InfoGuides: Census & Demographic Data: Access Guides & FAQs

Census and American Community Survey Comparison

What is the difference between the Census and the American Community Survey?

The Census also referred to as the Census of Population and Housing or the Decennial Census is conducted every ten years in the years ending in zero. Starting with the 2010 Census, a much smaller number of questions were asked of the US population. In the mid-2000s, the American Community Survey was established to collect detailed data on the US population. Detailed population data was collected as part of earlier Censuses (2000 and earlier).

Census	American Community Survey
Conducted every 10 years.	Conducted every month, every year
Counts every person living in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories	Sent to a sample of addresses (about 3.5 million) in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico
Asks a shorter set of questions, such as age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, and owner/renter status	Asks about topics not on the 2020 Census, such as education, employment, internet access, and transportation
Provides an official count of the population, which determines congressional representation. Also provides critical data that lawmakers and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for communities.	Provides current information to communities every year. It also provides local and national leaders with the information they need for programs, economic development, emergency management, and understanding local issues and conditions.