HOW THE ACS IS USED

Knoxville News Sentinel
December 12, 2010

This information is taken from the U.S.

Census' Question and Answer Guide to the American Community Survey given to those surveyed. It provides examples of how survey results are used:

• Income information makes it possible to compare the economic levels of different areas.

Many federal and state programs use such data to distribute funds for community development.

• Your answers to the questions on journey to work are used by the U.S. Department of Transportation to plan highway improvements, develop public transportation services and design programs to ease traffic problems.

• Information about age is used in federal programs to target funds or services to children, working-age adults or the elderly.

• Responses to questions about income and housing are summarized and used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to assess the need for housing assistance for elderly, handicapped and lowincome homeowners.

• Information about race, Hispanic origin and language spoken at home is used to determine bilingual election requirements under the Voting Rights Act and the monitoring of equal employment opportunities under the Civil Rights Act.

Race and Hispanic origin (or ethnicity) are considered distinct concepts and, therefore, require separate questions.

• Information about military service is used primarily by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to measure the needs of veterans and to evaluate veterans' programs dealing with education, employment and health care.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau