California Pesticide Use Data Explorer

The California Pesticide Use Data Explorer was developed for Californians for Pesticide Reform by the Open Spatial Lab at the University of Chicago Data Science Institute. This publicly-accessible data tool aims to make pesticide data accessible and stable online for Californians for Pesticide Reform, statewide coalition partners, researchers, policy and decision makers, and community residents.

Active Ingredients

Commodity Type

Application Site Type

Specific Chemical(s)

Specific Product(s)

Filter by County

Filter by Township

Filter by School District

Filter by Census Tract
Percent Black
Percent Hispanic
Median Income

Pesticide Use Map View

The map on the right displays pesticide use reporting data at the census tract or zip code scale. The colors on this map represent the pounds of pesticide used in each area. The color scale in the legend show the range of use, based on quantile breaks (quintile).

To change the scale from census tracts or zip codes, click on the layer icon on the legend on the bottom left of the map.

To change the date range displayed, change the start date and end date drop downs above.

To filter the data for particular active ingredient types, classes, or commodities, click the "Additional Filters" button for additional options.

Your current filters are display below, along with a description of data sources.

Below this map, there is a table of data at both the census tract and zip code scale.


California’s Pesticide Use Reporting (PUR) program has collected data on California’s agriculture and many non-agriculture pesticide uses across the state since 1970 through present day. Managed and collected by California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation, PUR data is refreshed about once per year. More information is available from [CA DPR](https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/pur/purmain.htm).

California PUR Data

This interactive data explorer enables users to filter or summarize publicly available California PUR data based on the following parameters.

PUR data was accessed in Fall 2023. Data from 2010 to 2021 (the most recent data year) are available in this tool.

  • Year (start and end), months
  • Active ingredient
  • Active ingredient class or type
  • Product
  • Commodity
  • Agricultural or non-agricultural use (Agricultural available at 1 sq. mi units; non-agricultural available at county-level.)

Spatial Data (GIS)

Spatial data enables users to query data based on the following areas, or spatial units:

Census Administrative Boundaries: ACS 2021 and 2020 boundaries, via census.gov

  • Counties
  • Zip codes
  • Census tracts
  • School districts: elementary, secondary, and unified school districts

Community Data

Community and demographic data allows users to better understand the impact of pesticide use on different populations locally and across the state. Demographic data available to filter, map, and explore include:

Census Demographic Data: ACS 2021 5-year estimates, via Social Explorer

  • Population
  • Race and ethnicity
  • Education