Related Information
Related Information
When comparing ACS estimates with other ACS estimates, there are several points to consider:
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare. Differences between the 2024 ACS and the 2020 Census may be the result of demographic changes, processing, or methodological differences in the population estimates used as ACS controls. For more information, see the ACS Race User Note: Improvements to the Race Question.
Use caution. Differences between 2024 ACS and the 2010 Census may be the result of demographic changes, and/or differences in question wording (the ACS question on race was revised in 2020 to make it consistent with the 2020 Census race question), processing, coding updates, or methodological differences in the population estimates used as controls. For more information, see the ACS Race User Note: Improvements to the Race Question.
Compare
Compare. Differences between the 2024 ACS and the 2020 Census may be the result of demographic changes, processing, or methodological differences in the population estimates used as ACS controls. For more information, see the ACS Hispanic Origin User Note: Improvements to the Hispanic origin question.
Use caution. Differences between 2024 ACS and the 2010 Census may be the result of demographic changes, and/or differences in question wording (the ACS question on Hispanic origin was revised in 2020 to make it consistent with the 2020 Census Hispanic origin question), processing, coding updates, or methodological differences in the population estimates used as controls. For more information, see the ACS Hispanic Origin User Note: Improvements to the Hispanic origin question.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
Use caution. Both the ACS and the 2020 Census used a joint age, sex, and relationship edit. However, the ACS edit also incorporated marital status information into the editing process, while the 2020 Census did not. Differences in weighting schemes between the census and the ACS could produce inconsistencies in comparisons.
Use caution. The ACS used a joint age, sex, and relationship edit and the 2010 Census did not. The ACS also has a category for foster children which is not in the 2010 Census. Additionally, the ACS includes separate answer categories for opposite-sex and same-sex spouses and unmarried partners and does not include a roomer or boarder category. Differences in weighting schemes between the census and the ACS could produce inconsistencies in comparisons.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
Use caution. Both the ACS and the 2020 Census used a joint age, sex, and relationship edit. However, the ACS edit also incorporated marital status information into the editing process, while the 2020 Census did not. These edits are used to determine categories of family and household types. Differences in weighting schemes between the census and the ACS could produce inconsistencies in comparisons.
Use caution. The ACS used a joint age, sex, and relationship edit and the 2010 Census did not. The ACS also has a category for foster children, which is not in the 2010 Census. Additionally, the ACS includes separate answer categories for opposite-sex and same-sex spouses and unmarried partners and does not include a roomer or boarder category. Differences in weighting schemes between the census and the ACS could produce inconsistencies in comparisons.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Use caution. As ACS data are collected every month of the year, reference months in a calendar year overlap with the reference months in the preceding calendar year. Hence, comparing the 2024 ACS 1-year with the 2023 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2024 with those in 2023. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. For specific questions and answers about sources of poverty data, see Questions and Answers about Sources of Poverty Data.
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Use caution. As ACS data are collected every month of the year, reference months in a calendar year overlap with the reference months in the preceding calendar year. Hence, comparing the 2024 ACS 1-year with the 2023 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2024 with those in 2023. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. For specific questions and answers about sources of poverty data, see Questions and Answers about Sources of Poverty Data.
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Use caution. As ACS data are collected every month of the year, adjacent years will have some reference months in common. Hence, comparing the 2024 ACS 1-year with the 2023 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2024 with those in 2023. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, “Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey,” Applied Demography in the 21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. The Census Bureau recommends using R-CPI-U-RS adjustment factors published annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to adjust 2023 median, mean, and per capita income dollar amounts to 2024 dollars by multiplying the 2023 dollar amounts by the R-CPI-U-RS factor of 1.02937903.
The questions were not asked in the 2020 Census.
The questions were not asked in the 2010 Census.
Use caution. As ACS data are collected every month of the year, adjacent years will have some reference months in common. Hence, comparing the 2024 ACS 1-year with the 2023 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2024 with those in 2023. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. The Census Bureau recommends using R-CPI-U-RS adjustment factors published annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to adjust 2023 median, mean, and per capita income dollar amounts to 2024 dollars by multiplying the 2023 dollar amounts by the R-CPI-U-RS factor of 1.02937903.
