American Community Survey

Outline American Community Survey basics Accessing ACS data products Resources for learning more 2

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 3

Census and the ACS 2010 CensusACS U.S. population countU.S. population characteristics Short form onlyIncludes 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 timePeriod of time

5 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

6 American Community Survey Economic Characteristics Income Benefits Employment Status Occupation Industry Commuting to Work Place of Work

7 American Community Survey Housing Characteristics Tenure Occupancy & Structure Housing Value Taxes & Insurance Utilities Mortgage/Monthly Rent

8 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 9

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) 10

American Community Survey Data Products Release Schedule 11 Data Product Population Size of Area Data released in: Year Estimates for Data Collected in: 65, Year Estimates for Data Collected in: 20, Year Estimates for Data Collected in: All Areas

Comparing Data 12 One Year 2009 Three Year Five Year Alexandria, VAXXX Fairfax, VAXX Falls Church, VAX

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 13

How to Access ACS Data Products 14

Census Bureau Home Page 15

American FactFinder 16 The American Fact Finder is located at this URL:

17 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

18 The ACS Compass Products for Understanding and Using American Community Survey Data

19 The ACS Compass Products Handbooks 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)

20 For More Information Visit the ACS/PRCS website: Contact by telephone: Contact by