American Community Survey

• Guidance Main
  • Subjects included in ACS
• Geography and the ACS
  • Geography/Boundary Changes
• When to Use 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year Estimates
• Comparing ACS Data
  • ACS/Census Table Comparisons
  • 2011
    • 3-year to 3-year comparison guidance
  • 2010
    • 3-year to 3-year comparison guidance
  • 2009
    • Quick Guide
  • 2008
    • Crosswalk Table
  • 2007
  • 2006
• Handbooks for Data Users
  • ACS Compass Products
• Training Presentations
• E-Tutorial

Training Presentations      part of the American Community Survey's Compass Products

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Presentations for data users

Want to learn more about American Community Survey (ACS) data and data products? Need to train others how to understand the data? These compass presentations can help.

An Overview of the American Community Survey [PPT 5.0MB]
Speaker Notes [PDF 52KB]
Basics of the American Community Survey program and website, with information on content, survey methodology, and data products. How the ACS supplements the 10-year census with continuous social, economic, housing, and demographic data.

Data Products from the American Community Survey [PPT 2.4MB] 
Speaker Notes [PDF 53KB]
Examples and suggestions for using 4 types of data profiles, 4 types of tables, thematic maps, and Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) Files. How period estimates and sampling error measures could affect your results.

Things that May Affect the Estimates from the American Community Survey [PPT 215KB]
Speaker Notes [PDF 60KB]
Because the American Community Survey is a sample survey, sampling error is inevitable. How 4 different measures of sampling error are calculated, what they mean, and how you can use them to draw appropriate conclusions. Plus a brief look at non-sampling error and population controls.

Understanding Multiyear Estimates from the American Community Survey [PPT 592KB]
Speaker Notes [PDF 49KB]
Explains 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year period estimates and when to use each one. Introduction to interpreting the data and making comparisons using multiyear estimates.

Geographic Areas and Concepts for the American Community Survey [PPT 2.3MB]
Speaker Notes [PDF 45KB]
Get the most out of ACS data by knowing how geographic areas are defined in different ways and different estimates. The difference between legal and administrative areas is important.

Introduction to the Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) File from the American Community Survey [PPT 612KB]
Speaker Notes [PDF 44KB]
Reasons to access PUMS data for small or unique population groups and housing characteristics.

American Community Survey Language Data Webinar [WMV 11.4MB]
Transcript [DOC 102KB]
Shows how to find ACS data on American Fact Finder, and how to coordinate choices in geographic areas and tables. Language data are used as examples, but the techniques and skills work for any other topic.

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