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 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.
The ACS conducts research, testing, and evaluations, through its Methods Panel program, aimed at improving the survey. The ACS Methods Panel is a research program designed to address and respond to survey issues and needs. The Census Bureau, for decades, has submitted information collection request revisions to conduct various iterations of the Methods Panel.
An ongoing data collection effort with an annual sample of this magnitude requires that the Census Bureau continue research, tests, and evaluations aimed at improving data quality, reducing data collection costs, and improving the ACS questionnaire content and related data collection materials. The ACS Methods Panel is a research program at the Census Bureau designed to address and respond to survey issues and needs of the ACS. As part of the Decennial Census Program, the ACS also provides an opportunity to research and test elements of survey data collection that relate to the decennial census. As such, the ACS Methods Panel can serve as a testbed for the decennial census. From 2025 to 2028, the ACS Methods Panel may test ACS and decennial census methods for reducing survey cost, addressing respondent burden, and improving survey response, data quality, and survey efficiencies for housing units and group quarters. Testing may also include revising content or testing new questions. The ACS Methods Panel may also address other emerging needs of the programs.
Testing proposed here is in reaction to emerging issues related to improving data quality, reducing data collection costs, and improving the ACS questionnaire content and related data collection materials. Changes in technology, emerging societal issues, and cutting-edge survey methodology necessitate testing to maintain the highest relevance for ACS survey estimates. Because of the varying nature from test to test there can be modest fluctuations in burden hours estimated to complete testing. This accounts for the slight increase in the estimated burden hours for this collection.
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.
Form ACS-1(2025) (02-28 ACS Methods Panel Paper Questionnaire
Supporting Statement B.docx
ACS Methods Panel Test