Data & Trends

FHFA: U.S. House Prices Rise 17.5 Percent Over the Last Year; Up 3.3 Percent from the Third Quarter

U.S. house prices rose 17.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2020 to the fourth quarter of 2021 according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency House Price Index (FHFA HPI®). House prices were up 3.3 percent compared to the third quarter of 2021. FHFA’s seasonally adjusted monthly index for December was up 1.2 percent from November. “House prices continued to climb but…

Census Bureau: Household Pulse Survey Phase 3.3 Monthly Data Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from phase 3.3 of the experimental Household Pulse Survey (HPS). The HPS is now a monthly release as current changes in data no longer warrant a biweekly data collection, and we work to reduce respondent burden. This phase includes updated vaccination questions that expand response options for the number…

Census Bureau: Small Business Pulse Survey Phase 8 Begun

The U.S. Census Bureau today announced the beginning of data collection for Phase 8 of the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS). This experimental survey was designed and launched in April 2020 to measure the effect of changing business conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. It has also proven valuable in measuring the impact of other major events such…

Census Bureau: 2020 County Business Patterns ‘First Look’ Data Now Available

The U.S. Census Bureau today released the 2020 County Business Patterns (CBP) First Look data table. This preliminary tabulation includes the number of establishments; employment for the week of March 12, 2020; first quarter payroll; and annual payroll at the NAICS sector level (i.e., 2-digit NAICS) for the nation. The final CBP tables for the 2020 reference…

Census Bureau: 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Update

On March 17, the U.S. Census Bureau will release the standard, full suite of 2016–2020 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year data products—down to the block group level. Following pandemic-related data collection disruptions, the Census Bureau revised its methodology to reduce nonresponse bias in data collected in 2020. After evaluating the effectiveness of this methodology, the Census Bureau determined the resulting data are fit for public release, government and…

HUD: 2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report Part 1 Released

Report Suggests that COVID-19 Relief Had Positive Impacts on Sheltered Homelessness  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today released its 2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report Part 1 to Congress. The report found that more than 326,000 people experienced sheltered homelessness in the United States on a single night in 2021, a decrease of…

ABA: Report Shows Credit Card Market Reflected Economic Recovery in Third Quarter of 2021

Credit conditions in last year’s third quarter reflected an ongoing economic recovery while credit card debt as a share of disposable income tilted slightly downward, according to the American Bankers Association’s latest quarterly Credit Card Market Monitor released today. Monthly purchase volumes grew across risk tiers during the third quarter, while average credit lines for…

CFPB: New Report Reviews Financial Issues Facing People and Families in Contact with the Criminal Justice System

Report Finds Products and Services Rife with Burdensome Fees and Lack of Choice The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today published a review of the financial issues facing people and families who come in contact with the criminal justice system. The report, “Justice-Involved Individuals and the Consumer Financial Marketplace,”  describes an ecosystem rife with burdensome fees and…

CDFI Fund: Application Demand for FY 2021 Round of BEA Program Released

Over $1.1 Billion in Increased Investments, Lending and Services in Highly Distressed Communities and to CDFIs The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) announced today the application data for the fiscal year (FY) 2021 round of its Bank Enterprise Award Program (BEA Program). A total of 161 applications were…

CFPB: Annual List of Consumer Reporting Companies Released

Updated list names financial surveillance companies that people can use to access their own files and sue if they violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released its annual list of consumer reporting companies. The list identifies dozens of specialty reporting companies that collect and sell access to people’s data,…