American Community Survey (ACS)

The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau to provide communities with demographic, social, economic, and housing data every year. The California State Data Center generates reports and tabulations from data files released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

About the American Community Survey

ACS Summary Files

Special ACS Files

American Community Survey Statistical Testing Tool

The Statistical Testing Tool is a spreadsheet that tests whether ACS estimates are statistically different from one another. Simply copy or download ACS estimates and their margins of error into the tool to get instant results of statistical tests. For more information on the Testing Tool, click here. (census.gov)

2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) NEW

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage and disability. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2018-2022 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places and Historical Comparisons for 2019-2023 to 2014-2018.

2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov 
– All data and all geographies from the 2023 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ population and Historic Comparison for 2023 to 2019.

2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2018-2022)

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage and disability. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2018-2022 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places and Historical Comparisons for 2018-2022 to 2013-2017.

2022 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more.data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2022 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ population and Historic Comparison for 2022 to 2018.

2021 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2017-2021)

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage and disability. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2017-2021 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places and Historical Comparisons for 2017-2021 to 2012-2016.

2021 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2017-2021) – Selected Population Tables by Race/Ethnicity

This data file provides detailed social and economic data by race/ethnicity and ancestry group. Data in this file are available down to the census tract level on data.census.gov.

  • Population Groups available in this file. Population groups must have at least 7,000 people nationally. Further, a geographic area must contain at least 50 unweighted sample persons from that particular population group. Therefore, a race group may not be available for all geographic areas.
  • Data Profiles for California by total population, major race group (not Hispanic), and Hispanics.
  • Comparison Guidance: The Census Bureau recommends using caution when comparing race, Hispanic origin, and tribal groups from the 2017-2021 ACS 5-year Special Population Tables (SPT) estimates to 2011-2015 ACS 5-year SPT estimates. Differences between the 2017-2021 ACS 5-year estimates to 2011-2015 ACS 5-year estimates may be the result of demographic changes and/or differences in question wording, processing, coding updates, or methodological differences in the population estimates used as controls. Please see the Comparison Guidelines for Race, Hispanic origin, Ancestry, and Tribal Groups in the 2017-2021 ACS 5-Year SPT.

2021 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2021 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ population and Historic Comparison for 2021 to 2017.

2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2016-2020)

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2016-2020 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places and Historical Comparisons for 2016-2020 to 2011-2015.

Note: Due to the data collection disruptions arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Census Bureau revised their weighting methodology to mitigate nonresponse bias in the 2020 data. As a result, the Census Bureau recommends using caution when comparing the 2016-2020 ACS 5-year estimates with other ACS data or 2020 Census data.

2020 American Community Survey 1-Year Experimental Data Tables

U.S. Census Bureau 2020 American Community Survey 1-Year Experimental Data Release (census.gov) – Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Census Bureau released experimental estimates from the 1-year ACS data. This includes a limited number of data tables for the nation, states, and the District of Columbia. Selected Data for the United States and California.

2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2015-2019)

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2015-2019 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places and Historical Comparisons for 2015-2019 to 2010-2014.

2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2019 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ population and Historic Comparison for 2019 to 2015.

2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2014-2018)

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2014-2018 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places and Historical Comparisons for 2014-2018 to 2009-2013.

2018 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2018 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ population and Historic Comparison for 2018 to 2014.

2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2013-2017)

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2013-2017 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places and Historical Comparisons for 2013-2017 to 2008-2012.

2017 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2017 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ population and Historic Comparison for 2017 to 2013.

2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2012-2016)

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2012-2016 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places and Historical Comparisons for 2012-2016 to 2007-2011.

2016 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2016 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ population and Historic Comparison for 2016 to 2012.

2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2011-2015) – Selected Population Tables by Race/Ethnicity

This data file provides detailed social and economic data by race/ethnicity and ancestry group. Data in this file are available down to the census tract level on data.census.gov

2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2011-2015)

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2011-2015 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places and Historical Comparisons for 2011-2015 to 2006-2010.

