Details about the American Community Survey

The nationwide American Community Survey is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. It replaces the old census long form and is designed to give a detailed look at how communities are changing.

TIME PERIOD. The survey collects data over one, three and five years to make estimates about an area's population and lifestyle.

REACH. Survey questions about

3 million households each year.

SHARP FOCUS. Unlike one- and three-year surveys, which focus on municipalities of 20,000 population and larger, the first five-year study, released yesterday, provides information for even the smallest communities.

FIND IT. Detailed information about your community, town, county, state and the nation can be found by going to census.gov and clicking on the American FactFinder link.

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU