| Age and Sex (01) |
| Age |
Compare with Caution - The entire population continually
ages into older age groups over time and babies fill in the youngest age group. So, the
population of a certain age is made up of a completely different group of people in 2000 and
2007. Since populations occasionally experience booms/increases and busts/decreases in
births, deaths, or migration (for example, the postwar Baby Boom from 1946-1964), one should
not necessarily expect that the population in an age group in Census 2000 should be similar
in size or proportion to the population in the same age group in the 2007 ACS. For example,
Baby Boomers were age 36 to 54 in Census 2000 while they were age 43 to 61 in the 2007 ACS.
So, the age group 55 to 59 would show a considerable increase in population when comparing
Census 2000 data with the 2007 ACS data. |
Compare |
| Sex |
Compare |
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| Race (02) |
| Race |
Compare |
Compare |
| Hispanic Origin (03) |
| Hispanic or Latino Origin |
Compare |
Compare |
| Ancestry (04) |
| Ancestry |
Compare - Ancestry is the only item for which a "not
reported" category is published since missing ancestries are never assigned or allocated.
The extent of missing ancestry answers was higher in Census 2000 than in the 2007 ACS. The
difference in the level of response may contribute to the difference in the two
distributions. |
Compare |
| Foreign Born; Citizenship; Year of Entry; Nativity (05) |
| Citizenship Status |
Compare |
Compare |
| Nativity |
Compare |
Compare |
| Year of Entry |
Compare - Census 2000 represents data collected as of April 1, 2000
and thus the "2000" year of entry category accounts for the first quarter (Jan-Mar) in 2000
only. The 2007 ACS represent data collected throughout the entire year and thus the "2000"
year of entry category accounts for the entire year of 2000 |
Compare |
| Place of Birth (06) |
| Place of Birth |
Compare |
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| Residence 1 year ago; Migration (07) |
| Residence 1 year ago (Migration) |
Do Not Compare - The 2007 ACS asked for residence 1 year ago
whereas Census 2000 asked for residence 5 years ago. |
Compare |
| Journey to Work; Workers; Commuting (08) |
| Means of Transportation to Work |
Compare - The 2007 ACS excludes taxicabs in the tabulation category
of "public transportation" and includes them in the category "taxicab, motocycle, bicycle or
other means." However, Census 2000 includes taxicabs in the "public transportation"
tabulation category. |
Compare |
| Place of Work |
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| Private Vehicle Occupancy |
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| Time Leaving Home |
Compare |
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| Travel Time to Work |
Compare |
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| Children; Household Relationship (09) |
| Relationship to Householder |
Compare - The 2007 ACS used a joint relationship/marital status edit
and Census 2000 did not. Also, Census 2000 provided more response categories than the 2007
ACS. |
Compare |
| Grandparent; Grandchildren (10) |
| Grandparents as Caregivers |
Compare |
Compare |
| Household Type; Family Type; Subfamilies (11) |
| Household/Family Type |
Compare |
Compare |
| Subfamilies |
Compare with Caution - Census 2000 had more detailed relationship
categories used to derive estimates of subfamilies than the 2007 ACS. |
Compare |
| Marital Status (12) |
| Marital Status |
Compare - The 2007 ACS used a joint relationship/marital status
edit and Census 2000 did not. |
Compare |
| Fertility (13) |
| Fertility |
Do Not Compare - The question was not asked in Census 2000. |
Compare |
| School Enrollment (14) |
| Type of School & School Enrollment |
Compare - The 2007 ACS reference period was 3 months preceding the
date of interview, while the Census 2000 reference period was any time since February 1,
2000. |
Compare |
| Educational Attainment (15) |
| Educational Attainment |
Compare |
Compare |
| Language Spoken at Home and Ability to Speak English (16) |
| Ability to Speak English |
Compare |
Compare |
| Language Spoken at Home |
Compare |
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| Poverty (17) |
| Poverty Status of
Families and People in Families |
Compare with Caution - The ACS collects data throughout the year on
an on-going, monthly basis and asks for a respondent's income over the "past 12 months."