2015 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2015 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ population and Historic Comparison for 2015 to 2011.

2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2010-2014)

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2010-2014 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places

2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2014 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ population and Historical Comparison for 2014 to 2010.

2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2009-2013)

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2009-2013 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places

2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2013 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ Population and Historical Comparison 2013 to 2009.

2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2008-2012)

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2008-2012 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places

2012 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2012 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ Population and Historical Comparisons 2012 to 2008.

2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2007-2011) – County to County Migration Flows

2011 American Community Survey California 1-Year Report

This report provides an overview of the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of California’s population. Topics include income, poverty, education, health insurance coverage, language, place of birth, migration, and more. The tabulations in this report are based on special data runs from the American Community Survey (ACS) Public Use Microdata Sample 1-year file.

2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2007-2011)

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data for geographies census tract or larger from the 2007-2011 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places

Selected Data for ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs)

2011 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Social and economic characteristics data, such as, income, poverty, education, marital status, health insurance coverage, disability and much more. data.census.gov – All data and all geographies from the 2011 ACS. Selected Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ Population and Historical Comparison for 2011 to 2007.

2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2006-2010) – Commute Flows by County

2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2006-2010) – Selected Population Tables by Race/Ethnicity

  • This data file provides detailed social and economic data by race/ethnicity and ancestry group. This file was released to provide data similar to the 2000 Census Summary File 4. Data in this file are available down to the census tract level on data.census.gov
  • Population Groups available in this file. A population group will only be available in a geographic area that contains at least 50 unweighted sample persons from that particular population group. Therefore, a race group may not be available for all geographic areas.
  • Data Profiles for California by total population, major race group (not Hispanic), and Hispanics (with comparison to the 2000 Census, Summary File 4)

Quick links to similar data on data.census.gov for California Counties by total population, major race group (not Hispanic), and Hispanics (NOTE: Review the files above for cautions when comparing data from the 2000 census to the ACS.)

2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2006-2010)

Data for California, Counties, Incorporated Cities, and Census Designated Places

Data for School Districts in California  

2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

These are the first ACS estimates of social and economic data with geography and population controls consistent with the 2010 Census. Data for California, Counties, and Places of 65,000+ Population and Historical Comparison for 2010 to 2006 (except where noted).

2009 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2005-2009)

Important Note: The geographic areas in this file are based on the 2000 Census places. Newer areas are not included. Also these data do not reflect the results of the 2010 Census.

American Community Survey Tutorials

About the ACS

The U.S. Census Bureau releases three ACS tabulations each year:

Product Population Threshold Geographies
1-year estimates 65,000+ Nation, State, County, Place
3-year estimates discontinued in 2014 20,000+ Nation, State, County, Place
5-year estimates None All – Nation, State, County, Place, Census Tract, Block Group, and School Districts.
  • For each survey product, 1-, 3-, and 5-year estimates, the Census Bureau produces two data files — the Summary File and the Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS).
    • Summary Files are a set of basic and detailed tables of predetermined cross-tabulations. The easiest way to view these tables is through the new data.census.gov. From data.census.gov, you can view detailed tables, comparisons, profiles for specific geography, and more.
    • Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) is for advanced data user who need to create tabulations not available in the Summary File. The PUMS contains a sample of survey returns with all personal identification removed. PUMS tabulations are only possible for the predefined geography of Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) which have at least 100,000 population. See the ACS PUMS website (www.census.gov) for more information.

    The California State Data Center staff can generate special tabulations from the ACS PUMS upon request. A fee may be charged to cover costs.

  • ACS Subject Definitions (www.census.gov) – Definitions of terms and variables in the 2014 American Community Survey including comparability with the 2000 Census and question history within the ACS.
  • Handbooks for Data Users (www.census.gov) – A series of handbooks for different audiences including the media, state and local government officials, and researchers.
  • Survey Design and Methodology (www.census.gov) – Detailed report on the survey design and methodology used to conduct the ACS.
  • The American Community Survey website (www.census.gov).

Comments and suggestions? Please email CensusData4CA@dof.ca.gov.