American Community Survey (ACS) is a research tool utilized by the public and to view data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. The ACS provided is conducted in between ten year census, containing more current data. The ACS in this data set are divided into four categories, Demographic and Housing Estimates, Selected Social Characteristics, Selected Economic Characteristics and Selected Housing Characteristics.
Demographic and Housing Estimates This category shows demographic and housing 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimates by state, county and municipalities (includes cities, towns, parishes and community). In this category you will find the total number of residents, thereafter broken down by gender, different age ranges, race and ethnicity, which can be viewed by number of individual residents or percentage of the total population.
Social Characteristics 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Social Characteristics of a municipality, county or state publishes information about family households, number of families with one spouse or both, number of families with male or female head of households, individuals which live alone, marital status of residents by age and gender, number of children living with grandparents and other household information. The data also shows the number of residents by race, nationality, educational background, languages spoken and ancestry.
Economic Characteristics 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates sheds light on the selected area's labor force, employment by age and industry, in various occupations, level of income and benefits, public assistance, individuals with health insurance coverage by age group and poverty level. This data will provide insight into the economic make up of an area for business opportunities and market research.
Selected Housing Characteristics Housing, or more specifically, its cost is an essential indicator of the local economy, class of residents and cost of living. Research of this data uncovers the number of residents with mortgage payments or others which are renting/leasing, cost of living with data of homeowner costs as percentage of household income, amount of mortgage paid by property owners and more information which will define a neighborhood. When relocating, there's no need to rely on earlier census data collected in ten year intervals. The American Community Survey has more current information for persons and entities to review when considering a new area.