Census Data FAQ

Why is the new census data referred to as the 2006-2010 American Community Survey (ACS)?

The data is derived from the  2006 to 2010 American Community Survey rather than the traditional decennial census. The Census Bureau will continue to conduct decennial census surveys, but the results will no longer be used for employment statistics. Instead, the Census Bureau will continually conduct electronic American Community Surveys that will examine a smaller, random segment of the population.

When do I need to start using the 2010 ACS data in my AAP?

41 CFR 60-2.14 states: “The contractor must use the most current and discrete statistical information available to derive availability figures. Examples of such information include census data, data from local job service offices, and data from colleges or other training institutions.” The 2006-2010 ACS data is certainly more current than the 2000 Census data and therefore should be immediately used. The OFCCP announced that all government contractors must begin using the 2010 ACS data to develop all AAPs that commence on or after January 1, 2014.

I don't want to use the 2006-2010 ACS data in my current AAP; when I install the maintenance release, will it convert census data in all of my AAPs to the new 2010 ACS?

Any already-existing AAPs will use whatever data you selected when it was created. The software will automatically use the 2006-2010 ACS data in any AAPs that are created after the update is installed.

Can I change an existing AAP from using the 2000 Census data to the 2010 Census data?

Yes, from the Utilities menu, choose Options and then the Census tab. You will also have the option to select either Worksite or Residence.

What will happen to my data when I prompt The Complete AAP to use the 2010 data?

The Complete AAP will automatically convert the 2000 geographic census areas and the census codes assigned to your jobs to the 2006-2010 ACS codes where possible. Note that not all geographic areas have exact matches, so some will have to be manually assigned. This can be done within the Job Group screen. Your 2000 geographic census areas and census codes assigned to your jobs are kept intact, so if you decide to switch back to the 2000 data, all your work will remain. In addition, the program also remembers 2006-2010 ACS geographic areas and the census codes assigned to your jobs, so you can switch back and forth between the 2000 census data and the 2006-2010 ACS data at any time.

I use custom combined census areas in my data; will The Complete AAP automatically convert them?

The program will not automatically convert combined areas because of the elimination of some, and the addition of new census areas. You will need to re-create your combined areas.

What is the difference between Worksite and Residence census areas?

Worksite data does not include entire counties; it includes individuals that work in the selected area, regardless of their county of residence. Each census area contains at least 50,000 people that work in the area. Therefore, some sparsely populated areas may not be included in the worksite data set.

Residence data includes people that live in the selected area. They may or may not work in this selected area. Each census area contains at least 50,000 people that work in the area.

See Also

Census Data Conversion from 2000 to 2010

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