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Comparing 2012 American Community Survey Data

Learn more about making the following comparisons:

  • Comparing the 2012 ACS estimates with Census 2000 (second column below)
  • Comparing the 2012 ACS 1-year with the 2011 ACS 1-year estimates (third column below)
  • Comparing the 2012 ACS estimates with 2010 Census (fourth column below)

To learn more about comparing the 2010-2012 ACS 3-year estimates with the 2007-2009 ACS 3-year estimates visit the 3-year to 3-year Comparison Guide page.

Subject Area *
2012 ACS 1-Year,
2010-2012 ACS 3-Year, and
2008-2012 ACS 5-Year with Census 2000
2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS 1-Year,
2010-2012 ACS 3-Year, and
2008-2012 ACS 5-Year with 2010 Census

Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
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 from one time period to the next. 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 different data year(s). For example, Baby Boomers were age 36 to 54 in Census 2000 while they were age 48 to 66 in the 2012 ACS 1-year, between ages 46 to 66 in the 2010-2012 3-year period, and between ages 44 to 66 in the 2008-2012 5-year period. So, the age group 55 to 59 would show a considerable increase in population when comparing Census 2000 data with the single year or multiyear ACS data. 

Compare Compare
Sex Compare

Beginning with the 2008 ACS questionnaire, the layout of the sex question response categories was changed to a horizontal side-by-side layout from a vertically stacked layout on the mail paper ACS questionnaire. For more information on differences in the questionnaire, see 2007 ACS Grid-Sequential Test report

Compare Compare

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Race Compare with Caution

Differences between the 2012 ACS and Census 2000 may be the result of demographic change and/or differences in question wording (the ACS question on race was revised in 2008 to make it consistent with the Census 2010 race question), race reporting, or methodological differences in the population estimates used as ACS controls. 

Compare with Caution

For the the 2011 ACS, detailed tables for race were modified to include additional categories for detailed American Indian and Alaska Native groups, Asian groups, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander groups. As a result, not all tabulated race estimates are directly comparable across the years. 

Compare with Caution 

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Hispanic or Latino Origin Compare with Caution

The ACS question on Hispanic origin was revised in 2008 to make it consistent with the Census 2010 Hispanic origin question. Any change, compared with Census 2000, may be due to demographic changes, questionnaire changes, differences in ACS population controls, and/or methodological differences in the population estimates. 

Compare Compare

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
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 ACS. The difference in the level of response may contribute to the difference in the two distributions. 

Compare

Note that in 2011 the ancestry edits were changed to allow for more general and unclassified responses. 

The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Citizenship Status Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Nativity Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Year of Entry Compare

Census 2000 represents 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 ACS represents data collected throughout the entire year and thus the "2000" year of entry category accounts for the entire year of 2000. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Place of Birth Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Residence 1 Year Ago (Migration) Do Not Compare

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

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Means of Transportation to Work Compare

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

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Place of Work Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Private Vehicle Occupancy Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Time Leaving Home Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Travel Time to Work Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Relationship to Householder Do Not Compare

The ACS used a joint relationship/marital status edit and Census 2000 did not. Also, Census 2000 provided more response categories because of a write-in option that was not used in the ACS. Differences in weighting schemes between the census and the ACS could produce inconsistencies in comparisons. 

Compare Do Not Compare 

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Grandparents as Caregivers Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Household/Family Type Do Not Compare

The ACS used a joint relationship/marital status edit and Census 2000 did not--these edits are used to determine categories of family types. Also, Census 2000 provided more response categories because of a write-in option that was not used in the ACS. Differences in weighting schemes between the census and the ACS could produce inconsistencies in comparisons. 

Compare Do Not Compare

The ACS used a joint relationship/marital status edit and Census 2010 did not. The ACS also has a category for foster children which is not in Census 2010. Differences in weighting schemes between the census and the ACS could produce inconsistencies in comparisons. 

Subfamilies Do Not Compare

Due to a write-in option, Census 2000 provided more response categories than the ACS from which to derive estimates of subfamilies. In addition, the weighting schemes that were used to produce the final estimated numbers of subfamilies were different. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census 

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Marital Status Compare

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

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Marital History The question was not asked in Census 2000 Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Fertility The question was not asked in Census 2000 Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Type of School & School Enrollment Compare

The 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 The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Educational Attainment Compare

The ACS has two separate categories for completing high school - "Regular high school diploma" and "GED or alternative credential." Census 2000 has only one category for completing high school - "HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE - high school diploma or equivalent (for example: GED)." As a result, users may see differences in distributions when comparing Census 2000 to ACS data from 2008 and later years. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Field of Degree The question was not asked in Census 2000 Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Ability to Speak English Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Language Spoken at Home Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
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). For example, the 2012 ACS 1-year data reflect incomes over 2011-2012, the 2010-2012 ACS 3-year data reflect incomes over 2009-2012, and the 2008-2012 ACS 5-year data reflect incomes over 2007-2012. 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: Comparisons to Census 2000. For specific questions and answers about sources of poverty data, see Questions and Answers about Sources of Poverty Data [PDF - <1.0 MB]. 

