American Community Survey 5-Year Data Product Plans, 57254-57257 [2010-23373]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 181 / Monday, September 20, 2010 / Notices
The re-engineering of SIPP pursues
these objectives in the context of several
goals—cost reduction and improved
accuracy, relevance, timeliness, reduced
burden on respondents, and
accessibility. The Re-engineered SIPP
will collect detailed information on cash
and non-cash income (including
participation in government transfer
programs) one time per year. A major
use of the SIPP has been to evaluate the
use of and eligibility for government
programs and to analyze the impacts of
options for modifying them.
A key component of the reengineering process involves the
proposed shift from the every-fourmonth data collection schedule of
traditional SIPP to an annual data
collection schedule for the reengineered survey. To accomplish this
shift with minimal impact on data
quality, the Census Bureau proposes
employing the use of an event history
calendar (EHC) to gather SIPP data. The
Re-engineered SIPP will interview
respondents in one year intervals,
collecting data for the previous calendar
year as the reference period. The
content of the Re-engineered SIPP will
combine the content of the 2008 Panel
SIPP core as well as selected topical
module questions. The Re-engineered
SIPP will not contain free-standing
topical modules. The EHC will allow
recording dates of events and spells of
coverage and should provide monthly
transitions of program receipt and
coverage, labor force transitions, health
insurance transitions, and others.
As the SIPP transitions from three
interviews per year to one interview per
year, new methods need to be tested for
how to stay in contact with respondents
so they can be located for the following
year’s interview. Once interviews have
been completed for the 2011 SIPP field
test, a recontact experiment will take
place. The objectives of this experiment
are: (1) To test how a combination of
change of address cards mailed with or
without a small monetary incentive, a
newsletter reporting findings from the
2008 SIPP Panel, or no contact between
interview periods, effect attrition and
the ability to locate respondents in the
second wave of interviewing (Type A
and Type D wave 2 non-response), and
(2) to develop address update
procedures which will facilitate locating
original sample members who may have
moved, and which can be implemented
prior to and during the next interview
field period.
As part of the recontact experiment
we will be mailing out a letter of
explanation with the change of address
cards. The SIPP–2011DR106(L) will be
mailed to a subset of cases with the offer
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of monetary incentive. The SIPP–
2011DR107(L) will be mailed to a subset
of cases that will not offer a monetary
incentive.
Implementing the EHC methodology
in 2011 is intended to help respondents
recall information in a more natural
‘‘autobiographical’’ manner by using life
events as triggers to recall other
economic events. For example, a
residence change can in many cases
occur contemporaneously with a change
in employment. The entire process of
compiling the calendar focuses, by its
nature, on consistency and sequential
order of events, and attempts to correct
for otherwise missing data. For example,
if the respondents are unemployed, they
may then look for a job, and then
become employed.
The 2011 Field Test instrument will
be evaluated in several domains
including field implementation issues
`
and data comparability vis-a-vis the
SIPP 2008 Panel and administrative
records. Distributional characteristics
such as the percent of persons receiving
TANF, Food Stamps, Medicare, who are
working, who are enrolled in school, or
who have health insurance coverage
reported in the EHC will be compared
to the same distributions from the 2008
SIPP Panel. The primary focus will be
to demonstrate to data users that the
new instrument yields data for lowincome programs that are of sufficient
quality. The field test sample is focused
in low income areas in order to increase
the ‘‘hit rate’’ of households likely to
participate in government programs. In
general, there are two ways we will
evaluate data quality:
(1) We will compare monthly
estimates from the field test to estimates
from parallel sample areas in the 2008
SIPP panel for characteristics such as
participation in Food Stamps, TANF,
SSI, WIC, and Medicaid. To the extent
those estimates are reasonably aligned
with each other, we can assume that
data quality is reasonably comparable.
Misalignment of the estimates, and
especially misalignment in the direction
of the EHC estimates being consistently
lower than the SIPP estimates, would be
worrisome, because it would be
suggestive of (not definitive evidence of)
reduced data quality in the EHC.
(2) For a small subset of
characteristics, and for a subset of
sample areas, we will have access to
administrative record data. These data
will permit a more objective data quality
assessment.
Results from both the 2011 Field Test
and the 2008 SIPP Panel will be used to
inform final decisions regarding the
design, content, and implementation of
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the Re-engineered SIPP for production
beginning in 2013.
Affected Public: Individuals or
households.
Frequency: One time.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13, United
States Code, Section 182.
OMB Desk Officer: Brian HarrisKojetin, (202) 395–7314.
