American Community Survey data from Census Bureau

This month, the Census Bureau, through the American Community Survey program, released its first multi-year estimates (2005-07) for geographic areas with a population of 20,000 or more. The American Community Survey is an ongoing demographic survey conducted nationwide by the U.S. Census Bureau since 2000. The idea is to supplement the data provided by the decennial census with more current data, including data for smaller geographic areas.

So, for example, you can now find official 2005-07 population estimates for places such as Tarpon Springs, FL (23,074), that are more current than the 2000 census figures (21,003).

You can access the American Community Survey directly or through the American Factfinder database, which is also linked through the USF databases page. The USFSP library also has an online tutorial on using the American Factfinder database.