# Census Scraper (`chimerical_quicklime/census-scraper`) Actor Scrape US Census Bureau data: population, median income, home values, demographics. Query by state, county, ZIP code, or census tract. ACS and Decennial Census datasets from 2000-2023. Multi-year support. - **URL**: https://apify.com/chimerical\_quicklime/census-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Khrystyna Skotte](https://apify.com/chimerical_quicklime) (community) - **Categories:** Lead generation, Automation, Developer tools - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing Pay per usage This Actor is paid per platform usage. The Actor is free to use, and you only pay for the Apify platform usage, which gets cheaper the higher subscription plan you have. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-usage ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## US Census Bureau Data Scraper ### Overview Extract population, income, housing, and demographic data from the official US Census Bureau API. Query ACS 5-Year, ACS 1-Year, and Decennial Census datasets at state, county, tract, or ZIP code levels. Supports multiple years in a single run for time-series analysis. ### Features - Search by keywords to find specific results - Filter results by category or type - Export data in JSON, CSV, or Excel formats ### Use Cases - **Track** - Track federal government data releases and updates - **Build** - Build datasets for policy research and analysis - **Monitor** - Monitor regulatory changes and compliance requirements - **Aggregate** - Aggregate public government data for transparency projects ### Input Parameters | Parameter | Type | Description | Default | |-----------|------|-------------|---------| | `dataset` | string | Census dataset to query | `acs/acs5` | | `years` | array | Data years to query. ACS: 2009-2023, Decennial: 2000, 2010, 2020 | `["2022"]` | | `variables` | array | Census variable codes (e.g., B01001_001E for total population) | `["NAME", "B01001_001E"]` | | `geography` | string | Geographic level for data | `state` | | `stateFips` | string | State FIPS code for sub-state geographies (e.g., 06 for California) | | | `apiKey` | string | Census API key (get free at api.census.gov/data/key_signup.html) | | ### Output Example Each result contains structured data like this: ```json { "NAME": "US Census Bureau Data Sample Item", "dataset": "Sample dataset", "year": 2024, "geography": "Sample geography", "stateFips": "Sample stateFips", "B01001_001E": "Sample B01001_001E", "B01001_001E_name": "US Census Bureau Data Sample Item" } ```` ### Pricing This actor uses pay-per-result pricing: - **$0.001** per result - **$1.00** per 1,000 results No monthly fees. You only pay for what you scrape. [Apify Free plan](https://apify.com/pricing) includes $5/month in platform credits. ### How to Run #### Apify Console 1. Go to the [US Census Bureau Data Scraper](https://apify.com/fortuitous_pirate/census-scraper) actor page 2. Configure your input parameters 3. Click **Start** and wait for the results 4. Download data in JSON, CSV, or Excel format #### API ```bash curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/fortuitous_pirate~census-scraper/runs?token=YOUR_API_TOKEN" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"maxItems": 10}' ``` #### Python SDK ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient client = ApifyClient("YOUR_API_TOKEN") run = client.actor("fortuitous_pirate/census-scraper").call( run_input={"maxItems": 10} ) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) ``` ### Integration Connect US Census Bureau Data Scraper with your existing tools and workflows: - **API access** - Programmatic access via [Apify API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2) - **Webhooks** - Get notified when scraping completes - **Scheduling** - Set up recurring runs on any schedule - **Zapier / Make** - Connect with 5,000+ apps via [Apify integrations](https://apify.com/integrations) - **Python / Node.js SDKs** - Native client libraries for easy integration # Actor input Schema ## `dataset` (type: `string`): Census dataset to query ## `years` (type: `array`): Data years to query. ACS: 2009-2023, Decennial: 2000, 2010, 2020 ## `variables` (type: `array`): Census variable codes (e.g., B01001\_001E for total population) ## `geography` (type: `string`): Geographic level for data ## `stateFips` (type: `string`): State FIPS code for sub-state geographies (e.g., 06 for California) ## `apiKey` (type: `string`): Census API key (get free at api.census.gov/data/key\_signup.html) ## Actor input object example ```json { "dataset": "acs/acs5", "years": [ "2022" ], "variables": [ "NAME", "B01001_001E" ], "geography": "state" } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "years": [ "2022" ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("chimerical_quicklime/census-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "years": ["2022"] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("chimerical_quicklime/census-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "years": [ "2022" ] }' | apify call chimerical_quicklime/census-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=chimerical_quicklime/census-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Census Scraper", "description": "Scrape US Census Bureau data: population, median income, home values, demographics. Query by state, county, ZIP code, or census tract. ACS and Decennial Census datasets from 2000-2023. Multi-year support.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "AsLEiW8DCmaKkYZZ9" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/chimerical_quicklime~census-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-chimerical_quicklime-census-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/chimerical_quicklime~census-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-chimerical_quicklime-census-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/chimerical_quicklime~census-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-chimerical_quicklime-census-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "dataset": { "title": "Dataset", "enum": [ "acs/acs5", "acs/acs1", "dec/pl", "pep/population", "cbp", "abs/cb" ], "type": "string", "description": "Census dataset to query", "default": "acs/acs5" }, "years": { "title": "Years", "type": "array", "description": "Data years to query. ACS: 2009-2023, Decennial: 2000, 2010, 2020", "items": { "type": "string" }, "default": [ "2022" ] }, "variables": { "title": "Variables", "type": "array", "description": "Census variable codes (e.g., B01001_001E for total population)", "items": { "type": "string" }, "default": [ "NAME", "B01001_001E" ] }, "geography": { "title": "Geography Level", "enum": [ "us", "state", "county", "tract", "place", "zip code tabulation area" ], "type": "string", "description": "Geographic level for data", "default": "state" }, "stateFips": { "title": "State FIPS Code", "type": "string", "description": "State FIPS code for sub-state geographies (e.g., 06 for California)" }, "apiKey": { "title": "Census API Key", "type": "string", "description": "Census API key (get free at api.census.gov/data/key_signup.html)" } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```