The American Community Survey (ACS) Summary File is a unique data product that includes all estimates and margins of error (MOE) from the Detailed Tables for all geographies published for the ACS. The ACS Summary File allows data users to download statistics for a large number of tables and geographic areas.

Table-Based Format

For the 2018 data release, the Census Bureau tested a new, Table-Based Format for the ACS Summary File. This format groups the estimates and MOE by table ID, removing the need to merge these files. That is, a file is posted for each table containing both the estimates and MOE for all available geographies. Data users only need to merge in geography labels to create complete tables.

ACS Handbook for Table-Based Summary File Users

Download Using the American Community Survey Table-Based Summary File [8.2 MB]

The Table-Based Format is the only format for the 2022 data release, and it will be the only format going forward. Check out the Getting Started and data year tabs below for information and resources. The resources include instructions for merging the geography labels with each table via Excel or programs like SAS and Python.

To share feedback on the Table-Based Format, please send your comments to acso.users.support@census.gov and title your message “ACS Summary File Feedback.” We appreciate hearing about what you like or what we can improve.

Changes for the 2022 Data Release

Starting with the 2022 data release, the Table-Based Format is the only format available.The 2021 data release was the final release of the original Sequence-Based Format; it is available for years 2005 through 2021. More information, including data, instructions and example programs are located on the ACS Summary File Sequence-Based Format page.