Copies of the above information
collection proposal can be obtained by
calling or writing Diana Hynek,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance
Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of
Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20230 (or via the Internet at
dhynek@doc.gov).
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB
Desk Officer either by fax (202–395–
7245) or e-mail (bharrisk@omb.eop.gov).
Dated: September 14, 2010.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010–23338 Filed 9–17–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–07–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
[Docket Number 100726309–0311–02]
American Community Survey 5-Year
Data Product Plans
Bureau of the Census,
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Final Notice.
AGENCY:
The Bureau of the Census
(Census Bureau) currently releases
American Community Survey (ACS)
data products in the form of 1-year
estimates and 3-year estimates. Most
recently, the 2008 ACS 1-year estimates
were released in September 2009, and
the 2006–2008 ACS 3-year estimates
were released in October 2009. By this
notice, the Census Bureau announces
plans for the release of ACS 5-year data
products covering the period of 2005–
2009. The release of the ACS 5-year
estimates will achieve a goal of the ACS
to provide small-area data similar to the
data published after Census 2000, based
on the long-form sample. This notice
provides general information on the
Census Bureau’s modifications to its
current line of ACS data products to
accommodate the 5-year estimates.
DATES: The Census Bureau plans to
release 2005–2009 ACS data in
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 181 / Monday, September 20, 2010 / Notices
December 2010. The plan for the 2005–
2009 ACS data products will be
implemented on September 20, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Please send any
correspondence about the Census
Bureau’s American Community Survey
5-year estimates or data product plans to
Sharon M. Stern, Assistant Division
Chief, American Community Survey
Office, Room 3H463, Mail Stop 7500,
Washington, DC 20233–7500.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information about the Census Bureau’s
American Community Survey, contact
Sharon M. Stern, Assistant Division
Chief, American Community Survey
Office, on (301) 763–5638, by e-mail at
sharon.m.stern@census.gov, or by mail
at Room 3H463, Mail Stop 7500,
Washington, DC 20233–7500.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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I. Purpose of the ACS 5-year Data
Products
The ACS is part of the 2010 Decennial
Census Program and provides annually
updated, detailed demographic,
socioeconomic, and housing
information for communities across the
United States and Puerto Rico. One goal
of the ACS is to provide small-area data
similar to the data published after
Census 2000, based on the long-form
sample data. This goal will be met with
the release of the 2005–2009 ACS 5-year
estimates.
On March 6, 2009, the Census Bureau
published a Federal Register notice (74
FR 9785) that proposed releasing the 5year estimates using the same set of ACS
data products that were produced for
the ACS 3-year data estimates, and
included proposed geographic summary
levels for the 5-year data products.
Descriptions of the suite of ACS data
products follow:
Detailed tables include the most
detailed ACS data and cross-tabulations
of ACS variables.
Download files provide the detailed
table estimates in comma-delimited,
ASCII-formatted files that are in the
standard Census ‘‘Summary File’’
format.
Data profiles provide separate fact
sheets on social, economic, housing,
and demographic characteristics.
Narrative profiles provide clear,
concise, textual descriptions of the data
included in the data profiles.
Subject tables include detailed ACS
data, organized by subject such as
employment, education, and income.
Selected population profiles provide
social, economic, and housing
characteristics for a large number of
groups based on race, Hispanic origin,
country of birth, and ancestry.
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Geographic comparison tables allow
the comparison of ACS data for a given
time period across a variety of
geographic areas.
Thematic maps provide graphic
displays of the data available from the
geographic comparison tables, which
compare ACS data for different areas in
a given time period.
Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)
Files provide access to ACS microdata
for data users to create summaries that
are not available as ACS summary
products.
In the March 6, 2009 Federal Register
notice, the Census Bureau sought input
and feedback on the suite of data
products for the ACS 5-year estimates
and in particular, expressed interest in
data users’ specific feedback on the
following four dimensions:
1. Block Group Level Geography—The
Census Bureau proposed releasing block
group data only as downloadable
Summary Files through the American
FactFinder Download Center. The
American Factfinder is the electronic
system for access and dissemination of
Census Bureau data on the Internet.
Tables can be accessed through the
American Community Survey Data Sets
page on American FactFinder or
downloaded in file format from the
American FactFinder Download Center.
2. Types of Data Products—The
Census Bureau proposed releasing 5year estimates in detailed tables,
summary files, subject tables, data
profiles, narrative profiles, selected
population profiles, thematic maps,
geographic comparison tables, and
PUMS files. Narrative profiles and
selected population profiles were not
proposed for particular geographic
summary levels, such as block groups.