Compare with Caution

As ACS data are collected every month of the year, adjacent years will have some reference months in common. Hence, comparing the 2012 ACS 1-year with the 2011 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2012 with those in 2011. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. For specific questions and answers about sources of poverty data, see Questions and Answers about Sources of Poverty Data [PDF - <1.0 MB]. 

The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
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). For example, the 2012 ACS 1-year data reflect incomes over 2011-2012, the 2010-2012 ACS 3-year data reflect incomes over 2009-2012, and the 2008-2012 ACS 5-year data reflect incomes over 2007-2012. 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: Comparisons to Census 2000. For specific questions and answers about sources of poverty data, see Questions and Answers about Sources of Poverty Data [PDF - <1.0 MB]. 

Compare with Caution

As ACS data are collected every month of the year, adjacent years will have some reference months in common. Hence, comparing the 2012 ACS 1-year with the 2011 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2012 with those in 2011. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. For specific questions and answers about sources of poverty data, see Questions and Answers about Sources of Poverty Data [PDF - <1.0 MB]. 

The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Hearing / Vision difficulty Do Not Compare

The 2012 ACS disability questions are different from the Census 2000 disability questions, thus comparisons cannot be made. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Cognitive / Ambulatory / Self-care difficulty Do Not Compare

The 2012 ACS disability questions are different from the Census 2000 disability questions, thus comparisons cannot be made. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Independent Living difficulty Do Not Compare

The 2012 ACS disability questions are different from the Census 2000 disability questions, thus comparisons cannot be made. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
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). For example, the 2012 ACS 1-year data reflect incomes over 2011-2012, the 2010-2012 ACS 3-year data reflect incomes over 2009-2012, and the 2008-2012 ACS 5-year data reflect incomes over 2007-2012. 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: Comparisons 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 2012 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.37801389. For CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years see: BLS Consumer Price Index. Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and the 2012 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) files from Census 2000. 

Compare with Caution

As ACS data are collected every month of the year, adjacent years will have some reference months in common. Hence, comparing the 2012 ACS 1-year with the 2011 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2012 with those in 2011. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. For specific questions and answers about sources of poverty data, see Questions and Answers about Sources of Poverty Data [PDF - <1.0 MB]. 

The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
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: Comparisons 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 2012 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.37801389. For CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years see: BLS Consumer Price Index. Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and the 2012 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) files from Census 2000. 

Compare with Caution

As ACS data are collected every month of the year, adjacent years will have some reference months in common. Hence, comparing the 2012 ACS 1-year with the 2011 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2012 with those in 2011. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. For specific questions and answers about sources of poverty data, see Questions and Answers about Sources of Poverty Data [PDF - <1.0 MB]. 

The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
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). For example, the 2012 ACS 1-year data reflect incomes over 2011-2012, the 2010-2012 ACS 3-year data reflect incomes over 2009-2012, and the 2008-2012 ACS 5-year data reflect incomes over 2007-2012. 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: Comparisons 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 2012 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.37801389. For CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years see: BLS Consumer Price Index. Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and the 2012 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) files from Census 2000. 

Compare with Caution

As ACS data are collected every month of the year, adjacent years will have some reference months in common. Hence, comparing the 2012 ACS 1-year with the 2011 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2012 with those in 2011. For a discussion of this and related issues, see Hogan, Howard, "Measuring Population Change Using the American Community Survey," Applied Demography in the 21st Century, Steven H. Murdock and David A. Swanson eds., Springer Netherlands, 2008. For specific questions and answers about sources of poverty data, see Questions and Answers about Sources of Poverty Data [PDF - <1.0 MB]. 

