The American Community Survey: The American Community Survey


Slide2: Helping You Make Informed Decisions... Timely Information for the 21st Century


What Is the Difference Between the American Community Survey and the Decennial Census?: What Is the Difference Between the American Community Survey and the Decennial Census? Decennial census collects: A count of the population (short form) Economic, social, and housing information about communities and population groups (long form)


What the American Community Survey Is NOT: What the American Community Survey Is NOT A population count A tool or a measurement for apportionment of Congress


What Is the American Community Survey?: What Is the American Community Survey? A program to provide information every year for communities about age, gender, race/ethnicity families, children, the elderly income, poverty education work, unemployment commuting patterns housing


What Is the American Community Survey?: What Is the American Community Survey? A large, continuous demographic survey which Produces annual and multi-year estimates of characteristics of the population and housing Produces information for small areas including tracts and population subgroups - updated every year Uses a “current” residence rule


Information for Communities: Information for Communities Communities can include: states counties cities and towns census tracts population subgroups


How Will the American Community Survey Help Your Community?: How Will the American Community Survey Help Your Community? Better information for: distribution of public funding establishing community goals comparing your community with others identifying community problems and solutions location of facilities and programs


How Can Your Community Use Information From the American Community Survey?: How Can Your Community Use Information From the American Community Survey? To track the well-being of children, families, and the elderly To determine where to locate new highways, schools, and hospitals To stimulate economic development To evaluate programs such as welfare and workforce diversification


Major Stages in the American Community Survey Plan: Major Stages in the American Community Survey Plan Demonstration period, 1996-1998 -- completed 31 comparison sites, 1999-2002 Full implementation, every county and nationwide, 2003 and beyond


The American Community Survey Plan, 1999 and Beyond: The American Community Survey Plan, 1999 and Beyond Compare the American Community Survey to the Census 2000 long form results Full implementation in every county, starting in 2003 American Community Survey - Coverage Program (formerly CAUS) Replace the Census 2010 long form


Comparison Study : Comparison Study Understand and measure differences between the traditional census long form and the American Community Survey Provide a bridge to interpret changes between Census 2000 and the American Community Survey


31 Comparison Sites: 31 Comparison Sites Sites were selected for factors such as rate of population growth population size difficulty in enumerating in 1990 Census regional distribution Situations in which results may vary because of the difference in methods used for the American Community Survey and the census Data users likely to review the data and provide feedback to the Census Bureau


More About 31 Comparison Sites: More About 31 Comparison Sites Compares the 1999-2001 American Community Survey to the Census 2000 long form with similar sample sizes Samples any address only once Oversampling in small governmental units


Full Implementation 2003 and Beyond: Full Implementation 2003 and Beyond Implement in all 3,000+ counties of the United States Begin national sample of 3 million addresses across all counties Profiles every year for communities of 65,000 or more, beginning in 2004 and each year thereafter 3 to 5-year cumulations for communities of less than 65,000 population


Data Products From the Nationwide American Community Survey: Data Products From the Nationwide American Community Survey Nationwide implementation begins in 2003 if Congress appropriates funds.


Multi-year Cumulations: Multi-year Cumulations Statistical uses of the 5-year moving averages: Picturing general trends Measuring consistent differences among communities 5 years of collection provides updated 5-year average estimates in the 6th year 2003-2007 collection  2008 results 2004-2008 collection  2009 updated 5 year estimate


American Community Survey Products : American Community Survey Products For most general uses Profiles of communities and special population groups Summary tabulations similar to those found in census products -- down to the block group level For research and special purposes Public Use Microdata Sample files American Community Survey website Free CD-ROM (with multiple years of survey results)


For More Information: For More Information Visit the American Community Survey website Go to the Census Bureau’s website at www.census.gov Click on Subjects A-Z Click on American Community Survey Email us at acs@census.gov


How Can You Help the American Community Survey?: How Can You Help the American Community Survey? Use the free CD-ROM to review survey results Tell us how the American Community Survey meets your needs and how you will use the information Tell others about the American Community Survey and how it can benefit their communities Share your comments and suggestions with us