Open Census MCP Server

United States Census Bureau | An official website of the United States Government Understanding and Using American Community Survey Data: What Journalists Need to Know [/conte nt/dam /Censu s/librar y/publi cations /2020/ acs/ac s_journ alist_h andbo ok_202 0.pdf] Underst anding and Using America n Commu nity Survey Data: What Journali sts Need to Know [5.5 MB] American Communi ty Survey February 2020 Finding fresh data for news stories used to be difficult. With the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), data are now available on a wide range of topics, whenever they are needed. The ACS provides journalists with data they can use to strengthen news coverage and feature stories with up-to-date social, economic, housing, and demographic information about America’s communities. The ACS has become a valuable resource for data-driven journalism—where the goal is to tell compelling stories that are grounded in data. This guide provides a brief overview of how journalists are using ACS data to make comparisons across geographic areas and population subgroups, support anecdotal evidence by providing a broader context, report on trends and reversals, and conduct research. It also describes some important considerations when working with ACS data—particularly estimates for small geographic areas and small population groups. For quick information on ACS data to jumpstart data-driven stories, check out this fact sheet! [/content /dam/Ce nsus/libr ary/publi cations/ 2019/ac s/ACS_F act_Shee t_for_Jo urnalists .pdf] The Ameri can Comm unity Survey : Fact Sheet for Journ alists [2.5 MB] Americ an Commu nity Survey Download by Section 1. ACS Basics [<1.0 MB] [/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/acs/acs_journalist_handbook_2020_ch1.pdf] American Community Survey 2. How Journalists Use ACS Data [<1.0 MB] [/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/acs/acs_journalist_handbook_2020_ch2.pdf] American Community Survey 3. Accessing ACS Data [<1.0 MB] [/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/acs/acs_journalist_handbook_2020_ch3.pdf] American Community Survey 4. Geography and the ACS [<1.0 MB] [/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/acs/acs_journalist_handbook_2020_ch4.pdf] American Community Survey 5. Case Studies Using ACS Data [2.7 MB] [/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/acs/acs_journalist_handbook_2020_ch5.pdf] American Community Survey 6. Additional Resources [<1.0 MB] [/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/acs/acs_journalist_handbook_2020_ch6.pdf] American Community Survey Others in Series Publication What Researchers Need to Know April 2020 This handbook helps researchers learn more about estimates for geographic areas, how to access data products, sampling error, and more. [/programs-surveys/acs/library/handbooks/researchers.html] 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 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 Media [/programs-surveys/acs/information-for/media.html] Newsroom [/newsroom.html] Page Last Revised - May 1, 2025