The American Community Survey
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INSIGHT
The American Community Survey
January 16, 2024
Overview
The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) is intended to measure the changing
social, economic, demographic, and housing characteristics of the U.S. population. The ACS is sent to a
sample of addresses across the 50 states and the District of Columbia on a rolling basis, with
approximately 3.5 million addresses sampled annually. The Census Bureau also operates the Puerto Rico
Community Survey, which covers the same topics as the ACS, with relevant adjustments.
ACS data are used to produce one-year and five-year population estimates. Five-year estimates increase
the reliability of statistics for less-populated areas and small population subgroups. One-year estimates are
intended to provide more frequent data but are not available for smaller populations because the sample
sizes are too small to produce reliable statistics. Similar to the decennial census, respondents are required
by law to complete the ACS.
Prior to the 2005 inauguration of the ACS, a subset of households responding to the decennial census
would be provided a “long-form” survey, which asked additional demographic characteristics questions
outside of the standard “short-form” survey. The Census Bureau found that a decennial collection of
detailed population characteristics did not reflect the rapid demographic changes in the United States. As
a result, the agency removed the long-form survey to implement a more frequent ACS intended to reduce
operational risks, improve accuracy, and provide more relevant data.
ACS data are used by multiple stakeholders—including businesses, local governments, the federal
government, and private users—for economic development, government decisionmaking, and research
purposes.
Survey Content Development
Content development for the ACS relies on coordination between the U.S. Census Bureau and the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) through an interagency committee that comprises over 30 federal
agencies. Before a new question can be added to the ACS, the Census Bureau conducts content testing.
Content tests for the ACS begin with a proposed new or changed survey question, and the overall process
lasts five years (see Table 1).
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
IN12303
CRS INSIGHT
Prepared for Members and
Committees of Congress
link to page 2 link to page 3
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Table 1. Process for ACS Content Changes
Year
Step
1
Merit of proposed question determined by Census Bureau and OMB. Wording options are tested. Different
versions of the question are tested through cognitive interviews.
2
Question testing continues. Question performance is evaluated during field testing.
3
Field testing continues.
4
Field testing continues. Census Bureau solicits public comments.
5
Public comment period continues. OMB determines final approval.
Source: “How a Question Becomes Part of the American Community Survey,” U.S. Census Bureau.
Funding
Funding for the ACS is provided under the Census Bureau’s “Periodic Censuses and Programs” account
and is considered a part of the decennial census program. Figure 1 shows funding for the ACS from
FY2005 through FY2023.
Figure 1. Funding for the American Community Survey for FY2005 through FY2023
Figure is interactive in the HTML version of this Insight.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau budget documents.
Figure 2 shows a breakdown of the ACS funding for FY2023. The largest line item, “computer-assisted
personal interview response data,” reflects the cost of field representatives contacting households that
have not responded to the ACS by mail, internet, or telephone.
Congressional Research Service
3
Figure 2. FY2023 American Community Survey Detailed Budget ($250.9 Million Total)
Figure is interactive in the HTML version of this Insight.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau’s Budget Fiscal Year 2024.
Note: Figures are rounded.
Data Use
Various stakeholders use ACS data for a variety of purposes.
Congressional Research Service
4
Many federal agencies utilize ACS data to administer programs, establish program or grant eligibility,
allocate funds, and monitor compliance with federal laws. For example, veteran status and military
service data collected from the ACS are used to allocate funds intended to support veteran job training
and employment programs. Other federal programs rely on ACS income data to allocate formula grants.
ACS special tabulations of the Citizen Voting Age Population by race and ethnicity have been published
since 2011 at the request of the Department of Justice for use in Voting Rights Act compliance.
Local governments use ACS data as a guide for planning projects or programs to prioritize by evaluating
community needs and identifying subgroups that may most benefit from project or program
implementation. In turn, ACS data also help local governments evaluate existing projects or programs by
allowing them to see any changes experienced by subgroups following implementation of a given project
or program.
Businesses can use ACS data as a resource when selecting locations to operate and evaluating existing
locations. ACS data can help businesses understand the locations of working-age populations, labor force
status, means of transportation, income, occupation, and education attainment levels. Additionally, the
Census Bureau maintains State Data Centers that can provide support for businesses in accessing ACS
and other data. The Census Bureau also offers the Census Business Builder, a product designed to provide
data for users looking to start or grow a business.
The Census Bureau additionally releases annual ACS data on the 435 congressional districts through the
“My Congressional District” tool. Members of Congress and their staff can use these data to understand
their districts’ current and historical population characteristics. Members can use ACS data for other
congressional matters as well. Congressional clients can access a short webinar on how to obtain a wide
range of statistics on states and congressional districts from the Census Bureau’s online data platform.
Potential Considerations for Congress
A number of issues related to the ACS may be of interest to Congress, including
• the use of ACS data to inform federal funding and program administration decisions;
• funding levels and priorities for the ACS;
• the role of congressional oversight related to ACS content development and other ACS
issues;
• the advantages and disadvantages of the mandatory nature of ACS responses;
• the effectiveness of current disclosure avoidance methods in protecting respondent
confidentiality; and
• the use of administrative records to reduce respondent burden.
Congressional Research Service
5
Author Information
Taylor R. Knoedl
Analyst in American National Government
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff
to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of
Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of
information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role.
CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United
States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However,
as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the
permission of the copyright holder if you wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
IN12303 · VERSION 1 · NEW
INSIGHT
The American Community Survey
January 16, 2024
Overview
The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) is intended to measure the changing
social, economic, demographic, and housing characteristics of the U.S. population. The ACS is sent to a
sample of addresses across the 50 states and the District of Columbia on a rolling basis, with
approximately 3.5 million addresses sampled annually. The Census Bureau also operates the Puerto Rico
Community Survey, which covers the same topics as the ACS, with relevant adjustments.
ACS data are used to produce one-year and five-year population estimates. Five-year estimates increase
the reliability of statistics for less-populated areas and small population subgroups. One-year estimates are
intended to provide more frequent data but are not available for smaller populations because the sample
sizes are too small to produce reliable statistics. Similar to the decennial census, respondents are required
by law to complete the ACS.
Prior to the 2005 inauguration of the ACS, a subset of households responding to the decennial census
would be provided a “long-form” survey, which asked additional demographic characteristics questions
outside of the standard “short-form” survey. The Census Bureau found that a decennial collection of
detailed population characteristics did not reflect the rapid demographic changes in the United States. As
a result, the agency removed the long-form survey to implement a more frequent ACS intended to reduce
operational risks, improve accuracy, and provide more relevant data.
ACS data are used by multiple stakeholders—including businesses, local governments, the federal
government, and private users—for economic development, government decisionmaking, and research
purposes.
Survey Content Development
Content development for the ACS relies on coordination between the U.S. Census Bureau and the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) through an interagency committee that comprises over 30 federal
agencies. Before a new question can be added to the ACS, the Census Bureau conducts content testing.
Content tests for the ACS begin with a proposed new or changed survey question, and the overall process
lasts five years (see Table 1).
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
IN12303
CRS INSIGHT
Prepared for Members and
Committees of Congress
link to page 2 link to page 3
Congressional Research Service
2
Table 1. Process for ACS Content Changes
Year
Step
1
Merit of proposed question determined by Census Bureau and OMB. Wording options are tested. Different
versions of the question are tested through cognitive interviews.
2
Question testing continues. Question performance is evaluated during field testing.
3
Field testing continues.
4
Field testing continues. Census Bureau solicits public comments.
5
Public comment period continues. OMB determines final approval.
Source: “How a Question Becomes Part of the American Community Survey,” U.S. Census Bureau.
Funding
Funding for the ACS is provided under the Census Bureau’s “Periodic Censuses and Programs” account
and is considered a part of the decennial census program. Figure 1 shows funding for the ACS from
FY2005 through FY2023.
Figure 1. Funding for the American Community Survey for FY2005 through FY2023
Figure is interactive in the HTML version of this Insight.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau budget documents.
Figure 2 shows a breakdown of the ACS funding for FY2023. The largest line item, “computer-assisted
personal interview response data,” reflects the cost of field representatives contacting households that
have not responded to the ACS by mail, internet, or telephone.
Congressional Research Service
3
Figure 2. FY2023 American Community Survey Detailed Budget ($250.9 Million Total)
Figure is interactive in the HTML version of this Insight.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau’s Budget Fiscal Year 2024.
Note: Figures are rounded.
Data Use
Various stakeholders use ACS data for a variety of purposes.
Congressional Research Service
4
Many federal agencies utilize ACS data to administer programs, establish program or grant eligibility,
allocate funds, and monitor compliance with federal laws. For example, veteran status and military
service data collected from the ACS are used to allocate funds intended to support veteran job training
and employment programs. Other federal programs rely on ACS income data to allocate formula grants.
ACS special tabulations of the Citizen Voting Age Population by race and ethnicity have been published
since 2011 at the request of the Department of Justice for use in Voting Rights Act compliance.
Local governments use ACS data as a guide for planning projects or programs to prioritize by evaluating
community needs and identifying subgroups that may most benefit from project or program
implementation. In turn, ACS data also help local governments evaluate existing projects or programs by
allowing them to see any changes experienced by subgroups following implementation of a given project
or program.
Businesses can use ACS data as a resource when selecting locations to operate and evaluating existing
locations. ACS data can help businesses understand the locations of working-age populations, labor force
status, means of transportation, income, occupation, and education attainment levels. Additionally, the
Census Bureau maintains State Data Centers that can provide support for businesses in accessing ACS
and other data. The Census Bureau also offers the Census Business Builder, a product designed to provide
data for users looking to start or grow a business.
The Census Bureau additionally releases annual ACS data on the 435 congressional districts through the
“My Congressional District” tool. Members of Congress and their staff can use these data to understand
their districts’ current and historical population characteristics. Members can use ACS data for other
congressional matters as well. Congressional clients can access a short webinar on how to obtain a wide
range of statistics on states and congressional districts from the Census Bureau’s online data platform.
Potential Considerations for Congress
A number of issues related to the ACS may be of interest to Congress, including
• the use of ACS data to inform federal funding and program administration decisions;
• funding levels and priorities for the ACS;
• the role of congressional oversight related to ACS content development and other ACS
issues;
• the advantages and disadvantages of the mandatory nature of ACS responses;
• the effectiveness of current disclosure avoidance methods in protecting respondent
confidentiality; and
• the use of administrative records to reduce respondent burden.
Congressional Research Service
5
Author Information
Taylor R. Knoedl
Analyst in American National Government
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff
to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of
Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of
information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role.
CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United
States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However,
as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the
permission of the copyright holder if you wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
IN12303 · VERSION 1 · NEW