Good morning and welcome. We’re glad to have you out here this morning and we are looking forward to your questions.

     As most of you know, this year’s press conference is a little different than in years past. But, with the release of the American Community Survey data last year, the Census Bureau learned an important lesson. At that time, one of your enterprising colleagues, in looking at the tables, realized there were national estimates of income and poverty available from the American Community Survey — although those were not the data we highlighted — and wrote a story, setting off a series of stories across the country about the Census Bureau’s estimates of poverty and income. Thus, one morning while I was eating my breakfast in early September, I was astonished to hear about the new estimates of income and poverty from the Census Bureau on the radio. Of course, my immediate thought was there had been a leak! But then I realized they were not referring to the official estimates of poverty, which are from the Current Population Survey, but rather to estimates from the American Community Survey that we had published on the web.

     As a result, many people were confused because the Census Bureau didn’t offer any explanation or analysis of those American Community Survey estimates, and we didn’t foresee the extensive interest those data would generate, especially by local reporters looking for good information about their communities. Our goal this year in releasing both the official estimates from the Current Population Survey and parallel estimates from the American Community Survey at the same time, is to reduce confusion, and not to increase it. We’ve accelerated the release of the Current Population Survey estimates to coincide with the annual release of data from the American Community Survey in order to release both sets together and explain the differences between the surveys.

     The American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey are different surveys and our hope is that by releasing these estimates at the same time, we can point out the new opportunities the American Community Survey offers and share some important information about these surveys. So before Dan and Jay provide these estimates, I think it would also be helpful to review our recommendations about when to use these estimates in preparing your stories.

     The American Community Survey is part of the decennial census and will replace the long form. This represents a significant change in the way the Census Bureau conducts the census.

     The American Community Survey is in its last year of the testing phase with a sample size of 800,000 households, and next year we expect to take it to full implementation, if Congress approves, which means we will interview in every county in America — about three million addresses. We will have estimates in 2006 and every year thereafter for every community of 65,000 population or more, and in 2008 and every year thereafter for every community of 20,000 population or more. In 2010 we will begin releasing data every year for every community in America—including every neighborhoods and even for census tracts and census blockgroups. The American Community Survey will be the only source of yearly, high quality data for local communities — just as the decennial long form data was that source for the past 60 years.

     The American Community Survey offers broad, comprehensive information social, economic, and housing data and is designed to provide this information at many levels of geography, and most importantly, for local communities. The American Community Survey not only provides basic information about income, but also other important socioeconomic information such as education levels, commuting times, and home values.

     In contrast, the Current Population Survey is one of the longest running surveys conducted at the Census Bureau. It’s not new at all — the concept was first developed during the 1930s, and the supplement that collects income information began in 1948. We have a long time series of data available from the Current Population Survey and there is a lot of research available about the survey. The sample size for the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement is about 100,000 addresses each year, but on the topic of income it asks more detailed questions than the American Community Survey. There are over 50 questions about income on the Current Population Survey, compared to 8 questions on the American Community Survey. The key purpose of the Current Population Survey supplement is to provide timely and detailed estimates of income and health insurance coverage at both the national level and the state level — but not at the local level.

     I’m sure by now the real question for some of you is, “when should you use which estimate?”

• The Current Population Survey estimates are the best available at the national level. They are the most complete and thorough estimates of income, poverty, and health insurance coverage at the national level
• At the state level and when comparing state estimates, however, the Census Bureau thinks that both surveys — the Current Population Survey or the American Community Survey — offer accurate estimates. However, it is quite important to remember, for any comparisons, to use the same survey source. If you want to compare one state estimate to another, be sure and stick with the same source — and either the Current Population Survey or the American Community Survey enables these comparisons.
• However, when it comes to local-area comparisons — metropolitan areas, counties, places, and eventually neighborhoods — whether these are comparisons among local areas, or comparisons between local areas and larger areas such as the state or the nation — then the American Community Survey is the only source of data to use.

     This is an important fact to note, because in the past, we haven’t had this opportunity except once every decade with the decennial census data. The American Community Survey, however, will offer data every year and this is very important, especially to local governments that often evaluate programs and options both at the local level and in a regional context. More importantly, because the American Community Survey offers a lot of other information in addition to estimates of income and poverty, it is possible to evaluate these estimates in context with other socioeconomic data.

     But, the most important fact I want to leave you with now, before Dan begins, is that the Census Bureau believes that these results — both the Current Population Survey and the American Community Survey — are a vital resource to the country. They both offer important opportunities to understand our economy better — at the national level with the Current Population Survey, and at the local level with the American Community Survey. And as we move forward in the future, I hope that you use both sets of data to explain the social and economic circumstances of our Nation’s population.

     I want to thank all of you for your patience this morning, and I will turn the podium back over to LaVerne…