Census Bureau Tip Sheet

Dec. 5, 2008                                                                                                              TP08-25

Upcoming

American Community Survey

American Community Survey 2005-2007 Data Release — On Dec. 9, the Census Bureau will release the first set of American Community Survey three-year-averaged data for all geographies with populations greater than 20,000. The release will provide the first look at detailed socioeconomic and housing characteristics for geographies between 20,000 and 64,999 since Census 2000. (Data will be embargoed to the media Dec. 4.)

The American Community Survey: What the Media Needs to Know — A new handbook that describes how the ACS is designed, key concepts and how to get the most out of the survey data. 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 articles are included on how journalists have used the ACS to find and improve their published work. ACS Compass products are available at <http://www.census.gov/acs/www/UseData/Compass/compass_series.html>.

Foreign-Born Characteristics: 2007 — There were an estimated 38 million people in 2007 living in the United States who were born outside of the country. New data profiles show educational attainment, income, year of entry, occupations and more based on a group’s country of birth. (Tentatively scheduled for release in mid-January.)

Demographic

Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): 2006 and 2007 — These tables provide estimates of income and poverty for states and counties, as well as estimates of poverty and population for school districts, median household income and poverty rates of various age groups. SAIPE provides annual updates for the administration of federal programs and the allocation of federal funds to local jurisdictions. (Tentatively scheduled for release Dec. 10.)

Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009 — Published since 1878, “Uncle Sam’s Almanac” presents its usual dazzling array of statistics on topics from “A” (aerobics) to “Z” (zinc production). The 128th edition includes several dozen new tables and more than 1,400 overall, describing life in our nation and the world. (Tentatively scheduled for release Dec. 15.)

International Data Base — The world population is undergoing constant changes in fertility, infant mortality, life expectancy and other factors. Which countries have fertility rates at or above replacement levels? Will the annual number of births peak anytime soon? Answers to these and other questions about the population of the world’s 225 countries can be found in this 2008 update. (Tentatively scheduled for release Dec. 16.)

Americans with Disabilities: 2005 — National-level data on the socioeconomic characteristics of people with disabilities, such as poverty, program participation, employment status and earnings. Includes estimates of people with a wide range of specific disabilities, e.g., difficulty seeing or hearing, the need for personal assistance with preparing meals, the use of a wheelchair and Alzheimer’s. (Tentatively scheduled for release Dec. 18.)

State Population Estimates: July 1, 2008 — In 2007, Nevada reclaimed its title as the nation’s fastest-growing state. Will the Silver State remain tops? Internet tables will show July 1, 2008, population estimates and components of change for the nation, states and Puerto Rico. (Tentatively scheduled for release Dec. 22.)

New Year’s Day Population — The Census Bureau rings in the year with its annual projection of the nation’s population for Jan. 1, 2009. The release will include birth, death and net international migration rates. (Tentatively scheduled for release Dec. 29.)

Economic

2007 Commodity Flow Survey — Tracking value, tonnage, mileage and mode of transportation, this survey provides new data on the movement of goods in the United States. It covers mining, manufacturing, wholesale and selected retail trade and service industries. (Tentatively scheduled for release Dec. 9.)

2007 State and Local Government Public Employee-Retirement Systems — Annual data on revenues, expenditures, financial assets and membership for public employee-retirement systems. Data are shown for individual retirement systems as well as aggregately at the national, state and local levels. (Tentatively scheduled for release Dec. 29.)

Facts for Features

Valentine’s Day — The year’s most romantic edition features a collection of statistics on chocolates, flowers, jewelry and marriage, among other topics. (Tentatively scheduled for release Dec. 15.)

St. Patrick’s Day and Irish-American Heritage Month (March) — May the “luck o’ the Irish” be with you as you peruse this edition of the Facts for Features. It is filled with statistical information from the Census Bureau’s demographic and economic subject areas on the nation’s Irish-American population and other facets of this celebration of all things Irish. (Tentatively scheduled for release Jan. 5.)

Women’s History Month (March) — In commemoration of this annual observance highlighting and celebrating the varied and historic accomplishments of women, this edition provides statistical information on topics such as earnings, education, business ownership, voting, occupations, military service and marriage. (Tentatively scheduled for release Jan. 5.)

Broadcast/Photo/Multimedia/Television

Radio

Profile America and Al Día (Spanish) — Profile America is a daily, 60-second feature that uses interesting vignettes from key events, observances or commemorations for that day to highlight information collected by the Census Bureau. Upcoming segments include the story of Americans’ charitable nature in “Helping Others” (Dec. 7) and the Post Office’s holiday-season burden in “Mailing Time Runs Out” (Dec. 17). The December daily features are available at <http://www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/broadcast/radio/profile_america/index.html>. January’s features will appear soon.

The URL for MP3 downloads, WAV files and subscription podcast access is <http://www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/broadcast/radio/profile_america/index.html>. Profile America and Al Día daily features can be downloaded individually and for the entire month via zip files at <http://www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/broadcast/radio/index.html>.

Recently Released

(Since Nov. 21, 2008)

Demographic

Profiles of Older Workers: 2004 —The Census Bureau is releasing a series of state reports on workers 55 and older. North Dakota’s report was released Nov. 25. Previously released reports are available at <http://lehd.did.census.gov/led/library/profiles_2007.html>.

Economic

2007 State Government Finances — Nov. 26 — Complete information on the financial activity of all 50 state governments. Data cover revenues by type (taxes and federal aid), expenditures by character (current operations, capital outlay, payments to other governments), expenditures by function (welfare, health, education, natural resources), indebtedness, and cash and security holdings. Complete statistics on local government finances will be released in the summer of 2009 from the 2007 Census of Governments (http://www.census.gov/govs/www/state.html). Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/governments/012918.html>.

Business Dynamics Statistics — Dec. 2 — This new data tool provides a unique way to track annual changes in employment at the establishment level by business size and age. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/employment_occupations/013012.html>.

Facts for Features

Black (African-American) History Month (February) — Dec. 2 — To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, the Census Bureau presents a collection of demographic and economic statistics about the black community. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/013007.html>.

Broadcast/Photo/Multimedia/Television

Video

2010 Census: A New Portrait of America — This informational video explains how communities benefit from Census Bureau data collection efforts. Testimonials describe the importance of a complete and accurate count and why the 2010 Census will be the most important count in our nation’s history. It shows data collection operations in action. Running time is 3:10. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/broadcast/video/census_operations/011424.html>.

Radio

Profile America and Al Día (Spanish) for August and September — Profile America segments included the start of the frozen dinner industry in “TV Dinners” (Nov. 26) and a notable medical advance in “Artificial Heart” (Dec. 2). Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/broadcast/radio/index.html>.

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News releases, reports, data tables and radio transcripts are available on the Public Information Office’s Web page at at <http://www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/news.html>. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office at 301-763-3030 or 301-763-3691; fax 301-763-3762; or e-mail <pio@census.gov>.