The Who, What, and Where of America: Understanding the American Community Survey (Who, What, & Where of America: Understanding the American Community Survey)

The most substantial change in the decennial census in more than 60 years can be found in The Who, What, and Where of America: Understanding the American Community Survey.

Finally-a reference that helps you understand what the Census Bureau's surveys tells us about Americans! This new addition to the County and City Extra series brings new American Community Survey (ACS) data together into one, convenient volume. The ACS will replace the decennial census long form in 2010 and thereafter by collecting long-form-type information annually rather than only once every 10 years, providing more current data throughout the decade.

The ACS data will provide, for the first time, a regular stream of updated information for states and local areas and will revolutionize the way we use data to understand our communities. It produces social, housing, and economic characteristics for demographic groups.

The new ACS estimates combine three years of survey responses (2005-2007) to produce data for midsize communities, as well as larger ones. This is the first update for communities with populations between 20,000 and 65,000 since the 2000 decennial census!

The Who, What, and Where of America covers the following subject areas:
Who: Age, Race and Ethnicity, and Household Structure
What: Education, Employment, and Income
Where: Migration, Housing, and Transportation

Each part is preceded by highlights and ranking tables that show how areas diverge from the national norm. These research aids are invaluable for helping researchers understand what the census long form data tell us about who we are, what we do, and where we live.

Each part contains four tables for areas with populations greater than 20,000:
• Table A. States
• Table B. Counties
• Table C. Metropolitan Areas
• Table D. Cities


In 2008, the ACS released its first multiyear estimates based on data collected from 2005 through 2007. The ACS's multiyear data allows small towns and communities to track how they are changing