CANOSIA TOWNSHIP 

The decennial census records two vital but separate sets of data: the country’s population, and the demographic, housing, social, and economic information of the households surveyed. The latter information is collected through the census long form. Both types of data are essential for the administration of federal programs and the distribution of billions of federal dollars.
 

In more densely populated areas, one in six households get the long form, but in smaller communities, as many as half of all households are expected to answer the long form. Households in smaller communities are sampled at a higher rate to make sure that the quality of the data there is as reliable as in urban areas. The drawback of the long form is that it collects data only once every ten years. Rapid change in either population or economic trends causes this infrequently collected data to become outdated.
 

The American Community Survey (ACS), currently being developed by the Census Bureau, would deliver an annually updated, five-year estimate for small communities. It would provide a continuous stream of data for the nation's communities, providing local governments and businesses with annual data that is not just a snapshot in time, but can be likened to a motion picture that shows how a community is changing.
 

Community specific, up-to-date data is fundamental to well-informed, long-term community planning. If local officials know their community is facing an aging population, or a high birth rate, they know they need to begin to develop programs for the elderly, or build schools for the children. Good data helps to determine what type and how much infrastructure a community needs. Finally, localities need accurate data when applying for state and federal assistance, which is critical to many smaller communities.
 

Current plans call for ACS implementation in every county by 2003 with an annual sample of three million housing units. Once fully operational, ACS data will be available every year for areas with population groups of 65,000 or more beginning in 2004. Areas of 20,000 to 65,000 people, which must have data averaged over three years to produce reliable data, will begin receiving data in 2006. Rural areas and urban neighborhoods of less than 20,000 people need five years to accumulate a sample that is as accurate and reliable as the decennial census, which they will begin receiving in 2008. These averages can be updated every year, so that we will be able to measure changes over time for small areas and population groups. Data are collected by mail and telephone, and Census Bureau field representatives follow up with those not responding.
 

CURRENT STATUS:
 

Funding for the ACS may is in jeopardy. Generally, congressional appropriators are under pressure on two fronts. First, there is less money to spend because the economy and, to a lesser extent, the enacted tax cuts, have reduced federal tax receipts. Second, homeland defense funding is a top national priority, leaving less money for other programs.
 

The Census Bureau is under the jurisdiction of the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations subcommittees in Congress. Currently, the Senate Appropriations Committee has passed its Commerce-Justice-State funding bill, S 2778, in which it gives the Bureau $497 million, $208 million less than the president requested in his budget. The administration had asked for $123 million for nationwide implementation of the ACS in FY 2003, but appropriators did not designate any funds specifically for the proposed survey. Spending was increased for other departments and agencies covered by the bill that have a role in homeland security. (Briefing Paper from the National Association of Towns & Township)

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