About the American Community Survey (ACS)

Discussion

The American Community Survey (ACS) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau is a nationwide monthly survey designed to provide communities with reliable and timely demographic, housing, social, and economic data every year. The ACS is slated to replace the 2010 Census long form by collecting detailed information throughout the decade. The ACS data will provide, for the first time, a continual stream of updated information for states and local areas.

A Population Bulletin on the American Community Survey (September 2005) by the Population Reference Bureau (www.prb.org) presents an overview of the ACS and the new opportunities it offers for data users to monitor socioeconomic trends in the United States. In addition, the Bulletin details the advantages the ACS provides over the decennial census and other surveys as well as the challenges the ACS's continuous measurement approach presents to people who want to use and interpret the data. Other helpful links include:

• American Community Survey: A Handbook for State and Local Officials (December 2004)
• American Community Survey: Evaluating Accuracy (August 2006) - available online soon

The 2010 Census short form, mandated by the federal government, will be conducted in 2010 as in past censuses (click here to learn more about Census data).

Select Data Links:

• Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) are available on their website.
  • Note that data collection through 2005 does not include people living in group quarters.
  • Please take time to learn about using ACS data.