Demographics

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Census Summaries

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As the federal government’s leading statistical agency, U.S. Census Bureau conducts a variety of census and survey programs aiming to provide quality data about people who reside in the U.S. and the territories. The two main data products that contain demographic and socio-economic information by geography are provided by Decennial Census and American Community Survey (ACS).
 

DECENNIAL CENSUS

The census has been conducted every ten years since 1790 to provide an official count of the entire U.S. population as of a specific point-in-time, typically on April 1st.

Decennial Census Summaries for Fairfax County, VA

AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY (ACS)

The ACS delivers information about the social and economic needs of our community every year. The primary purpose of the ACS is to describe characteristics over a period of time, rather than providing point-in-time counts. 

ACS Summaries For Fairfax County, VA

Decennial Census VS. American Community Survey

Decennial Census

American Community Survey
  • Conducts every ten years, measures at a point-in-time.
  • Conducts every month, every year;  Combines 12 or 60 months of data. 
  • Sends to near 100% addresses nationwide and counts every person living in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories.
  • Sends to a sample of addresses in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
  • Asks a shorter set of questions, such as age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, and owner/renter status.
  • Asks about topics not on the Decennial Census questionnaire, collects additional information on detailed population, household, and housing characteristics, such as education, employment, poverty status, health insurance coverage, income,  language spoken, internet access, and transportation.
  • Provides an official count of the population, which determines congressional representation, realigns congressional districts, redistricts within each state, and distributes federal funds.  Data are also used as critical information to provide daily services, products, and support for communities.
  • Provides current information to communities every year. It also provides local and national leaders with the broad range of information they need for programs, economic development, emergency management, and understanding local issues and conditions.

References:

U.S. Census Bureau - Decennial Census;  U.S. Census Bureau - American Community Survey

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