The American Community Survey and Other Survey Briefs

In the mid-1990s, the U.S. Bureau of Census began developing and testing a new means of data collection called a "rolling sample" or "continuous measurement" survey that became the American Community Survey (ACS). Implemented nationwide in 2005 and 2006, the ACS collects data from a representative sample of about 250,000 housing units a month (totaling about three million a year). The Bureau issues one-year estimates for the most populous areas, those with at least 65,000 people; three-year estimates for areas with 20,000 to 65,000 people and five-year estimates for areas with fewer than 20,000 people. This book examines the development, implementation and issues for Congress of the American Community Survey, along with select survey briefs.