compared to what was normal before 3/13/20, based on SBPS responses collected 9/27-10/3. The national average was 21.5%
Based on responses collected September 15 through September 27, 2021, the Household Pulse Survey estimates that:
- SOGI: The U.S. Census Bureau now asks about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) as part of the Household Pulse Survey (HPS). You can find data and information here: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/household-pulse-survey/data.html
- Childcare Disruptions (for kids 5 and under): Of adults living in homes with children under 5, 30.5% were in homes where children were unable to attend #daycare/other childcare due to safety concerns in the past 4 weeks
- Food Assistance for Children: Of adults living in households with children, 51.1% were in homes where children received food assistance in the past 7 days
- Worked Onsite at a Workplace: 58.2% of adults lived in households where someone worked onsite at a workplace in the past 7 days, based on responses collected 9/15-27
- Unable to Pay Energy Bill: 19.2% of adults lived in households that were unable to pay an energy bill in full in the last 12 months
- Child Tax Credit Spending: Of adults living in households that received a Child Tax Credit payment in the past 4 weeks, 71.6% either mostly spent it or used it to pay down debt
- Children’s Tele-health: Of adults living in homes with children, 16.6% were in homes where children had an appointment with a doctor/nurse/other health professional by video or phone in the past 4 weeks
- Household Tele-health: 20.6% of adults had an appointment with a doctor/nurse/other health professional by video or phone in the past 4 weeks
- Food Scarcity: 9.4% of adults lived in homes where there was sometimes/often not enough to eat in the past 7 days
- Housing Insecurity: 5.9% of adults aren’t current on rent/mortgage payment and have slight/no confidence in making next payment on time
- Eviction or Foreclosure: Of adults living in households not current on rent/mortgage, 33.6% report eviction or foreclosure in the next two months is somewhat/very likely
- Difficulty with Household Expenses: 28.2% of adults live in households where it has been somewhat/very difficult to pay the usual household expenses in the past 7 days
A snapshot of how American families and small businesses are experiencing challenges to growth, in efforts to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19 over the past year and 1/2, “““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““ is provided by examining the data from our U.S. Census Bureau. What this informs us is that there are always powerful stories in data. For more stories, visit http://www.census.gov. See how we are doing and let us know how you and your family are navigating this new ‘normal’. And, for those of you who are educators, do use this information in your classrooms. Ask questions and tell stories based on truth in data.
DIVERSITY University 