1. Issues Related to Data Dissemination in Official Statistics Presented at the European Conference On Quality in Official Statistics Helsinki, Finland May 4, 2010 Susan Schechter 1

2. Today’s Presentation Brief overview of the American Community Survey (ACS) Striking the balance: Should we release all ACS data collected, regardless of quality? Dissemination plans for the first release of 5- year estimates from the ACS 2

3. Decennial Census History Since 1790, the U.S. has conducted a census In addition to enumerating the population, detailed characteristics were also collected In recent decades, two census forms were used 1.“short” form – basic demographic and housing 2.“long” form – collected more in-depth information from a sample of the population 3

4. Reengineering the 2010 Census Focus the 2010 Census and future decennial censuses on improving the population count and collecting only basic characteristics Eliminate the long form and implement the ACS to provide detailed characteristic data more than once every ten years 4

5. What is the ACS? A large, continuous survey that: samples approximately 3 million addresses per year produces characteristics of population and housing produces estimates for small areas and small population groups 5

6. Census 2000 and ACS Similarities Most questions are the same Many of the same basic statistics are released Combining five years of ACS sample will provide the same broad set of data products for small geographic areas –including census tracts and block groups 6

7. 7 Census 2000 and ACS Key Differences ACS data now available for larger and mid- sized areas ACS data for small geographic areas and population groups will be produced every year starting in 2010 ACS data describe a period of time and published data are based on pooled data across 12 months, 36 months, or 60 months 77

8. What is a Multiyear Estimate? ACS estimates will be released for single year estimates as well as 3-year and 5-year multiyear estimates A multiyear estimate is a period estimate that encompasses more than one calendar year A multiyear estimate describes the average characteristics of an area over a specific time period 8

9. Population Thresholds for the Release of ACS Estimates 9

10. ACS Data Release Schedule 10

11. ACS Data Products on American FactFinder Data and Narrative Profiles Comparison Profiles Selected Population Profiles Ranking Tables Subject Tables Detailed Tables Geographic Comparison Tables Thematic Maps Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) File 11

12. Planning For the First Release of ACS 5-year Estimates Two competing approaches (1)Release as much data as possible and ensure that data users are informed of the reliability of estimates (2)Limit the release of data to those estimates most reliable 12

13. Planning For the First Release of ACS 5-year Estimates Solicited user feedback in several ways (1)Published plan and asked for public comment (2)Conducted briefings at advisory committee meetings and conferences with stakeholders that work with census data (3)Held a series of training sessions and outreach meetings with local officials 13

14. ACS 5-year Estimates Set of Proposed Tables ACS tables most comparable to those in Census 2000 Summary File 3 will be produced New tables that were designed after Census 2000 will also be released Most summary levels will receive a full set of 5- year tables – exception is block groups

15. ACS 5-year Estimates Release Restrictions Unlike the 1- and 3-year estimates, there will be no restrictions –No population thresholds –No table restrictions based on reliability Margins of error will continue to be published with all ACS estimates Emphasis on education and training in using less reliable estimates wisely will continue

16. ACS 5-year Estimates Data Product Limitations by Geographic Summary Level For proposed geographic summary levels, we will always produce detailed tables (the foundation for all other data products) We will only produce data and narrative profiles, subject tables and geographic comparison tables for a subset

17. ACS 5-year Estimates Geographic Summary Levels Most, but not all, of the geographic summary levels in Census 2000 Summary File 3 will be included in the first ACS 5-year release This includes tracts, block groups, geographic components, and geographic intersections

18. ACS 5-year Estimates Data Dissemination Plan ACS 5-year data products will be disseminated annually through the American FactFinder on the internet Census block group data will only be released in a summary file format, accessible from the American FactFinder download center

19. ACS 5-year Estimates Future Plans We expect to refine this plan for future releases and value feedback from users We will continue to look for the most effective way to release three complete sets of ACS data products annually