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     On Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau will release the 2005 American Community Survey (ACS) data on social and demographic characteristics for the nation, all 50 states and the District of Columbia, every congressional district and all counties and places with populations of 65,000 or more. The release marks the first time that ACS data will be available for areas with populations of less than 250,000. By 2010, the survey will provide current data on an annual basis for all levels of geography (including census tracts and block groups).

Embargo

     A data embargo will begin Aug. 10 on the Census Bureau’s media embargo site. For information on obtaining an embargo password, go to the “Newsroom” page on the Census Bureau’s Web site (www.census.gov) and click on “Media Services.” Data will be available to the public on the Census Bureau’s “American Factfinder” Web page at 12:01 a.m. EDT, Aug. 15.

Data Release Timetable

     The 2005 ACS release of demographic and social data on Aug. 15 is the first of four scheduled data releases. Economic characteristics will be disseminated in conjunction with the Census Bureau’s annual release of income, poverty and health insurance data on Aug. 29, with housing characteristics data 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 data from the Puerto Rico Community Survey also will be released under the same schedule.

Types of Data Being Released

     On Aug. 15, the first ever release of ACS data for all areas of 65,000 or more will cover demographic and social characteristics, including:

• Race and ethnicity
• Origins and language
• Age and sex
• Education
• Marital status
• Grandparents as caregivers
• Veterans status
• Disability status
• Household size
• Citizenship and year of entry

Economic characteristics from the ACS will be released Aug. 29 and will cover the following characteristics:

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

The planned Oct. 3 release of ACS housing characteristics will include information on:

• Housing occupancy
• Units in structure
• Year structure built
• Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Housing tenure
• Year householder moved into unit
• Vehicles available
• House heating fuel
• Selected characteristics
• Occupants per room
• Value
• Mortgage status and selected monthly owner costs
• Gross rent

     Lastly, about 200 selected population profile tables will be released on Nov. 14 with data by race, Hispanic origin and ancestry.

Online briefing

     On Aug. 2, Census Bureau officials will host a “Webinar” briefing for journalists, to answer questions about the upcoming data releases and demonstrate how to access the new data online. Details about how to register and access the audio briefing will be available closer to the date.