The Who, What, and Where of America: Understanding the American Community Survey

by Deirdre A. Gaquin (Editor), Mary Meghan Ryan (Editor)

Overview

The Who, What, and Where of America is designed to provide a sampling of key demographic information. It covers the United States, every state, each metropolitan statistical area, and all the counties and cities with a population of 20,000 or more.

Who: Age, Race and Ethnicity, and Household Structure
What: Education, Employment, and Income
Where: Migration, Housing, and Transportation

Each part is preceded by highlights and ranking tables that show how areas diverge from the national norm. These research aids are invaluable for understanding data from the ACS and for highlighting what it tells us about who we are, what we do, and where we live.

Each topic is divided into four tables revealing the results of the data collected from different types of geographic areas in the United States, generally with populations greater than 20,000.

• Table A. States
• Table B. Counties
• Table C. Metropolitan Areas
• Table D. Cities

In this edition, you will find social and economic estimates on the ways American communities are changing with regard to the following:

• Age and race
• Health care coverage
• Marital history
• Education attainment
• Income and occupation
• Commute time to work
• Employment status
• Home values and monthly costs
• Veteran status
• Size of home or rental unit

This title is the latest in the County and City Extra Series of publications from Bernan Press. Other titles include County and City Extra, County and City Extra: Special Decennial Census Edition, and Places, Towns, and Townships.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781641432863
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/28/2018
Series:	County and City Extra Series
Edition description:	Sixth Edition
Pages:	486
Product dimensions:	8.63(w) x 11.49(h) x 1.21(d)

About the Author

Deidre A. Gaquin has been a data use consultant to private organizations, government agencies, and universities for over 30 years. A former president of the Association of Public Data Users, Ms. Gaquin has served on boards, panels, and task forces concerned with federal statistics and has worked on five decennial censuses.

Mary Meghan Ryan is a senior research editor with Bernan Press.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS Preface Introduction Volume Organization Understanding the American Community Survey Some Key Facts About the ACS New Opportunities New Challenges Data Collection versus Data Reporting The ACS Sample Geography Data Comparability Subjects Covered Availability of ACS Estimates Using the ACS Differences between the ACS and the Decennial Census Residence Rules Reference Periods Period Estimates Deciding Which ACS Estimate to Use Margin of Error Accessing ACS Data Online More ACS Resources Background and Overview Information Accuracy of the Data ACS Sample Size ACS Quality Measures Guidance on Data Products and Using the Data How to Use the Data Comparing ACS Data to Other Sources When to Use 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year Estimates Information on Using Different Sources of Data for Income and Poverty Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) Other Data Resources Part A — Who: Age, Race Ethnicity, and HouseholdsHighlights Rankings Column Headings Table A-1. States Table A-2. Counties with Populations of 20,000 or More Table A-3. Metropolitan Areas Table A-4. Cities with Populations of 20,000 or More Part B — What: Education, Employment, and IncomeHighlights Rankings Column Headings Table B-1. States Table B-2. Counties with Populations of 20,000 or More Table B-3. Metropolitan Areas Table B-4. Cities with Populations of 20,000 or More Part C — Where: Migration, Housing, and TransportationHighlights Rankings Column Headings Table C-1. States Table C-2. Counties with Populations of 20,000 or More Table C-3. Metropolitan Areas Table C-4. Cities with Populations of 20,000 or More Appendixes A. Glossary B. Source Notes and Explanations

Preface

Preface

The 2010 census was different from any census in recent memory. All American households answered a simple questionnaire with ten questions. No longer did some people get the “long form” which included dozens of detailed questions about employment, education, income, previous residence, housing characteristics, and more. The data gleaned from these important questions have long been used by federal, state, and local governments to evaluate their populations and program needs; by large and small businesses and nonprofit organizations for a variety of planning and location purposes; and by academic researchers to study trends in social and economic conditions. However, the cost, timeliness, and quality of the traditional long form data made it necessary to develop a new data collection strategy for gathering economic and demographic characteristics of the nation.

The “long form” has been replaced by the American Community Survey (ACS). Under development for more than a decade, the ACS is an ongoing survey of the American people that ushered in a new era in social and economic data analysis. The census “long form” provided detailed estimates of social and economic characteristics every ten years. The ACS collects this same information on a rolling basis. It takes 5 years of ACS responses to accumulate a sample almost as large as the census “long form” collected at a single point in time. But data users now have the ability to study these characteristics and trends throughout the decade – annually for some areas.

Because the ACS is a sample survey, large numbers of sample cases are needed before reliable estimates can be made for small populations. Each year’s sample is large enough to produce estimates for the nation, all the states, most metropolitan areas, and many counties and cities. The tables in this volume include single year estimates for 2014 (the most current year available) for the United States, all states, all metropolitan areas, as well as counties and cities of 20,000 or more population.

