American Community Survey
What is it measuring?
The ACS is a public nationwide survey that annually collects information on social, economic, housing, and demographic characteristics about the U.S. population. It asks people about their primary work arrangement in the past week, or the most recent job they held in the past five years.
What does it tell us?
ACS data speak to how many workers are self-employed, the industries of these workers, and their annual earnings. Due to the large sample, estimates are available across most jurisdictions. Analysis of New York estimates that the state has 382,000 independent contractors who work in low-paying industries as their main job. Among a group of 11 low-paying industries (which includes personal services, construction, transportation, retail, home health, manufacturing), workers make median annual earnings of $20,000.
How is it collected?
The ACS is conducted annually. Each year, the survey is sent to about 3.5 million addresses in the 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico. Survey response is mandatory, and responses are collected via mail, internet, telephone, and personal visits.
Who collects it?
U.S. Census Bureau
Considerations
The ACS identifies workers based on their primary job (full-time or part-time) and does not consider other work performed for supplemental income. It also relies on respondents understanding their own work arrangement.
How to access this data?
Data are publicly available through the Census Bureau.
Reports
The Magnitude of Low-Paid Gig and Independent Contract Work in New York State.; 2020; ; The New School Center for New York City Affairs;