American Community Survey (ACS)

Understanding and Using ACS Data: What All Data Users Need to Know

This handbook helps general data users learn how to access and use ACS data and provide concrete examples of how ACS data can answer real-world questions.

What Users of Data for Amer. Indians and Alaska Natives Need to Know

This handbook helps users of data for AIAN populations find current information about reservations, identify characteristics of the population, and more.

What Users of Data for Rural Areas Need to Know

This handbook helps rural data users use ACS data through a case study about a small community updating its profile as part of a planning exercise.

What Researchers Need to Know

This handbook helps researchers learn more about estimates for geographic areas, how to access data products, sampling error, residence rules, and more.

What Puerto Rico Community Survey Data Users Need to Know

This handbook helps PRCS data users learn how to access and use PRCS data on the Census Bureau's website with specific examples using local data.

What Public Use Microdata Sample Data Users Need to Know

This handbook helps PUMS data users learn how to access PUMS files, create PUMS tables, and measure accuracy, margin of error, and confidence intervals.

What State and Local Governments Need to Know

This handbook helps state and local government data users learn more about how ACS data can be used in the delivery of government services.

What Federal Agencies Need to Know

This handbook helps federal agencies use ACS data for eligibility determinations, allocation of funds, program parameters, and more.

What High School Teachers Need to Know

This handbook helps teachers learn more about how to help students grasp statistical ideas with ACS data and how to incorporate data into lesson plans.

What Congress Needs to Know

This handbook helps congressional staff use ACS data to respond to constituent inquiries, draft floor/press statements, conduct legislative research, and more.

What the Media Needs to Know

This handbook helps the media learn how to search ACS data for statistics and trends with examples of how to use the ACS to uncover and enhance stories.

What the Business Community Needs to Know

This handbook helps the business community use ACS data to find current information about market/site evaluation and consumer segmentation.