The American Community Survey (ACS) is a new nationwide survey that was fully implemented for the first time in 2005. The first wave of data from the 2005 ACS was made available on August 15, 2006. These data included tables on many demographic and social characteristics.

On August 29, the second wave of data will be released. This wave will add economic information, such as income, poverty, employment information, and commuting information.

The purpose of this webpage is to provide some basic information for researchers, journalists, and community leaders who want to use the ACS data to understand the economic status of Washington State communities.

On the same day, the Census Bureau will be releasing data from the Current Population Survey's Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS-ASEC). This website also compares the overlapping data from the two surveys.

Data will be available early  the morning of August 29th (the press conference starts at 7am our time) on the Census Bureau home page.

What is the American Community Survey?

What should I be aware of before using the ACS?

What is the Current Population Survey-ASEC?

How does the Census Bureau measure poverty?

Should I use the ACS or the CPS-ASEC?

What areas in Washington State will have data available?