According to the US Census Bureau, America is changing, and so is the census. The American Community Survey (ACS) lets communities see how they are changing - filling in the gaps between each 10-year census. The ACS:

• is sent to a small percentage of our population on a rotating basis;
• helps determine how more than $300 billion per year is distributed; and
• informs decisions on policies, programs, and services for communities.  

MRCOG has 2005 and 2006 ACS community profiles available for large geographic areas in the region. 

The American Community Survey replaces the decennial Census “long form”. The benefit of the ACS is that we now have annual estimates for detailed variables including education, commuting, and employment by both place of residence and place of work, rather than having to wait for every 10 years. This is accomplished through smaller sample sizes, and different data collection methods and statistical techniques used to develop multi-year estimates. Due to changes in methodology and survey techniques, caution needs to be exercised when comparing ACS results with data from the Decennial Census.

Beginning in 2005, annual estimates were available for geographies over 65,000. In the MRCOG region that includes Bernalillo, Sandoval and Valencia Counties and the Cities of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. In 2008, three-year period estimates will be available for areas with a population of 20,000 and over. By 2010, five-year period estimates will be available down to the census tract and block group geographies.

Instructions

Below are links to 2005 and 2006 ACS data. The links open an Excel file containing profiles. Each Excel file has 4 tabs at the bottom: demographic, social, economic, and housing, which open a new page of data. See the full range of data available through the ACS here (select datasets, ACS, 2005 ACS, detail tables.)

MRCOG recommends that ACS proportions are used rather than actual numbers for the following reason described by the Missouri State Data Center. Note that the 2005 ACS data only represent persons living in households. The 2006 ACS data includes all persons.

Bernalillo County Profile	2005	2006
Sandoval County Profile	2005	2006
Valencia County Profile	2005	2006
Albuquerque Profile	2005	2006
Rio Rancho Profile	2005	2006

About Our Data

MRCOG Population Estimates offer an alternative to ACS Population Estimates. MRCOG recommends the use of our estimates when possible.  MRCOG develops our estimates using the most up-to-date local data available while the Census Bureau has historically underestimated New Mexico’s population.

Contact:  Kendra Watkins ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )