[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32084-32085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13771]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

[Docket Number 150519465-5465-01]


Streamlining Summary Level 070 Tables in the 5-Year American 
Community Survey

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) collects 
detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data from about 3.5 
million addresses in the United States and 36,000 in Puerto Rico each 
year. Annual data products are released in the form of 1-Year and 5-
Year estimates with 5-Year estimates being produced for over 578,000 
geographies by 87 different summary levels. Most summary levels and 
their corresponding geographies are then produced for approximately 
1,000 detailed tables. As a cost-saving measure and to improve 
usability of the estimates, the Census Bureau is reviewing the data 
products released by the ACS for usefulness and necessity. Beginning 
with the 2010-2014 ACS 5-Year estimates, the Census Bureau plans to 
streamline the production and release of Summary Level 070 tables 
(state/county/county subdivision/place remainder (or part)) to 15 
tables. This very small summary level was created to allow for the 
delineation of metropolitan, micropolitan, and related statistical 
areas by the Office of Budget and Management (OMB). The Census Bureau 
recommends only tabulating and releasing those 15 tables for Summary 
Level 070 that are necessary for the delineation of metropolitan, 
micropolitan, and related statistical areas (particularly for 
identification of New England City and Town Area principal cities), 
commuting analysis, and basic demographic and housing analysis.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received by 
July 6, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to KaNin Reese, Rm. 7H176F, U.S. 
Census Bureau, Social, Economic and Housing Statistics Division, 
Washington, DC 20233 or via email at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: KaNin Reese, Rm. 7H176F, U.S. Census 
Bureau, Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division, Washington, 
DC 20233, by phone at 301-763-3493 or via email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Beginning with the 2010-2014 ACS 5-Year 
tables, the Census Bureau plans to streamline the production and 
release of Summary Level 070 tables (state/county/county subdivision/
place remainder (or part)) to the 15 tables necessary for the 
delineation of metropolitan, micropolitan, and related statistical 
areas (particularly for identification of New England City and Town 
Area principal cities) by the Office of Budget and Management (OMB), 
for other commuting analysis, and for basic demographic and housing 
analysis. The Census Bureau conducts the ACS program under 13 U.S.C. 
Sections 141 and 193. In our latest release, this summary level was 
produced for 69,939 unique geographies with approximately 70 percent of 
all estimates produced as zero since place parts in the county 
subdivision represent very small areas. In addition to the data quality 
of these small geographies, the user statistics show that these tables 
are not widely accessed by data users.
    Since the ACS was created as the replacement for the Census long-
form, the ACS began by producing the same summary levels that were 
produced in Census 2000. The purpose of Summary Level 070 (state/
county/county subdivision/place remainder (or part)) is for the 
delineation of metropolitan, micropolitan, and related statistical 
areas (particularly for identification of New England City and Town 
Area principal cities) under OMB standards. However, not all 1,000 
detailed tables being produced for this summary level are needed for 
delineation. The Census Bureau has identified ten commuting tables 
necessary for the delineation process and for other commuting analysis, 
and five basic demographic and housing tables necessary for the 
production and release of the summary level.

    The 15 tables to remain for Summary Level 070 include:

1. B01001--Sex by Age
2. B01003--Total Population
3. B02001--Race
4. B08007--Sex of Workers by Place of Work--State and County Level
5. B08008--Sex of Workers by Place of Work--Place Level
6. B08009--Sex of Workers by Place of Work--Minor Civil Division Level 
for 12 Selected States (CT, ME, MA, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, WI)
7. B08301--Means of Transportation to Work
8. B08302--Time Leaving Home to Go to Work
9. B08303--Travel Time to Work
10. B08601--Means of Transportation to Work for Workplace Geography
11. B08602--Time Arriving at Work from Home for Workplace Geography
12. B08603--Travel Time to Work for Workplace Geography
13. B08604--Worker Population for Workplace Geography
14. B25001--Housing Units
15. B25003--Tenure

    The Census Bureau has been reviewing and documenting the utility of 
releasing Summary Level 070 by all 1,000 tables for several years. Not 
only is the data quality insufficient for many of the individual 
geographies, but very few data users are accessing the tables on 
American Factfinder or our summary files on our FTP site. Further, we 
have an increasing concern that some data users may be using the 
summary level incorrectly, mistaking these place parts in the county 
subdivision for the place-level geographies.
    By releasing only a few key demographic, social, and housing tables 
for this summary level, we believe we are still maintaining the true 
purpose and integrity of the summary level while eliminating a great 
deal of additional resources needed for the full production of the 
product. Streamlining the tables in this summary level will

[[Page 32085]]

save the Census Bureau almost $100,000 over a 5-year period. If data 
users believe that additional tables are necessary for this summary 
level, we welcome those suggestions.
    Specifically, comments are invited on: (a) Whether Summary Level 
070 (state/county/county subdivision/place remainder (or part)) is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information has practical utility; (b) whether 
the 15 tables planned for release are sufficient for data user needs 
for these geographies; and (c) if there are additional tables beyond 
the 15 listed for Summary Level 070 that are necessary for the 5-Year 
release.

    Dated: May 29, 2015.
John H. Thompson,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 2015-13771 Filed 6-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-07-P