American Community Survey (ACS)
Definition
The American Community Survey is an ongoing annual survey conducted by the US Census Bureau that collects detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing information from approximately 3.5 million households each year.
Why It Matters
The ACS is the primary source of detailed demographic data between decennial censuses. It determines how billions in federal funding are distributed and provides the data underlying most "by state" and "by city" demographic rankings.
How It's Measured
The Census Bureau mails questionnaires to randomly selected addresses. The 5-Year estimates combine 60 months of data for maximum reliability, especially for small geographies like cities and counties.
Current Value
Latest 5-Year estimates available
Related Ranking
View ranking →Related Terms
Related Glossary Terms
A small, relatively permanent geographic area defined by the Census Bureau for statistical purposes. Census...
Federal Information Processing Standards codes are numeric identifiers assigned to geographic entities (sta...
A statistical geographic area created by the Census Bureau that roughly corresponds to USPS ZIP codes. ZCTA...
The income level at which half of all households earn more and half earn less. It includes wages, salaries,...
Total personal income divided by total population. It represents the average income earned per person, incl...
The percentage of the population living below the federal poverty threshold, which varies by household size...
Frequently Asked Questions
The American Community Survey is an ongoing annual survey conducted by the US Census Bureau that collects detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing information from approximately 3.5 million households each year.
The ACS is the primary source of detailed demographic data between decennial censuses. It determines how billions in federal funding are distributed and provides the data underlying most "by state" and "by city" demographic rankings.
The Census Bureau mails questionnaires to randomly selected addresses. The 5-Year estimates combine 60 months of data for maximum reliability, especially for small geographies like cities and counties.
American Community Survey (ACS) is one of the U.S. population demographics concepts that recurs across this site. The definition above is the technical answer; the paragraphs below add the practical context for how the concept connects to the the U.S. Census Bureau ACS and decennial files data behind every per-entity page on the site.
In the the U.S. Census Bureau ACS and decennial files data, this concept shapes one or more of the fields that drive the per-entity grades and rankings on this site. The methodology page describes which fields feed into which output; this glossary entry documents the underlying term.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.