American Community Survey- Latest Release
The US Census Bureau conducts an official census every 10 years, with the next one coming up in March 2010. In between years the Bureau conducts a variety of smaller-scale nationwide surveys, including the American Community Survey (ACS). The ACS is sent to approximately 3 million households. The most recent 3 year estimates based on surveys conducted from 2005 – 2008 have just been released for public use.
“The ACS collects information such as age, race, income, commute time to work, home value, veteran status, and other important data…. These 3-year estimates are available annually for geographic areas with a population of 20,000 or more, including the nation, all states and the District of Columbia, all congressional districts, approximately 1,800 counties, and 900 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, among others.”