3. Restrictions Required for Disclosure
Avoidance or Statistical Reliability—As
done with all data released by the
Census Bureau, the proposal included
restrictions on the release of 5-year
estimates that were based on disclosure
avoidance requirements.
4. Frequency of Data Release—The
Census Bureau proposed that ACS 5year estimates be released annually.
II. Summary of Comments Received
and the Response of the Census Bureau
The Census Bureau received
comments from 26 organizations and
individuals regarding the four abovementioned categories, in response to the
March 6, 2009 Federal Register notice.
Some commenters addressed more than
one category in their comments. All
comments have been summarized and
organized according to subject matter.
The subject matter categories are: (1)
The option of alternative dissemination
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methods for data at the block group
geography level, (2) the types of data
products to be included in the 5-year
data products, (3) the limitations on the
availability of the 5-year estimates due
to restrictions required for disclosure
avoidance and statistical reliability, and
(4) the proposed annual release for the
ACS 5-year data products. Comments
were provided by a variety of Federal
and State agencies and organizations,
non-profit policy research and analysis
organizations, non-governmental
organizations, and a private sector
company. Federal, State, local, and
private sector organizations from
agencies representing the transportation
community provided 17 of the total 26
comments received. All comments
received are posted on the Census
Bureau’s ACS Web site, https://
www.census.gov/acs. A summary of the
comments and the Census Bureau’s
response is below.
1. Block Group Level Geography
The Census Bureau received six
comments in response to the question of
using downloadable Summary Files
rather than releasing tables on American
FactFinder for block group data. All six
comments were in favor of ACS
producing block group level data and
releasing the block group data tables
separately from the standard ACS tables
currently found on American
Factfinder. Two comments strongly
recommended not releasing block group
data tables on American Factfinder.
Specifically they wanted the block
group data released with cautions and
instructions for combining data for
block group areas into larger geographic
areas ‘‘to achieve greater reliability.’’
In considering this proposal, the
Census Bureau reviewed the complexity
of using the block group data with the
sheer volume of the estimates to be
produced for approximately 210,000
block group geographies and agreed that
releasing tables on American Factfinder
was not the preferred approach. As a
result of public comments and staff
review, the Census Bureau will release
to the public through the American
Factfinder Download Center the block
group estimates only as files that can be
accessed by more sophisticated users.
2. Types of Data Products
The Census Bureau received thirteen
comments in response to the proposed
data products for the ACS 5-year
estimates. The comments were all in
support of the data products proposed;
one group interested in data on
American Indian and Alaska Native
(AIAN) populations requested specific
AIAN data products. The Census Bureau
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agrees with the comment and plans to
produce data specifically for American
Indians and Alaska Natives with the
release of the 2006–2010 ACS American
Indian and Alaska Native Summary
File. One comment from the
transportation community requested
expanded transportation data, and six
comments were concerned about how
confidentiality protections might limit
the availability of detailed
transportation data at very low levels of
geography. These confidentiality
protections focus on tables that have
many cells but few sample cases. To
address the concerns expressed in the
comments, the Census Bureau has for
several years been working with the
transportation community to develop
ACS data products that provide a
balance between the low geographic
levels required by the work of the
transportation community and
confidentiality protections required by
the Census Bureau’s collection
authority, Title 13. For example, the
ACS 1-, 3- and 5-year standard data
products now contain 59 new
transportation tables that were not a part
of the Census 2000 standard data
products; some of these ACS
transportation tables had formerly only
been provided through custom
tabulation requests paid for by the
transportation community (in Census
2000 and earlier censuses). The Census
Bureau is also providing some tables
with low geographic levels of
transportation data sooner and more
frequently in the ACS data products
than they have from past Censuses.
Finally, the Census Bureau continues to
work in collaboration with the
transportation community to determine
the best set of products to provide more
data for very small geographic areas
without violating confidentiality
protections. One comment from a
private sector firm offered suggestions
for organizing ACS data for download to
enhance analysis. The Census Bureau
agrees with this comment and is
developing improvements for data
products available for download.
To arrive at a final plan for the data
products to be released for the 2005–
2009 ACS, the Census Bureau
considered all comments and also
undertook a comprehensive staff review
of the many ACS data products released
for the 3-year estimates. The objective of
this review was to determine if those
products were appropriate for very
small counties, towns, and incorporated
places, as well as for specific
government data uses and public use.
The final plan for the ACS 5-year data
products will provide a very large
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percentage of the data that were
previously found in Census Summary
Files 1 and 3. Some tables previously
provided only upon request for a
custom tabulation will be made
available routinely to the public in the
standard ACS data products.
