Join the American Community Survey (ACS) Online Community, where people can share messages, materials, and announcements related to ACS data, methods, and events. And review a brief tutorial for new community members.
In partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) and Sabre Systems have formed a new American Community Survey Data Users Group. The purpose of the ACS Data Users Group is to improve understanding of the value and utility of ACS data and to promote information sharing among data users about key ACS data issues and applications. Membership in the group is free and open to all interested ACS data users. The group is led by a Steering Committee comprised of selected external stakeholders representing a broad spectrum of data users with different interests. To facilitate communication among ACS data users, PRB and Sabre Systems will maintain an online community forum, organize webinars and special sessions at professional meetings, and hold an annual ACS Data Users Conference. Read more.
ACS DATA USERS CONFERENCE, MAY 2015
More than 250 ACS data users attended the second annual ACS Data Users Conference, held May 11-13, 2015, at the College Park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Hyattsville, Maryland. The program included a pre-meeting workshop for novice ACS data users, more than 30 contributed presentations, and three invited panel sessions. Invited panelists included John H. Thompson, director of the U.S. Census Bureau and Dr. Mark Doms, Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs.
The purpose of the conference was to bring together ACS data users and staff from the U.S. Census Bureau to increase understanding of the value and utility of ACS data and to promote information sharing among data users about key ACS data issues and applications. The conference was organized by the Population Reference Bureau and Sabre Systems in partnership with staff from the U.S. Census Bureau. Read more.
RELEASE OF CENSUS BUREAU'S 2015 PLANNING DATABASE
The Census Bureau has just released the 2015 Planning Database (PDB) of selected 2009-2013 American Community Survey estimates and selected 2010 Census data for census tracts and block groups. The PDB provides small area demographic, housing, and socioeconomic data that may be particularly useful to a wide range of users for planning and analysis. In addition, the PDB includes a Low Response Score (LRS) for each tract and block group, an indicator of how difficult an area is likely to be in gaining census and survey participation. The LRS methodology is documented in a paper available on the link below.
Files and documentation can be accessed at: www.census.gov/research/data/planning_database/.
WEBINARS
- Using the ACS to Measure Health Insurance Coverage, March 26, 2015
- Combining ACS Data with Other Data Sources, Feb. 19, 2015
- Using the ACS for Local Area Planning and Analysis: The 2014 Planning Database, Nov. 19, 2014
- Update on Results of the ACS Content Review at the U.S. Census Bureau, Oct. 30, 2014
- Overview of the American Community Survey 2014 Content Review, April 9, 2014
- Using ACS Multiyear Estimates: Issues and Best Practices, Feb. 27, 2014
- Using the ACS to Look at Trends Over Time (Intermediate/Advanced), Dec. 13, 2013
- Tutorial on the ACS Data Users Group Online Community, Oct. 10, 2013
- ACS Data for Small Geographic Areas and Population Subgroups, July 2013
SESSIONS AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS
- Rural Sociological Society, New Orleans (July 30-Aug. 3, 2014): "Using the American Community Survey for Rural Research"
- Population Association of America, Boston (April 30, 2014): "Benefits and Challenges of the American Community Survey" and "Improving the Reliability of Small Area Estimates From the ACS"
- Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Tampa (April 9, 2014): "The American Community Survey: Program Developments, New Tools and Applications, and the ACS Data Users Group"
- Southern Demographic Association Annual Conference, Montgomery, AL (Oct. 24, 2013): "The American Community Survey: New Developments and Innovative Applications"
- The Association of Public Data Users Annual Conference, Washington, DC (Sept. 17, 2013): "The American Community Survey: New Developments and Innovative Applications"