The American Community Survey

individuals in similar GQs to produce data
for your community. Similar data will be
produced for communities across the
United States.
We may combine your answers with
information that you gave to other
agencies to enhance the statistical uses
of these data. This information will be
given the same protections as your survey
information. Based on the information
that you provide, you may be asked to
participate in other Census Bureau surveys
that are voluntary.

The American Community
Survey brings you
data every year
about . . .
education, children,
families, employment,
income, immigration,
race and Hispanic origin,
housing, group quarters,
rural life, commuting
patterns, and military
service.

How do I get more information about
the American Community Survey?
For more information about the American
Community Survey data or to obtain survey
results, we encourage you to visit our
Web site at:

www.census.gov/acs/www/
or contact us by mail at the following address:

American Community Survey
U.S. Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road
Washington, DC 20233-7500

You can also telephone the Census Bureau’s
regional office nearest you as listed below:

Census Bureau Regional Offices
Atlanta, GA
Boston, MA
Charlotte, NC
Chicago, IL
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Detroit, MI
Kansas City, KS
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Seattle, WA

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

1-800-424-6974
1-800-562-5721
1-800-331-7360
1-800-865-6384
1-800-835-9752
1-888-209-7659
1-800-432-1495
1-800-728-4748
1-800-992-3530
1-800-991-2520
1-866-238-1374
1-800-233-3308

Issued October 2009
ACS-50(GQ)

The American
Community Survey
Group Quarters

What is the American Community
Survey?
The American Community Survey (ACS)
is part of the decennial census program.
It is a survey that provides information
each year about social, economic, and
housing characteristics of the United States.
Previously, this information was available
only once every 10 years when the U.S.
Census Bureau conducted the decennial
census.
Only a small sample of addresses is
selected to participate in the American
Community Survey and represent other
addresses in the community. In addition to
this household sample, the Census Bureau
selects a sample of group quarters (GQ)
facilities from a sample of all GQs in your
area each year. Individuals from sampled
GQs are randomly selected to participate
in the ACS. A Census Bureau representative
will contact the sample GQs and individuals
and conduct a personal interview. If a
personal interview is not possible, the
Census Bureau representative may collect
your information over the telephone or ask
that you complete the survey questionnaire.
If you complete the survey yourself, a
Census Bureau representative will arrange
for a day and time to return to the GQ to
pick up the completed questionnaire.

Do the sampled group quarters
and individuals have to answer
the questions on the American
Community Survey?
Yes. Your response to this survey is
required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code,
Sections 141, 193, and 221). The Census
Bureau estimates that the facility-level

survey will take about 15 minutes to
complete and the individual survey will
take about 25 minutes to complete.

• Measure changes in the well-being of
children, families, and senior citizens to
plan for future programs.

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) approved this survey and gave it
OMB approval No. 0607-0810. Displaying
this number shows that the Census Bureau
is authorized to conduct this survey. Please
use this number in any correspondence
concerning this survey.

• Plan for emergency situations that might
affect your community, such as floods,
fires, and other natural disasters.

How will my participation help me
and my community?
Billions of government and business dollars
are distributed among states, communities,
and population groups based on the social,
economic, housing, and GQ information
available for that area.
The information you provide will help you
and other individuals, local governments,
nongovernmental organizations, and
businesses to:
• Distribute resources to communities.
• Improve your community by deciding
where in your town new highways,
schools, and hospitals can do the most
good.

Is the information I provide
confidential?
Yes. Your answers are confidential by law
under Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9. This
law requires that every Census Bureau
employee—including the Director and every
Census Bureau representative—take an oath
and be subject to a jail term, a fine, or both
if he or she discloses ANY information that
could identify you. Your answers may be
used only for statistical purposes.

How will the Census Bureau use
the information that I provide?
The Census Bureau can use the information
you provide for statistical purposes only
and cannot publish or release information
that would identify you and this GQ. Your
information will be used in combination
with information from other selected