Census Releases Updated 2006-2008 US Data

The U.S. Census Bureau has released data from its American Community Survey (ACS) covering the period from 2006-2008 on socioeconomic, housing and demographic characteristics for communities across the nation.

Covered in the ACS 2006-2008 survey are topics that used to be included on the unpopular and controversial decennial census "long form," such as educational attainment, commute times, housing characteristics, occupation, language ability and various other social, economic and housing topics. The questionnaire (English, bilingual) to be used in the 2010 Census will ask only 10 questions and take just 10 minutes to complete, according to the Census Bureau.

While the 2010 Census will satisfy the constitutionally required "head-count" of the American people, the ongoing American Community Survey (ACS) provides more up-to-date statistics about the social, economic and housing characteristics of states and communities. Combined, data from the 2010 Census and the ACS will help determine the distribution of more than $400 billion in federal tax funds to states and local areas every year.

Some interesting items from the 2006-2008 American Community Survey include:

• The percent foreign-born persons in metro areas ranges from 0.9 percent in the Altoona, Pa., metro area to 36.9 percent in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area.

• Two other metro areas have populations that are more than 30 percent foreign born: San Jose, Calif., and Los Angeles, Calif.

• For metro areas where data are available, the percent of people 5 years and over who speak a language other than English at home ranges from 1.8 percent in Charleston, W.Va., to 84.2 percent in McAllen, Texas.

• Median home value in metro areas ranges from $68,200 in Odessa, Texas, to $739,700 in San Jose Calif., the only metro area with a median home value above $700,000.

Census 2010: Census 2010 will be conducted beginning during February and March 2010. A complete and accurate count in Census 2010 is important to you, your family and your community. [Why?]

Also See:
What Census Takers Do
The ACS: Just Like America, the Census is Changing
U.S. Census: Apportionment & Representation

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