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Abstract Details

Activity Number: 649
Type: Topic Contributed
Date/Time: Thursday, August 2, 2012 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
Sponsor: Social Statistics Section
Abstract - #304430
Title: An Early Look at Small-Area Data from the American Community Survey
Author(s): Ken Hodges*+ and Ed Spar
Companies: The Nielsen Company and COPAFS
Address: 53 Brown Rd., Ithaca, NY, 14850-1247, United States
Keywords: ACS ; estimates ; small area
Abstract:

The American Community Survey (ACS) is now providing 5-year estimates for areas as small as census block groups, but questions remain about the data. This presentation describes an initial examination of 5-year ACS data for selected tables. For all block groups nationwide, the analysis explores the distribution of the ACS sample, reported margins of error, and some conspicuous outliers. Observations are illustrated with data from individual block groups as well as summaries across all block groups. And while not definitive, comparisons with estimates from the 2000 census long form and 2010 cesus counts shed light on the reasonableness of the small area ACS data for different types of areas. Among the findings of interest are the number of cells with values of zero, the percent of households interviewed in small towns versus large metropolitan areas, and the performance of ACS estimates in rapid growth areas.


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