Census 2000, however, collected the income data for a fixed period of time -- "during 1999"
(the last calendar year). In a comparison study between Census 2000 income data and the 2000
ACS, income collected in Census 2000 was found to be about 4 percent higher than that in the
2000 ACS. For more information on the differences of income in the ACS and Census 2000, see
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/ACS/ASA_nelson.pdf. |
Compare with Caution - As ACS data are collected every month of the
year, adjacent years will have some reference months in common. Hence, comparing the 2007
ACS with the 2006 ACS estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2007
with those in 2006. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring
Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st
Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. |
| Poverty Status of
All People in the Poverty Universe |
Compare with Caution - The ACS collects data throughout the year on
an on-going, monthly basis and asks for a respondent's income over the "past 12 months."
Census 2000, however, collected the income data for a fixed period of time -- "during 1999"
(the last calendar year). In a comparison study between Census 2000 income data and the
2000 ACS, income collected in Census 2000 was found to be about 4 percent higher than that
in the 2000 ACS. For more information on the differences of income in the ACS and Census
2000, see http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/ACS/ASA_nelson.pdf. |
Compare with Caution - As ACS data are collected every month of the
year, adjacent years will have some reference months in common. Hence, comparing the 2007
ACS with the 2006 ACS estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2007
with those in 2006. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring
Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st
Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. |
| Disability (18) |
| Disability Going Out / Working |
Do Not Compare - The 2007 ACS disability questions are
different from the Census 2000 disability questions, thus comparisons cannot be made. |
Compare |
| Disability Learning / Dressing |
Compare |
| Disability Vision / Hearing / Physical |
Compare |
| Income (Households and Families) (19) |
| Household and Family Incomes |
Compare with Caution - The ACS collects data throughout the year on an on-going,
monthly basis and asks for a respondent's income over the "past 12 months." Census 2000,
however, collected the income data for a fixed period of time -- "during 1999" (the last
calendar year). In a comparison study between Census 2000 income data and the 2000 ACS,
income collected in Census 2000 was found to be about 4 percent higher than that in the
2000 ACS. For more information on the differences of income in the ACS and Census 2000,
see http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/ACS/ASA_nelson.pdf.
The Census Bureau recommends using CPI-U-RS adjustment factors published annually by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to adjust 1999 median, mean, and per capita income dollar
amounts shown in Summary File 3 to 2007 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by
the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.24438087. For CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other
years see: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/income05/cpiurs.html.
Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and
the 2007 ACS are not possible due to inflation. Users interested in making distribution
comparisons need to inflation adjust individual income records using the Public Use
Microdata Samples (PUMS) from Census 2000 |
Compare with Caution - As ACS data are collected every month of the year,
adjacent years will have some reference months in common. Hence, comparing the 2007 ACS
with the 2006 ACS estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2007
with those in 2006. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard,
"Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in
the 21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. |
| Sources of Income (households) |
Compare with Caution - The ACS collects data throughout the year on an on-going,
monthly basis and asks for a respondent's income over the "past 12 months." Census 2000,
however, collected the income data for a fixed period of time -- "during 1999" (the last
calendar year). In a comparison study between Census 2000 income data and the 2000 ACS,
income collected in Census 2000 was found to be about 4 percent higher than that in the 2000
ACS. For more information on the differences of income in the ACS and Census 2000, see
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/ACS/ASA_nelson.pdf.
The Census Bureau recommends using CPI-U-RS adjustment factors published annually by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to adjust 1999 median, mean, and per capita income dollar
amounts shown in Summary File 3 to 2007 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by
the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.24438087. For CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years
see: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/income05/cpiurs.html.
Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and
the 2007 ACS are not possible due to inflation. Users interested in making distribution
comparisons need to inflation adjust individual income records using the Public Use
Microdata Samples (PUMS) from Census 2000. |
Compare with Caution - As ACS data are collected every month of the year,
adjacent years will have some reference months in common. Hence, comparing the 2007 ACS with
the 2006 ACS estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2007 with
those in 2006. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring
Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st
Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. |
| Earnings and Income (Individuals) (20) |
| Per Capita Income,
Earnings (people), and Income (people) |
Compare with Caution - The ACS collects data throughout the year on an on-going,
monthly basis and asks for a respondent's income over the "past 12 months." Census 2000,
however, collected the income data for a fixed period of time -- "during 1999" (the last
calendar year). In a comparison study between Census 2000 income data and the 2000 ACS,
income collected in Census 2000 was found to be about 4 percent higher than that in the 2000
ACS. For more information on the differences of income in the ACS and Census 2000, see
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/ACS/ASA_nelson.pdf.
