The American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing survey that provides data every year—giving communities the current information they need to make important decisions. The ACS covers a broad range of topics about social, economic, housing, and demographic characteristics of the U.S. population. 

Data Profiles and Detailed Tables are available for the nation, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, every congressional district, every metropolitan area, and all counties and places (i.e., towns or cities), with populations of 20,000 or more.

Note: The ACS 3-year estimates have been discontinued. The 2005–2007, 2006–2008, 2007–2009, 2008–2010, 2009–2011, 2010–2012, and 2011–2013 ACS 3-year estimates will remain available to data users. Every community in the nation will continue to receive a detailed statistical portrait of its social, economic, housing, and demographic characteristics through 1-year and 5-year ACS products.

• Detailed Tables contain the most detailed estimates on all topics for all geographies. The data are presented as estimates. 

• Data Profiles contain broad social, economic, housing, and demographic information. The data are presented as estimates and percentages.

To create an API call, you must enter a specific URL into the address bar of a web browser. The call will vary depending on the following factors:

• Year of data release

• Dataset (ACS 3-year--can also be 1-year or 5-year)  

• Table ID

• Geography level

Please review the example API calls for each of the table types listed below and use those examples to build your API calls. API calls are also available for tables found in data.census.gov by selecting the API function in the tool bar. Visit the API Resources page for tutorial videos, workshops and other tools.

The API is one of several ways to access ACS data. Visit the ACS Data page to find all the ways to access ACS data.