The richness of the ACS data can be accessed in varying degrees. Much more subject matter detail is available for large geographic areas partly because reliable estimates for large areas can be produced with smaller samples, and partly because more data must be suppressed for the smaller areas to protect the confidentiality of the respondents. The county and city data in this book are from a special ACS 1-year Supplemental file that is less detailed than the standard 1-year file for areas with populations of 65,000 or more.

This book is designed to include a sampling of key information, but also to guide users through the process of using the Census Bureau’s website to expand on the information included here. The state tables in this book include more than 300 data items. The metropolitan area, county, and city tables include 48 data items. The data in the tables are a small selection that show what is available for the geographic areas in the book. Every column includes an ACS Table Number that enables users to find the original data on the Census Bureau’s website. The selection in this book is limited because the county and city data are from the less detailed supplemental file. Much more information is available in the standard 1-year file for analysis of larger cities and counties or for analysis of specific racial or ethnic groups if those groups have large populations in a particular city or county. Furthermore, as the 5-year data are also available, additional information can be found for the cities and counties in this book, and for all cities and counties in the nation, no matter how small.

One of the most notable differences between the census “long form” and the ACS is the time frame of the estimates. We are accustomed to the census data that give us specific information every ten years, a snapshot of the country on April 1. The ACS multiyear estimates are different as the Census Bureau surveys nearly 300,000 households every month. The data in this book are from the ACS 1-year 2014 estimates which are produced from the 12 calendar months of survey data collection. The estimates reported here represent an “average” population profile over the 12 months of 2014. The sample cases are spread evenly throughout the year rather than the “point in time” decennial census estimates reported as of April 1.

To help in the understanding of these estimates, we have included a measure of population change for each geographic area. These are from the 2010 census and the 2014 estimates, showing the actual population growth or decline in each geographic area. Each table shows population characteristics as estimated for 2014. It should be remembered that the decennial census and the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program provide the official population counts that underlie the ACS sample. If an area experienced unusually large population growth or decline, we should understand that these short-term population impacts may not be reflected in the ACS period estimates. Changes due to a city annexing a large tract of land, many people moving into a new development, or many people leaving the area because of a plant closing may be hidden in the short-term.

With the ACS, there is always a trade-off between data currency and data reliability. More current 1-year estimates come from smaller samples and therefore have larger margins of error. Estimates from the 5-year data are based on five times the sample size and have smaller margins of error – but of course, they do not represent as current a period. Earlier editions of The Who, What, and Where of America relied on the Census Bureau’s 3-year (2010–2012) estimates because of the larger sample size and smaller margins of error inherent in the longer period estimates. Due to the elimination of the 3-year data series, the current volume reports the results of the 1-year 2014 data. Users may want to compare data among the editions but should use caution as there will be more sample variability in the 2014 data and small differences may not be meaningful. Users will also notice that there are a number of geographic areas where the estimates are not available due to the Census Bureau’s data disclosure rules.

Finally, it is always critical to remember that all estimates are subject to sampling error. On the Census Bureau’s website, every ACS number is accompanied by its margin of error. In the interests of space and simplicity, this book does not include the margins of error, but all users are encouraged to consult the Census Bureau’s website and to understand some basics: small differences are very likely to represent no difference at all; do not draw conclusions from small numbers; use these numbers as a starting point to explore the wealth of information from the ACS.


Introduction

The American Community Survey (ACS) has ushered in the most substantial change in the decennial census in more than 60 years. It replaced the decennial census long form in 2010, providing more current data throughout the decade by collecting long-form-type information annually rather than only once every 10 years,. The ACS provides annual data for states, metropolitan areas, and large cities and counties, and combines multiple years of survey responses to produce data for midsize communities. A limited selection of less detailed annual data is available for geographic areas of 20,000 to 65,000 population. Very small communities (under 20,000 population) and statistical areas like census tracts and zip code tabulation areas require 5 years of survey responses to yield characteristic estimates.

The ACS gathers demographic, social, economic, housing and financial information about the nation’s people and communities on a continuous basis. The ACS is an ongoing survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau in every county, American Indian and Alaska Native Area, and Hawaiian Home Land in the United States. The ACS is also conducted as the Puerto Rico Community Survey in every municipality in Puerto Rico. As the largest survey in the United States, it is the only source of small-area data on a wide range of important social and economic characteristics for all communities in the country. After years of planning, development, and a demonstration period, the ACS began nationwide full implementation in 2005.

Information about the ACS are available on the Census Bureau’s website. The ACS main page is http://www.census.gov/acs/www. Data from the ACS is available from American FactFinder at http://factfinder.census.gov.

A vast amount of information is collected in the ACS. In this publication, selections of these data have been assembled in various tables by subject and geographic type.