The questions were not asked in the 2020 Census.
The questions were not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
Use caution. The question was not asked in the 2020 Census; however, mortgage status can be obtained from the tenure question (owned with a mortgage or loan, including home equity loans; or owned free and clear, without a mortgage or loan).
Use caution. The question was not asked in the 2010 Census; however, mortgage status can be obtained from the tenure question (owned with a mortgage or loan, including home equity loans; or owned free and clear, without a mortgage or loan).
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
Do Not Compare. Because the ACS and the Decennial Census differ in their design and data collection methods, users should note that estimates of vacancy rates may also differ. For more information on vacancy rates between the ACS and Census, Comparing 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates of Occupancy Status, Vacancy Status, and Household Size with the 2010 Census - Preliminary Results.
Do Not Compare. Because the ACS and the Decennial Census differ in their design and data collection methods, users should note that estimates of vacancy rates may also differ. For more information on vacancy rates between the ACS and Census Comparing 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates of Occupancy Status, Vacancy Status, and Household Size with the 2010 Census - Preliminary Results.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
Use caution. The total group quarters (GQ) population in the ACS may not be comparable with the 2020 Census because there are some 2020 Census GQ types that were out of scope in the ACS such as maritime/merchant vessels, soup kitchens, regularly scheduled mobile food vans, and shelters for victims of natural disasters. The exclusion of these GQ types from the ACS may result in a small bias in some ACS estimates to the extent that the excluded population is different from the included population.
Use caution. The total group quarters (GQ) population in the ACS may not be comparable with the 2010 Census. The ACS does not include all the GQ types that are found in the decennial census such as maritime/merchant vessels, soup kitchens, regularly scheduled mobile food vans, and shelters for victims of natural disasters. The exclusion of these GQ types from the ACS may result in a small bias in some ACS estimates to the extent that the excluded population is different from the included population.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
Compare
The question was not asked in the 2020 Census.
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census.
* Each subject area is listed with its 2-digit code identifier. This code corresponds to the second and third characters of the ACS table number. For example, Table B08303 - Travel Time to Work has the second and third digits of "08" which corresponds to the subject Journey to Work; Workers; and Commuting.
Specifically, when comparing the 2020-2024 ACS 5-year estimates with other non-overlapping ACS 5-year estimates, there are several points to consider:
Data users should use caution when comparing ACS 5-year estimates that include 2020 with other ACS 5-year data. There are multiple challenges to interpreting comparisons, including:
Compare
Compare
Use caution. Differences between the 2015-2019 ACS 5-year estimates and 2020-2024 ACS 5-year estimates may be the result of demographic changes and/or differences in question wording, race reporting, or coding updates. For more information, visit the ACS Race User Note: Improvements to the Race Question.
Use caution. Differences between the 2015-2019 ACS 5-year estimates and 2020-2024 ACS 5-year estimates may be the result of demographic changes and/or differences in question wording, Hispanic origin reporting, or coding updates. For more information, visit the ACS Hispanic Origin User Note: Improvements to the Hispanic Origin Question.
Compare
Use caution. Methodological changes to citizenship edits may have affected citizenship data for those born in American Samoa. Users should be aware of these changes when using 2018 data or multi-year data containing data from 2018. For more information, see: American Samoa Citizenship User Note.
Use caution. Methodological changes to citizenship edits may have affected citizenship data for those born in American Samoa. Users should be aware of these changes when using 2018 data or multi-year data containing data from 2018. For more information, see: American Samoa Citizenship User Note.
Use caution. Methodological changes to citizenship edits may have affected citizenship data for those born in American Samoa. Users should be aware of these changes when using 2018 data or multi-year data containing data from 2018. For more information, see: American Samoa Citizenship User Note.
Compare
Compare. After the release of the 2022 American Community Survey (ACS) data products, an error was identified in the Migration, Residence 1 Year Ago data. Revised data for 2022 were used to create the 2020-2024 ACS 5-year estimates, so estimates can be compared to those from the 2015-2019 5-year period. For more information, see: Data Processing Error for Migration Originating in Connecticut in 2022.
