Social Explorer has released report and mapping tools for the first round of American Community Survey (ACS) results since the COVID-19 pandemic began in earnest, President Andrew Beveridge announced this week.

The ACS results, which cover all places with more than 65,000 people, are drawn from a monthly questionnaire sent to roughly 3 million U.S. households in 2021. They’re the first major release of Census data since the global pandemic scrapped the ACS single-year results in 2020. 

Although many of the variables in the ACS mirror the 2020 Census – such as population, age (over or under 18), gender, race, ethnicity, household relationships, and homeownership – the ACS offers a much wider variety of data. The survey was launched in 2005 as a replacement  for the decennial Census long-form, which had been sent to 1 in 6 American households and released every decade. Significant ACS variables include:

• Ancestry

• Nativity and citizenship status

• Place of birth

• Period of naturalization

• Geographic mobility

• Commuting characteristics

• Multigenerational households

• Marital status

• School enrollment

• Language spoken at home

• Veteran status

• Poverty status

• Disability type

• Sources of income

• Employment status

• Health insurance

• Vacant homes

• Number of units in structure

• Mortgage or rent costs

• Heating fuel sources

• Home value

• Internet/computer availability

• Group quarters population

Explore the New ACS 2021 1 Year Estimates. Click here to explore further.

The latest ACS single-year sample will only cover larger geographies, primarily including the nation, states, metropolitan statistical areas, large cities, congressional districts, and counties with more than 65,000 people. The five-year ACS survey, which is due to be released in December, will include data for block groups, Census tracts (neighborhood equivalents), towns and cities, metro areas, congressional districts, all U.S. counties, states, and the nation.

The decennial Census is primarily used to apportion congressional seats to states every 10 years and to draw political boundaries. The ACES is used to direct more than $1 trillion in federal spending, and is also the primary source of demographic information for thousands of local governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

To begin uncovering and comparing new demographic trends, simply access this new data on our dashboard through the reports or maps tool. New data trends and discoveries are only a few clicks away.

Also, if you are interested in discovering the full data mapping and reporting capabilities of Social Explorer, please request of quick demo or sign up for a free trial today.

Author: Frank Bass