American Community Survey 5-Year Data Product Plans, 57254-57257 [2010-23373]

Download as PDF jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES 57254 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Sep 17, 2010 Jkt 220001 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 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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: E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1 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: jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES 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. VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Sep 17, 2010 Jkt 220001 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 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57255 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 E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1 jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES 57256 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 181 / Monday, September 20, 2010 / Notices 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Sep 17, 2010 Jkt 220001 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 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Sep 17, 2010 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1

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]


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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

[[Page 57255]]

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

[[Page 57256]]

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

[[Page 57257]]

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
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