The American Community Survey and the Puerto Rico Community Survey
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
Approved without change
06/11/2024
03/26/2024
Terms of clearance: As the largest survey of American households, the American Community Survey (ACS) is the most comprehensive, robust, and granular source of information, outside of the decennial Census, about the United Statesâ changing population, housing, and workforce. ACS content is designed to meet the needs of a variety of Federal Government agencies. For example, Federal statistical programs use ACS data to provide benchmarks for their own surveys, and Federal agencies use ACS data to monitor compliance and help enforce many important laws and regulations.
The recent updates to the Federal race and ethnicity data standards in OMBâs Statistical Policy Directive 15 (SPD 15) were informed by numerous inputs, including U.S. Census Bureau research. Among other important updates, the new SPD 15 requires Middle Eastern or North African as a new minimum category that will provide critical data for demographic statistics, civil rights enforcement, funding programs, and state and local planning. According to important research conducted as part of the efforts of the interagency Technical Working Group, the combined race and/or ethnicity question will also alleviate the challenges posed by the old format, which lead to the âSome Other Raceâ category being reported as the second largest racial group in the United States in the most recent ACS and decennial census.
These updated standards are effective as of March 2024, and require all existing information collections to comply as soon as possible. The timeline for the ACS to implement the updated SPD 15 is critical, not only to the work of the U.S. Census Bureau, but also to a wide range of Federal agencies and State, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Additionally, updating the ACS to comply with the revised SPD 15 is critical to data users, researchers, and community organizations that rely on these data. Therefore, it is important that the ACS comply with the updated SPD 15 as quickly as possible.
The U.S. Census Bureauâs current Information Collection Request indicates that the ACS will not comply with the updated race/ethnicity data standards in the 2025 data collection year. It does not provide any further information on the timeline of the ACS to comply with the updated SPD 15 in a future year.
OMB would like the Census Bureau to collect more information and public input with respect to the timing for the adoption of SPD 15. Therefore, we grant approval for this ICR for one year to collect data for the 2025 ACS data collection year, under the following conditions:
⢠Within 30 days of approval, the U.S. Census Bureau will provide a written report with an accompanying briefing to OMB describing the steps needed for the ACS to comply with the SPD 15. They will also publish a 30-day Federal Register Notice (FRN), developed in coordination with OMB, seeking public input on the impact of different compliance timelines for ACS.
⢠Within 90 days of approval, the U.S. Census Bureau will brief OMB and the Interagency Council on Statistical Policy (ICSP) on the public comments received from the FRN.
⢠Within 120 days of approval, the U.S. Census Bureau will provide to OMB, through a non-substantive change request to this ICR package, a written plan and timeline for the ACS to comply with the updated standards. The plan should describe and address considerations raised by the ICSP, OMB, other Federal agencies, and public comment.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
06/30/2025
36 Months From Approved
05/31/2026
3,791,297
0
3,791,297
2,464,283
0
2,464,283
0
0
0
The American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing monthly survey that collects detailed housing and socioeconomic data from a sample of about 3.5 million addresses in the United States and about 36,000 addresses in Puerto Rico each year, where it is known as the Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS). The ACS also collects detailed socioeconomic data from a sample of about 170,900 residents living in group quarters (GQ) facilities in the United States and Puerto Rico. Resulting tabulations from this data collection are provided on a yearly basis. The ACS allows the U.S. Census Bureau to provide timely and relevant housing and socioeconomic statistics, even for low levels of geography.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
The American Community Survey