Additionally, tables not present in
Census 2000 data products have been
added to this set of available ACS tables.
When comparing the plan for the 2005–
2009 ACS to what was released in
Census 2000, most of the new tables
reflect new content, but some tables
were added because they were
determined by subject matter experts to
be desirable by data users.
Census Bureau staff also reviewed the
practical matter of providing public
access to the large volume of data being
produced by releasing 5-year estimates
for such a large number of geographic
areas. Staff reviewed the available data
products and tables and determined that
a reduced set of tables will be released
on American FactFinder with the
remainder to be available to the public
through downloadable Summary Files
from the American FactFinder
Download Center.
The Census Bureau plans to deliver to
the public the tables for the 5-year
estimates on American FactFinder in a
single release. The release of the
Summary Files (including all data at the
block group level) and the PUMS files
will follow soon after the initial release
of tables on American FactFinder. The
plan for future releases of the ACS 5year data products may be subject to
change as Census Bureau staff improves
the data products and receives input
and feedback from data users.
3. Restrictions Required for Disclosure
Avoidance or Statistical Reliability
The March 6, 2009 Federal Register
notice directed readers to a file
containing supplementary information
located on the Census Bureau’s Web site
(https://www.census.gov/acs). The table
describing disclosure avoidance
protections was in the file that provided
this supplementary information, and
these protections were listed by number.
The Census Bureau received 20
comments in response to the proposed
disclosure avoidance. Three comments
supported the Census Bureau’s plans for
disclosure avoidance. Some
commenters, mostly from the
transportation data community, had
comments or suggestions concerning
disclosure avoidance. Disclosure
avoidance number seven from the
March 6, 2009 Federal Register notice
stated
For the residence and workplace tables
where means of transportation (mode) is
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crossed with one or more other variables,
there must be at least three unweighted
workers in sample for each transportation
mode in a given place for the table to be
released. Otherwise the data must be
collapsed or suppressed and complementary
suppression must be applied. There is no
threshold on univariate tables.
Commenters expressed objections to
disclosure avoidance number seven,
stating that its implementation would
negatively impact data needed for
planning requirements, particularly for
very small geographic levels including
traffic analysis zones and block-groups.
In response to these concerns, Census
Bureau staff reviewed the published
disclosure avoidance and determined
that number seven, which impacts
residence and workplace tables where
means of transportation (mode) is
crossed with one or more other
variables, does not apply to the standard
ACS data products, but rather it applies
only to some custom tabulations that the
Census Bureau produces upon request.
However, because of general Census
Bureau Disclosure Review Board
restrictions pertaining to non-residential
geographies, some of the tables of
interest to transportation data users will
still be limited or suppressed. The
Census Bureau is aware of the needs
that the transportation community has
for these data and has expanded the
number of transportation tables in the
ACS standard annual data products to
include ones that were not provided in
Census 2000 standard tabulations. In
addition, the Census Bureau continues
to work closely with staff from the
Department of Transportation to
produce custom tabulations that will fit
the needs of transportation data users
and that also uphold the Census
Bureau’s duty to protect the
confidentiality of ACS respondents.
Additionally, another commenter was
concerned that disclosure avoidance
number six would suppress data for
small reservations and many Alaska
Native Village Statistical Areas.
Disclosure avoidance number six from
the March 6, 2009 Federal Register
notice stated:
For workplace tables, there must be at least
50 unweighted or 300 weighted workers in
sample over the 5-year period in a given
workplace for the table to be released.
Census Bureau staff recognizes the
difficult balance in producing tables for
small populations and ensuring that
confidentiality is protected. Disclosure
avoidance number six, originally
developed for Census 2000 data, had a
restriction of workplace tables to areas
with 50 unweighted or 300 weighted
workers. The 300 weighted workers
restriction was based on the 50
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 181 / Monday, September 20, 2010 / Notices
unweighted workers and the Census
2000 average long form weight of six.
The Disclosure Review Board, upon
closer review for the ACS 5-year data
products, decided that the key
restriction to protect confidentiality for
the ACS was the 50 unweighted
workers, so the reference to a weighted
number of workers has been dropped.
Census Bureau staff also expanded the
language on disclosure avoidance
number six to clarify that in addition to
workplace tables, the requirement for at
least 50 unweighted workers in sample
over the 5-year period applies to all
non-residential geographies including
residence 1 year ago and place-of-birth
tables.
4. Frequency of Data Release
The Census Bureau received five
comments on the proposed annual
release of the ACS 5-year estimates. All
five comments were in favor of the
annual release.
