Socrata

API

Open Data API for Governments, Non-profits & NGOs Worldwide

Overview

Socrata provides RESTful APIs to access open data from thousands of governments, non-profits, and NGOs globally. It supports JSON responses and uses SoQL (Socrata Query Language) for filtering, sorting, and aggregating datasets. Key endpoints include dataset metadata retrieval, record queries, and bulk exports. Use cases include building civic engagement apps (e.g., public transit tracking), conducting policy research with demographic data, creating transparency dashboards for government spending, and integrating non-profit service data into community tools. The API is designed for easy integration with web and mobile applications.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


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

Key Features

RESTful
JSON Support
SoQL Query Language
Bulk Data Exports
No Auth for Public Datasets
Metadata Access

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Socrata free to use?

Socrata offers free access to public datasets with rate limits for both non-commercial and commercial use. Enterprise plans are available for advanced needs like unlimited access, private datasets, or priority support.

? Does Socrata require an API key?

Most public datasets do not require an API key, but registering for one unlocks higher rate limits and access to certain restricted datasets. Enterprise users get dedicated keys for enhanced access.

? What response formats does Socrata support?

Socrata primarily uses JSON for API responses but also supports CSV, Excel, GeoJSON, and other formats for dataset exports, depending on the data type and compatibility.

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Tool Info

Pricing Freemium

Category Open Data

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Wide Range of Open Data Sources
⊕ Easy-to-Use Query Language
⊕ Free Access to Public Datasets
⊕ Well-Documented
⊕ Supports Multiple Export Formats

Cons

⊖ Rate Limits on Free Tier
⊖ Some Datasets Require Enterprise Access
⊖ SoQL Learning Curve
⊖ No SLA for Public Use