American Community Survey

The American Community Survey (ACS ) is an annual survey, which is conducted by the United States Census Bureau since 2005. It complements all decennial censuses ( Census ). The goal of the ACS is to gain a more accurate picture of the socio-economic condition of the U.S. population. This is intended to allow the individual administrative units to make plans based on more recent data. The ACS will also simplify the Census. While in the past, each household the so-called short form and about every sixth household had to fill out the long form, it will be in the Census 2010 for the first time only a questionnaire, which corresponds approximately to the previous short form - previous long form is replaced by the ACS.

In contrast to the Census, in which (in theory) any resident of the United States is questioned, based on the ACS samples that are sent to approximately 250,000 households monthly. During Census 2010, however, only 10 questions contains - mainly to age, gender, ethnic origin and whether the person tenant or owner, the ACS questionnaire has about 70 questions for a single-person household ( in larger households need to be answered some questions for each household member ). In addition to personal information contained in this form also contains questions about the housing situation, education, work and income, and the way to work.

The data of the ACS can be accessed free of charge on the website of the Census Bureau.