Development of Community Information Systems With The American Community Survey and Local Administrative Records

• Activity Number: 338
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Government Statistics*
• Author(s): Cynthia Taeuber*+
• Affiliation(s): University of Baltimore/U.S. Census Bureau
• Keywords: American Community Survey ; Administrative records ; Community information system

Abstract

This paper addresses how summarized American Community Survey profiles could be used with administrative data sets to develop a new generation of state and community information systems. We illustrate how administrative records and current profiles of population and housing trends from the American Community Survey could be merged in econometric models to provide improved estimates and probability statements of events. Using data sets matched to small geographic levels rather than individual people protects individual privacy. We address issues of data quality, barriers to comparisons among data sets, and the need for documentation of administrative records.

Together, the data sets provide the potential to improve demographic, social, economic, and housing estimates and thus provide a picture of the dynamics of change and better inform those who make decisions about program effectiveness and direction. The dynamic picture multiple information sources provide can help communities better understand the interactions between changes in a community's population and other factors such as its industrial mix, economic development potential, health profile, and physical environment.