Census Data Release Schedule 2010-2011

The folks over at Data Detectives complied a schedule for data and statistical releases for the next year for the 2010 Census, the American Community Survey (ACS), and other Census products. So, instead of reinventing the wheel, I will just share their handy information for all you data geeks.

Late September 2010
2009 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates for areas with a population of 65,000 or more.

Mid-December 2010
2005-9 5-years estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS) for geographies down to the block group level.

December 2010
2010 demographic analysis estimates of national population by age, sex, and race (Black and nonblack). Not from the 2010 Census, but estimates based on historical data on births and deaths and estimates of immigration and emigration. This information is used, in part, to estimate the accuracy of the 2010 Census.

By December 31, 2010
The apportionment counts will be delivered to the President will be delivered to the President within nine months of Census Day (on or before December 31, 2010), as required by law. This report will show the apportionment population counts, by state, and the number of seats in the US House of Representatives apportioned to each state.

February-March 2011
2010 Census Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171) Summary File - redistricting data to the 50 states consisting of small-area data the states will need to redraw districts for the state legislature:
* State population counts for race and Hispanic or Latino categories
* State housing unit counts by occupancy status (occupied units, vacant units)
Media: Internet tables, DVD, download capability
Lowest level of geography: Blocks

April 2011
National Summary File of Redistricting Data:
* Population and housing unit counts for the United States, regions, divisions, and American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Areas
Media: Internet tables, download capability
Lowest level of geography: American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian areas

May 2011
Demographic Profile:
* Selected population and housing characteristics
* Includes Congressional Districts of the 111th Congress
Media: Internet quick tables, download capability
Lowest level of geography: Places/Functioning Minor Civil Divisions

June-August 2011
Summary File 1 (SF 1) for States:
* Population counts for 63 race categories and Hispanic or Latino down to block level.
* Population counts for many detailed race and Hispanic or Latino categories, and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes down to Census tracts.
* Selected population and housing characteristics down to blocks/Census tracts.

November 2011
Summary File 1 (SF 1) National Update:
* Counts for the United States, regions, divisions, and geographic areas that cross state lines such as American Indian Areas and Core-Based Statistical Areas.

December 2011-April 2012
Summary File 2 (SF 2):
* Population and housing characteristics iterated for many detailed race and Hispanic or Latino categories, and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes down to Census tracts.

Dates To Be Determined
Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) Files
* Includes age, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, household type and relationship, and tenure data with identifying information removed, down to PUMAs of 100,000+ population.
Media: DVD, download capability

New Census Data for Midsize Areas

The American Community Survey (ACS) is a project of the U.S. Census Bureau that replaces the long form in the decennial census. It is an ongoing statistical survey, and thus more current than information obtained by decennial census.

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.

From ACS page:

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:
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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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You can download data and make tables on live via American Fact Finder. I highly recommend reading many of the methodology papers on the ACS webpage about how to correctly use multiyear data.