III. ACS 5-year Data Products Plans
The Census Bureau is releasing its
plans for the ACS 5-year data products
via the Web. The plan provides a list of
the tables and geographies expected to
be included in the ACS 5-year products
and will be updated periodically with
new and expanded information. This
information can be accessed at: https://
www.census.gov/acs.
Paperwork Reduction Act
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, no person is required to respond
to, nor shall a person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with, a
collection of information subject to
requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA), unless that
collection of information displays a
current, valid Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) control number. In
accordance with the PRA, 44 United
States Code, Chapter 35, the OMB
approved the ACS under OMB Control
Number 0607–0810. We will furnish
report forms to organizations included
in the survey, and additional copies will
be available upon written request to the
Director, U.S. Census Bureau,
Washington, DC 20233–0001.
Dated: September 13, 2010.
Robert M. Groves,
Director, U.S. Census Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2010–23373 Filed 9–17–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–07–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–201–837, A–570–954]
Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks From
Mexico and the People’s Republic of
China: Antidumping Duty Orders
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: Based on affirmative final
determinations by the Department of
Commerce (the Department) and the
International Trade Commission (the
ITC), the Department is issuing
antidumping duty orders on certain
magnesia carbon bricks (MCB) from
Mexico and the People’s Republic of
China (PRC). On September 8, 2010, the
ITC notified the Department of its
affirmative determinations of material
injury to a U.S. industry. See Certain
Magnesia Carbon Bricks from China and
Mexico (Investigation Nos. 701–TA–468
and 731–TA–1166–1167 (Final), USITC
Publication 4182, September 2010).
DATES: Effective Date: September 20,
2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Goldberger (Mexico) or Paul
Walker (PRC), AD/CVD Operations,
Offices 2 and 9 respectively, Import
Administration, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230;
telephone: (202) 482–4136 or (202) 482–
0413, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY:
Background
On August 2, 2010, the Department
published its affirmative final
determinations of sales at less than fair
value in the antidumping duty
investigations of MCB from Mexico and
the PRC. See Certain Magnesia Carbon
Bricks from Mexico: Notice of Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than
Fair Value, 75 FR 45097 (August 2,
2010); and Certain Magnesia Carbon
Bricks from the People’s Republic of
China: Final Determination of Sales at
Less Than Fair Value and Critical
Circumstances, 75 FR 45468 (August 2,
2010) (MCB from the PRC Final).
On September 8, 2010, the ITC
notified the Department of its final
determinations pursuant to section
735(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (the Act), that an industry in
the United States is materially injured
by reason of less-than-fair-value imports
of MCB from Mexico and the PRC.1 See
1 Because the vote of the ITC with respect to
imports of MCB from Mexico was evenly divided
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57257
section 735(b)(1)(A)(i) of the Act. In
addition, the ITC notified the
Department of its final determination
that critical circumstances do not exist
with respect to imports of subject
merchandise from the PRC that are
subject to the Department’s affirmative
critical circumstances finding.2
Pursuant to section 736(a) of the Act,
the Department is publishing
antidumping duty orders on the subject
merchandise.
Scope of the Orders
The scope of these orders includes
certain chemically-bonded (resin or
pitch), magnesia carbon bricks with a
magnesia component of at least 70
percent magnesia (‘‘MgO’’) by weight,
regardless of the source of raw materials
for the MgO, with carbon levels ranging
from trace amounts to 30 percent by
weight, regardless of enhancements (for
example, magnesia carbon bricks can be
enhanced with coating, grinding, tar
impregnation or coking, high
temperature heat treatments, anti-slip
treatments or metal casing) and
regardless of whether or not
antioxidants are present (for example,
antioxidants can be added to the mix
from trace amounts to 15 percent by
weight as various metals, metal alloys,
and metal carbides). Certain magnesia
carbon bricks that are the subject of
these orders are currently classifiable
under subheadings 6902.10.1000,
6902.10.5000, 6815.91.0000,
6815.99.2000 and 6815.99.4000 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (‘‘HTSUS’’). While HTSUS
subheadings are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, the
written description is dispositive.
Provisional Measures
Section 733(d) of the Act states that
suspension of liquidation instructions
issued pursuant to an affirmative
preliminary determination may not
remain in effect for more than four
months except where exporters
representing a significant proportion of
exports of the subject merchandise
request the Department to extend that
between an affirmative determination of material
injury and a negative determination, the
Department is treating this vote, for purposes of
duty assessment, as an affirmative finding of
material injury consistent with section 771(11) of
the Act. Likewise, because the vote of the ITC with
respect to imports of MCB from the PRC was evenly
divided between a determination of material injury
and a determination of threat of material injury, the
Department is treating this vote, for purposes of
duty assessment, as an affirmative finding of
material injury consistent with section 771(11) of
the Act.
