# Presentation: 241837

## The American Community Survey

**Notes:**
Have you ever needed recent data on poverty?  education?  families? other social, economic, and housing characteristics?  Have you ever said,  “I need something that’s more recent than the 1990 Census data?”  You probably didn’t want information about the entire United States.  You wanted current data for your state or community or for specific population groups.  Right?  
Imagine how hard it would be to plan a long trip using a map that was five or ten years out of date.  For government agencies, the census of population and housing that takes place every 10 years is the road map that helps them make multiple decisions, such as where to put new roads and schools.  Thousands of large and small community-based organizations also use census information to gauge the need for human services and match the unemployed with jobs.  
In the past, all we could tell you is to use the most recent census even though that information might be as much as 12 years old.  To help you make decisions based on current trends in your community, the Census Bureau has developed a new survey -- the American Community Survey -- a program to get social, economic, and housing information about your community every year. 

- Timely Informationfor the 21st Century

**Notes:**
The key words here are timely information.  Communities make decisions every single year, not every 10 years.  The economic, social, and housing situations of their population are always changing. 
Communities need a “video” of how they are changing, not an old snapshot frozen in time.  And when the “snapshot” or point in time was adversely influenced by circumstances like a downturn in the economy, a change in the flow of people into or out of an area, or devastation from a tornado or flood, the picture that represents your community for the next 12 years may be misrepresenting the normal conditions.  
The American Community Survey means you will have the video you need.  It will provide timely information in the 21st century so that communities can plan services, develop their economies, make decisions about where to locate community infrastructure and businesses, and identify trends while problems are still manageable.

## What Is the Difference Between the American Community Survey and the Decennial Census?

- Decennial census collects:
- A count of the population *(short form)*
- Economic, social, and housing information about communities and population groups *(long form)*

**Notes:**
Think of the decennial census as collecting two types of data:  a count of the population, and economic, social, and housing characteristics of communities and population groups.
To count the population in the census, the short form is sent to every housing unit and asks basic questions such as how many people live in that unit, as well as the age, race, gender, and ethnicity of each individual.  The short form data are used to apportion the 435 seats in the House of Representatives as required by the Constitution.  
The long form has been part of the census for decades. The questions on the long form are required by federal legislation and the federal courts to carry out hundreds of federal programs.  It is also used to distribute billions in federal funds.  The long form is sent every ten years to approximately 1 of every 6 housing units (with a higher sampling rate in rural areas).

## What the American Community Survey Is NOT

- A population count
- A tool or a measurement for apportionment of Congress

**Notes:**
The American Community Survey is NOT a head count.  We will still do the decennial census short form to count the population and will continue to work between censuses with states to get the yearly estimates of the population of states and counties.  Because it does not count the population, the American Community Survey is NOT a means of apportioning Congressional seats.  It is designed to get social, economic, and housing information every year to show trends and changes at the community level.

## What Is the American Community Survey?

- A program to provide information every year for communities about
- age, gender, race/ethnicity
- families, children, the elderly
- income, poverty
- education
- work, unemployment
- commuting patterns
- housing

**Notes:**
After Census 2000, the American Community Survey will replace the long form. You can think of the American Community Survey as the long form with data collection spread out over the decade.  
We’ll still count the population every ten years using the short form.  The American Community Survey won’t tell us if an area has, for example, 60,000 people or 60,100 -- that’s the job of the decennial census and the program for population estimates between censuses.  
The American Community Survey will tell us what that population looks like -- for example, what proportion are children?  elderly?  poor?  have a college degree?  live in one county and work in another or get to work by bus in the same county as their home?  We call these “population characteristics.” 

