The U.S. Census Bureau will host a prerelease webinar on January 22 at 1 p.m. ET to discuss the upcoming release of the 2020-2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. The session aims to guide users on how to access ACS data and offer advice on comparing different geographies and statistics over time.
The ACS collects a broad range of information about people and housing in the United States, including topics such as language spoken at home, education levels, commuting patterns, employment status, mortgage or rent details, income, poverty rates, and health insurance coverage. It is noted as the only source for local estimates on most of these subjects.
According to the Census Bureau, embargo subscribers will be able to view these new statistics beginning January 27 at 10 a.m. ET. The data covers various geographic areas: all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, congressional and state legislative districts, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, counties, places, census tracts, and block groups. Embargoed content will remain available until January 29 at 12:01 a.m. ET; wire services are not allowed to distribute any embargoed news stories or files before public release. Full public access to all datasets is scheduled for January 29 by 10 a.m. ET.
“Statistics will be available to embargo subscribers beginning Jan. 27, at 10 a.m. ET for a variety of geographic areas, including all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, congressional and state legislative districts, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, counties, places, and other geographies down to census tracts and block groups.”
Those interested in registering for embargo access can do so via the Census Bureau’s website: www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/embargoed_releases
The prerelease webinar will feature Gretchen Gooding (chief of Outreach and Education Branch at the American Community Survey Office), Vicki Mack (statistician with the American Community Survey Office), and Jewel Jordan (public affairs specialist from the Public Information Office). The event will include both an audio conference and an online presentation; participants do not need to call in separately for audio.
“Attendees do not have to call into the webinar to hear the audio,” according to organizers.
Credentialed media members and data users can ask questions during or after the presentation using either an online Q&A feature or through audio channels.
Registration for this event is available at www.census.gov/data/academy/webinars/2026/2020-2024-acs-5-year-prerelease.html
