Easily Access and Use American Community Survey Data
Data from the most current American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates are now available within the ArcGIS platform through the ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World.
These ready-to-use layers allow instant access to publicly-available, fully documented and ready-to-analyze data sourced from the Census. These layers cover topics such as basic population characteristics, housing, education, poverty, home ownership, journey to work, employment and many more that you can use as-is or customize for your specific needs.
What is the American Community Survey?
"The American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing survey that provides vital information on a yearly basis about our nation and its people.
Information from the survey generates data that help determine how more than $675 billion in federal and state funds are distributed each year.
Through the ACS, we know more about jobs and occupations, educational attainment, veterans, whether people own or rent their homes, and other topics. Public officials, planners, and entrepreneurs use this information to assess the past and plan the future." - US Census Bureau
Each year, the Census Bureau releases ACS estimates based on 1-year and 5-year collections of survey data. According to the Census, the 5-year estimates are the most reliable because the survey has a larger sample size. Because of this, the ACS layers in the Living Atlas represent the 5-year estimates.
For example, this map uses a Living Atlas 5-year ACS layer to map the predominant non-English language spoken at home:
Spanish Indo-European Language Asian and Pacific Islander Language Some other Language
Next, let's learn more about these layers, how to access them, and their benefits.
ACS Data Layers in the Living Atlas
ACS Data. Accessible in your ArcGIS workflows.
Many tables from ACS are now available at your fingertips throughout the ArcGIS platform.
The data is accessible as hosted feature layers, so all you need is an internet connection to use them. Through the ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World, you can easily add these layers into your maps and analysis in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro. You can also use them within applications, dashboards, Story Maps, Insights, and many other ArcGIS tools.
These ACS layers in the Living Atlas are automatically updated each December shortly after the Census releases their newest estimates. This means that the layer and service URL you access will always contain the most current 5-year ACS data. No need to download data and process it on your own!
Where is the data coming from?
The data in these layers come directly from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey API and is joined to the appropriate TIGER boundaries.
Each layer contains one or more ACS table based on the topic of the data. Layers that contain multiple tables are grouped for easier map creation.
Where can I access these layers?
The layers can be accessed from different places, depending on your preferred GIS workflow. Just search for "current year ACS":
Living Atlas of the World within ArcGIS Pro
Living Atlas of the World within the ArcGIS Online Map Viewer
Browse the ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World
Living Atlas of the World within ArcGIS Online Content
ArcGIS Online Group: American Community Survey (ACS) Current 5-year Estimates
What maps can be made with these layers?
These layers contain almost 1000 attributes from the Census Bureau, meaning that many maps can be created from the layers. You can even use these web maps within your own Story Maps or Applications. For example, this map about the predominant highest level of education in the US:
To see more example maps created from these layers visit this ArcGIS Online group:
Current-Year ACS Map and App Examples
What are some of the benefits of using these layers?
Publicly available (meaning no credits are required! You can easily share in maps and apps)
Fully documented item page for each item and service
Ready-to-use (default cartography and popup set by default, making it easy to customize into your own maps)
Multiple geography levels (State, County, and Census Tracts)
Each topic is hosted with TIGER boundaries and polygon centroids
Coastlines and major rivers are included in boundaries, helping make useful and beautiful maps.
Ability to perform analysis against them (AGOL, Pro)
Contains margin of error (MOE) values
Additional calculated fields (such as percentages using the appropriate denominator)
Ready-to-Use in Your GIS Workflows
To get you started, we will walk you through an example. This workflow starts in ArcGIS Online within Map Viewer:
To get started, go to "Add" and choose "Browse Living Atlas Layers"
Search for the term "current year ACS".
Notice that the results have a consistent thumbnail and naming convention. They are also all owned by the esri_demographics account. This is how you know you're seeing the correct layers.
If you click on one of the titles, more information will appear.
You can learn more about the data and its source directly from the Map Viewer, or you can choose to view the full item description page for the layer by clicking this symbol:
For example, this layer shows the poverty status of the population by different age groups.
To add the layer, choose "Add to Map" or click the plus sign next to the layer you want to add.
Within the Contents, you'll see that there are three geography levels included in each ACS layer: State, County, and Tract.
If you click on one of the geography levels within Contents, you'll see the Legend for the layer.
This will be the same Legend for the State, County, and Tract layers so that the colors mean the same thing between the geography levels.
Within Contents, you can see that the State and Tract layers are greyed out. This is because the scales of the map have been pre-configured to only show one layer at a time. To see the others layers, simply zoom in or out.
Let's explore the different geography levels. First, zoom out to see states.
Now we see states in the map.
You'll notice that Puerto Rico and Washington DC are included at all geography levels.
Now, let's zoom into a city. We can search or scroll in to see Los Angeles, California.
Now, we see tracts within the map, and this is reflected within Contents.
Each geography level is not only configured with default cartography, but also a default popup about the topic.
This makes it easy to make your own map by making slight variations!
Simply make the changes you want, and choose "Save" at the top of the map. Or choose to keep the default settings and save as a web map to use in your own Story Maps, dashboards, and apps.
Learn More
To learn more about these layers, or to start using them, visit these resources:
Blog: Mapping American Community Survey Data Just Got Easier
American Community Survey Current-Year Estimates ArcGIS Online Group
ACS data layers in the ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World
Ready-to-use map examples created from these ACS layers
Blog: Make a Map about Your Community in 4 Easy Steps
FAQs for ACS Hosted Feature Services
Story Map: Boundaries vs Centroids?
Many ACS maps created from these layers can also be found on the Esri Maps for Public Policy website
To learn more about the American Community Survey, visit these resources from the U.S. Census Bureau:
"About the American Community Survey" - U.S. Census Bureau
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau's Available APIs and TIGER Geodatabases (State, County, Census Tract, Area Water, and cartographic coastline boundaries)
To view the maps shown within this Story Map, visit the links below:
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