2 Critical circumstances were not alleged with
respect to imports of subject merchandise from
Mexico.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 181 (Monday, September 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57254-57257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23373]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
[Docket Number 100726309-0311-02]
American Community Survey 5-Year Data Product Plans
AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Final Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) currently releases
American Community Survey (ACS) data products in the form of 1-year
estimates and 3-year estimates. Most recently, the 2008 ACS 1-year
estimates were released in September 2009, and the 2006-2008 ACS 3-year
estimates were released in October 2009. By this notice, the Census
Bureau announces plans for the release of ACS 5-year data products
covering the period of 2005-2009. The release of the ACS 5-year
estimates will achieve a goal of the ACS to provide small-area data
similar to the data published after Census 2000, based on the long-form
sample. This notice provides general information on the Census Bureau's
modifications to its current line of ACS data products to accommodate
the 5-year estimates.
DATES: The Census Bureau plans to release 2005-2009 ACS data in
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December 2010. The plan for the 2005-2009 ACS data products will be
implemented on September 20, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Please send any correspondence about the Census Bureau's
American Community Survey 5-year estimates or data product plans to
Sharon M. Stern, Assistant Division Chief, American Community Survey
Office, Room 3H463, Mail Stop 7500, Washington, DC 20233-7500.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the Census
Bureau's American Community Survey, contact Sharon M. Stern, Assistant
Division Chief, American Community Survey Office, on (301) 763-5638, by
e-mail at sharon.m.stern@census.gov, or by mail at Room 3H463, Mail
Stop 7500, Washington, DC 20233-7500.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Purpose of the ACS 5-year Data Products
The ACS is part of the 2010 Decennial Census Program and provides
annually updated, detailed demographic, socioeconomic, and housing
information for communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
One goal of the ACS is to provide small-area data similar to the data
published after Census 2000, based on the long-form sample data. This
goal will be met with the release of the 2005-2009 ACS 5-year
estimates.
On March 6, 2009, the Census Bureau published a Federal Register
notice (74 FR 9785) that proposed releasing the 5-year estimates using
the same set of ACS data products that were produced for the ACS 3-year
data estimates, and included proposed geographic summary levels for the
5-year data products.
Descriptions of the suite of ACS data products follow:
Detailed tables include the most detailed ACS data and cross-
tabulations of ACS variables.
Download files provide the detailed table estimates in comma-
delimited, ASCII-formatted files that are in the standard Census
``Summary File'' format.
Data profiles provide separate fact sheets on social, economic,
housing, and demographic characteristics.
Narrative profiles provide clear, concise, textual descriptions of
the data included in the data profiles.
Subject tables include detailed ACS data, organized by subject such
as employment, education, and income.
Selected population profiles provide social, economic, and housing
characteristics for a large number of groups based on race, Hispanic
origin, country of birth, and ancestry.
Geographic comparison tables allow the comparison of ACS data for a
given time period across a variety of geographic areas.
Thematic maps provide graphic displays of the data available from
the geographic comparison tables, which compare ACS data for different
areas in a given time period.
Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) Files provide access to ACS
microdata for data users to create summaries that are not available as
ACS summary products.
In the March 6, 2009 Federal Register notice, the Census Bureau
sought input and feedback on the suite of data products for the ACS 5-
year estimates and in particular, expressed interest in data users'
specific feedback on the following four dimensions:
1. Block Group Level Geography--The Census Bureau proposed
releasing block group data only as downloadable Summary Files through
the American FactFinder Download Center. The American Factfinder is the
electronic system for access and dissemination of Census Bureau data on
the Internet. Tables can be accessed through the American Community
Survey Data Sets page on American FactFinder or downloaded in file
format from the American FactFinder Download Center.
2. Types of Data Products--The Census Bureau proposed releasing 5-
year estimates in detailed tables, summary files, subject tables, data
profiles, narrative profiles, selected population profiles, thematic
maps, geographic comparison tables, and PUMS files. Narrative profiles
and selected population profiles were not proposed for particular
geographic summary levels, such as block groups.
3. Restrictions Required for Disclosure Avoidance or Statistical
Reliability--As done with all data released by the Census Bureau, the
proposal included restrictions on the release of 5-year estimates that
were based on disclosure avoidance requirements.
4. Frequency of Data Release--The Census Bureau proposed that ACS
5-year estimates be released annually.
