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<br />63
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<br />
<br />(more detailed considerations to come in future dashboard iterations)
<br />Sources: Urban Institute, NC DETECT
<br />
<br />Decennial Census
<br />Prior to 2010, the decennial census included basic information on the 100 percent sample (Summary File
<br />1, or SF1) as well as detailed information on a subset of the population receiving the long form, which
<br />includes additional questions. Beginning in 2010, the decennial census only provides data on basic
<br />demographic information (SF1), as the long form has been replaced by the American Community Survey
<br />(ACS) discussed below.
<br />Frequency: Every 10 years.
<br />Geographies: Blocks, block groups, census tracts, counties, county subdivisions, zip code tabulation
<br />areas.
<br />Variables: Total population, age, sex, race and ethnicity, household type, tenure, vacancy.
<br />Strengths: Data are available at small geographies (down to the block level). Data come from a census
<br />rather than a sample survey, with results in smaller margins of error.
<br />Drawbacks: Because the decennial census occurs only once every 10 years, its data quickly become
<br />outdated. Data are limited to a small set of variables.
<br />Additional Information: The Census Bureau may draw new geographic boundaries for a new
<br />decennial census. Consequently, when using the decennial census from multiple years, Promise
<br />Neighborhoods must first ascertain that geographic boundaries have not changed. Moreover, the
<br />decennial census can change how a question is phrased, which might change the indicator over time.
<br />(For example, in 2010 the Census Bureau changed how it asked respondents about race and ethnicity.)
<br />Because of this, data might not be comparable from year to year or between the decennial census and
<br />the ACS (discussed below). Users should check the Census Bureau web site
<br />(http://2010.census.gov/2010census/) for any changes in phrasing and their effects on comparability.
<br />Data Availability: Data for specific geographies can be found using FactFinder
<br />http://factfinder2.census.gov).
<br />American Community Survey
<br />The American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing statistical survey run by the U.S. Census Bureau,
<br />replacing the long form in the decennial census. The ACS has approximately 250,000 respondents
<br />monthly, totaling 3 million per year. ACS data are particularly useful, as it is publicly available and offers
<br />indicators on several topics.
<br />Frequency: Survey data are collected regularly. Because the ACS covers a smaller sample size than the
<br />decennial census, these data files come in one-year, three-year, and five-year averages. For example,
<br />data from the 2008–2010 sample will represent averages over the 36-month span.
<br />Geographies: Census tracts, county subdivisions, zip code tabulation areas, counties. Only the five-year
<br />averages have data down to the census tract level.
<br />Variables: ACS data are collected on both persons/households and housing characteristics. Data on
<br />persons/households includes age, sex, ancestry or immigration status, disability, work commutes,
<br />education, employment, family composition, income, language, poverty, and race/ethnicity. Data on
<br />housing include financial characteristics such as rent and mortgage costs, as well as physical
<br />characteristics such as the number of units in the building and the age of the housing unit.
<br />Strengths: Compared to the decennial census, ACS data are available on more topics and are updated
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