American Community Survey

The American Community Survey (ACS) uses independent estimates of population and housing units from the Population Estimates Program as survey controls.  For the group quarters (GQ) population, estimates are controlled for total GQ population by major GQ types (e.g., adult correctional facilities, nursing homes, college dorms, etc.) within state.  For total resident population and for housing units, the ACS is controlled for incorporated places, minor civil divisions (MCD), and counties (or groups of smaller counties).  At the incorporated place and MCD level, we control only for total population and the number of housing units.  At the county (or group of small counties) level, we also control for the total population's base demographics (race, age, sex, and ethnicity).  The statistical weights defined after the application of controls are then used to produce the totals and characteristic data for all other geographic areas, such as tracts and block groups. Learn more about the Weighting Methodology in the  Accuracy of the Data document.  

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