Open Census MCP Server

United States Census Bureau | An official website of the United States Government Understanding and Using American Community Survey Data: What Researchers Need to Know April 2020 The American Community Survey (ACS) is the nation’s premier source of detailed social, economic, housing, and demographic characteristics for local communities. This handbook describes how researchers can use ACS data to make comparisons, create custom tables, and combine ACS data with other data sources.  It is aimed at researchers who are familiar with using data—summary tabulations and microdata records—from complex sample surveys.   [/conte nt/dam /Censu s/librar y/publi cations /2020/ acs/ac s_rese archers _handb ook_20 20.pdf] Underst anding and Using America n Commu nity Survey Data: What Researc hers Need to Know [8.8 MB] American Communi ty Survey Download by Section 1. Topics Covered In The ACS [<1.0 MB] [/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/acs/acs_researchers_handbook_2020_ch01.pdf] American Community Survey 2. How Researchers Use ACS Data [<1.0 MB] American Community Survey [/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/acs/acs_researchers_handbook_2020_ch02.pd f] 3. Sampling Error In The ACS [<1.0 MB] [/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/acs/acs_researchers_handbook_2020_ch03.pdf] American Community Survey 4. Other Considerations In Working With ACS Data [<1.0 MB] [/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/acs/acs_researchers_handbook_202 0_ch04.pdf] American Community Survey 5. Case Studies Using ACS Data [1.8 MB] [/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/acs/acs_researchers_handbook_2020_ch05.pdf] American Community Survey 6. Additional Resources [<1.0 MB] [/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/acs/acs_researchers_handbook_2020_ch06.pdf] American Community Survey Others in Series Publication What State and Local Government Users Need to Know August 2020 This handbook helps data users from state and local governments learn about ACS data and provides examples of how ACS data can answer real-world questions. [/programs-surveys/acs/guidance/handbooks/state-local.html] Publication Geography and the American Community Survey February 2020 This guide provides an overview of geographic areas for which ACS data are available, special considerations in working with spatial data, and more. [/programs-surveys/acs/library/handbooks/geography.html] Publication What ACS Public Use Microdata Sample File Users Need to Know February 2021 This guide helps data users learn how to access PUMS files, create PUMS tables, and measure accuracy and margins of error. [/programs-surveys/acs/guidance/handbooks/pums.html] VIEW ALL [/PROGRAMS-SURVEYS/ACS/LIBRARY/HANDBOOKS.HTML] Related Information American Community Survey Resources for Researchers [/programs-surveys/acs/information-for/researchers.html] Federal Statistical Research Data Centers [/fsrdc] Data Release Rules [/programs-surveys/acs/technical-documentation/data-suppression.html] Page Last Revised - May 1, 2025