Connect U.S. Census Bureau to Copilot Studio
Query U.S. Census Bureau directly from Copilot Studio. Arlet links the two through one MCP connection and takes care of API keys.
This server connects your AI client to the US Census Bureau data API, which publishes the country's demographic and economic baseline statistics. The Census variable system is famously intricate (tables like B19013, variables like B19013_001E, geography codes like state:06); this server wraps it in a three-step flow that an AI can follow reliably.
Key features:
- search_tables: find statistical tables by keyword within a dataset - 'median household income' resolves to table B19013. Defaults to the American Community Survey 5-year estimates (acs/acs5), the dataset with the finest geographic detail.
- list_table_variables: list a table's variables with human-readable labels. By default only estimate variables are shown, hiding the margin-of-error and annotation columns that usually just add noise.
- get_data: fetch values for chosen variables and a geography in the Census 'level:codes' form (us:1, state:06, county:* within a state, place:*, ...). The raw array-of-arrays response is converted to named records, and geography names are always included.
Other datasets and years are reachable through the dataset/vintage parameters (acs/acs1, dec/pl decennial redistricting, cbp County Business Patterns, ...).
Arlet obtains and manages the API key, so there is nothing for you to sign up for or configure - just switch the server on. (The key's rate limit is shared across Arlet users.)
How to connect U.S. Census Bureau to Copilot Studio
- 1
In the Arlet dashboard, open Data tools, find U.S. Census Bureau and switch it on. No API key setup is needed.
- 2
Sign in to Copilot Studio with your work account, create a new agent (or open an existing one), and in the Build tab choose Tools → + → Add → Model Context Protocol (MCP) in the right panel.
- 3
In the Add MCP server form, enter "Arlet" as the Server name, https://mcp.arlet.dev/mcp/ as the Server URL, choose OAuth 2.0 for Authentication and "Dynamic (detected)" for Configuration type, then click Add. No Client ID / Secret is needed.
- 4
On the Select a connection screen, choose Create new connection → Create, then sign in with Google on the Arlet authorization screen and click Allow. Click Add to attach the tool to the agent, then Publish to use it from Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Requires a Microsoft work account and a Copilot Studio license (or trial). MCP is available only for agents using generative orchestration and not in Copilot Studio in Teams.