Government Information: Census: American Community Survey

1-year estimates

3-year estimates*

5-year estimates

12 months of collected data

Example:

2014 ACS 1-year estimates

Date collected between:

January 1, 2014 and
December 31, 2014

36 months of collected data

Example:

2011-2013 ACS 3-year estimates

Date collected between:

January 1, 2011 and
December 31, 2013

60 months of collected data

Example:

2010-2014 ACS 5-year estimates

Date collected between:

January 1, 2010 and
December 31, 2014

Data for areas with populations of 65,000+

Data for areas with populations of 20,000+

Data for all areas

Smallest sample size

Larger sample size than 1-year

Largest sample size

Less reliable than 3-year or 5-year

More reliable than 1-year; less reliable than 5-year

Most reliable

Most current data

Less current than 1-year estimates; more current than 5-year

Least current

Best used when

Best used when

Best used when

Currency is more important than precision

Analyzing large populations

More precise than 1-year, more current than 5-year

Analyzing smaller populations

Examining smaller geographies because 1-year estimates are not available

Precision is more important than currency

Analyzing very small populations

Examining tracts and other smaller geographies because 1-year estimates are not available