Newsroom

Census Bureau Tip Sheet

A product of the U.S. Census Bureau's Public Information Office

Upcoming

American Community Survey

The American Community Survey: What the Media Needs to Know — A new handbook that 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 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. For example, Chinese-born residents in one part of the country are much more likely to graduate high school than others. (Tentatively scheduled for release in mid-November.)

American Community Survey 2005-2007 Data Release — On Dec. 9, the Census Bureau will release the first set of three-year American Community Survey 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.)

Demographic

Profiles of Older Workers: 2004 — The Census Bureau is releasing a series of state reports on workers 55 and older. Virginia's report is scheduled for release Nov. 10. Previously released reports are available at <http://lehd.did.census.gov/led/library/profiles_2007.html>.

Facts for Features

African-American History Month (February) — 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. (Tentatively scheduled for release in early December.)

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 anniversary of touch-tone dialing in "Major Telephone Developments" (Nov. 17) and recognizing a medical breakthrough in the "Artificial Heart's 25th" (Dec. 2). The November and December daily features are available at <http://www.census.gov/multimedia/www/radio/>.

The URL for MP3 downloads, WAV files and subscription podcast access is <http://www.census.gov/multimedia/www/radio/profile_america/>.

Profile America and Al Día daily features can be downloaded individually and for the entire month via zip files at <http://www.census.gov/multimedia/www/radio/>

Recently Released

(Since Oct. 24, 2008)

Demographic

Profiles of Older Workers: 2004 — The Census Bureau is releasing a series of state reports on workers 55 and older. Minnesota's report was released Nov. 6 and Pennsylvania's released Oct. 30. Previously released reports are available at <http://lehd.did.census.gov/led/library/profiles_2007.html>.

USA Counties Update — Nov. 4 — Information from this popular source, containing more than 6,000 data items for the United States, states and counties, has been updated. New items include 2007 age, sex, race and Hispanic origin data; 2007 housing units estimates; 2006 federal government expenditure data; 2006 nonemployer statistics; and 2006 private nonfarm business statistics. USA Counties is available at <http://censtats.census.gov/usa/usa.shtml>.

Facts for Features

Holiday Season — Oct. 30 — The Census Bureau presents numerous facts and figures related to Christmas and other holidays this joyous time of year. Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb08-ff21.html>.

Editor's note: Facts for Features are customarily released about two months before an observance in order to accommodate magazine production timelines.

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://2010.census.gov/mediacenter/>

Radio

Profile America and Al Día (Spanish) for August and September — Profile America segments included the what's-not-to-like observance of "National Cookie Month" (Oct. 26) and a notable automotive innovation in "First Car Air Conditioning" (Nov. 6). Internet address: <http://www.census.gov/multimedia/www/radio/>.