American Community Survey (ACS)

American Community Survey Alert, Number 51

(released August 28, 2007)    Printer Friendly Version of Alert 51

Informing you about news, events, data releases, congressional action, and other developments associated with the American Community Survey (ACS).

News in this Alert

• *U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2006 American Community Survey Data on Income, Poverty, and Earnings
• **Federal Register Notice Solicits Feedback on American Community Survey Proposed Data Products Containing Multiyear Estimates
• ***Contact Us

*U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2006 American Community Survey Data on Income, Poverty, and Earnings

The Census Bureau today released income, poverty, and earnings data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS), in conjunction with the Census Bureau's annual release of income, poverty, and health insurance data from the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) to the Current Population Survey (CPS). These data and general information about today's release may be found at: <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/010583.html>.

This year's data release marks the first time that ACS data products cover the total U.S. population, including populations residing in group quarters (such as prisons, college dormitories, military barracks, and nursing homes). The Census Bureau's Web site now contains guidance on comparing 2006 ACS data to 2005 ACS data, as well as comparing 2006 ACS data to Census 2000 data. This guidance may be found at: <http://www.census.gov/acs/www/UseData/compACS.htm>.

Data are again available for the nation, the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, every congressional district and all counties, places, and metropolitan areas with populations of 65,000 or more.

As part of today's release, the ACS Web site recently was redesigned to make navigation easier and to help users find the information they need more quickly. The Web site is primarily a documentation and information site. As in past years, all the data from the ACS may be found on the Census Bureau's American FactFinder: <http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en>.

Additional data from the 2006 ACS will be released as follows:

*Sept. 12, 2007: ACS social, economic and, housing characteristics, demographic and housing estimates, and Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) data. The data will consist of:

          *Educational attainment

          *Industry

          *Occupation

          *Class of worker

          *Journey to work

          *Employment status

          *Work status

          *Veteran status

          *Housing

          *Households and families

          *Marital status

          *Migration

*Sept. 27, 2007: ACS group quarters and selected population profiles/tables for about 200 selected population groups by race, Hispanic origin, and ancestry. This marks the first release of group quarters profiles since the 1990 Census. Also released at that time will be workplace geography tables.

**Federal Register Notice Solicits Feedback on Proposed ACS Data Products Containing Multiyear Estimates

A Federal Register notice (#3510-07-P) released today seeks user input on proposed modifications to the current line of ACS data products to accommodate the multiyear estimates beginning in 2008. Currently official ACS data products are only available in the form of single-year estimates for years 2005 and 2006.

The notice and supporting documentation may be found at: <http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html>. Once there, scroll down to the Census Bureau section and click the "text" link.

Questions about the proposed data products may be directed to Doug Hillmer, Assistant Division Chief, Data Products, American Community Survey Office, on (301) 763-2994, by e-mail at Douglas.w.Hillmer@census.gov, or by mail at U.S. Census Bureau, Room 3K275, Washington, DC 20233-0001.

The ACS is a key component of the Census Bureau's 2010 Decennial Census Program, which also consists of early planning and modernization of geographic operations and a short-form only for the 2010 Census.

***Contact Us

If you have questions or comments about the American Community Survey, please call (888)346-9682 or e-mail cmo.acs@census.gov.

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