The Census Bureau recommends using CPI-U-RS adjustment factors published annually by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to adjust 1999 median, mean, and per capita income dollar
amounts shown in Summary File 3 to 2007 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by
the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.24438087. For CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years
see: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/income05/cpiurs.html.
Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and
the 2007 ACS are not possible due to inflation. Users interested in making distribution
comparisons need to inflation adjust individual income records using the Public Use
Microdata Samples (PUMS) from Census 2000. |
Compare with Caution - As ACS data are collected every month of the year,
adjacent years will have some reference months in common. Hence, comparing the 2007 ACS
with the 2006 ACS estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2007
with those in 2006. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard,
"Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the
21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. |
| Veteran Status (21) |
| Period of Military Service |
Compare - Since Census 2000, the period of military service categories on the ACS
questionnaire were updated to: 1) include the most recent period "September 2001 or later;"
2) list all "peace time" periods without showing a date-breakup in the list; and 3) update
the Korean War and World War II dates to match the official dates as listed in US Code,
Title 38. While the response categories differ slightly from those in Census 2000, data from
the two questions can still be compared to one another. |
Compare with Caution - Due to an editing error, veteran's period of service
(VPS) prior to 2007 was being incorrectly assigned for some individuals. The majority of the
errors misclassified some people who reported only serving during the Vietnam Era as having
served in the category "Gulf War and Vietnam Era." The remainder of the errors misclassified
some people who reported only serving between the Vietnam Era and Gulf War as having served
in the category "Gulf War." |
| Veteran Status |
Compare - The 2007 ACS has two separate questions, whereas in Census 2000, it was
a two part question. However, the actual questions remain the same. |
Compare |
| Food Stamps (22) |
| Food Stamp Benefit |
Do Not Compare - The question was not asked in Census 2000 thus
comparions cannot be made. |
Compare |
| Employment Status; Work Experience; Labor Force (23) |
| Employment Status |
Compare with Caution - The reference periods are different due to
year-round ACS data collection. The ACS reference period is the week prior to the
respondent completing the interview, or the field representative conducting the interview.
Because questionnaires are mailed-out and field interviews are conducted throughout the year,
there is a revolving reference period. For Census 2000, the reference period was the week
prior to Census Day (April 1, 2000). The Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF3) labor force data
for some places where colleges are located appear to overstate the estimates of people in
the labor force, the unemployed, and the percent unemployed because of data capture errors. |
Compare |
| Hours Worked |
Compare - The 2007 ACS reference period is 12 months preceding the date of
interview, while the Census 2000 reference period was the 1999 calendar year. |
Compare |
| Weeks Worked |
Compare - The 2007 ACS reference period is 12 months preceding the date of
interview, while the Census 2000 reference period was the 1999 calendar year. |
Compare |
| Industry & Occupation; Class of Worker (24) |
| Class of Worker |
Compare with Caution - The Census 2000 tables use different tabulation categories
than the 2007 ACS. However, PUMS data for Census 2000 and the 2007 ACS may be compared.
