The American Community Survey: Benefits and Challenges

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Lynda M. Kellam, Data Services & Government Information Librarian (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: In the United States' decennial census, all persons living in the US are asked to fill out a short form asking basic questions such as age, race, and number of people living in a housing unit. In addition to the short form, starting in 1960 a sample of housing units were asked to fill out a long form with both the basic demographic questions plus questions about socioeconomic topics, such as education, income, housing characteristics and more. In 2010 the United States will conduct its constitutionally mandated census of the population, but a major change will occur. The long form will no longer be distributed and in its place will be the American Community Survey (ACS). This article discusses the development of the survey and its benefits and challenges. The ACS will provide researchers and policymakers more timely information of the characteristics of areas

Additional Information

Publication
IASSIST Quarterly, 33(4), 31-39
Language: English
Date: 2009
Keywords
Population, Demographics, Census, Socioeconomics

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