View information on how to choose which dataset best suits your needs.
1-year estimates |
1-year Supplemental Estimates |
3-year estimates* |
5-year estimates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 months of collected data Example: 2025 ACS 1-year estimates Date collected between: January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025 |
12 months of collected data Example: 2025 ACS 1-year Supplemental Estimates Date collected between: January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025 |
36 months of collected data Example: 2011-2013 ACS 3-year estimates Date collected between: January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2013 |
60 months of collected data Example: 2021-2025 ACS 5-year estimates Date collected between: January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2025 |
| Data for areas with populations of 65,000+ |
Data for areas with populations of 20,000+ | Data for areas with populations of 20,000+ |
Data for all areas |
| Smallest sample size | Smallest sample size | Larger sample size than 1-year | Largest sample size |
| Less reliable than 3-year or 5-year | Less reliable than 5-year | More reliable than 1-year; less reliable than 5-year | Most reliable |
| Most current data | Most current data | Less current than 1-year estimates; more current than 5-year | Least current |
| Annually released: 2005-present |
Annually released: 2014-present | Annually released: 2007-2013 | Annually released: 2009-present |
Best used when |
Best used when |
Best used when |
Best used when |
| Currency is more important than precision | Currency is more important than precision | More precise than 1-year, spans fewer years than 5-year | Precision is more important than currency |
| Analyzing large populations | Analyzing smaller populations | Analyzing smaller populations | Analyzing very small populations |
| Examining smaller geographies because the standard 1-year estimates are not available | Examining smaller geographies because the standard 1-year estimates are not available | Examining tracts and other smaller geographies because 1-year estimates are not available |
*ACS 3-year estimates have been discontinued. The 2005-2007, 2006-2008, 2007-2009, 2008-2010, 2009-2011, 2010-2012 and 2011-2013 ACS 3-year estimates will remain available to data users, but no new 3-year estimates will be produced. Every community in the nation will continue to receive a detailed statistical portrait of its social, economic, housing and demographic characteristics through 1-year and 5-year ACS products.