Data Sources

Data Sources Overview

Draft, updated 4/1/2025

This site currently offers two sets of estimates, both from the American Community Survey (ACS). On the Stats page, the Select Topic menu allows you to choose estimates by set. (To go beyond these sets, see Dataset Directory and Disability Data Source User Guides.)

ACS Custom 1-Year Estimates

The ACS Custom 1-Year Estimates are generated by DisabilityStatistics.org staff using the 1-year ACS Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) data. Based on the most current data available, these estimates are best for national and state-level estimates. They include more topics and demographic breakdowns than the ACS Census 5-Year Estimates.

Topics for ACS Custom 1-Year Estimates

  • Prevalence (Custom Estimates)
  • Employment (Custom Estimates)
  • Not working but actively looking for work
  • Full-time/full-year employment
  • Annual earnings (full-time/full-year)
  • Annual household income
  • Poverty
  • Supplemental Security Income
  • Educational attainment
  • Veterans service-connected disability
  • Health insurance coverage

ACS Census 5-Year Estimates

The ACS Census 5-Year Estimates are based on estimates from tables generated by the Census Bureau, based on data compiled over a 5-year period. These estimates are best for small, substate areas, such as counties, and the topics are more limited than those in the ACS Custom 1-Year Estimates.

Topics for ACS Census 5-Year Estimates

  • Prevalence (Census Estimates)
  • Employment (Census Estimates)
  • Work characteristics