Using Data from the American Community Survey
The American Community Survey (ACS) is now the place to go for detailed data on the social, economic, and housing characteristics of our counties and communities.
As with any data source, those from the ACS differ in many ways from other data sources we might use.
This page provides links to resources and publications to help us understand and accurately use data from this data source.
For more information about the American Community Survey, go to the Census Bureau's website:
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
Publications from Kentucky: By the Numbers
For an overview of data from the American Community Survey:
New Kid in Town: Understanding Data from the American Community Survey
For help in understanding and using margins of error in data from the American Community Survey:
And Now for the Grain of Salt: Margins of Error and the American Community Survey
For help in comparing data from the American Community Survey with the Decennial Census:
Cautionary Tales: Comparing the American Community Survey with Data from the Decennial Census
Quick List: Comparing the 2009 American Community Survey with the 2000 Decennial Census Long Form.
For more information on the 2020 and 2010 Decennial Census:
The 2020 Census: Why It Counts to be Counted
Following the 2020 Census: Responses in your County
The 2010 Census New Decade, New Data
Census Bureau Publications
The Census Bureau has produced a series of handbooks for different data users of the American Community Survey.
Some examples include:
- What All Data Users Need to Know
- What Users of Data for Rural Areas Need to Know
- What Journalists Need to Know
- What State and Local Government Users Need to Know
You can find the complete list at: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/library/handbooks.html
Other Publications
For help in making charts and graphs with data from the American Community Survey:
