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Geography and the American Community Survey: What Data Users Need to Know

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Geography and the American Community Survey: What Data Users Need to Know

Geography and the American Community Survey What Data Users Need to Know
Download Geography and the American Community Survey What Data Users Need to Know [PDF - 6.7 MB]

Geography plays an important role in all U.S. Census Bureau activities by providing the framework used to collect and publish data, including American Community Survey (ACS) estimates. Data users employ ACS data that are tabulated for a variety of geographic areas to produce detailed portraits and maps of social, economic, housing, and demographic characteristics of America’s communities.

This guide provides an overview of geographic areas for which ACS data are available, special considerations in working with spatial data, and links to tools and other resources that data users can use to map ACS data.

Download by Section

.pdf 1. Geographic Areas Covered in the ACS [2.9 MB]
American Community Survey
.pdf 2. Geographic Boundaries, Vintages, and Frequency of Updates [<1.0 MB]
American Community Survey
.pdf 3. Accessing and Mapping ACS Data [1.1 MB]
American Community Survey
.pdf 4. Additional Resources [<1.0 MB]
American Community Survey

Others in Series

Publication
What Researchers Need to Know
April 2020
This handbook helps researchers learn more about estimates for geographic areas, how to access data products, sampling error, and more.
Publication
What State and Local Government Users Need to Know
August 2020
This handbook helps data users from state and local governments learn about ACS data and provides examples of how ACS data can answer real-world questions.
Publication
What ACS Public Use Microdata Sample File Users Need to Know
February 2021
This guide helps data users learn how to access PUMS files, create PUMS tables, and measure accuracy and margins of error.
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Page Last Revised - October 7, 2022
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