Notes on ACS API Variable Types

ACS data contain variables ending in E, EA, M, MA, PE, PM and SS. See the table below for each variable type and its meaning:

Variable Type	Title	Related Products	Meaning
E	Estimate	Summary Files, Subject Tables, Data Profiles, Comparison Profiles	A numeric representation of the estimate.
EA	Estimate Annotation	Subject Tables, Comparison Profiles	A character representation of the estimate. If an Estimate Annotation exists, use this value in place of the Estimate.(See Example #1 in Estimate and Annotation Values)
M	Margin of Error	Summary Files, Subject Tables, Data Profiles	A numeric representation of the margin of error.
MA	Margin of Error Annotation	Subject Tables Only	A character representation of the margin of error. If a Margin of Error Annotation exists, use this value in place of the Margin of Error.
PE	Percent Estimate	Data Profiles Only	An estimate representing a percent of the total.
PM	Percent Margin of Error	Data Profiles Only	The Margin of Error for the corresponding Percent Estimate (PE) variable
SS	Statistical Significance	Comparison Profiles Only	Returns ‘’ or ‘c’ representing the Statistical Significance for the corresponding estimate (E) variable. (See Example #2 in Estimate and Annotation Values) An indicates that the estimate is significantly different (at a 90% confidence level) than the estimate from the most current year. A "c" indicates the estimates for that year and the current year are both controlled; a statistical test is not appropriate.