Volume Organization

The data tables in this book contain a representative selection of information from the ACS.

Part A: Who contains the following subjects: age, race/ethnicity, and household structure, among others.
Part B: What contains the following subject areas: education, employment, and income
Part C: Where comprises data on: migration, housing, and transportation.

Within each part are four tables. Table 1 has data for the 50 states and the District of Columbia; Table 2 has data for all counties with populations of 20,000 or more. Table 3 has data for all the nation’s metropolitan statistical areas; and Table 4 has data for all cities with populations of 20,000 or more. Counties and cities are listed alphabetically by state. Metropolitan areas are listed alphabetically, except that Metropolitan divisions are listed alphabetically within the metropolitan statistical area of which they are components.

In addition, each part is preceded by highlights and ranking tables that show how areas diverge from the national norm, as well as the differences among small areas. These research aids are invaluable for helping people understand what the census data tell us about who we are, what we do, and where we live.


In the following sections, information about the ACS and how to use the data is included, much of it excerpted from the wealth of information available on the Census Bureau’s website. Especially helpful are the instructions, definitions, and guidelines on using the data in the section on “Guidance for Data Users.” Readers are encouraged to explore the Census Bureau’s website to expand on the information contained here and to keep up to date with this constantly changing dataset.

Editorial Reviews

Authoritative, comprehensive, up to date, exceptionally well organized, The Who, What, and Where of America: Understanding the American Community Survey is unreservedly recommended as a core addition to high school, community, college, and university library Contemporary American Demographic reference collections. It should be noted that "The Who, What, and Where of America: Understanding the American Community Survey" is also available in ebook format (9781641432870, $84.43).

October 2018 Midwest Book Review

Provides a good overview of the major challenges and benefits of the American Community Survey in addition to providing data for the 2005-07 three-year estimate....Gaquin provides useful and complete commentary to assist users in understanding the ACS. The narrative introduction would certainely be useful for a patron needing an entry point to the survey. Additionally, the reference tables are a well-constructed alternative to American FactFinder's somewhat confusing interface. The book would serve well as a ready reference source for certain demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.

Dttp: Documents To The People

Recommended.

CHOICE

Provides a good overview of the major challenges and benefits of the American Community Survey in addition to providing data for the 2005-07 three-year estimate....Gaquin provides useful and complete commentary to assist users in understanding the ACS. The narrative introduction would certainely be useful for a patron needing an entry point to the survey. Additionally, the reference tables are a well-constructed alternative to American FactFinder's somewhat confusing interface. The book would serve well as a ready reference source for certain demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.

Dttp: Documents To The People

Recommended.

Choice

Although the aim of the U.S. Census is to count people, the American Community Survey (ACS) aims to drill down to the characteristics of those people. This reference source highlights and offers general information from the ACS and offer comparisons of statistics across time periods and geographic areas. Narrative sections give users a sense of what the ACS entails as well as an overview of 'Who: Age, Race/Ethnicity, and Households'; 'What: Education, Employment, and Income'; and 'Where: Migration, Housing, and Transportation.' The tables in each section are basic and easy to use. There is information included on the sources of the statistics as well as on the ACS itself. This would be a useful resource for libraries that find themselves in need of population information.

Booklist

Like the decennial census, the American Community Survey (ACS ) is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. While the decennial census provides the official counts of people for congressional apportionment, the ACS measures the changing social and economic characteristics of the U.S. population. The ACS provides annual data for states, metropolitan statistical areas, and large cities as plus three-year data for mid-size communities. This volume reports social and economic changes in the U.S. since the 2010 census. The data are divided into three parts titled 'Who,' 'What,' and 'Where.' Under 'Who' we find statistics as to age, race/ethnicity, and household structure (e.g., married, living alone). Under 'What' we find tables on education, employment, and income. Under 'Where' we find information on migration, housing, and transportation. Each part is prefaced with text highlighting significant findings and ranking tables showing state divergences from the national norm. The statistical tables are organized by states, counties, MSAs, and populations of 20,000 or more. There are also Web resources to dig deeper into the data and to understand the collection methodology. The appendixes include a glossary and definitions of the terms used in the survey instrument. The value of the ACS is the ability to compare data from different geographic areas within the same time frame. As an example of the richness of the resource, we can see how many people have moved recently and where they moved to. Nationally 85 percent of Americans lived in the same home they did one year ago. Of those who did move, 5.2 percent stayed in the same city, 4.3 percent left that city but stayed in the same county, 3.1 percent moved to a different county in the same state, and 2.2 percent moved to a different state. Nevada had the highest proportion of movers (22.8 percent) and New Jersey the lowest at (9.6 percent). This reference is helpful for crafting business plans, determining expansion strategies, as well as for public policy discussions.

American Reference Books Annual