The American Community Survey

How will the Census Bureau use
the information that I provide?
The Census Bureau will compile and publish
estimates for geographical areas, such as,
for the nation, states, counties and Puerto
Rico municipios. The Census Bureau will not
publish or release information that would
identify a facility, or its residents. Estimates
are then available for use by a variety of
programs supporting your community.

Is the information I provide
strictly confidential?
Yes. Your answers are confidential by law
under Title 13, United States Code, Section 9.
This law specifies that the Census Bureau can
use the information provided by the facility
and residents for statistical purposes only
and cannot publish or release information
that would identify any group quarters or
individual.

When will the results of the
survey be available?
The previous years’ results of the American
Community Survey are released every Fall.
Survey estimates are released each year for
areas of 65,000 or more people. For smaller
areas, results are available in the form of
3-year and 5-year estimates.

Will American Indians and Alaska
Natives be recruited for jobs?

Where can I get assistance or
find more information about the
American Community Survey in
Alaska?
For questions or assistance with completing
this survey, telephone the Census Bureau’s
Los Angeles Regional Office at 1-800-992-3530
(ext. 1).
For more information about the American
Community Survey, we encourage you to visit
our Web site at:

http://www.census.gov/acs

or contact us by mail at the following address:

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

The American
Community
Survey brings
you estimates
every year about . . .
education, children,
families, employment,
income, veterans,
commuting patterns,
and housing.

The Census Bureau has always relied on the
help of American Indians and Alaska Natives
to make the census work and will do the same
to make the American Community Survey
work.

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

Issued January 2012
ACS-51(GQ)RA

Attachment S

The American
Community Survey
Group Quarters

Attachment S

What Is the American
Community Survey?
The American Community Survey provides current
demographic, social, economic, and housing
characteristics every year. In the past, this
information was only available every 10 years when
the decennial census was conducted. Estimates
from the American Community Survey helps
communities make informed decisions and is a
key to their future.
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 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
(GQ) and individuals have to
answer the questions on the
American Community Survey?
Yes. Your facility participation and your response
to this survey is required by law (Title 13,
United States Code, Sections 141, 193, and
221). The Census Bureau estimates the survey
will take about 25 minutes to complete. Send
comments regarding this burden estimate or any
other aspect of this collection of information,

including suggestions for reducing this burden,
to: Paperwork Reduction Project 0607-0810,
U.S. Census Bureau, 4600 Silver Hill Road,
AMSD-3K138, Washington, DC 20233. You may
email comments to [email protected]; use
“Paperwork Project 0607-0810” as the subject.

• Evaluate programs to increase their
effectiveness and target specific needs.

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
approved this survey and gave it OMB approval
Number 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.
Respondents are not required to respond to any
information collection unless it displays a valid
approval number from the OMB.

• Observe change over time in such key
areas as the well-being of children, families,
and senior citizens.

How will my participation help me
and my community?
Billions of dollars are allocated among states,
communities, villages, 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:
• Ensure fair distribution of tax dollars
and other resources.

• Improve your community’s quality of life by
building new roads, improving airstrips,
schools, and hospitals, and deciding where in
your town they can do the most good.

• Help communities plan for emergency
situations that might affect you or your
neighbors, such as floods, fires, and
other natural disasters.
• Help village leaders and Alaska Native
corporations plan for better education
and health services.

What about my tribe or my village?
The use of American Community Survey
estimates could result in improved utility
services, new housing, job training, better
school facilities, or a new or improved health
clinic that benefit you, your family, or your
village. For example, the Workforce Investment
Act of 1998 requires information about American
Indian and Alaska Native households to support
training and employment activities. Your
participation in the American Community Survey
will provide this critically important information.