Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS)
Back to all collections
1 New ICR
Summary
The Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS) is a national survey panel by the U.S. Census Bureau (Census). The purpose of the panel is to collect information on topics such as food and nutrition, transportation, employment, and education and to gather data that can be used to improve and inform future surveys. The panel will consist of individuals and households living across the U.S. who have agreed to be contacted and invited to participate in surveys.
| https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/htops.html | |
| Agency | DOC, CENSUS |
|---|---|
| Data Checkup | |
Historical Data Availability
No Known Issue
Future Data Availability
No Known Issue
In the fall of 2024, the Census Bureau announced HTOPS as a successor to the Household Pulse Survey (HPS). The February 2025 HTOPS public use file was released in April 2025, but was posted to the HPS data product page and data from April 2025 and June 2025 were not published until early 2026.
Data Quality
High Risk
Per Executive Order 14168, gender identity questions were deleted from the survey, and 'sex at birth' was replaced with 'sex'. Although the precursor to HTOPS was released on an ongoing, frequent basis (bi-weekly to monthly), to date only a February 2025 HTOPS public use file has been released.
Statutory Context
High Risk
Statutory authorization is vague.
Staffing and Funding
Moderate Risk
From FY2024 to FY2026, the Census Bureau has lost more than 2,500 staff (~20%). While the FY27 President's Budget requests an approximately 30% increase for the Census Bureau, the proposal recommends reductions to many programs and surveys. In May 2026, the House Appropriations Committee advanced its version of the budget, proposing level funding at FY26 levels.
Last updated: 2026-06-16
| Primary URL | https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/htops.html |
|---|
Details
| OMB Control Number | 0607-1029 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Authorizing Statutes | 13 USC 8(b), 182, 193, 141 | |||
| Related ICRs |
| Reference Number | Title | Agency | Status | Request Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 202605-0607-003 | New HTOPS July, September, and November 2026 | DOC/CENSUS | Active | Revision of a currently approved collection |
| 202603-0607-003 | HTOPS SEP/OCT/DEC 2025 Non-Substantive Change | DOC/CENSUS | Active | No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection |
| 202601-0607-005 | High Frequency Surveys Program Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (March and May 2026) | DOC/CENSUS | Active | Revision of a currently approved collection |
| 202512-0607-002 | High Frequency Surveys Program Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (September, October, December) NSC | DOC/CENSUS | Active | No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection |
| 202507-0607-005 | High Frequency Surveys Program Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (September, October, December) | DOC/CENSUS | Active | Revision of a currently approved collection |
| 202505-0607-002 | High Frequency Surveys Program Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (June, August) | DOC/CENSUS | Historical Active | Revision of a currently approved collection |
| 202502-0607-007 | High Frequency Surveys Program Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (March, April, May) | DOC/CENSUS | Active | Revision of a currently approved collection |
| 202502-0607-003 | High-Frequency Surveys Program, Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey NSC | DOC/CENSUS | Historical Active | No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection |