Using the American Community Survey: Benefits and Challenges

The American Community Survey (ACS) is a major new initiative from the U.S. Census Bureau designed to provide continuously updated information on the numbers and characteristics of the nation’s people and housing. It replaces the “long form†of the decennial census. Using the American Community Survey covers the basics of how the ACS design and operations differ from the long-form sample; using the ACS for such applications as formula allocation of federal and state funds, transportation planning, and public information; and challenges in working with ACS estimates that cover periods of 12, 36, or 60 months depending on the population size of an area.

This book also recommends priority areas for continued research and development by the U.S. Census Bureau to guide the evolution of the ACS, and provides detailed, comprehensive analysis and guidance for users in federal, state, and local government agencies, academia, and media.

• Front Matter
• Executive Summary
• 1 Introduction
• PART I: Using the American Community Survey, 2 Essentials for Users
• 3 Working with the ACS: Guidance for Users
• PART II: Technical Issues, 4 Sample Design and Survey Operations
• 5 The Weighting of ACS 1-Year Period Estimates
• 6 Weighting and Interpreting ACS Multiyear Estimates
• PART III: Education, Outreach, and Future Development, 7 Important Next Steps
• References
• Appendix A Acronyms and Abbreviations
• Appendix B Controlling the American Community Survey to Postcensal Population Estimates
• Appendix C Alternatives to the Multiyear Period Estimation Strategy for the American Community Survey
• Appendix D Biographical Sketches of Panel Members and Staff
• Index to Executive Summary and Chapters 1-7
• Committee on National Statistics