II. Summary of Comments Received and the Response of the Census Bureau
The Census Bureau received comments from 26 organizations and
individuals regarding the four above-mentioned categories, in response
to the March 6, 2009 Federal Register notice. Some commenters addressed
more than one category in their comments. All comments have been
summarized and organized according to subject matter. The subject
matter categories are: (1) The option of alternative dissemination
methods for data at the block group geography level, (2) the types of
data products to be included in the 5-year data products, (3) the
limitations on the availability of the 5-year estimates due to
restrictions required for disclosure avoidance and statistical
reliability, and (4) the proposed annual release for the ACS 5-year
data products. Comments were provided by a variety of Federal and State
agencies and organizations, non-profit policy research and analysis
organizations, non-governmental organizations, and a private sector
company. Federal, State, local, and private sector organizations from
agencies representing the transportation community provided 17 of the
total 26 comments received. All comments received are posted on the
Census Bureau's ACS Web site, https://www.census.gov/acs. A summary of
the comments and the Census Bureau's response is below.
1. Block Group Level Geography
The Census Bureau received six comments in response to the question
of using downloadable Summary Files rather than releasing tables on
American FactFinder for block group data. All six comments were in
favor of ACS producing block group level data and releasing the block
group data tables separately from the standard ACS tables currently
found on American Factfinder. Two comments strongly recommended not
releasing block group data tables on American Factfinder. Specifically
they wanted the block group data released with cautions and
instructions for combining data for block group areas into larger
geographic areas ``to achieve greater reliability.''
In considering this proposal, the Census Bureau reviewed the
complexity of using the block group data with the sheer volume of the
estimates to be produced for approximately 210,000 block group
geographies and agreed that releasing tables on American Factfinder was
not the preferred approach. As a result of public comments and staff
review, the Census Bureau will release to the public through the
American Factfinder Download Center the block group estimates only as
files that can be accessed by more sophisticated users.
2. Types of Data Products
The Census Bureau received thirteen comments in response to the
proposed data products for the ACS 5-year estimates. The comments were
all in support of the data products proposed; one group interested in
data on American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations requested
specific AIAN data products. The Census Bureau
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agrees with the comment and plans to produce data specifically for
American Indians and Alaska Natives with the release of the 2006-2010
ACS American Indian and Alaska Native Summary File. One comment from
the transportation community requested expanded transportation data,
and six comments were concerned about how confidentiality protections
might limit the availability of detailed transportation data at very
low levels of geography. These confidentiality protections focus on
tables that have many cells but few sample cases. To address the
concerns expressed in the comments, the Census Bureau has for several
years been working with the transportation community to develop ACS
data products that provide a balance between the low geographic levels
required by the work of the transportation community and
confidentiality protections required by the Census Bureau's collection
authority, Title 13. For example, the ACS 1-, 3- and 5-year standard
data products now contain 59 new transportation tables that were not a
part of the Census 2000 standard data products; some of these ACS
transportation tables had formerly only been provided through custom
tabulation requests paid for by the transportation community (in Census
2000 and earlier censuses). The Census Bureau is also providing some
tables with low geographic levels of transportation data sooner and
more frequently in the ACS data products than they have from past
Censuses. Finally, the Census Bureau continues to work in collaboration
with the transportation community to determine the best set of products
to provide more data for very small geographic areas without violating
confidentiality protections. One comment from a private sector firm
offered suggestions for organizing ACS data for download to enhance
analysis. The Census Bureau agrees with this comment and is developing
improvements for data products available for download.
To arrive at a final plan for the data products to be released for
the 2005-2009 ACS, the Census Bureau considered all comments and also
undertook a comprehensive staff review of the many ACS data products
released for the 3-year estimates. The objective of this review was to
determine if those products were appropriate for very small counties,
towns, and incorporated places, as well as for specific government data
uses and public use. The final plan for the ACS 5-year data products
will provide a very large percentage of the data that were previously
found in Census Summary Files 1 and 3. Some tables previously provided
only upon request for a custom tabulation will be made available
routinely to the public in the standard ACS data products.
Additionally, tables not present in Census 2000 data products have been
added to this set of available ACS tables. When comparing the plan for
the 2005-2009 ACS to what was released in Census 2000, most of the new
tables reflect new content, but some tables were added because they
were determined by subject matter experts to be desirable by data
users.
Census Bureau staff also reviewed the practical matter of providing
public access to the large volume of data being produced by releasing
5-year estimates for such a large number of geographic areas. Staff
reviewed the available data products and tables and determined that a
reduced set of tables will be released on American FactFinder with the
remainder to be available to the public through downloadable Summary
Files from the American FactFinder Download Center.