## What Is the American Community Survey?

- A large, continuous demographic survey which
- Produces annual and multi-year estimates of characteristics of the population and housing
- Produces information for small areas including tracts and population subgroups - updated every year
- Uses a “current” residence rule

**Notes:**
The American Community Survey is a large demographic survey, conducted using mailed questionnaires, telephone interviews, and visits from the Census Bureau’s field representatives.  It produces annual and multi-year estimates of characteristics of the population and housing.
One of the great features of the American Community Survey is that it produces this information for small levels of geography and small population groups.  It will provide new social, economic, and housing profiles every year for states, cities, counties, metropolitan areas, or population groups of 65,000 or more people.  For smaller areas, such as rural jurisdictions and neighborhoods,  it will take three to five years to accumulate enough data to provide estimates similar to those that you get from the census long form.  Those multi-year estimates will be updated every year.  Eventually, all communities will have profiles every year and will be able to look at trends and changes.
One of the differences between the census and the American Community Survey is the residence rules.  The census asks for “usual residence as of April 1st.”  The American Community Survey uses a current residence rule that asks who generally stays here for more than two months.  This means for the first time, we have the potential to develop information on seasonal populations, such as in college and resort towns.  

## Information for Communities

- Communities can include:
- states
- counties
- cities and towns
- census tracts
*population subgroups*

**Notes:**
We are using the word “community” in the broad sense.  It refers to population subgroups as well as to geographic units like cities, states, or counties.  In the past, population subgroups only received information once in 10 years; those groups tend to be too small to show any information in the national surveys which are conducted between decennial censuses.  Now, we will have information every year about groups such as the oldest old (those 85 and older); teenage mothers in school and those who are working;  college graduates; or specific race and ethnic groups such as Vietnamese, Mexican-Americans, and American Indian tribes.

## How Will the American Community Survey Help Your Community?

- Better information for:
- distribution of public funding
- establishing community goals
- comparing your community with others
- identifying community problems and solutions
- location of facilities and programs

**Notes:**
Government, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and private citizens all use the information which will be updated every year through the American Community Survey.
Billions of government and business dollars are divided among states, communities, and population groups based on their demographic, social, economic, and housing profiles.  The federal government uses such information to manage programs.  Communities use it for economic development, decisions about their future such as locating schools and expanding roads, and to see how they are doing compared with others.  When the American Community Survey is in full operation, the information will be comparable across the nation’s communities, and this provides a basis for distribution of public funds.  Timely information helps put resources where they are needed.
Accurate, timely, and comparable information can help policy makers measure the results of their efforts and better determine future strategies for community development.

## How Can Your Community Use Information From the American Community Survey?

- To track the well-being of children, families, and the elderly
- To  determine where to locate new highways, schools, and hospitals
- To stimulate economic development
- To evaluate programs such as welfare and workforce diversification

**Notes:**
When millions of dollars are at stake, community decisionmakers say they want to do more than just guess.  The American Community Survey can help them.  Here is what community leaders have told us current information can do for them:
A planning commission says it will use the information to decide whether their area needs a new highway lane and where to put bus stops.  It also helps them decide where to locate recreational facilities like ball parks and schools.
A hospital says it will help them put services where high-risk mothers live and better plan for specialty operations such as hip replacement surgery if the elderly population is increasing disproportionately or rapidly.
A city will use the American Community Survey to review the appropriate amount of proposed tax levies for services for the elderly.
A builder will use the information to determine what type of housing is needed in the community or within a neighborhood.
A developer will show potential clients that her city has the workforce and customer base they need --to brings jobs to her city. 
A hairdresser is putting her life savings into starting her own business--she can’t afford a mistake.
A bank will use the American Community Survey to put ATM machines where they will be convenient, to create and market affordable homes, and to make sure they are equitably serving their customers.  Timely information helps bankers design better loan programs.

## Major Stages in the American Community Survey Plan

- Demonstration period, 1996-1998 -- *completed*
- 31 comparison sites, 1999-2002
- Full implementation, every county and nationwide, 2003 and beyond

**Notes:**
The first stage of the American Community Survey development is the demonstration period, which started in 1996 and ended in December 1998.  Our goals for the demonstration period were to show the value of timely trend data and to refine operations and cost estimates.  We showed it could be done within budget and on time.
From 1999 through 2002, we will conduct the American Community Survey in 31 comparison sites.  In these sites, we will make direct comparisons between the ACS and Census 2000 long form in order to distinguish between real changes and those changes due to how the two are conducted.
We plan that the American Community Survey will start collection in every county in the nation in 2003 and that results will first become available in mid-2004 for areas or population groups of 65,000 or more.  For smaller areas and population groups, it will take three to five years to accumulate information to provide accurate estimates.  For example, areas of 20,000 or more will use a 3-year average and information will start to become available in 2006.

