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The ACS typically publishes estimates using the latest available geographic boundaries (also known as "vintages"). For ACS 5-year estimates, use the last year of the estimate period to determine the vintage. For example, the following datasets use the same vintages of geographic boundaries:
To learn more about geographic concepts used in the ACS, check out our geographic handbook Geography and the American Community Survey: What Data Users Need to Know.
The Census Bureau conducts the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) annually to collect information about selected legally defined geographic areas. The ACS uses legal boundaries as of January 1 of the last year of the estimate period, as reported to the Census Bureau.
Geographic Area | 2014 Estimate Year |
---|---|
State and State Equivalent | January 1, 2013* |
County or equivalent (Alaska boroughs, Louisiana parishes, Puerto Rico municipios, independent cities) | January 1, 2013* |
County Subdivision | |
Minor Civil Division (MCD)/Barrio and Barrio-Pueblo | January 1, 2013* |
Place | |
Incorporated Place | January 1, 2013* |
American Indian/Alaska Native/Hawaiian Home Land | |
Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRCs) | 2010 Census |
Federal American Indian Reservation (federal AIR) | January 1, 2013* |
State American Indian Reservation (state AIR) | 2010 Census |
American Indian Tribal Subdivision, federal AIR | January 1, 2013* |
Hawaiian Home Land (HHL) | 2010 Census |
Other Legal Areas | |
Congressional District, Delegate District DC, Resident Commissioner District PR | January 1, 20151 |
State Legislative Districts (Upper and Lower Chambers) | 2014 Legislative Session Year |
School District (Elementary, Secondary, Unified)** | 2013-2014 January 1, 2014 |
Consolidated City | January 1, 2013* |
*Due to the suspension of the 2014 BAS, 2014 ACS estimates do not reflect boundary updates from legal annexations since the previous year, but new incorporations, disincorporations and legal name changes are included.
**School district boundaries are updated every two years as part of the School District Review Program.
Geographic Area | 2014 Estimate Year |
---|---|
County Equivalent (Census Areas in Alaska) | January 1, 2013* |
County Subdivision | |
Census County Division (CCD) | 2010 Census |
Place | |
Census Designated Place (CDP)/Zona Urbana and Comunidad | 2010 Census |
American Indian/Alaska Native/Hawaiian Home Land | |
Tribal Designated Statistical Area (TDSA) | 2010 Census |
State Designated Tribal Statistical Area (SDTSA) | 2010 Census |
Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Area (OTSA) | 2010 Census |
American Indian Tribal Subdivision, OTSA | 2010 Census |
Tribal Tract | 2010 Census |
Tribal Block Group | 2010 Census |
Alaska Native Village Statistical Area (ANVSA) | 2010 Census |
Other Statistical Areas | |
Metropolitan Statistical Area/Micropolitan Statistical Area | February 28, 2013 |
Metropolitan Statistical Area/Micropolitan Statistical Area - Principal City | February 28, 2013** |
New England City and Town Area (NECTA) | February 28, 2013 |
New England City and Town Area - Principal city | February 28, 2013** |
Urban Area | 2010 Census |
Census Tract | 2010 Census |
Census Block Group | 2010 Census |
Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) | 2010 Census |
5-digit ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) | 2010 Census |
*Due to the suspension of the 2014 BAS, 2014 ACS estimates do not reflect boundary updates from legal annexations since the previous year, but new incorporations, disincorporations and legal name changes are included.
**While the American Community Survey (ACS) data generally reflect the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) definitions of metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas; in certain instances the names, codes, and boundaries of the principal cities shown in ACS tables may differ from the OMB definitions due to differences in the effective dates of the geographic entities.
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