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• Abstract  (2,197 KB)
• ACS Release Strategy
• Geography Coverage
• List of Tables (39 KB)
• Terms and Concepts (403 KB)
• Subject Definitions (673 KB)
• Accuracy of the Data (225 KB)
• All ACS 2006-10 Detailed Table Shells

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Abstract

The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) is part of the 2010 Decennial Census Program. The ACS is a nationwide survey that provides annually updated, detailed demographic, socioeconomic, and housing information for communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.

By its sample design, the ACS accumulates independent monthly sample data as time passes. This allows for the release of estimates for smaller geographic areas once enough sample has been accumulated.

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ACS Release Strategy

This chart explains the ACS release strategy, as it will unfold over the coming years.

Data Product	Population Threshold	Year of Data Release
		2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
1-year Estimates	65,000+	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
3-year Estimates	20,000+			2005–2007	2006–2008	2007–2009	2008–2010	2009–2011	2010–2012
5-year Estimates	All Areas					2005–2009	2006–2010	2007–2011	2008–2012

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Geography Coverage

The table below shows geographic areas published in the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year American Community Survey estimates

Geographic Areas	1-year estimates		3-year estimates		5-year estimates
	Areas with a *Population of 65,000 +		Areas with a *Population of 20,000 +		**All areas
	number	percentage	number	percentage	number
United States	1	100%	1	100%	1
Region	4	100%	4	100%	4
Division	9	100%	9	100%	9
States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico	52	100%	52	100%	52
County or equivalent1	818	25%	1,908	59%	3,221
County Subdivision2	212	0.6%	1,133	3%	36,642
Subminor Civil Division (Puerto Rico Only)	0	0%	0	0%	145
Census Tract	0	0%	0	0%	74,002
Block Group	0	0%	0	0%	220,334
Place (incorporated places and census designated places)	555	2%	2,118	7%	29,514
Consolidated City	0	0%	0	0%	7
Alaska Native Regional Corporation	3	25%	4	33%	12
American Indian Area/Alaska Native Area/Hawaiian Home Land	12	2%	32	5%	692
Specified American Indian Area-Tribal Census Tract	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	480
Specified American Indian Area-Tribal Census Tract-Tribal Block Group	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	914
Metropolitan Statistical/Micropolitan Statistical Area	525	55%	932	98%	955
Principal City of Metropolitan or Micropolitan Statistical Areas	381	29%	804	61%	1,309
Metropolitan Division	29	100%	29	100%	29
Combined Statistical Area	128	100%	128	100%	128
Combined New England City and Town Area	9	90%	10	100%	10
New England City and Town Area	25	58%	40	93%	43
Principal Cities of New England City and Town Areas	22	32%	48	71%	68
New England City and Town Area Division	9	100%	9	100%	9
Urban Area	399	11%	867	24%	3,625
Congressional Districts - 111th	435	100%	435	100%	435
Delegate District - 111th (at Large, District of Columbia)	1	100%	1	100%	1
Resident Commissioner District - 111th (at Large, Puerto Rico)	1	100%	1	100%	1
State Legislative District (Upper)	0	0%	0	0%	1,976
State Legislative District (Lower)	0	0%	0	0%	4,786
Public Use Microdata Area	2,101	100%	2,101	100%	2,101
School District (Elementary)	74	3%	298	13%	2,328
School District (Secondary)	91	17%	212	40%	533
School District (Unified)	820	8%	2,901	27%	10,916

¹County equivalents include Alaska boroughs, municipalities, city and boroughs, and census areas; Louisiana parishes; Puerto Rico municipios; independent cities in Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia.

² For 1 and 3-year estimates, qualifying Minor Civil Divisions in 20 states only. For 5-year estimates, all county subdivisions.

^* Counts based on geographic area boundaries as of January 1, 2010 and population estimates from the July 1, 2010 Census Bureau Population Estimates.

^{* *} The Census Bureau does not publish ACS data for blocks.

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