American Community Survey

• Data Releases
  • 2011 Data Release
    • Product Changes
    • Release Schedule
      • ACS Briefs
  • Special Data Release
    • Groups and Geographies
    • Comparing with Decennial
  • 2010 Data Release
    • Product Changes
    • Release Schedule
    • ACS Briefs
  • 2009 Data Release
    • 5-Year Release Details
    • ACS Briefs
    • ACS Maps
    • Product Changes
    • Release Schedule
  • 2008 Data Release
    • Product Changes
    • Release Schedule
  • 2007 Data Release
    • Release Schedule
• Data Product Descriptions
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  • User Notes
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• Geography
  • Areas Published
  • Release Notes (2011)
    • 2010
    • 2009
  • Reference Maps
  • Other Mapping Resources
• Downloadable data via FTP
• Summary File
• Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)
  • About PUMS
    • Pretabulated Data vs. Microdata
    • Confidentiality of PUMS
    • PUMS Record Format
    • Re-released Files
  • PUMS Data
  • PUMS Documentation
  • PUMS on DataFerrett
  • PUMS FAQs
• Custom Tabulations
  • Request Form

Pretabulated Data vs. Microdata

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The ACS pretabulated (or summary) data are predefined tabulations of characteristics created by the Census Bureau in response to data user needs. The basic unit of analysis is a specific geographic entity -- state, county, etc. -- for which estimates of persons, families, households, or housing units in particular categories are provided.

With microdata, conversely, it is the user who determines the structure of the tabulation and the characteristic(s) to be tabulated.

Summary Product Sample

Microdata Sample

In the ACS microdata, the basic unit is an individual housing unit, persons who live in the selected housing unit, or a group quarters person. Each record shows most of the information associated with a specific housing unit or individual except for personal identifying information and some things that could be used to identify an individual. The most detailed geographic area available in PUMS are Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMAs), or areas containing about 100,000 residents.