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six square feet to "preserve the residential character of the
<br />neighborhood," and users of the store must meet the curfew
<br />requirements of 10 p.m. when school is in session and midnight
<br />on the weekends. Finkler says the store is operating with no
<br />apparent complaints from Browerville residents.
<br /> Michael Davidson
<br />
<br />Surveying
<br />American Communities
<br />
<br /> Beginning in 2008, data that were previously available every 10
<br /> years from the Census Bureau will become available annually.
<br /> The bureau is the main provider of statistical information about
<br /> the American public. This information is used by state and local
<br /> governments to formulate public policy. Today, many analysts
<br /> feel that the information obtained through the decennial census
<br /> is outdated quickly. Because billions of federal dollars are
<br /> allocated to cities and organizations based on these data, the
<br /> bureau opted to implement a yearly survey, the American
<br /> Community Survey (ACS). The ACS is a monthly household
<br /> survey that uses independent samples to produce annual average
<br /> estimates. The ACS will collect the same information gathered
<br /> with the census long form, including demographics, housing,
<br /> and socioeconomic conditions. It is projected that by 2010, the
<br /> ACS will replace the long form.
<br /> The ACS calculates an annual population average, whereas
<br /> the census performs a population count. Residence rules also
<br /> differ for each survey. Unlike the census, which uses a "usual"
<br />'. residence approach, the ACS uses "current" residence. For
<br /> example, people residing at a temporary location--students
<br /> living away from home--for two or more months will be
<br /> included at that location, although this place will not necessarily
<br /> be the person's legal or voting residence. The bureau adopted
<br /> the current residence approach because of its more accurate
<br /> depiction of an area. Under this new classification, it is
<br /> projected that there will be fewer owner-occupied units and
<br /> more renter-occupied units. Also, the vacancy rate may be
<br /> somewhat lower. Results from the ACS collected from 1999-
<br /> 2002 will be compared with the Census 2000 long form to
<br /> measure how changes in survey methodology might yield
<br /> different results.
<br /> The ACS is being implemented in four phases, with full
<br /> implementation expected nationwide in 2003. At that point, it
<br /> is estimated that three million households will be surveyed each
<br /> year. However, beginning in 2001, the bureau will be able to
<br /> provide social and economic profiles to states, cities, counties,
<br /> and metropolitan areas with populations exceeding 250,000.
<br /> Data will be available for areas and population groups of 65,000
<br />
<br />Zoning News it a monthly newsletter published by thc American Planning A~sociation.
<br />Subscriptions are available for $50 (U.S.) and $65 (foreign). Frank S. So, Executive Director;
<br />William R. Klein, Director of Research.
<br />Zoning News is produced at APA. Jim Schwab and Mike Davidson, Editors; Fay Dolnick, Kate
<br />Giordano, Kimberly Gester, Sanjay Jeer, Megan Lewis, Marya Morris, B¢cki Retzlaff. Martin
<br />Roupe, Reporters; Cynthia Cheskl, A~istant Editor; Li~a Barton, Design and Production.
<br />Copyright ©1998 by Amerlean Planning A.~ociation, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600,
<br />Chicago, IL 60603. The Ameri~n Planning A~sociation has headquarlers o~ces at 1776
<br />Massachuselts Ave., N.W,, Washington, DC 20036.
<br />All rights re~erved. No part of this publicatian may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by
<br />any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an). information
<br />storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the American Planning
<br />Association.
<br />Printed on recycled paper, including 50-70% recycled fiber
<br />and 10% postconsumer waste. ~
<br />
<br /> or more beginning in 2004. For smaller population areas, it will
<br /> take approximately five years to get a large enough sample to
<br /> report results with accuracy. Information for these areas,
<br /> including census tracts and neighborhoods, will be available
<br /> annually beginning in 2008.
<br /> Currently, the ACS is in the demonstration period. In 1997,
<br /> the survey was conducted in eight jurisdictions to evaluate costs,
<br /> procedures, and new ways to use the information. Test locations
<br /> included: Portland/Multnomah County, Oregon; Brevard
<br /> County, Florida; Rockland County, New York; Fulton County,
<br /> Pennsylvania; Omaha/Douglas County, Nebraska; Otero
<br /> County, New Mexico; Columbus/Franklin County, Ohio; and
<br /> Houston/Fort Bend and Harris Counties, Texas.
<br /> In 1999-2001, the number of sites in the sample will be
<br />increased to 37 pilot, or "comparison" sites. The pilot sites were
<br />chosen to represent a broad mix of geographic locations, diverse
<br />socioeconomic conditions, and rapidly changing areas. The
<br />locations must meet specified cost and data collection criteria
<br />outlined by the bureau; at each site, there must also be local
<br />experts who will use the data and make comparisons with the
<br />Census 2000.
<br /> An ACS goal is to provide data to the users within six
<br />months of the end of a collection or calendar year. The
<br />timeliness of the data will impact all levels of government. For
<br />the federal government, this information will allow for more
<br />equitable funding for programs. The data collected from the
<br />ACS will be useful not only to federal agencies, but also to state,
<br />local, and tribal governments for planning, administering, and
<br />evaluating programs. With yearly data, local governments will
<br />be able to identify rapid changes in population and adapt their
<br />policies to reflect these changes. As with census data, it is hoped
<br />that communities will use this information to plan for economic
<br />development, make decisions about locating public facilities and
<br />roads, and compare aspects of the local economy with
<br />communities of similar size and socioeconomic status.
<br /> Brevard County, Florida, Planning and Zoning Director Mel
<br />Scott, hopes that an annual census will increase the possibility of
<br />retaining a land-use map that has relevance and meaning.
<br />Currently, the maps are based on outdated information which
<br />jeopardizes the community's ability to accommodate future
<br />growth in the area.
<br /> Professor Bill Rieves, of Franklin University in Ohio, says
<br />once census data becomes obsolete, some communities hire
<br />costly private companies to update demographic and
<br />socioeconomic data. Annual data will essentially eradicate this
<br />problem. It is also hoped that demand for different types of land
<br />use can be identified with this data, says Dennis Sandquist, a
<br />principal planner for Lake County, Illinois. As demand changes,
<br />land-use maps can be adjusted to accommodate the fluctuations.
<br /> Other goals of the ACS program include:
<br />
<br />· Meeting federal data needs for distributing funds, evaluating
<br /> programs, and enforcing regulations.
<br />
<br />· Aiding state and local officials in meeting new responsibilities
<br /> under devolution.
<br />
<br />· Supporting sound decision making by improving the quality
<br /> of the nation's information infrastructure.
<br />
<br /> For more information on the American Community Survey,
<br />contact the Census Bureau at 888-456-7215, or visit the website
<br />at www.census.govlcms/www. Kimberly Gester
<br />
<br />
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