SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
Abstract
Given the rapid demographic changes experienced in recent years and
the strong expectation that such changes will continue and accelerate,
the once-a-decade detailed data collection as part of a decennial
census is no longer acceptable for producing much of the data required
by the Federal government, states, municipalities, and tribal
governments. To meet the needs and expectations of the country, the
Census Bureau developed the American Community Survey (ACS). This
survey collects detailed population and housing data every month and
provides tabulations of these data on a yearly basis. In the past, the long-form data were collected only at the time of each decennial census. After years of development and testing, the ACS began full implementation in households in January 2005 and in group quarters (GQs) in January 2006.
Collecting long-form data during the decade through the ACS has had
a profound effect on the census design plan. The collection of long-
form data had added substantial burden and complexity to past decennial
censuses. Implementing the ACS means that the Decennial Census can
focus on its constitutional mandate to accurately count the population
to apportion the House of Representatives. The ACS--supported by a
complete and accurate address system--has simplified the census design,
resulting in improvements in both coverage and data quality, while
providing current data on detailed population, social, economic, and
housing characteristics.
The ACS provides more timely information for critical economic
planning by governments and the private sector. In the current
information-based economy, federal, state, tribal, and local decision
makers, as well as private business and non-governmental organizations,
need current, reliable, and comparable socioeconomic data to chart the
future. In 2006, the ACS began publishing up-to-date profiles of
American communities every year, providing policymakers, planners, and
service providers in the public and private sectors this information
every year--not just every ten years.
The ACS released estimates of population and housing
characteristics for geographic areas of all sizes in December 2010.
These data products, used by federal agencies and others, are similar
in scope to the Summary File 3 tables from Census 2000. The 2010 Census
did not include these detailed characteristics, leaving the ACS as the
source of data for uses previously associated with the decennial census
long form.
The Census Bureau presently plans to resubmit the ACS to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for extended clearance. The current ACS
content has been reviewed by the Census Bureau, in conjunction with
Federal agency stakeholders, to determine potential areas for improved
item response and/or data quality.
DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on
or before May 9, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet
at dHynek@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to James Treat, U.S. Census Bureau, American
Community Survey Office, Washington, DC 20233, by FAX to (301) 763-8070
or via the Internet at james.b.treat@census.gov.
Full Announcement
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