American Community Survey (ACS)

The American Community Survey (ACS) is designed to collect critical social, economic, demographic, and housing information. These data are used to evaluate and meet the needs of communities across the United States.

The ACS has a housing unit (HU) sample and a group quarters (GQ) sample. The ACS began collecting GQ data in 2006.

Group Quarters are places where people live or stay, in a group living arrangement that is owned or managed by an entity or organization providing housing and/or services for the residents of group quarters. These services may include custodial or medical care. Residency is commonly restricted to those receiving these services. People living in group quarters are usually not related to each other.

Some examples of GQs are:

• College residence halls
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Military barracks
• Correctional facilities
• Facilities for people experiencing homelessness

A list of major GQ types and definitions can be found here.

For further information about the ACS data collection and capture for Group Quarters visit the Design and Methodology Report.

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