American Community Survey
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Geography
Connect with usHighlights
- The 2007-2011 ACS 5-year data release marks the first time estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are available. Learn how ZCTAs are different from ZIP Codes.
- ACS Estimates for Urban Areas and PUMAs continue to use Census 2000 definitions. These geographies will use 2010 Census definitions in the 2012 ACS data release planned for 2013.
Release Notes
- There are census tract numbering changes and some geographic definition changes for 2010 Census tracts in Madison, Oneida and Richmond counties, New York. >> Get details
Highlights
- The 2010 ACS data release marks the first time ACS will use 2010 tabulation geography for most statistical areas, the same definitions as the 2010 Census.
- 2006-2010 ACS 5-year is the first release of estimates for tribal tracts and tribal block groups.
Release Notes
- Geographic areas whose definitions were updated for the 2010 Census include Census Designated Places (CDPs), census tracts, and block groups. >> Get details
Release Notes
- Changes in some County and County Equivalents
- Geographic Areas with Duplicate Names
- Exceptions to Vintage of Census Tracts and Block Groups
>> Get details
Vintage of Geographic Areas for ACS Estimates
The ACS typically publishes estimates using the latest available geographic boundaries (also known as "vintages"). For more information on geographic concepts used in the ACS, visit Geography and the ACS.
The Census Bureau annually conducts the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) to collect information about selected legally defined geographic areas. The ACS usually uses legal boundaries as of January 1 of the last year of the estimate period.
| Geographic Area | ACS Estimate Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Areas | 2005-2009 ACS 5-year | 2006-2010 ACS 5-year | 2007-2011 ACS 5-year | 2008-2012 ACS 5-year |
| State and State Equivalent | January 1, 2009 | January 1, 2010 | January 1, 2011 | January 1, 2012 |
| County or equivalent (Alaska boroughs, Louisiana parishes, Puerto Rico municipios, independent cities) | January 1, 2009 | January 1, 2010 | January 1, 2011 | January 1, 2012 |
| County Subdivision | ||||
| Minor Civil Division (MCD)/Barrio and Barrio-Pueblo | January 1, 2009 | January 1, 2010 | January 1, 2011 | January 1, 2012 |
| Place | ||||
| Incorporated Place | January 1, 2009 | January 1, 2010 | January 1, 2011 | January 1, 2012 |
| American Indian/Alaska Native/Hawaiian Home Land | ||||
| Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRCs) | Census 2000 | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| Federal American Indian Reservation (federal AIR) | January 1, 2009 | January 1, 2010 | January 1, 2011 | January 1, 2012 |
| State American Indian Reservation (state AIR) | Census 2000 | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| American Indian Tribal Subdivision, federal AIR | January 1, 2009 | January 1, 2010 | January 1, 2011 | January 1, 2012 |
| Hawaiian Home Land (HHL) | January 1, 2009 | January 1, 2010 | January 1, 2011 | January 1, 2012 |
| Other Legal Areas | ||||
| Congressional District, Delegate District, DC, Resident Commissioner District PR1 | January 1, 20092 | January 1, 20092 | January 1, 20113 | January 1, 20134 |
| School District (Elementary, Secondary, Unified)* | 2007-2008 January 1, 2008 | 2009-2010 January 1, 2010 | 2009-2010 January 1, 2010 | 2011-2012 January 1, 2012 |
| Consolidated City | January 1, 2009 | January 1, 2010 | January 1, 2011 | January 1, 2012 |
*School district boundaries are updated every two years as part of the School District Review Program. 1The congressional district boundaries for the 112th Congress are the same as the 111th Congress. 2111th Congress of the United States | ||||
For statistical areas, boundary changes most often take place with each decennial census. Statistical areas are designed to have stable boundaries.
| Geographic Area | ACS Estimate Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistical Areas | 2005-2009 ACS 5-year | 2006-2010 ACS 5-year | 2007-2011 ACS 5-year | 2008-2012 ACS 5-year |
| County Equivalent (Census Areas in Alaska) | January 1, 2009 | January 1, 2010 | January 1, 2011 | January 1, 2012 |
| County Subdivision | ||||
| Census County Division (CCD) | Census 2000 | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| Place | ||||
| Census Designated Place (CDP)/Zona Urbana and Comunidad | Census 2000 | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| American Indian/Alaska Native/Hawaiian Home Land | ||||
| Tribal Designated Statistical Area (TDSA) | Census 2000 | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| State Designated Tribal Statistical Area (SDTSA) | Census 2000 | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Area (OTSA) | Census 2000 | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| American Indian Tribal Subdivision, OTSA | Census 2000 | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| Tribal Tract | Not Included | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| Tribal Block Group | Not Included | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| Alaska Native Village Statistical Area (ANVSA) | Census 2000 | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| Other Statistical Areas | ||||
| Metropolitan Statistical Area/Micropolitan Statistical Area | November 2008 | December 1, 2009 | December 1, 2009 | December 1, 2009 |
| Metropolitan Statistical Area/Micropolitan Statistical Area - Principal City | November 2008** | December 2009** | December 1, 2009 | December 1, 2009 |
| New England City and Town Area (NECTA) | November 2008 | December 1, 2009 | December 1, 2009 | December 1, 2009 |
| New England City and Town Area - Principal city | November 2008** | December 2009** | December 1, 2009 | December 1, 2009 |
| Urban Area | Census 2000 | Census 2000 | Census 2000 | 2010 Census |
| Census Tract | Census 2000*** | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| Census Block Group | Census 2000*** | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
| Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) | Census 2000 | Census 2000 | Census 2000 | 2010 Census |
| 5-digit ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) | Not Included | Not Included | 2010 Census | 2010 Census |
|
**While the American Community Survey (ACS) data generally reflect the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) definitions of metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas; in certain instances the names, codes, and boundaries of the principal cities shown in ACS tables may differ from the OMB definitions due to differences in the effective dates of the geographic entities. ***Census 2010 definitions were included in the 2005-2009 ACS estimates for tracts and block groups in select counties. | ||||
Related Topics
Geography and the American Community Survey in Guidance for Data Users
Additional Resources
Census Bureau Geography Division's website
Geographic Areas and Concepts for the American Community Survey in Guidance for Data Users: Training Presentations
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