Census Bureau employees take a lifetime oath to ensure that respondent information is used for statistical purposes only and not for any other reason.

The ACS provides vital information on a yearly basis about our nation and its people. Information from the survey generates data that help inform how trillions of dollars in federal funds are distributed each year.

When people respond to the ACS, they are helping their community plan for hospitals and schools, support school lunch programs, improve emergency services, build bridges, and inform businesses looking to add jobs and expand to new markets, and more.

Do you want to verify that mail, phone calls, or in-person interviews are legitimate?

• Contacted by Mail

If a household has been contacted by mail to complete the American Community Survey, the household can verify that the survey is legitimate by calling toll-free 1-800-354-7271.

• Contacted by Phone

If someone is called about the ACS and would like to verify that the phone call is legitimate, they can call one of our telephone centers directly:

1-800-523-3205     Jeffersonville, IN

1-800-642-0469    Tucson, AZ

• Contacted In Person

If someone is visited in person and would like to confirm that person is a Census Bureau employee, they can enter the name of the employee into the Census Bureau Staff Search. It is easiest to search using only the last name. They can also call the Census Regional Office closest to them. Our staff will always show a photo ID that displays his or her name, a Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.

You can also visit our Verify a Census Bureau Survey, Mailing, or Contact page to verify any Census Bureau contact for any of its surveys and censuses, including the ACS.

Explore the links below for ACS resources to learn more about the survey, to respond to the survey, to access ACS data, and how to contact us.

The ACS Information Guide provides an overview of the history of the ACS, its data collection process, data topics, and more. The ACS Information for Law Enforcement Organizations flyer provides high level information about the survey and contact information.

Responding to the ACS is crucial for quality data that helps direct trillions of federal spending for programs that help your community every year. Please encourage others to respond when selected, and visit the links below to learn more.

There are many ways to access ACS data. Try the most popular tools or visit the ACS Data page for the full list.

Check out our FAQs, request a training or assistance with a local Data Dissemination Specialist, or contact us to learn more.

There are many ways to access ACS data. Try the most popular tools or visit the ACS Data page for the full list.