W05 - US Census Flashcards
what are the implications of the American Community Survey for planners?
more current data will eliminate many of the inaccuracies introduced by projection-based updates of stale census data, but the smaller sample sizes will mean less precise estimates
why does the ACS measure slightly different things than the decennial census?
it uses averaged rather than point-in-time data
when was the ACS released?
summer 2006
why is census data important?
- they have a special legitimacy
- they offer social and economic information that’s spatially detailed and consistent across time and space
- they are institutionalized in much social and economic legislation
- they are used for arguments about resources, prioritizing needs and evaluating programs
- seemingly neutral data
what are some important limitations of census data?
1) decennial data usually 2.5 - 12 years out of date. this requires we construct or purchase updated estimates, or make cases with outdated evidence (produces errors)
2) no guarantee of accuracy. sometimes estimates are based on surveys of the sample of houses that did the long form survey. measures of interest could be based on very few respondents
3) expensive to conduct
how did the introduction of the ACS change the way census information is collected?
in 2010, decennial census changed to the short form only.
in 2005, began surveying 3 million addresses each year annually for less precise information.
how are estimates from the ACS released?
annual estimates are released for all places
for smaller places (averages, NOT the previous year’s data):
3 year averages for populations between 20,000 and 65,000
5 year averages for populations less than 20,000
a Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) is released annually for census defined PUMAs (Public Use Microdata Areas) for 100,000 people
when was more detailed data collected by the census?
1940 census
who collects the more current intercensal data early on? what were their limitations?
the Current Population Survey (CPS) - provided only national and regional level estimates
the InterCensal Population Estimates (ICPE) program - only small-area estimates for a narrow range of characteristics
