The American Community Survey

Attachment S

ACS-17(L)(GQ)(2013)
(8-2012)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

A message from the Director, U.S. Census Bureau...
Dear Resident:
The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting a very important survey called the American
Community Survey (ACS). The ACS is an on-going monthly survey that tells us what the
population looks like and how it lives. The Census Bureau chose this facility, not you
personally, as part of a randomly selected sample. Participating in the ACS is important and
also required by law (Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C.), Sections 141, 193, 221, and 223).
An ACS field representative from the Census Bureau will conduct a personal interview with
you or you may complete the survey questionnaire yourself. We estimate this survey will take
about 25 minutes of your time. If you fill out the questionnaire yourself, please place it in the
envelope that the ACS field representative gave you. The field representative will arrange for a
convenient time to pick it up.
The ACS produces critical, up-to-date information that is used to meet the needs of
communities across the United States. For example, results from this survey may be used to
decide where new schools, hospitals, and fire stations are needed. The ACS estimates are
used by federal, state, and local governments to make decisions and to develop programs that
will provide healthcare, education, and transportation services that affect you and your
community.
We want to emphasize that any information you give our field representative will be kept
confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot publish or release to anyone any information
that would identify you (Title 13, U.S.C., Section 9). The information you provide can only be
used for statistical purposes. The enclosed brochure provides answers to frequently asked
questions about the ACS.
If you have access to the Internet and want to learn more about the ACS, please visit the
Census Bureau’s Web site at: census.gov/acs. Thank you for your help.
Enclosure

census.gov