Presentation by Phil Sparks, Co-DirectorThe Census Project

www.thecensusproject.org

National Association of Planning CouncilsApril 15, 2015

Background

• American Community Survey (ACS) is part of the constitutionally required decennial census.

• In 1995 federal policymakers converted the ACS to an annual survey.

• The ACS samples 3.5 million households a

year.

The Data

The ACS produces annual data on: • Education• Housing• Occupation• Disability status• Commuting patterns• Income and poverty• Ethnicity• Veterans• Other vital social and economic characteristics

ACS Data Dissemination

ACS estimates for populations of geographic areas of 65,000 or more released annually (all states)

Every-five-years estimates for populations of geographic

areas of less than 20,000 (all counties and school districts)

** Due to budget cuts, three-year estimates of populations

of geographic areas of between 20,000 and 64,999 were eliminated (large counties and school districts)

Uses of the ACS

Prime use is for so-called “formulaic” federal aid to states and local government -- $400 billion annually

Helps determine aid for:• Schools/public education• Housing• Transportation• Roads• Veterans’ benefits• Children’s programs, etc.

Uses of the ACS (cont.)

Enforcement of the Civil Rights Act Business uses the ACS data to:• pinpoint customers• identify qualified workers• invest in new facilities • site plants and shops

Political Situation

• In 2012 and again in 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to make participation in the ACS voluntary rather than mandatory. These actions were blocked by the Senate.

• According to the Census Bureau and other estimates, a voluntary ACS would drop participation rates by 20-30%.

• Outcome: Counties of less than 20,000 population would be “blacked out” from data.

Political Situation (cont.)

• In 2012 the U.S. House of Representatives also voted to eliminate the ACS entirely. This action was blocked by the Senate.

• Again, this year, the House is expected to vote to make participation in the ACS voluntary. Congress may also vote to cut the ACS’s annual budget (or to not appropriate funds to increase sample size to account for population increases).

• Annual ACS budget: $240 million/year

The Census Project Response

Q and A