1 The American Community Survey HSUG-West Conference September 25, 2003 Berkeley, CA

2 What Is the American Community Survey? A large, continuous demographic survey –Produces annual and multi-year estimates of the characteristics of the population and housing –Produces characteristics, not a population count –Produces information for small areas including tracts, block groups and population subgroups - updated every year –Key component of reengineered 2010 census

3 Effects of the American Community Survey on the 2010 Census Eliminate long-form Better knowledge of local areas Ongoing contacts with local governments Experienced field staff to help with the short- form only census

4 Potential Benefits of the American Community Survey on the 2010 Census Simplification Better initial address lists Cost savings during the census Greater confidence of community governments in the census results Reduction of differential undercount

5 31 American Community Survey Test Sites  Jefferson Co., AR  Iron, Reynolds, and Washington Cos., MO  Multnomah Co., OR  Pima Co., AZ  Flathead and Lake Cos., MT  Fulton Co., PA  San Francisco Co., CA  Upson Co., GA  Schuylkill Co., PA  Tulare Co., CA  Miami Co., IN  Sevier Co., TN  Broward Co., FL  Otero Co., NM  Ft. Bend and Harris Cos., TX  Lake Co., IL  Oneida and Vilas Cos., WI  Starr Co., TX  Black Hawk Co., IA  Ohio Co., WV  Zapata Co., TX  De Soto Parish, LA  Bronx Borough, NY  Petersburg, VA  Calvert Co., MD  Douglas Co., NE  Yakima Co., WA  Hampden Co., MA  Rockland Co., NY  Madison Co., MS  Franklin Co., OH

6 Census 2000 Supplementary Survey (C2SS) Census 2000 included a supplementary survey of 700,000 addresses in 1203 counties (operational test to determine whether Census Bureau could conduct ACS at the same time, but independent of the decennial census) The survey was conducted throughout 2000 using the American Community Survey questionnaire and methodology. Supplementary Survey data similar to that obtained by the Census 2000 long-form, were released in November of 2001 for the nation, all 50 states and counties and places with populations of 250,000 or greater.

7 Continuing the Supplementary Survey In 2001, 2002, and 2003 the Census Bureau continued the survey of 700,000 addresses in 1203 counties using the American Community Survey questionnaire and methodology.

8 Full Implementation (Pending Congressional Funding) Implement an annual national sample of 3 million addresses in every county, American Indian and Alaska Native area, and Hawaiian Home Land in the United States, and in Puerto Rico Provide profiles every year for communities of 65,000 or more Provide 3- to 5-year cumulations for communities of less than 65,000 population

9 The growth of the coming years in geographic areas covered will be exponential! Here is what it looks like for incorporated cities and towns across the country. (based on estimated population as of July 1, 2002) Places which can be published each year, starting in 2006 (pop. Size of at least 65,000) 444 Places which can be published as 3-year averages, starting in 2008 (pop size greater than 19,999 and less than 65,000) 1,147 Places which can only be published as 5- year averages, starting in 2010 (pop. Size <20,000) 17,859

10 Full Implementation (Pending Congressional Funding) The current Administration is committed to full implementation of the ACS and reengineering of the 2010 census. The Administration is requesting $64.8 million to fund that plan in FY ‘04. The Census Bureau plans to begin mail out at the full implementation rate in late June 2004.

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21 A few examples of change profile distributions – Housing Value in Tulare County, CA

22 A few examples of change profile distributions – Housing Value in the San Francisco Metro Area (CMSA)

23 You’ll be able to put together comparative reports with charts like this one (confidence intervals not shown)

24 Or, this one (confidence intervals not shown)

25 Learn more about the American Community Survey If you have any questions about this talk which aren’t answered by my talk or in the q &a session, feel free to me at In addition, here are some good ways to learn more about the ACS and keep up with the latest developments.

26 For More Information us at: American Community Survey Web site ( Call us at: Subscribe to the ACS Alert