I have a question about how to interpret ACS table cell counts and how to relate these counts to population estimates.
The question begins with the following statement from the ACS 2020 handbook:
"The ACS was designed to provide estimates of the characteristics of the population, not to provide counts of the population in different geographic areas or population subgroups. For basic counts of the U.S. population by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin, visit the Census Bureau's Population and Housing Unit Estimates Web page."
(Understanding and Using American Community Survey Data What All Data Users Need to Know, Page 2)
I think I know what this means. I understand that the demographic methods that produce population estimates are not the same as the survey methods that produce the ACS table counts, that the ACS table counts have survey error, etc. Because of these differences, ACS table counts may not reflect population totals on the ground.
We have users who want to know and report the number of people who are in a given category in an ACS table, e.g., how many people in my [county, municipality, census tract, etc.] report having a disability?
My question is whether the published cell count from an ACS table answers this question. If not, what options are available?
Another question I have is whether organizations that produce population estimates combine these estimates with percentage values derived from ACS tables. I know there are issues with the periodicity of ACS percentages in small geographies (i.e., combining single year population estimates with percentages derived from ACS 5-year data). Are there best practices for combining population estimates with ACS table results?
Is there any guidance available regarding the use of the ACS table counts?
TIA AB
------------------------------
Adam Bickford
Colorado State Demography Office
------------------------------