## The American Community Survey Plan, 1999 and Beyond

- Compare the American Community Survey to the Census 2000 long form results
- Full implementation in every county, starting in 2003
- American Community Survey - Coverage Program (formerly CAUS)
- Replace the Census 2010 long form

**Notes:**
Having completed the demonstration phase of the American Community Survey, we are currently collecting data in 31 sites across the country.  The Census Bureau conducted Census 2000 using the short form (to count population) and the long form in 1-in-6 households (to profile characteristics of population and housing).  The Census Bureau will compare the American Community Survey results collected from 1999 through 2001 to results collected with the Census 2000 long form to measure methodological differences.
We plan for full implementation of the American Community Survey starting in 2003 in each of the more than 3000 counties that make up the nation.
The American Community Survey requires a continuously updated address list.  A new program called the American Community Survey - Coverage Program (formerly called the Community Address Updating System), is under development to accomplish that by obtaining address information about new housing units and adding those units to our address list; and correcting and updating the existing addresses in our address list.  This will result in better coverage of addresses and will lead to an improved Census 2010.
Ultimately, the ongoing American Community Survey will simplify the Census 2010 by replacing the long form and allow resources to be focused entirely on  counting the population.

## Comparison Study 

- Understand and measure differences between the traditional census long form and the American Community Survey
- Provide a bridge to interpret changes between  Census 2000 and the American Community Survey

**Notes:**
The comparison phase is underway now and will run through 2002.  The comparison study is designed to collect several kinds of information necessary to understand the differences between the American Community Survey and the Census 2000 long form.  
Direct comparison between the American Community Survey and the census long form is essential to distinguish between real change in characteristics and the differences caused by the way the American Community Survey and the Census are conducted. 

## 31 Comparison Sites

- Sites were selected for factors such as
- rate of population growth
- population size
- difficulty in enumerating in 1990 Census
- regional distribution
- Situations in which results may vary because of the  difference in methods used for the American Community Survey and the census
- Data users likely to review the data and provide feedback to the Census Bureau

**Notes:**
The 31 sites were selected to include a balance of such factors as regional representation, population growth, and population size.  We also looked at sites that were easy for Field Representatives to collect data in 1990, as well as those that were difficult, such as gated communities.
We will make direct comparisons of the information collected in the 1999 through 2001 American Community Survey sites to the Census 2000 long form, down to census tracts.

## More About 31 Comparison Sites

- Compares the 1999-2001 American Community Survey to the Census 2000 long form with similar sample sizes
- Samples any address only once
- Oversampling in small governmental units

**Notes:**
In the 31 selected sites, we will collect information for direct comparisons between the American Community Survey and Census 2000 data through statistical modeling. 
For most of the sites, 5 percent of households will be sampled for each of the three years.  Each address in the American Community Survey will be selected only once, and there will be no overlap with the Census 2000 long form.  In very small governmental units, both the American Community Survey and Census 2000 will use the same rules for oversampling.  Because the 1999-2001 American Community Survey (three years at 5 percent sample) and the Census 2000 (17 percent sample) are comparable in sample size and use similar samples, they should have roughly equivalent sampling error.

## Full Implementation 2003 and Beyond

- Implement in all 3,000+ counties of the United States
- Begin national sample of 3 million addresses across all counties
- Profiles every year for communities of 65,000 or more, beginning in 2004 and each year thereafter
- 3 to 5-year cumulations for communities of less than 65,000 population

**Notes:**
In 2003, the American Community Survey will be implemented in every county of the United States with an annual sample of 3 million addresses. That will make the American Community Survey the world’s largest on-going household survey.
Once the American Community Survey is in full operation, averages will be updated every year for areas and population groups of 65,000 or more.  The information collected in 2003 will be available in mid-2004.
For communities of less than 65,000, it will take 3 to 5 years to accumulate enough sample to provide estimates similar to the quality of the census long form.  These multiple year estimates are subsequently updated every year.  For example, results averaged over 3 years for areas with populations of 20,000 to 65,000 will first become available in 2006 and then updated each year thereafter.  Likewise, results averaged over five years for areas of less than 20,000 people (including rural areas and census tracts) will first become available starting in 2008, and will be updated every year thereafter.

