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Comparing 2014 American Community Survey Data

Learn more about making the following comparisons:

  • Comparing the 2014 ACS estimates with Census 2000 (second column below)
  • Comparing the 2014 ACS 1-year with the 2013 ACS 1-year estimates (third column below)
  • Comparing the 2014 ACS estimates with 2010 Census (fourth column below)

To learn more about comparing the 2010-2014 ACS 5-year estimates with the 2005-2009 ACS 5-year estimates visit the 5-year to 5-year Comparison Guide page.

Subject Area* 2014 ACS (2014 ACS 1-Year and 2010-2014 ACS 5-Year) with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS (2014 ACS 1-Year and 2010-2014 ACS 5-Year) with 2010 Census

Topic 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 (for example, the postwar Baby Boom from 1946-1964) and busts/decreases in births, deaths, or migration, 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 50 to 68 in the 2014 ACS 1-year, and between ages 46 to 68 in the 2010-2014 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 with Caution

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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
Race Compare with Caution

Differences between the 2014 ACS and Census 2000 may be the result of demographic changes and/or differences in question wording (the ACS question on race was revised in 2008 to make it consistent with the 2010 Census race question), race reporting, or methodological differences in the population estimates used as ACS controls.

Compare Compare with Caution

The 2010 Census provides the official counts of the population and housing units for the nation, states, counties, cities, and towns. When comparing race data between the ACS and the 2010 Census, we recommend that users compare percent distributions rather than estimates of population totals.

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Topic 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
Hispanic or Latino Origin Compare with Caution

The ACS question on Hispanic origin was revised in 2008 to make it consistent with the 2010 Census 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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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

The content portion of Failed Edit Follow-Up (FEFU) was cancelled for 2013 (learn more in the user notes), which may have contributed to a higher nonresponse rate to the ancestry question. It was 13.8 percent in 2014, compared with 13.6 percent in 2013. We do not assign or impute missing data for ancestry. 

The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 With Caution

For data year 2012 and subsequent years, note that the topmost year of entry category in many tables was changed from "2000 or later" to "2010 or later." For data year 2011 and earlier, note that 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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
Place of Birth Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 included 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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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

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

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Topic 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
Grandparents as Caregivers Compare Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 2010 Census did not. The ACS also has a category for foster children, which is not in the 2010 Census. 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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
Fertility The question was not asked in Census 2000 Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
Ability to Speak English Compare with Caution

In data year 2013, there were a series of changes to data collection operations that could have affected some estimates. For more information, visit the user note for the 2013 data.

Compare
 
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census
Language Spoken at Home Compare with Caution

In data year 2013, there were a series of changes to data collection operations that could have affected some estimates. For more information, visit the user notes for the 2013 data.

Compare
 
The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 2014 ACS 1-year data reflect incomes over 2013-2014, and the 2010-2014 ACS 5-year data reflect incomes over 2009-2014. 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 [PDF - <1.0 MB]. 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 2014 ACS 1-year with the 2013 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2014 with those in 2013. 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 2014 ACS 1-year data reflect incomes over 2013-2014, and the 2010-2014 ACS 5-year data reflect incomes over 2009-2014. 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 [PDF - <1.0 MB]. 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 2014 ACS 1-year with the 2013 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2014 with those in 2013. 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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
Hearing / Vision difficulty Do Not Compare

The 2014 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 2014 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 2014 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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 2014 ACS 1-year data reflect incomes over 2013-2014, and the 2010-2014 ACS 5-year data reflect incomes over 2009-2014. 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 [PDF - <1.0 MB]. 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 Census 2000 Summary File 3 to 2014 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.42133224. For CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years see Updated CPI-U-RS, All items, 1978-2014 [PDF - <1.0 MB]. Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and the 2014 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 2014 ACS 1-year with the 2013 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2014 with those in 2013. 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: Comparison to Census 2000 [PDF - <1.0 MB]. 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 Census 2000 Summary File 3 to 2014 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.42133224. For CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years see Updated CPI-U-RS, All items, 1978-2014 [PDF - <1.0 MB]. Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and the 2014 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 2014 ACS 1-year with the 2013 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2014 with those in 2013. 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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 2014 ACS 1-year data reflect incomes over 2013-2014, and the 2010-2014 ACS 5-year data reflect incomes over 2009-2014. 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 [PDF - <1.0 MB]. 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 Census 2000 Summary File 3 to 2014 dollars by multiplying the 1999 dollar amounts by the CPI-U-RS factor of 1.42133224. For CPI-U-RS inflation adjustment factors for other years see Updated CPI-U-RS, All items, 1978-2014 [PDF - <1.0 MB]. Furthermore, direct comparisons of income and earnings distributions between Census 2000 and the 2014 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 2014 ACS 1-year with the 2013 ACS 1-year estimates is not an exact comparison of the economic conditions in 2014 with those in 2013. 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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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) update the Korean War and World War II dates to match the official dates as listed in US Code, Title 38; and 3) collapse peacetime periods between the Vietnam era and the 1990 Gulf War. While the response categories differ slightly from those in Census 2000, data from the two questions can still be compared to one another. 

Compare

In 2013, the period of military service categories were revised. Four peacetime categories were collapsed into two categories. Data from this question can still be compared across years. 

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

The ACS has two separate questions for veteran status and period of military service, whereas in Census 2000, both were asked in a two part question. The veteran status question itself remained similar until 2013. In 2013, the italicized instruction to the question was removed and the response categories were revised and rearranged. Users should use caution when comparing 2014 ACS data with Census 2000. 

Compare with Caution

The Census Bureau introduced an improved veteran status question in the 2013 ACS questionnaire. Accordingly, we recommend using caution when making comparisons of the estimate of the veteran population from 2013 or later with data from prior years. For more information on the revised question and its evaluation in the 2010 ACS Content Test, see the 2010 ACS Content Test Evaluation Report Covering Veteran Status. For more information on the evaluation of the veteran status question on the 2013 ACS, visit the user notes. Additional information can also be found on the Veteran Statistics page

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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
Class of Worker Compare with Caution

The 2014 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 industry codes are 3-digit codes based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 1997. The 2014 ACS industry codes are 4-digit codes based on NAICS 2012. Codes and descriptions, particularly within manufacturing, wholesale trade and retail trade sectors changed. For a summary of the 2012 code changes and a Census 2000/2002 to 2012 industry crosswalk, visit the Industry and Occupation page

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

Census 2000 occupation codes are 3-digit codes based on Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) 2000. The 2014 ACS occupation codes are 4-digit codes based on 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 page

Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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, Gross, and Asking 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 options 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
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 with Caution

The question was not asked in the 2010 Census; however, mortgage status can be obtained from the tenure question (owned with a mortgage or loan, including home equity loans; or owned free and clear, without a mortgage or loan). 

Occupants per Room Do Not Compare

Due to the differences in residence rules between ACS and Census 2000, the absense 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, comparisons between ACS and Census 2000 are not recommended.  

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 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
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 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
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 ACS 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 ACS and Census, 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 ACS 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 ACS and Census, 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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
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 (e.g., 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 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
Health Insurance The question was not asked in Census 2000 Compare The question was not asked in the 2010 Census

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Topic 2014 ACS with Census 2000 2014 ACS 1-Year with 2013 ACS 1-Year 2014 ACS with 2010 Census
Computer and Internet Use 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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