The Census Bureau plans to deliver to the public the tables for the
5-year estimates on American FactFinder in a single release. The
release of the Summary Files (including all data at the block group
level) and the PUMS files will follow soon after the initial release of
tables on American FactFinder. The plan for future releases of the ACS
5-year data products may be subject to change as Census Bureau staff
improves the data products and receives input and feedback from data
users.
3. Restrictions Required for Disclosure Avoidance or Statistical
Reliability
The March 6, 2009 Federal Register notice directed readers to a
file containing supplementary information located on the Census
Bureau's Web site (https://www.census.gov/acs). The table describing
disclosure avoidance protections was in the file that provided this
supplementary information, and these protections were listed by number.
The Census Bureau received 20 comments in response to the proposed
disclosure avoidance. Three comments supported the Census Bureau's
plans for disclosure avoidance. Some commenters, mostly from the
transportation data community, had comments or suggestions concerning
disclosure avoidance. Disclosure avoidance number seven from the March
6, 2009 Federal Register notice stated
For the residence and workplace tables where means of
transportation (mode) is crossed with one or more other variables,
there must be at least three unweighted workers in sample for each
transportation mode in a given place for the table to be released.
Otherwise the data must be collapsed or suppressed and complementary
suppression must be applied. There is no threshold on univariate
tables.
Commenters expressed objections to disclosure avoidance number
seven, stating that its implementation would negatively impact data
needed for planning requirements, particularly for very small
geographic levels including traffic analysis zones and block-groups.
In response to these concerns, Census Bureau staff reviewed the
published disclosure avoidance and determined that number seven, which
impacts residence and workplace tables where means of transportation
(mode) is crossed with one or more other variables, does not apply to
the standard ACS data products, but rather it applies only to some
custom tabulations that the Census Bureau produces upon request.
However, because of general Census Bureau Disclosure Review Board
restrictions pertaining to non-residential geographies, some of the
tables of interest to transportation data users will still be limited
or suppressed. The Census Bureau is aware of the needs that the
transportation community has for these data and has expanded the number
of transportation tables in the ACS standard annual data products to
include ones that were not provided in Census 2000 standard
tabulations. In addition, the Census Bureau continues to work closely
with staff from the Department of Transportation to produce custom
tabulations that will fit the needs of transportation data users and
that also uphold the Census Bureau's duty to protect the
confidentiality of ACS respondents.
Additionally, another commenter was concerned that disclosure
avoidance number six would suppress data for small reservations and
many Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas. Disclosure avoidance
number six from the March 6, 2009 Federal Register notice stated:
For workplace tables, there must be at least 50 unweighted or
300 weighted workers in sample over the 5-year period in a given
workplace for the table to be released.
Census Bureau staff recognizes the difficult balance in producing
tables for small populations and ensuring that confidentiality is
protected. Disclosure avoidance number six, originally developed for
Census 2000 data, had a restriction of workplace tables to areas with
50 unweighted or 300 weighted workers. The 300 weighted workers
restriction was based on the 50
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unweighted workers and the Census 2000 average long form weight of six.
The Disclosure Review Board, upon closer review for the ACS 5-year data
products, decided that the key restriction to protect confidentiality
for the ACS was the 50 unweighted workers, so the reference to a
weighted number of workers has been dropped. Census Bureau staff also
expanded the language on disclosure avoidance number six to clarify
that in addition to workplace tables, the requirement for at least 50
unweighted workers in sample over the 5-year period applies to all non-
residential geographies including residence 1 year ago and place-of-
birth tables.
4. Frequency of Data Release
The Census Bureau received five comments on the proposed annual
release of the ACS 5-year estimates. All five comments were in favor of
the annual release.
III. ACS 5-year Data Products Plans
The Census Bureau is releasing its plans for the ACS 5-year data
products via the Web. The plan provides a list of the tables and
geographies expected to be included in the ACS 5-year products and will
be updated periodically with new and expanded information. This
information can be accessed at: https://www.census.gov/acs.
Paperwork Reduction Act
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure
to comply with, a collection of information subject to requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), unless that collection of
information displays a current, valid Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) control number. In accordance with the PRA, 44 United States
Code, Chapter 35, the OMB approved the ACS under OMB Control Number
0607-0810. We will furnish report forms to organizations included in
the survey, and additional copies will be available upon written
request to the Director, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-0001.
Dated: September 13, 2010.
Robert M. Groves,
Director, U.S. Census Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2010-23373 Filed 9-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
