Beginning with the next census in 2010, all households will only receive only the short form. Unlike the decennial census (which is a 100 percent count), the ACS is based on a sample of the population. Therefore, one would be unable to make estimates for small geographic areas with 1-year data because the sample would be too small. However, as the ACS continues to be collected one can "pool" together data years to produce estimates for smaller geographic areas. Such data is now available and the Census recently released the 2005-2007 ACS 3-year data. Five-year estimates will be available in 2010.
The 2007 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year data release provides data products for a set of geographic areas with a population of 65,000 or more. The ACS combines samples across multiple years to produce and publish multiyear estimates for smaller geographic areas.. The 2005 - 2007 ACS 3-year data release provides data products for geographic areas with populations of 20,000 or more. The population sizes for both these 1-year and 3-year data products are based on the July 1, 2007 population estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. In the future, areas with population of less than 20,000 will have access to ACS data from 5-year estimates.
Recent Press Release:*************************************************************************************
American Community Survey Gives Midsized Areas Their First Detailed Update Since 2000
New data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau give more than 2,500 midsized counties, cities and towns [Excel] nationwide (those with populations between 20,000 and 64,999) their first statistical “portrait” since the 2000 Census on a wide range of key socioeconomic and housing topics.
These are the first American Community Survey (ACS) estimates that combine three years of survey responses (2005-2007) to produce data. The technique makes it possible to release a new set of multiyear estimates annually for smaller geographic areas. The three-year data can produce estimates for areas with populations as small as 20,000.
“Today’s release represents an important milestone for data users everywhere,” said Census Bureau Director Steve H. Murdock. “Communities are no longer limited to a once-a-decade look at their population’s characteristics. The ACS’s multiyear data will allow small towns and communities to track how they are changing on an ongoing basis.”
Also released today are three-year estimates for areas with populations of 65,000 or more. The Census Bureau released single-year data for these larger areas in September.
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1 comment:
The long form was also a sample, only 1-in-6 households got it and that detailed data traditionally on the long form is what the ACS is collecting. The ACS also goes on throughout the year, every year, and that is expensive to maintain and process the number of households we get to. It takes about 5 years worth of data from ACS to be close to the Decennial numbers. Write your congress person to increase the funding for the ACS sample to be equivalent to Decennial sample sizes!!
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