Today the U.S. Census Bureau released a new set of annual data from the American Community Survey (ACS). The data give us unique insight into the year-to-year changes taking place in our communities across the nation. Beyond the topics highlighted in today’s news release – health insurance coverage, income and poverty levels – the ACS also produces statistics on dozens of other economic, social, housing and demographic topics.

To make informed decisions, policy makers, businesses and citizens need reliable and accessible data about the changing needs of their communities. As the largest continuous household survey in the United States, the ACS is uniquely able to provide the depth and range of data needed by both the public and private sectors.

The survey covers every geographic area in the U.S., making it the only uniform measure that every county nationwide can use. It has an unparalleled breadth, and is the only available source of data for many of the issues that it covers. It is from a trusted, unbiased source, and it levels the playing field by providing all of its data to the public free of charge.

Federal programs use ACS data to disburse over $400 billion a year to tribal, state and local areas. Business and community leaders in turn use ACS data to analyze how the needs of their neighborhoods are evolving, and how to use their resources to meet those needs. For example:

• The Greater Houston Partnership – a regional economic development organization – uses ACS data to answer companies’ questions about issues like commuting times and the availability of science and engineering workers.
• Following Super Storm Sandy in 2012, emergency responders in New Jersey used demographic data from the ACS to estimate the volume of traffic in affected areas.
• When combined with economic and consumer spending data, ACS data can help entrepreneurs identify potential customers and desirable geographic areas to start a business. The Census Bureau recently released Census Business Builder: Small Business Edition to give small business entrepreneurs easier access to that data.
• Officials from Oklahoma County, Okla., and the United Way use ACS data on poverty, homeownership, and the prevalence of disabilities to identify ways to make their county more senior-friendly.

These are just a few of the many ways that ACS data are tailored to help guide myriad specific decisions across the country. The ACS makes our governments smarter, our businesses more competitive and our citizens more informed. The Census Bureau is proud to provide the most timely, comprehensive, and statistically precise data source for their decision making processes.

To access today’s release of data from the American Community Survey, check out the press release with the findings. You can also check out the data on income, poverty and health insurance coverage from the Current Population Survey that the Census Bureau released this week.