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Understanding and Using American Community Survey Data: What Federal Agencies Need to Know
Understanding and Using American Community Survey Data: What Federal Agencies Need to Know
The American Community Survey (ACS) is the nation’s premier source of detailed social, economic, housing, and demographic characteristics for local communities. The ACS is unique among U.S. household surveys because of its size, breadth of measurement, provision of annual estimates for small geographic areas, and extensive use by a wide range of government and nongovernmental organizations. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 132 programs used census data—including data from the ACS—to distribute more than $675 billion in funds during fiscal year 2015. Federal agencies rely on the ACS to help them make operational decisions, including managing and evaluating programs, determining eligibility for programs, and benchmarking other statistics.
This handbook describes how analysts, program administrators, and policymakers within federal agencies can use the ACS in carrying out the business of their agencies.
Others in Series
Publication
What ACS Public Use Microdata Sample File Users Need to Know
This guide helps data users learn how to access PUMS files, create PUMS tables, and measure accuracy and margins of error.
Publication
What Congress Needs to Know
This handbook helps congressional staff use ACS data to respond to constituent inquiries, draft floor/press statements, conduct legislative research, and more.
Publication
What the Business Community Needs to Know
This handbook helps business data users learn how to access and use ACS data and provide concrete examples of how ACS data can answer real-world questions.
Page Last Revised - October 18, 2022
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