Data.gov

API

Free API for U.S. Government Open Data

Overview

Data.gov API provides access to thousands of open datasets from U.S. federal agencies (agriculture, climate, education, healthcare, etc.). Key endpoints include dataset search (by keyword/agency/category), metadata retrieval, and resource access. Responses are primarily JSON, with some datasets supporting CSV or GeoJSON. Use cases: Building civic tech apps for transparency, policy research, visualizing public stats (e.g., climate data, healthcare metrics), or integrating government data into educational/research tools. A free API key is required for access.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://api.data.gov/')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful
JSON Responses
Access to Federal Datasets
Free API Key Required
Supports Multiple Data Formats

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Data.gov free to use?

Yes, the Data.gov API is free, but you need to register for a free API key to access its endpoints.

? Does it require an API Key?

Yes, a free API key is mandatory for all requests to the Data.gov API to manage rate limits.

? What is the response format?

Most responses are in JSON, though some datasets may provide additional formats like CSV, XML, or GeoJSON depending on the resource.

Top Alternatives

U.S. Census Bureau API Search Google

USAspending.gov API Search Google

EPA Environmental Data API Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Government

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Vast Public Data Collection
⊕ Free to Use
⊕ Regularly Updated Datasets
⊕ Covers Multiple Federal Agencies

Cons

⊖ Rate Limited (1000 Requests/Hour Free Tier)
⊖ Requires API Key Registration
⊖ Variable Data Quality Across Sources
⊖ Some Datasets May Be Outdated