American Community Survey (ACS) - Little known mandatory ongoing survey by the U.S. Census Bureau

U.S. Census Bureau ^

[Jean S]

The American Community Survey and the 2010 Census

Questions and Answers

Will the American Community Survey be conducted during the 2010 Census?

Yes. The American Community Survey is an ongoing survey that collects detailed population and housing information from a sample of U. S. households and group quarters (GQ) facilities each month. Households that receive both the American Community Survey and the 2010 Census need to respond to both.

More information about the 2010 Census can be found at 2010.census.gov.

Why did I receive a questionnaire for the Census and a questionnaire for the American Community Survey?

Every household (as well as residents of group quarters, such as college residence halls, skilled nursing facilities, group homes, barracks, and correctional facilities) will receive a 2010 Census questionnaire so that we can provide an official count of the entire U.S. population to Congress. Your address (or group quarter) happens to also be a part of the sample of addresses (or group quarters) the American Community Survey is surveying. The American Community Survey, which replaced the decennial census long form, provides communities with detailed population and housing characteristics every year instead of once every 10 years like the decennial census.

Please respond to both the 2010 Census questionnaire and the American Community Survey. Each are vitally important to ensure that your community receives its fair share of government funding for education, transportation, neighborhood improvements and much more. Your participation in each is also required by law. For more information about your participation in the 2010 Census please call 1-866-US COUNT, that’s 1-866-872-6868. Or go to 2010.census.gov.

If you prefer a Spanish-speaking operator, call 1-866-928-2010. The lines are open from 8am to 9pm (your local time) seven days a week from February 25, 2010 through July 30, 2010.

For the hearing impaired, TDD 1-866-783-2010 (during the times noted above.)

Do I have to respond to the 2010 Census and the American Community Survey?

Yes.

The American Community Survey, which replaced the decennial census long form, has different questions and purposes than the 2010 Census population headcount. Your participation in both is vital and required by law. Data about how our communities are changing are crucial to many planning decisions that affect you—such as neighborhood improvements, emergency preparedness, transportation, senior services and much more.

What do I do if I received a 2010 Census questionnaire and an American Community Survey questionnaire?

If you received a 2010 Census questionnaire and an American Community Survey questionnaire you are required by law to complete and return both questionnaires to the Census Bureau. Your participation in both is vital to ensure that your community receives its fair share of political representation and government funding.

Do I include the same people on my American Community Survey form and my 2010 Census form?

Because the Census and the ACS are conducted for different reasons, they use slightly different "rules" on whom to include within each household. Follow the instructions on each form.

I have questions about the American Community Survey and/or the 2010 Census.

For assistance, please call the appropriate toll-free number listed below for the American Community Survey or the 2010 Census.

American Community Survey

If you need help completing your American Community Survey questionnaire or have other questions about the American Community Survey, please call 1-800-354-7271 for an English-speaking operator.

If you prefer a Spanish-speaking operator, call 1-877-833-5625. The American Community Survey toll-free lines are open from 9am - 9pm (your local time) Monday - Saturday, and noon - 9pm (your local time) on Sundays.

For the hearing impaired: TDD 1-800-582-8330.

2010 Census

If you need help completing your 2010 census questionnaire, or have other questions about the 2010 census, please call 1-866-872-6868 for an English-speaking operator.

If you prefer a Spanish-speaking operator, call 1-866-928-2010. The 2010 Census lines will be open from 8am to 9pm (your local time) seven days a week from February 25, 2010 through July 30, 2010.

For the hearing impaired, TDD 1-866-783-2010.

Find more information about the 2010 Census at 2010.census.gov.

[Hulka]

That is my thought as well, especially after hearing ACORN was contracted to do this “work.”

[Hulka]

Thanks.

Agreed.

[montag813]

I love your liberal stances on everything, from your RINO-loving posts to this. The vast majority of people on FR have been sending in their census, but only answering the first question,

Liberal? You must be stoned. I also only filled out the number. What I object to, and mentioned, are the parnoids who scare peiple into avoiding the census. HotAir and Human Events both ran pieces showing low levels of response in conservative districts.

[DBeers]

This is hogwash.

[Talisker]

This article has a legally incorrect and seriously misleading headline - not even the Census Bureau will openly claim that the American Community Survey is "mandatory." Also, nothing on their website - which is the source material for this article - will make that claim.

The multiple possible legal reasons for this are discussed in my post, Census 2010 and the Law.

Free Republic is very careful about misleading headlines. Please correct this one by removing the word "mandatory" - the American Community Survey is NOT legally mandatory, according to the specifications of the Title 13 Census Code.

Thanks.