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The American Community Survey is the Census Bureau's main source for detailed socioeconomic, population and housing statistics. Data is collected in 1-year and 5-year terms. Consult the chart below for a better understanding of which American Community Survey data will be best for your research.
| 1-year estimates | 1-year supplemental estimates | 3-year estimates (Discontinued 2013) | 5-year estimates |
|---|---|---|---|
|
12 months of collected data Example: Date collected between: |
12 months of collected data Example: Date collected between: |
36 months of collected data Example: Date collected between: |
60 months of collected data Example: Date collected between: |
| Data for areas with populations of 65,000+ | Data for areas with populations of 20,000+ | Data for areas with populations of 20,000+ | Data for all areas |
| Smallest sample size | Smallest sample size | Larger sample size than 1-year | Largest sample size |
| Less reliable than 3-year or 5-year | Less reliable than 5-year | More reliable than 1-year; less reliable than 5-year | Most reliable |
| Most current data | Most current data | Less current than 1-year estimates; more current than 5-year | Least current |
| Annually released: 2005-present |
Annually released: 2014-present |
Annually released: 2007-2013 |
Annually released: 2009-present |
| Best used when | Best used when | Best used when | Best used when |
|
Currency is more important than precision Analyzing large populations |
Currency is more important than precision Analyzing smaller populations Examining smaller geographies because the standard 1-year estimates are not available |
More precise than 1-year, spans fewer years than 5-year Analyzing smaller populations Examining smaller geographies because the standard 1-year estimates are not available |
Precision is more important than currency Analyzing very small populations Examining tracts and other smaller geographies because 1-year estimates are not available |
Chart taken from American Community Survey (ACS): When to Use 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year Estimates | U. S. Census Bureau (Revised 2016)
