American Community Survey

Outline

• American Community Survey basics

• Accessing ACS data products

• Resources for learning more

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What is the American Community Survey?

A large, continuous survey that:• samples approximately 3 million resident

addresses per year (about 250,000 per month)

• produces characteristics of population and housing (similar to Census 2000 long form)

• produces estimates for small areas and small population groups

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2010 Census and the ACS2010 Census ACS

• U.S. population count • U.S. population characteristics

• Short form only • Includes short form questions

• Only long form is for U.S.

territories, except Puerto Rico

• Conducted in Puerto Rico

• “Usual residence” rule • “Current residence” rule

• Point in time • Period of time

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American Community Survey Social Characteristics

• Education

• Marital Status

• Fertility

• Grandparent Caregivers

• Veterans

• Disability Status

• Place of Birth• Citizenship• Year of Entry• Language Spoken at Home• Ancestry / Tribal• Affiliation

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American Community Survey Economic Characteristics

• Income

• Benefits

• Employment Status

• Occupation

• Industry

• Commuting to Work

• Place of Work

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American Community Survey Housing Characteristics

• Tenure

• Occupancy & Structure

• Housing Value

• Taxes & Insurance

• Utilities

• Mortgage/Monthly Rent

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American Community Survey Demographic Characteristics

• Sex

• Age

• Race

• Hispanic Origin

Selected Census Geographic Concepts

Legal/Administrative Areas

• Nation

• States

• Counties

• Incorporated Places

• Minor Civil Divisions

• Congressional Districts

• State Legislative Districts

• School Districts

Statistical Areas

• Regions

• Divisions

• Census Designated Places

• Census County Divisions

• Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMA)

• Census Tracts

• Block Groups

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ACS Period Estimates• Describe the average characteristics over a

specific period of time

• Contrast with point-in-time estimates Describe characteristics as of a specific date, such as April 1, 2010

• Period is 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years data (combined for 12 months, 36 months, or 60 months)

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American Community Survey Data Products Release Schedule

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Data Product

Population Size

of Area

Data released in:

2008 2009 2010 2011

1-Year Estimates

for Data Collected in: 65,000+ 2007 2008 2009 2010

3-Year Estimates

for Data Collected in: 20,000+2005-

20072006- 2008

2007- 2009

2008- 2010

5-Year Estimates

for Data Collected in: All Areas2005-

20092006- 2010

Comparing Data

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One Year2009

Three Year2007-2009

Five Year2005-2009

Alexandria, VA X X X

Fairfax, VA X X

Falls Church, VA X

Impact of Adding/Changing Content

• Some topics will only be available for 1-year data products

• Following topics will NOT be included in 5-year estimates

- Health Insurance Coverage (2008)- Marital History (2008)- Service-Connected Disability Status & Rating (2008) Disability (2008)- Undergraduate Field of Degree (2009)

• Takes 60 months of data collection to produce 5-year estimates

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How to Access ACS Data Products

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Census Bureau Home Page

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American FactFinder

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http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/aff_transition.html

The American Fact Finder is located at this URL:

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American Community Survey Learning More

• ACS Main Page

• Guidance on Comparing ACS Data to Other Sources

• Design and Methodology Report

• The ACS Compass Products

• ACS E-learning Tutorial

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The ACS Compass Productsfor Understanding and Using American Community Survey Data

www.census.gov/acs/www/guidance_for_data_users/compass_products/

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The ACS Compass ProductsHandbooks

• General Data Users• Businesses• High School Teachers• Congress• Federal Agencies• Media • PUMS• State and Local

Governments

• Researchers• Rural Areas• American Indian and Alaska

Native Populations• Puerto Rico Community

Survey (PRCS) – in Spanish• Puerto Rico Community

Survey (PRCS)

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For More Information

Visit the ACS/PRCS website:www.census.gov/acs

Contact by telephone:301-763-1405

Contact by email:acso.users.support@census.gov