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American Community Survey

The American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing survey that provides data every year - giving communities the current information they need to plan investments and services. Information from the survey generates data that help determine how more than $400 billion in federal and state funds are distributed each year. The ACS asks people about basic demographic information as well as family and relationships, income and benefits, health insurance, education, veteran status, disabilities, location of work and commute.

There are three sets of American Community Survey that are released every year: the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year datasets.

Distinguishing features of ACS 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year estimates

1-year estimates
3-year estimates
5-year estimates
12 months of collected data
36 months of collected data
60 months of collected data
Data for areas with populations of 65,000+
Data for areas with populations of 20,000+
Data for all areas
Smallest sample size
Larger sample size than 1-year
Largest sample size
Less reliable than 3-year or 5-year
More reliable than 1-year; less reliable than 5-year
Most reliable
Most current data
Less current than 1-year estimates; more current than 5-year
Least current
Best used when
Best used when
Best used when
Currency is more important than precision
Analyzing large populations
More precise than 1-year, more current than 5-year
Analyzing smaller populations
Examining smaller geographies because 1-year estimates are not available
Precision is more important than currency
Analyzing very small populations
Examining tracts and other smaller geographies because 1-year estimates are not available

Download a profile of American Community Survey Data (coming soon ):

  • Monterey County
    • Carmel-by-the-Sea
    • Del Rey Oaks
    • Gonzales
    • Greenfield
    • King City
    • Marina
    • Monterey
    • Pacific Grove
    • Salinas
    • Sand City
    • Seaside
    • Soledad
  • San Benito County
    • Hollister
    • San Juan Bautista
  • Santa Cruz County
    • Capitola
    • Santa Cruz
    • Scotts Valley
    • Watsonville

If you do not see the area of interest listed above you can visit the Legacy American FactFinder tool to download profiles or specific characteristics for the geography you are interested in.

    
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