The American Community Survey (ACS) is a new nationwide survey designed to provide communities a fresh look at how they are changing. It is a critical element in the Census Bureau's reengineered decennial census program. The ACS collects information such as age, race, income, commute time to work, home value, veteran status, and other important data.

The ACS collects and produces population and housing information every year instead of every ten years which provides more up-to-date information throughout the decade about the U.S. population at the local community level. About three million housing unit addresses are selected annually, from across every county in the nation.

In 2008 two types of estimates are available from the American Community Survey: one-year estimates (based on data collected in a single year) and three-year estimates (based on data collected in three consecutive years).

Beginning with the 2005 ACS, and continuing every year thereafter, 1-year estimates are available annually for geographic areas with a population of 65,000 or more. This includes the nation, all states and the District of Columbia, all congressional districts, approximately 800 counties, and 500 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, among others.

The 2007 ACS one-year estimates are based on data collected between January 2007 and December 2007. It represents the average characteristics Over calendar year 2007, has smaller sample size than the 3-year estimates, and Is More current than the 3-year estimates.