2006-2010 American Community Survey (ACS)   

Introduction

On December 8, 2011 the US Census Bureau published the 2006-2010 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. This is the second release of ACS 5-year estimates with 2005-2009 ACS published during December 2010. The newer estimates reflect results of 250,000 surveys conducted each month during years 2006 through 2010. They can be thought of as a rolling sample of population characteristics. Data from the 2010 Decennial Census differ in that they provide data for a specific date – Census Day, April 1, 2010. Data are available at a number of geographic levels such as the US, states, counties, cities, villages and census tract.  ACS 5-year estimates will be published annually, and they replace Summary File 3 data found in previous decennial censuses.  Read more about this data on CMAP's Policy Updates blog.

All census data, including 2010 Decennial census data and 2006-2010 ACS data are available exclusively through American FactFinder2 (AFF2). The previous Census Bureau website, Legacy American FactFinder, expired on January 20, 2012. Links to Legacy American FactFinder will redirect you to AFF2.  AFF2 is very different from the previous American FactFinder. Get acquainted with American FactFinder2 by viewing introductory tutorials. 

 

Analyses of 2006-2010 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates used as GO TO 2040 Plan Indicators

Indicators are data categories that measure and track the region's progress toward achieving the regional vision in the GO TO 2040 plan. Census data can be used as indicators by comparing data over time, noting whether changes are large or small and if changes are positive or negative. Our analyses include data from the 2006-2010 ACS compared with data from Census 2000. Analyses will emphasize 7-county regional totals, but may also identify notable trends by individual counties within the region – Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.

After comparing data over time, selected portions of GO TO 2040 that reference the indicator are identified. References are taken from sections of GO TO 2040 titled Indicators and Targets, Recommendations and Context and Best Practices. Page references refer to the full version of the GO TO 2040 plan. The last portion of the analyses discusses whether the data suggest that the region is taking steps toward or away from achieving the vision of the GO TO 2040 plan.

Analyses focuses on three Census data categories used as GO TO 2040 plan indicators.

-          Means of Transportation to Work for Workers Age 16 and over

-          Travel time to work for Workers Age 16 and over

-          School enrollment by Level of School for the Population 3 Years and Over