Census Data

The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey designed to provide communities a fresh look at how they are changing. The ACS replaced the decennial census long form in 2010 and thereafter by collecting long form type information throughout the decade rather than only once every 10 years.

Questionnaires are mailed to a sample of addresses to obtain information about households that is, about each person and the housing unit itself.

The American Community Survey produces demographic, social, housing and economic estimates in the form of 1-year and 5-year estimates based on population thresholds. The strength of the ACS is in estimating population and housing characteristics. It produces estimates for small areas, including census tracts and population subgroups.

Although the ACS produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, the Census Bureau's population estimates program produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities and towns, and estimates of housing units for states and counties

For 2020 and other decennial census years, the Decennial Census provides the official counts of population and housing units

US Census Bureau: Nationwide data from the most recent census and annual estimates.

Rhode Island State Data Center: Official source for demographic, economic, and social statistics produced by the US Census Bureau.