Helping Data Users Better Understand the American Community Survey

• Activity Number: 123
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Monday, August 4, 2008 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Government Statistics
• Author(s): John Thompson*+ and Joseph Salvo*+ and Ken Hodges*+ and Kennon Copeland*+ and Linda A. Jacobsen*+ and Peter Lobo*+
• Companies: National Opinion Research Center and New York City Department of City Planning and Claritas Inc. and National Opinion Research Center and Population Reference Bureau and NYC Department of City Planning

Abstract

As a part of the 2010 Census re-engineering, the ACS replaced the traditional decennial census long form, allowing for up-to-date information every year, rather than just once a decade. Beginning in 2006, the Census Bureau released single-year estimates for the nation and for states, counties, and other geographic areas with populations of 65,000 and greater. In 2008, the first set of multiyear period estimates will be released for data collected between 2005 and 2007. These 3-year period estimates will include geographic areas with populations of 20,000 and greater. To prepare for this release, the Census Bureau is working with a set of experts to develop training and informational materials geared toward specific audiences. This session will present the results of this effort and focus on the general public, state and local government, the business community, and the advanced ACS user.