The American Community Survey in our Data Tools
Updated March 2026
Headwaters Economics continuously updates all of its data tools with the latest demographic and economic data available. The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) appears in many of our data tools and is the leading source of socioeconomic statistics for every level of geography in the nation.
Our tools currently use the latest ACS data released in January 2026.
About the American Community Survey
Unlike the decennial census that counts every person every 10 years, the ACS is an ongoing survey sent monthly to a sample of households. The survey collects information about topics that aren’t included in the census, such as educational attainment, housing, language, commuting distance, and employment. The Census Bureau then uses the surveys to estimate average characteristics over a five-year period. The ACS is the most comprehensive resource for understanding socioeconomic characteristics in the nation.
The latest ACS data comprise statistics from 2020 to 2024. They were released by the Census Bureau in January of 2026 and added to Headwaters Economics’ tools in February of 2026.
Find ACS Data in Our Tools
Economic Profile System
The Economic Profile System displays ACS data for any U.S. community, county, or state in the Quick Facts section. You can also find ACS data in several downloadable reports, including the Demographics, Populations at Risk, Wildfire Risk, Living Near Public Lands, and Tourism reports.
Neighborhoods at Risk
Neighborhoods at Risk displays ACS data by census tract along with information about climate vulnerability.
Agency Tools
Our tools designed specifically for federal land management agencies also use ACS data. These include tools for the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Wildfire Risk to Communities
Wildfire Risk to Communities displays ACS data for every U.S. community, tribal area, county, and state on the Vulnerable Populations tab. This tool also includes interactive maps and charts about wildfire risk and resources to help communities reduce wildfire risk.
Note: ACS data will be updated in Wildfire Risk to Communities on a one-month delay.
This post was originally published on May 17, 2022 and was most recently updated in February of 2026 to reflect changes to this dataset.