When available, compare like universes. |
Compare |
| Industry and Occupation |
Compare with Caution - The 2007 ACS codes are based on the 2002 North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS) and are 4-digit codes, whereas Census 2000 codes are
based on the 1997 NAICS and were 3-digit codes. Codes and descriptions, particularly within
the Electronic Shopping, Internet Services, and Wholesale categories changed. Also, the
Census 2000 tables did not include the "full-time, year-round" population and there were no
median earnings Industry and Occupation tables. Thus, comparisons cannot be made for this
population or characteristic. |
Compare |
| Housing (25) |
| Bedrooms |
Compare |
Compare |
| Contract and Gross Rent |
Do Not Compare - For Census 2000, tables were not released for
total renter-occupied units. The universe in the 2007 ACS is "all housing units" wheras in
Census 2000 the universe was "specified renter-occupied housing units," thus comparisons
cannot be made. |
Compare |
| Cost of Utilities |
Compare |
Compare |
| Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income |
Do Not Compare - For Census 2000, tables were not released for
total renter-occupied units. The universe in the 2007 ACS is "all housing units" wheras in
Census 2000, the universe was "specified owner-occupied housing units," thus comparisons
cannot be made. |
Compare |
| House Heating Fuel |
Compare |
Compare |
| Kitchen Facilities |
Compare |
Compare |
| Monthly Rent |
Compare |
Compare |
| Mortgage Status |
Compare - With a mortgage/without a mortgage released in Census
2000 for both total owner-occupied units and specifed owner-occupied units. |
Compare |
| Occupants per Room |
Compare |
Compare |
| Owner Costs as a Percentage of Household Income |
Compare with Caution - For Census 2000, tables with full
distribution were released for total owner-occupied units but medians were not shown. When
available, compare like universes. |
Compare |
| Plumbing Facilities |
Compare |
Compare |
| Real Estate Taxes |
Do Not Compare - The universe in the 2007 ACS is "all housing units"
wheras in Census 2000, the universe was "specified owner-occupied housing units," thus
comparisons cannot be made. |
Compare |
| Rooms |
Compare |
Compare |
| Selected Monthly Owner Costs |
Compare with Caution - For Census 2000, tables with full
distribution were released for total owner-occupied units but medians were not shown. When
available, compare like universes. |
Compare |
| Telephone Service |
Compare |
Compare |
| Tenure |
Compare |
Compare |
| Units in Structure |
Compare |
Compare |
| Vacancy Status |
Compare with Caution - The tabulation category "Rented or sold, not
occupied" in Census 2000 is separated into two categories "Rented, not occupied" and "Sold,
not occupied" in the 2007 ACS. |
Compare |
| Value of Property |
Compare with Caution - The 2007 ACS has allows a write-in for
values over $250,000. For Census 2000, tables with full distribution, medians, and
aggregate values were released for specified owner-occupied units as well as total
owner-occupied units. When available, compare like universes. |
Compare |
| Vehicles Available |
Compare |
Compare |
| Year Moved In |
Compare |
Compare |
| Year Structure Built |
Compare |
Compare |
| Group Quarters (26) |
| Group Quarters Population |
Compare with Caution - The total group quarters (GQ) population in the 2007 ACS
may not be comparable with Census 2000 because: 1) There are some Census 2000 GQ types that
were out of scope in the 2007 ACS such as domestic violence shelters, soup kitchens,
regularly scheduled mobile food vans, targeted non-sheltered outdoor locations, crews of
maritime vessels and living quarters for victims of natural disasters. Also, there are some
Census 2000 GQ type categories that are no longer valid (residential care facility providing
"Protective Oversight," hospitals/wards for the chronically ill and hospitals/wards for
drug/alcohol abuse). The exclusion of these GQ types from the 2007 ACS may result in a small
bias in some ACS estimates to the extent that the excluded population is different from the
included population. 2) A sample of GQ facilities throughout the United States and Puerto
Rico were selected for the 2007 ACS. ACS controls the GQ sample at the state level only.
Therefore, for lower levels of geography, particularly when there are relatively few GQs in
a geographic area, the ACS estimate of the GQ population may vary from the
estimate from Census 2000. |
Compare with caution at Nation and State level (do not compare below
State level) - The weighting for the group quarters (GQ) population is controlled at the
state level, but not at sub-state levels. For this reason, users may observe greater
fluctuations in year-to-year ACS estimates of the GQ population at sub-state levels than at
state levels. The causes of these fluctuations typically are the result of either GQs that
have closed or where the current population of the GQ is significantly different than the
expected population as reflected on the sampling frame. Substantial changes in the ACS GQ
estimates can impact ACS estimates of total population characteristics for areas where
either the GQ population is a substantial proportion of the total population or where the GQ
population may have very different characteristics than the total population as a whole.
Users can assess the impact that year-to-year changes in sub-state GQ total population
estimates have on the changes in total ACS population estimates by accessing Table B26001
on American Fact Finder. Users should also use their local knowledge to help
determine whether the year-to-year change in the ACS estimate represents
a real change in the GQ population or may be the result of the lack of
adequate population controls for sub-state areas. |
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