American Community Survey (ACS)

Informing you about news, events, data releases, congressional action, and other developments associated with the American Community Survey (ACS).

News in this Alert

• *U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2005 ACS Economic Estimates; data are first from full implementation of ACS
• *ACS Reference Guides Now Available
• *Contact Us

* U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2005 ACS Economic Estimates; data are first from full implementation of ACS

The U.S. Census Bureau today released the 2005 American Community Survey (ACS) data on economic characteristics for the nation, all 50 states and the District of Columbia, every congressional district and all counties and places with 65,000 population or more. Economic characteristics for Puerto Rico and 12 municipios and other geographic areas in Puerto Rico also were released based on the Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS).

These data were released in conjunction with the Census Bureau's annual release of income, poverty and health insurance data.

Today's release covers nearly 7,000 geographic entities and marks the first year that ACS data are available for areas with populations of less than 250,000. It is part of the full implementation of the survey, which will provide updated data on an annual basis for all levels of geography (including census tracts and block groups) by 2010.

Reported characteristics include:

• Income
• Poverty
• Employment status
• Occupation
• Industry
• Journey to work

The physical and financial characteristics of housing estimates are planned for release on Oct. 3. Additionally, selected population profiles with data by race, Hispanic origin and ancestry will be released on Nov. 14. Comparable PRCS data will also be released under the same schedule.

* ACS Reference Guides Now Available

The Census Bureau has developed several products to assist data users in understanding the 2005 ACS data. Using Data from the 2005 American Community Survey is a handbook for users that covers a broad set of topics relating directly to the 2005 ACS. It is available in PDF format and can be downloaded for use as a reference document. The Guide to the ACS Data Products is an online tool that allows users to obtain additional information about the 2005 data products. The ACS Data User Training Guide is a set of PowerPoint presentations that you can use to train general audiences about the ACS.

These documents may be found on the ACS Web site (http://www.census.gov/acs/www) under the tab labeled "Using the Data."

* Contact Us

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