A Milestone for the American Community Survey

After releasing new five-year estimates this week, the American Community Survey now offers three sets of five-year data that don't overlap, providing even more data for the analysis of local trends.

1 minute read

December 11, 2020, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Grand Central Market, Los Angeles

Neon Tommy / Flickr

The U.S. Census Bureau released its 2015-2019 American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates on December 10, making a major milestone for the program as the third set of five-year estimates created by the ACS.

"This is another step in fulfilling the vision for the ACS to provide government, businesses and the general public with more frequent data than the once-a-decade decennial census," according to an article for the Census Bureau written by Nicole Scanniello.

"The ACS data cover social, economic, housing and demographic characteristics. They allow federal and state government, businesses, researchers, communities and others to understand changes in specific geographies and population groups," according to Scanniello.

With the new historical scope possible with this latest batch of five-year data, Scanniello offers guidance on how and why to use the data.

Thursday, December 10, 2020 in United States Census Bureau

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Bronze statue of homeless man (Jesus) with head down and arm outstretched in front of St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington D.C.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave

The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.

30 minutes ago - The New York Times

Historic stone structure surrounding natural spring in India with plaques.

Restoring Northern India’s Himalayan ‘Water Temples’

Thousands of centuries-old buildings protect the region’s natural springs and serve as community wells and gathering places.

1 hour ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Blue Bublr bikes parked at station on sidewalk in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee to Double Bike Share Stations

Bublr Bikes, one of the nation’s most successful, will add 500 new e-bikes to its system.

2 hours ago - OnMilwaukee