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Comparing 2006 American Community Survey Data

Subject Area* 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year

Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Age Compare with Caution

The entire population continually ages into older age groups over time and babies fill in the youngest age group. So, the population of a certain age is made up of a completely different group of people in 2000 and 2006. Since populations occasionally experience booms/increases and busts/decreases in births, deaths, or migration (for example, the postwar Baby Boom from 1946-1964), one should not necessarily expect that the population in an age group in Census 2000 should be similar in size or proportion to the population in the same age group in the 2006 ACS. For example, Baby Boomers were age 36 to 54 in Census 2000 while they were age 42 to 60 in the 2006 ACS. So, the age group 55 to 59 would show a considerable increase in population when comparing Census 2000 data with the 2006 ACS data.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have age distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the age distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Sex Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have sex distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the sex distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Race Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have race distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the race distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Hispanic or Latino Origin Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have Hispanic or Latino Origin distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the Hispanic or Latino Origin distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Ancestry Compare

Ancestry is the only item for which a “not reported” category is published since missing ancestries are never assigned or allocated. The extent of missing ancestry answers was higher in Census 2000 than in the 2006 ACS. The difference in the level of response may contribute to the difference in the two distributions.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have ancestry distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the ancestry distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Citizenship Status Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have citizenship status distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the citizenship status distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Nativity Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have nativity distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the nativity distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Year of Entry Compare

Census 2000 represent data collected as of April 1, 2000 and thus the “2000” year of entry category accounts for the first quarter (Jan-Mar) in 2000 only. The 2006 ACS represent data collected throughout the entire year and thus the "2000" year of entry category accounts for the entire year of 2000.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have year of entry distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the the year of entry distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Place of Birth Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have place of birth distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the the place of birth distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Residence 1 year ago (Migration) Do Not Compare

The 2006 ACS asked for residence 1 year ago whereas Census 2000 asked for residence 5 years ago.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have residence one year ago (migration) distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the residence one year ago (migration) distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Means of Transportation to Work Compare

The 2006 ACS excludes taxicabs in the tabulation category of "public transportation" and includes them in the category "taxicab, motocycle, bicycle or other means." However, Census 2000 includes taxicabs in the "public transportation" tabulation category.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have means of transportation to work distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the means of transportation to work distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Place of Work Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have place of work distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the place of work distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Private Vehicle Occupancy Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have private vehicle occupancy distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the private vehicle occupancy distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Time Leaving Home Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have time leaving home distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the time leaving home distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Travel Time to Work Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have travel time to work distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the travel time to work distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Relationship to Householder Compare

The 2006 ACS used a joint relationship/marital status edit and Census 2000 did not. Also, Census 2000 provided more response categories than the 2006 ACS.

Do Not Compare

The weighting methodology in the 2006 ACS was modified in order to ensure consistent estimates of occupied housing units, households, and householders. In addition, the modification reduces the difference between estimates of spouses and married-couple households and the difference between estimates of unmarried partners and unmarried-partner households. In general, this shifts the estimates of householders, spouses, and unmarried partners downward as it shifts the estimates of other members of the household upward. For more information on the weighting methodology changes see the 2006 User Notes.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Grandparents as Caregivers Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have grandparents as caregivers distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the grandparents as caregivers distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Household/Family Type Compare Compare with Caution

The weighting methodology in the 2006 ACS was modified in order to ensure consistent estimates of occupied housing units, households, and householders. In addition, the modification reduces the difference between estimates of spouses and married-couple households and the difference between estimates of unmarried partners and unmarried-partner households. These shifts in the distribution of householders can impact estimates of household type and family type as a result. For more information on the weighting methodology changes see the 2006 User Notes.

Subfamilies Compare with Caution

Census 2000 had more detailed relationship categories used to derive estimates of subfamilies than the 2006 ACS.

Do Not Compare

The weighting methodology in the 2006 ACS was modified in order to ensure consistent estimates of occupied housing units, households, and householders. In addition, the modification reduces the difference between estimates of spouses and married-couple households and the difference between estimates of unmarried partners and unmarried-partner households. In general, this shifts the estimates of householders, spouses, and unmarried partners downward as it shifts the estimates of other members of the household, including spouses in married-couple subfamilies, upward. For more information on the weighting methodology changes see the 2006 User Notes.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Marital Status Compare

The 2006 ACS used a joint relationship/marital status edit and Census 2000 did not.

Compare with Caution

The weighting methodology in the 2006 ACS was modified in order to ensure consistent estimates of occupied housing units, households, and householders. In addition, the modification reduces the difference between estimates of spouses and married-couple households and the difference between estimates of unmarried partners and unmarried-partner households. The impact is most noticeable for the "married, spouse present" category. For more information on the weighting methodology changes see the 2006 User Notes.
Also, the Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not in the 2005 ACS. All married people in GQs are coded as "married, spouse absent."

