[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 8, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56318-56319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27670]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census
[Docket No. 950911228-5258-02]


The American Community Survey

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of determination.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Title 13, United States Code, Sections 182 
and 225, I have determined that data from The American Community Survey 
are needed to evaluate a design to collect timely data for small areas 
and small subpopulations on a continual basis rather than every ten 
years. Government agencies use these data to distribute funding for 
various programs. The American Community Survey will also provide data 
for agencies to evaluate the performance of programs. The general 
public uses the data to examine information like housing quality, 
commuting patterns, and regional age distributions for planning 
purposes. These data are not publicly available from nongovernment or 
other governmental sources.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence S. McGinn, Chief, Continuous 
Measurement Office, on (301) 763-8327.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Census Bureau is authorized to conduct 
surveys necessary to furnish current data on subjects covered by the 
major census authorized by Title 13, United States Code. The data from 
this survey will determine the feasibility of a continuous measurement 
system that provides socioeconomic data on a continual basis throughout 
the decade for small areas and small subpopulations. Currently, the 
decennial census is the only source of data available for small area 
levels and, therefore, these data are collected only once every ten 
years. A continuous measurement system also would provide a mechanism 
for identifying and sampling subpopulation groups for future surveys 
which will be of great benefit to the Federal Statistical System and 
provide data needed by other agencies.
    This survey will be a full-scale implementation of continuous 
measurement in six test sites. The survey will also include a national 
sample to test response rates and the Census Bureau's ability to obtain 
telephone numbers for nonresponse households. The data collected in 
this survey will be within the general scope and nature of those 
inquiries covered in the decennial census every ten years.
    The Census Bureau will select the housing units for the survey from 
a sample of six sites selected to test full continuous measurement 
operations and a sample from designated areas around the country to 
obtain mail response rates. The Bureau will mail questionnaires to the 
households covered by this survey and require the submission as soon as 
possible after receipt. Participation of the selected households will 
be mandatory in accordance with the provisions of Title 13.
    This survey was approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for public use, in accordance 

[[Page 56319]]
with the Paperwork Reduction Act, Public Law 96-511, as amended, and 
was given OMB approval number 0607-0810. A Notice of Consideration was 
published in the Federal Register on September 18, 1995, Volume 60, 
Number 180, page 48097, informing the public of our intent to conduct 
this survey and inviting public comment. No comments on the Notice of 
Consideration were received. We will provide copies of the forms upon 
written request to the Director, Bureau of the Census, Washington, D.C. 
20233.
    Based upon the foregoing, I have directed that a test be conducted 
for the purpose of collecting these data for evaluation of the 
procedures related to a continuous measurement operation.

    Dated November 1, 1995.
Martha Farnsworth Riche,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 95-27670 Filed 11-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P