Authored by George M. Cook, Performing the Duties of the Director, U.S. Census Bureau
To highlight ACS (American Community Survey) Awareness Month, the National League of Cities is spotlighting communities that have used ACS data to drive positive change in our From Data to Decisions series.
Every day, city leaders are asked to make decisions that shape the lives of their residents: What data can help attract employers and support economic growth? Where should housing investments be targeted? How can emergency services better serve the community? Answering these questions requires reliable, high-quality data about the people who live and work in their communities.
That’s where the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) comes in. The ACS is our nation’s premier source of detailed social, economic, housing and demographic data. And for more than two decades, it has helped cities understand the changing needs of their residents.
Conducted continuously throughout the year, the ACS provides annual insights into communities across the country, helping create a rich statistical portrait of our nation. It covers more than 40 topics, including income, education, employment, housing, commuting, health insurance coverage, veteran status, language spoken at home and many others. These data help inform the distribution of trillions of dollars in federal funding annually and support hundreds of federal programs.
For city governments, the value of the ACS extends well beyond funding formulas. Cities use ACS data to identify emerging trends, plan infrastructure investments, evaluate programs and engage residents more effectively. Because the ACS provides data for neighborhoods and small geographic areas, city leaders can often detect patterns that might otherwise remain hidden.
ACS Data in Action
Across the country, communities are demonstrating just how powerful these data can be. Consider Newport News, Va., where the ACS has become a cornerstone of the city’s broader data infrastructure strategy. Through its GeoHub platform, Newport News integrates ACS information into interactive maps and applications that help city departments understand community conditions at a neighborhood level.
The Newport News Fire Department, for example, uses ACS data to identify areas with concentrations of older adults, residents with disabilities, households without vehicles and other populations that may face heightened challenges during emergencies. These insights support evacuation planning, community outreach and resource allocation.
Another notable example involves the city’s Marshall-Ridley neighborhood. By leveraging ACS data and other local information, Newport News was able to demonstrate the need for transformative investments in that community. This helped the city secure a $30 million federal implementation grant, which subsequently attracted tens of millions of dollars in additional public and private investment. The city’s commitment to using data to drive decisions has earned national recognition and serves as a model for communities seeking to maximize the impact of their resources.
Whether a city is preparing for disasters, expanding infrastructure, attracting employers or planning public services, ACS data can help its leaders make decisions grounded in evidence. That’s why the Census Bureau provides tools and resources that make ACS data easier to access and explore. From My Community Explorer and Census Business Builder to Community Resilience Estimates and OnTheMap, our data tools help users translate statistics into practical insights.
At the same time, none of this work is possible without public participation. The quality of ACS data depends on the willingness of selected households to respond. Every response contributes to a more accurate picture of the nation and helps ensure that local leaders, businesses, researchers and community organizations have the information they need to serve residents effectively.
That’s why our partnerships with local governments are so important. Accurate, reliable data strengthen trust in local decision‑making, and your support helps residents understand why their participation in our surveys and censuses is essential. Together, we can ensure that the data informing tomorrow’s decisions accurately reflect the realities of today’s communities.
Since its inception, the American Community Survey has helped cities move from assumptions to evidence and from questions to action. Whether in a major metropolitan area or a small rural town, ACS data provide the insights needed to address challenges, seize opportunities and plan for the future. The Census Bureau is proud to support that work, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the nation’s cities in the years ahead.
Learn More
Resources, webinars and guidance on accessing and using ACS data are available.
City leaders often receive questions about whether the ACS and other Census Bureau surveys are legitimate. Learn more about how to receive assistance verifying that a survey is conducted by the Census Bureau. You can also contact your state’s Census Bureau regional office or the Customer Service Center for more information.
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