As the premier source of social, economic, housing, and demographic estimates for local areas, the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) provides businesses with a wealth of free information that they can use for selecting a new location or for evaluating the target market or workforce characteristics. Many businesses also need workers with specific degrees and need to know where those workers live, how long it takes them to get to work, and whether they drive or take public transportation. The ACS provides detailed information about the population and workforce in local communities.

Explore the links below to see a video on how a utility company uses ACS data, learn more about ACS through resources and handbooks or how to find ACS data. You can also contact us for questions or request a training with a local Census Bureau Data Dissemination Specialist.

ACS Data Topics for Businesses

The ACS produces population and housing data on over 40 different topics, many of which are regularly used to make important business decisions. Examples of these subjects include:

Age; Sex
Commuting and Place of Work (including residence and workplace geography)
Computer and Internet Use
Educational Attainment and Undergraduate Field of Degree
Employment Status
Health Insurance Coverage
Language Spoken at Home
Poverty Status
Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin
Tenure (Owner/Renter) and Value of Home
Veteran Status

Top ACS Resources

The ACS Business Handbook helps business data users learn how to access and use ACS data and provides concrete examples of how ACS data can answer real world questions. The ACS Information Guide provides an overview of the history of the ACS, its data collection process, data topics, and more. The ACS Data Tools and Resources Flyer showcases ways to access ACS data.

Explore our Webinars

Exploring Census Data Webinar Series

Learn how to access and use Census Bureau data through practical, real-world applications.

Webinar

Exploring Census Data Webinar: Retail

July 28, 2022

The session includes how to find key data from retail trade surveys and the American Community Survey.

Learn more

Real-Life ACS Stories

Commute Shed Reports Use ACS Data to Support Economic Development

June 18, 2018

Learn about the innovative ways the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is using ACS data to draw potential businesses to their region in Arizona.

Video

Stats In Action: Target Uses American Community Survey (ACS) Data

February 13, 2012

Target uses statistical information from the ACS to understand more about communities and better serve their guests.

Video

Stats in Action: NerdWallet

October 29, 2015

NerdWallet tells how they use ACS data to create accessible online tools and provide research to help consumers take control of their monetary choices.

Utility Company Uses ACS Data to Support Customer Access to Electric Vehicle Charging

Learn how National Grid, an electric utility in the Northeast, used data from the ACS to better understand how to support customer access to electric vehicle charging in the video below.