Compare. Beginning in 2019, the Census Bureau implemented changes to selected means of transportation categories based on results of the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS) Content Test. While the category labels have changed, the categories are considered comparable. Please refer to the 2019 Changes to the Means of Transportation Question Data User Note for comparability guidance.
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Use caution. Some languages need additional steps for comparison. Please refer to the 2016 Language Data User Note for comparability guidance.
Use caution. As ACS data are collected every month of the year, reference months in a calendar year overlap with the reference months in the preceding calendar year. Hence, comparing the 2024 ACS 5-year with the 2019 ACS 5-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2020-2024 with those in 2015-2019. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. For specific questions and answers about sources of poverty data, see Questions and Answers about Sources of Poverty Data.
Use caution. As ACS data are collected every month of the year, reference months in a calendar year overlap with the reference months in the preceding calendar year. Hence, comparing the 2024 ACS 5-year with the 2019 ACS 5-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2020-2024 with those in 2015-2019. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. For specific questions and answers about sources of poverty data, see Questions and Answers about Sources of Poverty Data.
Compare
Compare
Compare
Use caution. To accurately assess changes in income over time, an adjustment for inflation is required.
-Estimates in the 2015-2019 ACS 5-year data set are inflation-adjusted to 2019 dollars.
-Estimates in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-year data set are inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
The Census Bureau uses the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) Consumer Price Index Retroactive Series (R-CPI-U-RS, R-CPI-U-RS formerly the CPI-U-RS) to adjust for inflation. The annual average R-CPI-U-RS for 2024 (462.5) is divided by the same for 2019 (375.8) to determine the multiplier to inflation-adjust 2019 dollars to 2024 dollars. Accordingly, dollar value estimates from the 2015-2019 file should be multiplied by 1.23070782 to convert 2019 dollars to 2024 dollars. The exception is the Comparative Economic Characteristics Profile (CP03) where all income and earnings dollar values are presented in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars. For more information on comparing multiyear estimates from two different time periods, refer to Chapter 10 of the ACS Handbook Understanding and Using American Community Survey Data: What All Data Users Need to Know.
Use caution. To accurately assess changes in income over time, an adjustment for inflation is required. Refer to Income (19) above for guidance regarding inflation-adjusting dollar value estimates.
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Use caution. The ACS industry data for the 2015-2019 ACS 5-year were coded based on the 2017 revision of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. The 2020-2024 ACS 5-year industry data are based on the 2022 revision of the NAICS codes. Because of the NAICS revisions and Census industry code changes, we recommend using caution when comparing 2020-2024 industry data with 2015-2019 industry data. For more information on Census industry code changes, please visit the Industry and Occupation website.
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Use Caution. In 2020, changes were made to allow those listed without a primary mortgage to have a home equity loan. In previous years, anyone with a home equity loan would have been categorized as having a primary mortgage.
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Use caution. Beginning in 2019 the telephone service question was revised in its structure and wording as a result of findings from the 2016 ACS Content Test. For more information on this change, see the following ACS User Note. In general, these changes led to an increase in households with telephone service in the 2020-2024 period compared to the 2015-2019 period.
Compare
Compare
Compare
Use caution. Beginning in 2022, reported home value collected on the American Community Survey (ACS) were presented in current year dollars. This adjustment used the Retroactive Consumer Price Index Research Series (R-CPI-U-RS), formerly known as the CPI-U-RS, which is used to adjust all other dollar-denominated estimates in the ACS. This change brings the home value data in line with how all other dollar-denominated housing and income items are adjusted to real (i.e., constant) dollars. For more information, see the ACS Home Value User Note.
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Compare
Use caution. Changes in 2016 to question wording and the response options resulted in changed response patterns in the data. More detailed information about these changes is available in the 2016 American Community Survey Content Test Report for Computer and Internet Use or the User Note regarding changes to the 2016 questions.
Compare
Share
Related Information