How does SAIPE compare to other estimates of poverty and income produced by the U.S. Census Bureau?
The U.S. Census Bureau reports income and poverty estimates from several major national household surveys and programs: the Annual Social and Economic Supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS ASEC), the American Community Survey (ACS), the Survey of Income and Program Participation, Census 2000 Long Form, and the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates Program (SAIPE). Each of these surveys differs from the others in some ways, such as the length and detail of its questionnaire, the number of households included (sample size), and the methodology used to collect and process the data. The SAIPE program uses data from a variety of sources, to create statistical models to produce income and poverty estimates. It is important to understand that different surveys and methods, which are designed to meet different needs, may produce different results. For more information about the various surveys, please see: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/about/datasources/description.html.
