Each year, the Census Bureau releases three versions of the American
Communities Survey (ACS). These are the One Year, the Three Year, and the Five Year ACS Estimates. These are released based on the population size of
the municipality. Five year estimates are released for EVERY level of
census geography (down to the block group level) as well as every municipal civil division (think town, city, and village). Three year estimates are
only released for geographies or municipalities with a MINIMUM
population of 20,000 persons. So many smaller villages and towns are
excluded. One year estimates are released for municipalities with a
MINIMUM population of 65,000. This means they are mostly available for counties
and larger cities.What this means for municipalities is that in some cases (Oneida County for example), each year there are 3 levels of ACS released - the One Year, the Three Year, and the Five Year ACS Estimates ALL include Oneida County data. Other communities, like Herkimer County, only have two versions of the ACS that cover them - the Three Year, and the Five Year ACS Estimates. And even still smaller areas, say the tiny villages such as Newport, can only find annual updates of data in the Five Year estimates.
Each of these types of ACS releases have advantages and disadvantages. The rule of thumb, when multiple versions are released and available, is that you should use the One Year, the Three Year Estimates when you are looking for the NEWEST data out there. They cover the most recent time frame for release of data. Because they have smaller sample periods (1 or 3 years) they also have the greater variability, so that is the downside of using them. On the other hand, if you have a choice, you should use the Five Year estimates when you are looking for the most accurate data, or perhaps the better way to say it is when you want to see the data with the least variability.
Regardless, the most recent Five Year Estimates have now become a permanent part of this blog in the linked area just below the blog title. A permanent link will take you to the most recent five year estimate post so you can always easily find this important data for both Herkimer and Oneida Counties !
Below are the individual links to the most recent (2013) ACS Five Year Estimate's Demographic, Social, Economic, and Housing Profiles for each county.
Herkimer County ACS Five Year Demographic Profile
Herkimer County ACS Five Year Social Profile
Herkimer County ACS Five Year Economic Profile
Herkimer County ACS Five Year Housing Profile
Oneida County ACS Five Year Demographic Profile
Oneida County ACS Five Year Social Profile
Oneida County ACS Five Year Economic Profile
Oneida County ACS Five Year Housing Profile
