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Comparing ACS Data

The strength of the American Community Survey (ACS) is in estimating characteristic distributions. If you are looking for population totals, we recommend the 2020 Census or Population Estimates Program.

It is also important to keep in mind that all ACS data are estimates. We collect data from a sample of the population in the United States and Puerto Rico rather than from the whole population. To help you interpret the reliability of the estimates, the Census Bureau publishes a margin of error (MOE) for every ACS estimate.

 

Yes

Compare non-overlapping datasets (example: compare 2005-2009 ACS 5-year estimates to 2010-2014 ACS 5-year estimates).

No

Do not compare overlapping datasets (example: do not compare 2005-2009 ACS 5-year estimates to 2006-2010 ACS 5-year estimates).

Please see Period Estimates in the American Community Survey for more information.

Because ACS variables and geographies may change over time, comparisons should be made with caution, or not compared at all. Use the years in the tabs below to get yearly guidance on specific topics/subjects.

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No

Only compare 1-year estimates with 1-year estimates, and 5-year estimates with 5-year estimates.

 

Please see Period Estimates in the American Community Survey for more information.

Because ACS variables and geographies may change over time, comparisons should be made with caution, or not compared at all. Use the years in the tabs below to get yearly guidance on specific topics/subjects.

Top of Section

Yes

Only compare 1-year estimates with 1-year estimates.

 

Because ACS variables and geographies may change over time, comparisons should be made with caution, or not compared at all. Use the years in the tabs below to get yearly guidance on specific topics/subjects.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Census Bureau changed the 2020 ACS release. Instead of providing the standard 1-year data products, the Census Bureau released experimental estimates from the 1-year data. Data users should not compare 2020 ACS 1-year experimental estimates with any other data.

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Yes

Compare basic characteristics (sex, age, race, Hispanic origin, and homeowner status); other questions were not asked on the 2010 Census or 2020 Census.

 

In general, use ACS to obtain population characteristics (percents, means, medians, and rates) rather than estimates of population totals. Use numbers from the 2010 Census or 2020 Census to obtain counts of the population and their basic characteristics (sex, age, race, Hispanic origin, and homeowner status).

Use data from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program in the years between censuses. The Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program produces official population estimates for the nation, states, counties, cities and towns, plus housing unit estimates for states and counties.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Census Bureau changed the 2020 ACS release. Instead of providing the standard 1-year data products, the Census Bureau released experimental estimates from the 1-year data. Data users should not compare 2020 ACS 1-year experimental estimates with any other data.

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Yes

Compare ACS 1-year, 3-year or 5-year estimates with Census 2000 data.

However, differences in the universe, question wording, residence rules, reference periods, and the way in which the data are tabulated can impact comparability with Census 2000.


Use our Table Comparison Spreadsheet (.xls) to check for a comparable table for your topic of interest.  It's searchable by ACS table numbers or Census 2000 table numbers.  Note: we discontinued the Table Comparison Lookup Tool, and this spreadsheet will no longer be updated after the 2013-2017 ACS 5-year release.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Census Bureau changed the 2020 ACS release. Instead of providing the standard 1-year data products, the Census Bureau released experimental estimates from the 1-year data. Data users should not compare 2020 ACS 1-year experimental estimates with any other data.

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Comparison Guidance by Year


2022
2022
  • All
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
Page Last Revised - March 13, 2024
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