American Community Survey (ACS)

The American Community Survey provides summarized data for social, economic, housing, and demographic estimates. Many of these estimates are cross tabulated by various characteristics. The summarized data products are designed to provide statistics with a level of subject and geographic detail that are sufficient for most data users. These products include tabular and narrative profiles, year-to-year comparison profiles, selected population profiles, detailed summary tables, subject tables, ranking tables by state, and geographic comparison tables.

In addition, the American Community Survey produces a microdata file each year called the Public Use Microdata Sample, or PUMS, file. In the ACS microdata, the basic unit is an individual housing unit and the people living in that housing unit or a group quarters respondent. Each record shows all of the information associated with a specific housing unit or individual except for names, addresses, or other identifying information. Further information on the PUMS can be found here.

Since 2005, single-year estimates have been available every year for geographies with population of 65,000 or more. Beginning in December 2008, three-year estimates for geographies with populations of 20,000 or more will be released annually. The American Community Survey plans to release five-year estimates for all geographies by the end of 2010 and refresh these estimates every year thereafter.

All data products from the American Community Survey can be found on the American FactFinder. Current and historical data from the American Community Survey can also be found on the FTP site.

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