## Data Products From the Nationwide American Community Survey

*Nationwide implementation begins in 2003 if Congress appropriates funds.*

**Notes:**
In 2004, results collected for the year 2003 will be available for the nation, all states, and areas with populations of 65,000 or more. 
The next year, the estimate will be updated from information collected in 2004.
In 2006, geographic areas or population groups with a population of 20,000 or more can use a 3-year average for information collected in 2003 through 2005.  
The next year the 3-year average will be updated from information collected in 2004 through 2006.  This method provides a “refreshed” and current multi-year accumulation each year.  Users will be able to measure change over time.
As shown in the column for Year 2008, the first information for areas with a population smaller than 20,000 will be available as 5-year averages.  

## Multi-year Cumulations

- Statistical uses of the 5-year moving averages:
- Picturing general trends
- Measuring consistent differences among communities
- 5 years of collection provides updated 5-year average estimates in the 6th year
- 2003-2007 collection  2008 results
- 2004-2008 collection  2009 updated 5 year estimate

**Notes:**
Looking at an average over a period of time, rather than a description of one particular moment in time, has raised a lot of questions from users of decennial census information for small communities.  In large population areas, the one-year American Community Survey estimates will be available and will be useful for some kinds of research studies.  However, for small communities, the basic American Community Survey profile will be based on multi-year averages updated every year.  Even small communities will be able to monitor trends.
To use an analogy you are familiar with, think of buying stocks.  You don’t generally buy based on the price for one day.  You look at the stock’s history, at its average over five or ten years.  You look at trends or indicators.  That’s what we’re talking about here: a stable picture of the underlying “fundamentals” of an area; measuring consistent differences among communities; and picturing general trends.
From 2003 through 2007, we’ll collect information.  In 2008, we’ll get our first look at places with less than 20,000 people.  In 2009, we’ll get the updated estimate for the years 2004 through 2008.  Everyone will have economic, social, and housing profiles starting in 2008--four years earlier than they could get it if they had to wait for the release of the Census 2010.  

## American Community Survey Products	

- For most general uses
- Profiles of communities and special population groups
- Summary tabulations similar to those found in census products -- down to the block group level
- For research and special purposes
- Public Use Microdata Sample files
- American Community Survey website
- Free CD-ROM (with multiple years of survey results)

**Notes:**
The American Community Survey annual results are available on the Census Bureau’s website and on CD-ROM, and include:
 Profiles of key indicators for communities and population groups
 Summary tables similar to the decennial census Summary Files
 Public Use Microdata files for researchers to create their own customized tables
The CD-ROM is a valuable product for information about the American Community Survey because it includes information about why the Census Bureau is developing the survey; a copy of the questionnaire; information about the methods, concepts, and definitions the survey uses; technical documentation related to the survey and survey results, Beyond 20/20© data analysis software, and tutorial “movies” showing how to get the most from this product.

## For More Information

- Visit the American Community Survey website
- Go to the Census Bureau’s website at **www.census.gov**
- Click on **Subjects A-Z**
- Click on **American Community Survey**
- Email us at **acs@census.gov**

**Notes:**
To learn more about the American Community Survey, or to look at the survey results, visit our website.   The website is the first place we post new annual survey results.  Stay tuned later this year for the addition of 1999 survey results. 
The CD-ROM takes a bit longer to produce and should be available at the end of each year.  You can order your free CD-ROM here or by emailing us at acs@census.gov - be sure to include a mailing address!

## How Can You Help the American Community Survey?

- Use the free CD-ROM to review survey results
- Tell us how the American Community Survey meets your needs and how you will use the information
- Tell others about the American Community Survey and how it can benefit their communities
- Share your comments and suggestions with us

**Notes:**
We need your help in evaluating the American Community Survey and helping us with suggestions.
Visit our web site and take a look at what we provide.
Tell us how well the results meet your needs, and tell us how you will use results from the American Community Survey.
Tell others about the American Community Survey and why it will benefit their communities.
And, finally, give us any feedback that might help improve this survey.  Information on how to contact us is in the American Community Survey brochure and also on the American Community Survey web site.