Another of WARC's distinctions is that of State Data Center Network Affiliate, a designation made by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, in November 1988. This status enhances the commission's ability to assist with area development via continuous access to census publications and information from state and federal agencies. The commission gathers and disseminates statistical data for use by member governments.

WARC served as the local liaison between the Bureau of the Census and a number of member governments for the 1990 census and was designated a coordinating agency for updating maps for the 2000 census.