New Census to Impact
Planning and Development

By Nancy Torrieri, Demographic Surveys Division, U.S. Census Bureau

The Census Bureau will conduct a “short form only” census in 2010 by replacing the decennial census long form with the American Community Survey. The Survey is designed so that households will be surveyed no more than once every five years. It will be implemented in 2003 pending congressional approval.

Although regional planners appreciate having data from Census 2000, the 2000 data will become increasingly less reflective of what’s going on in their jurisdictions as the decade progresses.

Currently, the Bureau conducts a census every ten years to collect basic information from each household on population and housing characteristics using a “short form” questionnaire. As part of the decennial census, the Bureau also collects more detailed information via the “long form” questionnaire – on topics such as ancestry, age, gender, housing costs, utility use, commuting patterns, education, income, language spoken, veteran status, and disability – from about 17 percent of the households. All of the information collected is required for s to the 64 cifederal programs ranging from health care to transportation. It is also used by state, local, tribal and regional agencies, organizations and the private sector.

In addition, to level the playing field between rural communities and their urban and suburban counterparts, cost-effective data from the Census Bureau beats the prohibitively expensive alternative sources of data from private sector consultants.

The American Community Survey will collect the same information as the long form. Increasing the frequency of data collection will allow the Census Bureau to produce data every year, not just once a decade.

The Survey will also help local and regional jurisdictions in the grant application process. It will provide current data to make their case.

Data will be released as annual estimates for larger areas, and as multi-year estimates, reflecting three or five years of data collection, for smaller areas. In 2004, areas having populations of at least 65,000 will receive data from the Survey.

By 2008, smaller areas, including those having populations under 20,000, will receive data from the Survey, four years before comparable data would be available from a 2010 decennial census long form.

Nancy Gordon, the Census Bureau’s Associate Director for Demographic Programs, commented on the role of the American Community Survey as a critical source of information for regions. “Pending proposed Congressional funding, the American Community Survey will provide accurate and current information needed by regions to plan economic and community development strategies for our nation’s small towns and rural areas. In addition, the information will provide state and federal policymakers with a basis for establishing priorities for investment, assistance and partnerships.”

The Survey is considered the linchpin to the Census Bureau’s 2010 decennial census reengineering plans. The plans have been designed to simplify and improve the process. In addition, the revamp is expected to modernize the Bureau’s spatial database and keep its address list continually updated.

For More Information visit www.census.gov/acs/www/; or contact Nancy Torrieri at 301/457-3602 or email nancy.k.torrieri@census.gov.

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