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Fertility Do Not Compare

The question was not asked in Census 2000.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have fertility distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the fertility distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Type of School & School Enrollment Compare

The 2006 ACS reference period was 3 months preceding the date of interview, while the Census 2000 reference period was any time since February 1, 2000.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have type of school and school enrollment distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the type of school and school enrollment distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Educational Attainment Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have educational attainment distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the education attainment distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Ability to Speak English Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have ability to speak English distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the ability to speak English distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Language Spoken at Home Compare Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have language spoken at home distributions that are different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticable impact on the language spoken at home distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Poverty Status of Families and People in Families Compare with Caution

The ACS collects data throughout the year on an on-going, monthly basis and asks for a respondent's income over the "past 12 months." Census 2000, however, collected the income data for a fixed period of time -- "during 1999" (the last calendar year). In a comparison study between Census 2000 income data and the 2000 ACS, income collected in Census 2000 was found to be about 4 percent higher than that in the 2000 ACS. For more information on the differences of income in the ACS and Census 2000, see Income in the American Community Survey: Comparison to Census 2000.
The Census Bureau recommends using CPI-U-RS adjustment factors published annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to adjust 1999 median, mean, and per capita income dollar amounts shown in Summary File 3 to 2006 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.21005313. Get CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years.
Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and the 2006 ACS are not possible due to inflation. Users interested in making distribution comparisons need to inflation adjust individual income records using the Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) from Census 2000.

Compare with Caution

The weighting methodology in the 2006 ACS was modified in order to ensure consistent estimates of occupied housing units, households, and householders. In addition, the modification reduces the difference between estimates of spouses and married-couple households and the difference between estimates of unmarried partners and unmarried-partner households. Therefore, this modification may impact other family-level analysis. For more information on the weighting methodology changes see the 2006 User Notes.

Poverty Status of All People in the Poverty Universe Compare with Caution

The ACS collects data throughout the year on an on-going, monthly basis and asks for a respondent's income over the "past 12 months." Census 2000, however, collected the income data for a fixed period of time -- "during 1999" (the last calendar year). In a comparison study between Census 2000 income data and the 2000 ACS, income collected in Census 2000 was found to be about 4 percent higher than that in the 2000 ACS. For more information on the differences of income in the ACS and Census 2000, see Income in the American Community Survey: Comparison to Census 2000.
The Census Bureau recommends using CPI-U-RS adjustment factors published annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to adjust 1999 median, mean, and per capita income dollar amounts shown in Summary File 3 to 2006 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.21005313. Get CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years.
Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and the 2006 ACS are not possible due to inflation. Users interested in making distribution comparisons need to inflation adjust individual income records using the Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) from Census 2000.

Do Not Compare

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. The part of the group quarters population in the poverty universe is many times more likely to be in poverty than people living in households. Direct comparisons would likely result in erroneous conclusions about changes in the poverty status of all people in the poverty universe, thus comparisons cannot be made.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Disability Going Out / Working Do Not Compare

The 2006 ACS disability questions are different from the Census 2000 disability questions, thus comparisons cannot be made.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have disability distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the disability distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Disability Learning / Dressing Do Not Compare

The 2006 ACS disability questions are different from the Census 2000 disability questions, thus comparisons cannot be made.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have disability distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the disability distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Disability Vision / Hearing / Physical Do Not Compare

The 2006 ACS disability questions are different from the Census 2000 disability questions, thus comparisons cannot be made.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have disability distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the disability distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Household and Family Incomes Compare with Caution

The ACS collects data throughout the year on an on-going, monthly basis and asks for a respondent's income over the "past 12 months." Census 2000, however, collected the income data for a fixed period of time -- "during 1999" (the last calendar year). In a comparison study between Census 2000 income data and the 2000 ACS, income collected in Census 2000 was found to be about 4 percent higher than that in the 2000 ACS. For more information on the differences of income in the ACS and Census 2000, see Income in the American Community Survey: Comparison to Census 2000.
The Census Bureau recommends using CPI-U-RS adjustment factors published annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to adjust 1999 median, mean, and per capita income dollar amounts shown in Summary File 3 to 2006 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.21005313. Get CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years.

Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and the 2006 ACS are not possible due to inflation. Users interested in making distribution comparisons need to inflation adjust individual income records using the Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) from Census 2000.

Compare with Caution

The weighting methodology in the 2006 ACS was modified in order to ensure consistent estimates of occupied housing units, households, and householders. In addition, the modification reduces the difference between estimates of spouses and married-couple households and the difference between estimates of unmarried partners and unmarried-partner households. These shifts in the distribution of householders can impact estimates of household and family incomes as a result. For more information on the weighting methodology changes see the 2006 User Notes.

