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Census.gov › American Community Survey › Guidance for Data Users: When to use 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year estimates Skip top of page navigation

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When to use 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year estimates

Choosing which dataset involves more than simply considering the population size in your area. You must think about the balance between currency and sample size/reliability/precision.

For details, research implications, and examples, see "Understanding and Using ACS Single-Year and Multiyear Estimates," page 9 in General Data Users Handbook [PDF 1.6MB]

Distinguishing features of ACS 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year estimates

1-year estimates	3-year estimates	5-year estimates
12 months of collected data	36 months of collected data	60 months of collected data
Data for areas with populations of 65,000+	Data for areas with populations of 20,000+	Data for all areas
Smallest sample size	Larger sample size than 1-year	Largest sample size
Less reliable than 3-year or 5-year	More reliable than 1-year; less reliable than 5-year	Most reliable
Most current data	Less current than 1-year estimates; more current than 5-year	Least current
Best used when	Best used when	Best used when
Currency is more important than precision Analyzing large populations	More precise than 1-year, more current than 5-year Analyzing smaller populations Examining smaller geographies because 1-year estimates are not available	Precision is more important than currency Analyzing very small populations Examining tracts and other smaller geographies because 1-year estimates are not available

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