American Community Survey reveals demographic differences

(Washington) — The US Census Bureau has released the latest results from its ongoing American Community Survey.

Robert Kominski, the bureau’s assistant chief of social characteristics, says the survey helps governments and businesses plan for the future by crunching demographic numbers at the neighborhood level.

For instance, he says, 27 percent of Pennsylvania adults have a bachelor’s degree.

“You go to places like Swarthmore… or Fort Washington, PA and proportions range from 70 – 80 percent who have a bachelor’s degree,” he says. “On the flip side if you go to other areas, like Chester, PA… you’re talking about only 8 or 10 percent.”

Harrisburg’s number is 29 percent.

Kominski says the Census Bureau has developed an online tool, known as the Census Explorer, which uses ACS data to let the user graphically track how various demographics have changed over the past 20 years.