Sources of Income (households) Compare with Caution

The ACS collects data throughout the year on an on-going, monthly basis and asks for a respondent's income over the "past 12 months." Census 2000, however, collected the income data for a fixed period of time -- "during 1999" (the last calendar year). In a comparison study between Census 2000 income data and the 2000 ACS, income collected in Census 2000 was found to be about 4 percent higher than that in the 2000 ACS. For more information on the differences of income in the ACS and Census 2000, see Income in the American Community Survey: Comparison to Census 2000.
The Census Bureau recommends using CPI-U-RS adjustment factors published annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to adjust 1999 median, mean, and per capita income dollar amounts shown in Summary File 3 to 2006 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.21005313. Get CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years.
Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and the 2006 ACS are not possible due to inflation. Users interested in making distribution comparisons need to inflation adjust individual income records using the Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) from Census 2000.

Compare

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Per Capita Income, Earnings (people), and Income (people) Compare with Caution

The ACS collects data throughout the year on an on-going, monthly basis and asks for a respondent's income over the "past 12 months." Census 2000, however, collected the income data for a fixed period of time -- "during 1999" (the last calendar year). In a comparison study between Census 2000 income data and the 2000 ACS, income collected in Census 2000 was found to be about 4 percent higher than that in the 2000 ACS. For more information on the differences of income in the ACS and Census 2000, see Income in the American Community Survey: Comparison to Census 2000.
The Census Bureau recommends using CPI-U-RS adjustment factors published annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to adjust 1999 median, mean, and per capita income dollar amounts shown in Summary File 3 to 2006 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.21005313. Get CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years.
Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and the 2006 ACS are not possible due to inflation. Users interested in making distribution comparisons need to inflation adjust individual income records using the Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) from Census 2000.

Compare with Caution

The weighting methodology in the 2006 ACS was modified in order to ensure consistent estimates of occupied housing units, households, and householders. In addition, the modification reduces the difference between estimates of spouses and married-couple households and the difference between estimates of unmarried partners and unmarried-partner households. In general, this shifts the estimates of householders, spouses, and unmarried partners who are typically the higher wage earners downward as it shifts the estimates of other members of the household upward. This shift can lead to lower estimates of per capita income. For more information on the weighting methodology changes see the 2006 User Notes. Also, the Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have per capita income, earnings (people), and income (people) distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population in 2006 could, therefore, noticeable change the per capita income, earnings (people), and income (people) distribution compared to 2005. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Period of Military Service Compare

For the 2006 ACS, the period of military service categories were updated to: 1) include the most recent period "September 2001 or later;" 2) list all "peace time" periods without showing a date-breakup in the list; and 3) update the Korean War and World War II dates to match the official dates as listed in US Code, Title 38. While the response categories differ slightly from those in Census 2000, data from the two questions can still be compared to one another.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations may have period of military service distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the period of military service distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Veteran Status Compare

The 2006 ACS has two separate questions, wheras in Census 2000, it was a two part question. However, the actual questions remain the same.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations may have veteran status distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the veteran status distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Food Stamp Benefit Do Not Compare

The question was not asked in Census 2000 thus comparions cannot be made.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations have Food Stamp benefit distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the Food Stamp benefit distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Employment Status Compare with Caution

The reference periods are different due to year-round ACS data collection. The ACS reference period is the week prior to the respondent completing the interview, or the field representative conducting the interview. Because questionnaires are mailed-out and field interviews are conducted throughout the year, there is a revolving reference period. For Census 2000, the reference period was the week prior to Census Day (April 1, 2000).
The Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF3) labor force data for some places where colleges are located appear to overstate the estimates of people in the labor force, the unemployed, and the percent unemployed because of data capture errors.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations may have employment status distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the employment status distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Hours Worked Compare

The 2006 ACS reference period is 12 months preceding the date of interview, while the Census 2000 reference period was the 1999 calendar year.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations may have hours worked distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the hours worked distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Weeks Worked Compare

The 2006 ACS reference period is 12 months preceding the date of interview, while the Census 2000 reference period was the 1999 calendar year.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations may have weeks worked distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the weeks worked distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Class of Worker Compare with Caution

The Census 2000 tables use different tabulation categories than the 2006 ACS. However, PUMS data for Census 2000 and the 2006 ACS may be compared. When avaiable, compare like universes.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations may have class of worker distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the class of worker distribution. In addition, all civilian employed people in GQs are coded as non-institutionalized.

Industry & Occupation Compare with Caution

The 2006 ACS codes are based on the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and are 4-digit codes, whereas Census 2000 codes are based on the 1997 NAICS and were 3-digit codes. Codes and descriptions, particularly within the Electronic Shopping, Internet Services, and Wholesale categories changed. Also, the Census 2000 tables did not include the "full-time, year-round" population and there were no median earnings Industry and Occupation tables. Thus, comparisons cannot be made for this population or characteristic.