The question was not asked in 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Period of Military Service Compare

Since Census 2000, the period of military service categories on the ACS questionnaire 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 The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Veteran Status Compare

The ACS has two separate questions, whereas in Census 2000, it was a two-part question. However, the actual questions remain the same. 2012 ACS splits the answer category for the question: "Has this person ever served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, military Reserves, or National Guard" into two more detailed categories. However, the data from this question can still be compared across these two survey years. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Service-Connected Disability Status and Ratings The question was not asked in Census 2000 Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Food Stamp Benefit The question was not asked in Census 2000 Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
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 The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Hours Worked Compare

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

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Weeks Worked Compare

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

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Class of Worker Compare with Caution

The 2012 ACS Industry by Class of Worker tables combine "Unpaid family workers" with "Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers." The Census 2000 tables use different tabulation categories than the ACS. Also, the Census 2000 tables did not include the "full-time, year-round" population and there were no median earnings Class of Worker tables. Thus, comparisons cannot be made for this population or characteristic. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Industry Compare with Caution

Census 2000 codes are 3-digit codes and are based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 1997. The 2012 ACS industry codes are 4-digit codes and based on the 2007 NAICS. Codes and descriptions, particularly within the Electronic Shopping, Wholesale, and Information categories changed. For a summary of code changes from Census 2000 to 2007 visit the 1990-2012 Census Industry Codes with Crosswalk on the Industry and Occupation website

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Occupation Compare with Caution

Census 2000 occupation codes are 3-digit codes based on the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2000. The 2012 ACS occupation codes are 4-digit codes based on the SOC 2010. Codes and descriptions, particularly within the information technology, healthcare, printing, and human resources occupation categories changed. For a summary of 2010 code changes and a Census 2000/2002 to 2010 occupation crosswalk, visit the Industry and Occupation website

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Bedrooms Compare with Caution

Beginning in 2008, the ACS bedrooms question contained different wording and response options than the Census 2000 question. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Contract and Gross Rent Do Not Compare

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

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Cost of Utilities Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
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 ACS is "renter occupied" whereas in Census 2000, the universe was "specified renter-occupied housing units," thus comparisons cannot be made. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
House Heating Fuel Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Kitchen Facilities Compare with Caution

Changes made between 2007 and 2008 to the ACS question wording as well as the response option resulted in an increase in the "Lacking Kitchen Facilities" category compared with pre-2008 ACS and Census 2000. For more details, see Errata #53. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Monthly Rent Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Mortgage Status Compare

The with a mortgage/without a mortgage categories were released in Census 2000 for both total owner-occupied units and specified owner-occupied units. 

Compare Compare
Occupants per Room Do Not Compare

Due to differences in residence rules between ACS and Census 2000, the absence of population controls used to adjust for undercoverage in the reported number of current residences, and the differences in the reported number of rooms due to changes in the room question between 2007 and 2008. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
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 The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Plumbing Facilities Compare with Caution

Changes made between 2007 and 2008 to the ACS question wording as well as the response option resulted in an increase in the "Lacking Plumbing Facilities" category compared with pre-2008 ACS and Census 2000. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Real Estate Taxes Do Not Compare

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

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Rooms Compare with Caution

Beginning in 2008, the ACS rooms question contained different wording and response options than the Census 2000 question. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Selected Monthly Owner Costs Compare with Caution

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

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Telephone Service Compare with Caution

In 2008, there was a change in the wording and response options for the the ACS question on telephone service. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Tenure Compare Compare Compare
Units in Structure Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Vacancy Status Do Not Compare

Because the American Community Survey and the Decennial Census differ in their design and data collection methods, users should note that estimates of vacancy rates may also differ. For more information on vacancy rates between the Census and ACS, see Comparing 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates of Occupancy Status, Vacancy Status, and Household Size with the 2010 Census - Preliminary Results

Compare Do Not Compare

Because the American Community Survey and the Decennial Census differ in their design and data collection methods, users should note that estimates of vacancy rates may also differ. For more information on vacancy rates between the Census and ACS, see Comparing 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates of Occupancy Status, Vacancy Status, and Household Size with the 2010 Census - Preliminary Results

Value of Property Compare with Caution

Unlike Census 2000, the ACS allowed a write-in for values over $250,000 until 2007. Beginning in 2008, value was collected as a continuous variable. For Census 2000, tables with full distribution, medians, and aggregate values were released for both specified owner-occupied units as well as total owner-occupied units. ACS only releases tables for total owner-occupied units. When making comparisons users should compare like universes. 

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Vehicles Available Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Year Moved In Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Year Structure Built Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Group Quarters Population Compare with Caution

The total group quarters (GQ) population in the ACS may not be comparable with Census 2000 because there are some Census 2000 GQ types that were out of scope in the ACS such as domestic violence shelters and soup kitchens. 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 ACS may result in a small bias in some ACS estimates to the extent that the excluded population is different from the included population. 

Compare Compare

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Topic 2012 ACS with Census 2000 2012 ACS 1-Year with 2011 ACS 1-Year 2012 ACS with Census 2010
Health Insurance The question was not asked in Census 2000 Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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

Page Last Revised - December 16, 2021
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