American Community Survey

• About the American Community Survey
  • Why were you selected?
  • Why should you participate?
    • ACS helps communities (video)
  • How to respond to the survey or get help
    • Respond Online
    • Respond Online Video
    • Respond by Mail
    • Respond by Phone
    • In-person Interview
    • FAQs
  • For people living in group housing
  • Questions on the form and why we ask
    • Income
    • Place of work/Journey to work
  • How we protect your privacy
    • Census Oath of Non-Disclosure
  • Is the American Community Survey legitimate?
  • Sample forms and instructions
• American Community Survey and 2010 Census
• About the Puerto Rico Community Survey
  • Sample forms and instructions
• Operations and Administration of the ACS
  • ACS Program Review
    • FAQs
  • 2011 American Community Survey Improvements

Resources for

• American Indian and Alaska Native Population
• Media
• Congress

Resources for Media

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Detailed demographic, social, housing, and economic data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) can strengthen and localize many news and feature stories.

Throughout the year ACS collects new data from randomly-selected addresses in the United States and Puerto Rico. Using ACS data, you can:

• find statistics to support specific points
• sift through data to see patterns
• spot economic and demographic trends

Find facts on lots of topics including:

• family and relationships
• income and benefits
• health insurance
• education

• disabilities
• transportation
• veteran status
• housing and expenses

ACS data are produced for geographic areas ranging from neighborhoods to congressional districts to the entire nation.

To access ACS data, go to American FactFinder.

For more information and interviews, contact the Public Information Office:
301-763-3691
301-457-1037 (TDD)
e-mail: pio@census.gov

The handbook A Compass for Understanding and Using American Community Data: What the Media Needs to Know [PDF 1.3MB] or our PowerPoint presentations can also help you get the most from ACS.

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