Compare with Caution

The Group Quarters (GQ) population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS. Many types of GQ populations may have industry and occupation distributions that are very different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the industry and occupation distribution. In addition, all civilian employed people in GQs are coded as non-institutionalized.

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Bedrooms Compare Compare
Contract and Gross Rent Do Not Compare

For Census 2000, tables were not released for total renter-occupied units. The universe in the 2006 ACS is "all housing units" wheras in Census 2000 the universe was "specified renter-occupied housing units," thus comparisons cannot be made.

Compare
Cost of Utilities Compare Compare
Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income Do Not Compare

For Census 2000, tables were not released for total renter-occupied units. The universe in the 2006 ACS is "all housing units" wheras in Census 2000, the universe was "specified owner-occupied housing units," thus comparisons cannot be made.

Compare
House Heating Fuel Compare Compare
Kitchen Facilities Compare Compare
Monthly Rent Compare Compare
Mortgage Status Compare

With a mortgage/without a mortgage released in Census 2000 for both total owner-occupied units and specifed owner-occupied units.

Compare
Occupants per Room Compare Compare
Owner Costs as a Percentage of Household Income Compare with Caution

For Census 2000, tables with full distribution were released for total owner-occupied units but medians were not shown. When available, compare like universes.

Compare
Plumbing Facilities Compare Compare
Real Estate Taxes Do Not Compare

The universe in the 2006 ACS is "all housing units" wheras in Census 2000, the universe was "specified owner-occupied housing units," thus comparisons cannot be made.

Compare
Rooms Compare Compare
Selected Monthly Owner Costs Compare with Caution

For Census 2000, tables with full distribution were released for total owner-occupied units but medians were not shown. When available, compare like universes.

Compare
Telephone Service Compare Compare
Tenure Compare Compare
Units in Structure Compare Compare
Vacancy Status Compare with Caution

The tabulation category "Rented or sold, not occupied" in Census 2000 is separated into two categories "Rented, not occupied" and "Sold, not occupied" in the 2006 ACS.

Compare with Caution

The weighting methodology in the 2006 ACS was modified in order to ensure consistent estimates of occupied housing units, households, and householders. Final estimates of housing units no longer agree with the independent estimates of the Population Estimates Program. In general, estimates of vacant housing units are higher in the 2006 ACS than in the 2005 ACS and estimates of occupied housing units are lower in the 2006 ACS than in the 2005 ACS. For more information on the weighting methodology changes see the 2006 User Notes.

Value of Property Compare with Caution

The 2006 ACS has allows a write-in for values over $250,000. For Census 2000, tables with full distribution, medians, and aggregate values were released for specified owner-occupied units as well as total owner-occupied units. When available, compare like universes.

Compare with Caution

The weighting methodology in the 2006 ACS was modified in order to ensure consistent estimates of occupied housing units, households, and householders. In addition, the modification reduces the difference between estimates of spouses and married-couple households and the difference between estimates of unmarried partners and unmarried-partner households. These shifts in the distribution of householders can impact the distribution of value of housing units as a result. For more information on the weighting methodology changes see the 2006 User Notes.

Vehicles Available Compare Compare
Year Moved In Compare Compare
Year Structure Built Compare Compare

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Topic 2006 ACS 1-Year with Census 2000 2006 ACS 1-Year with 2005 ACS 1-Year
Group Quarters Compare with Caution

The total group quarters (GQ) population in the 2006 ACS may not be comparable with Census 2000 because: 1) There are some Census 2000 GQ types that were out of scope in the 2006 ACS such as domestic violence shelters, soup kitchens, regularly scheduled mobile food vans, targeted nonsheltered outdoor locations, crews of maritime vessels and living quarters for victims of natural disasters. Also, there are some Census 2000 GQ type categories that are no longer valid (residential care facility providing "Protective Oversight," hospitals/wards for the chronically ill and hospitals/wards for drug/alcohol abuse). The exclusion of these GQ types from the 2006 ACS may result in a small bias in some ACS estimates to the extent that the excluded population is different from the included population. 2) A sample of GQ facilities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico were selected for the 2006 ACS. ACS controls the GQ sample at the state level only. Therefore, for lower levels of geography, particularly when there are relatively few GQs in a geographic area, the ACS estimate of the GQ population may vary from the estimate from Census 2000.

Do Not Compare

The Group Quarters population is included in the 2006 ACS and not included in the 2005 ACS, thus comparisons cannot be made.

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* Each subject area is listed with its 2-digit code. This code corresponds to the second and third characters of the ACS table number. For example, Table B08303 - Travel Time to Work - has the digits of "08" in the second and third position. This corresponds to the subject Journey to Work; Workers; and Commuting.

Page Last Revised - December 16, 2021
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