The U.S. Census Bureau provides population, housing, and economic data at the national, state, and local levels. The following is an overview of Census products and data available for the Town of Amherst. More information about the Census Bureau and its products are available at www.census.gov/
Decennial Census
The Decennial Census is conducted every ten years and provides population and housing data. Every household in the country receives a decennial census survey form; the Census Bureau follows-up on surveys that are not returned. The most recent Decennial Census was completed for 2020 which marked the 24th census in U.S. history and the first time that households were invited to respond to the census online. General information regarding the 2020 Decennial Census can be found at: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-main.html
Below is a brief overview of the data currently available for Amherst per the 2020 Decennial Census.
- Town of Amherst 2020 Decennial Census Data (as of 2-14-2022)
- Census Bureau Data for the Town of Amherst from the 2020 Decennial Census
The following are reports that summarize Decennial Census data for the Town from the 1990, 2000, and 2010 Census.
- Town of Amherst Demographic Analysis 2000-2010
- Decade of Change: Population and Housing Trends for the Towns of Amherst and Clarence 1990-2000
The American Community Survey (ACS)
The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey designed to provide communities with demographic information more frequently than the Decennial Census. The ACS was developed by the Census Bureau to replace the decennial census long form. The survey provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing characteristics of the population. It differs from the Decennial Census. First, data collection occurs continuously, rather than just once every ten years, resulting in a data “video” rather than a decennial “snapshot.” Second, because the ACS surveys only a sample of the population and not the entire population, it provides data estimates rather than complete counts.
For more information about the American Community Survey, please click here.
Responses to the American Community Survey and Decennial Census are critically important to your local community and the country. Local communities depend on information from these data surveys to decide where schools, highways, hospitals, and other important services are needed. The data collected helps determine how to distribute billions of dollars in federal spending each year.
The Economic Census
The Economic Census profiles the U.S. economy every five years, from the national to the local level and by detailed industry and business classification. Also related to the Economic Census are the Economic Census of Island Areas and the Survey of Business Owners. Click here for current information about the 2017 Economic Census. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census.html
Population Estimates Program
The Population Estimates Program (PEP) publishes estimated total population for the previous year for cities and towns, metropolitan areas, counties, and states. PEP annually utilizes current data on births, deaths, and migration to calculate population change since the most recent Decennial Census and produce a time series of estimates of population, demographic components of change, and housing units. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html