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The Census Bureau recognizes that users of ACS data have varied backgrounds, educations, and experiences. They need different kinds of explanations and guidance to understand ACS data products. To address this diversity, the Census Bureau worked closely with a group of experts to develop a series of handbooks, each of which is designed to instruct and provide guidance to a particular audience. The audiences that we have chosen are not expected to cover every type of data users, but they cover major stakeholder groups familiar to the Census Bureau.
The handbook series is called, A Compass for Understanding and Using American Community Survey Data. The specific handbooks are listed below, along with a brief summary of each of the target audiences.
These handbooks will be released on a flow basis beginning October 2008.
What General Data Users Need to Know [PDF 1.6MB] helps general audiences understand the basics of the ACS, its opportunities and challenges, and how to access and the use the ACS data on the Census Bureau's Web site. It includes concrete examples of how ACS data can be used to answer real-world questions about our society. Top
What the Business Community Needs to Know [PDF 2.2MB] acknowledges that to make effective use of the ACS, businesses need to understand how ACS data are collected and reported, and their advantages and limitations relative to the long form data previously collected during the decennial census. This handbook describes the data products available from the ACS and how to access them. Examples are provided with step-by-step instructions on accessing the data. Top
What High School Teachers Need to Know [PDF 2.3MB] summarizes the types of information and geographic areas covered by the ACS and explains how to understand ACS data. Specific examples are provided to illustrate how ACS data can be incorporated into lesson plans and activities to address a variety of social studies, geography, and mathematics standards. Top
What the Media Need to Know [PDF 1.1MB] describes how the ACS is put together, key concepts and how to get the most out of the survey. It explains the various ways to find and access ACS data and the best ways for novice and experienced journalists to use the estimates. Step-by-step stories are included of how journalists have used the ACS to find and improve their published work. Top
What Congress Needs to Know [PDF 1.5MB] can help congressional staff use ACS data to respond to constituent inquiries, draft floor and press statements, conduct legislative research, understand funding formulas, compare data from the ACS with other federal statistics, and interpret ACS data. Top
What State and Local Governments Need to Know [PDF 1.2MB] illustrates how ACS data can be used to address typical issues faced by state and local governments and provides information that can allow for a more effective transition from decennial census long form data to ACS data. Several real-life case studies are included to demonstrate how best to use and interpret ACS data. Top
What Federal Agencies Need to Know [PDF 2.1MB] is designed to aid federal agency analysts, program administrators, and policy makers when they use ACS data in carrying out the business of their agencies. This handbook describes the essential features of the ACS in detail, discusses some important statistical and practical considerations and how to transition from decennial long-form data to ACS data. Top
What Researchers Need to Know acquaints researchers with issues that may affect their analyses of ACS data. Case studies are included to illustrate uses of the ACS, and exercises are provided for readers to practice accessing and analyzing ACS data. Top
What Users of Data for Rural Areas Need to Know introduces the ACS to people who care about, and use, social, demographic, economic, and housing data for small governmental units and rural communities. Using the devise of a single case study, this handbook illustrates a variety of aspects of the ACS and shows how results from the ACS are both similar to, and different from, data formerly gathered in conjunction with the decennial census. Top
What Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) Data Users Need to Know [PDF 3.3MB] explains how the Public Use Microdata Sample or PUMS files differ from pretabulated products, how to access the data, and some ways to produce your own tables. Data users already familiar with PUMS files available from Census 2000 can learn how those files differ from the ACS PUMS. Top
What Users of Data for American Indian and Alaska Native Populations Need to Know provides an overview of the data produced by the ACS for the American Indian and Alaska Native populations. It describes the data products and provides information about how to access and use these products. Case studies illustrate how best to use these data. Top
What Puerto Rico Community Survey Data Users Need to Know [PDF 1.9MB] helps general audiences understand the basics of the Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS) including how to access and use PRCS data. This handbook includes specific examples using data for Puerto Rico. (en español) Top
If you have questions, comments, or identify any areas of concern, we would like to hear from you. Please contact us by email at acso.users.support@census.gov.
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