ACS Data Users Group

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  • 1.  Using ACS for estimates of un/employment rates?

    Posted 05-01-2017 08:29 AM

    Has anyone used the ACS data on civilian employed/unemployed to report estimates of un/employment rates? I'd like to use ACS because the survey has so many more options for disaggregating data by civilian characteristics. My hesitation is that because the source differs from the official unemployment rates, using ACS will cause confusion. Are the ACS and BLS estimates generally similar? I'm specifically thinking of reporting state un/employment rates by educational attainment, if that helps. Thanks for any guidance.



  • 2.  RE: Using ACS for estimates of un/employment rates?

    Posted 05-03-2017 04:24 AM
    The Census Bureau has conducted some research comparing ACS and CPS unemployment rates. The ACS used to overestimate unemployment levels but there were changes to the 2008 questionnaire that have brought the ACS employment and unemployment estimates closer to those of the CPS.

    You can find more information about this on the Census Bureau's website:
    www.census.gov/.../Gottschalck_2012FCSM_VII-B.pdf

    -Mark