Simulation of Continuous Measurement for Small Area Estimation

The Census Bureau is considering the replacement of the decennial census long form for the collection of the sample data with a continuous survey. The Continuous Measurement Survey (CMS) is designed to provide yearly estimates for large areas and multiyear averages for small areas. This will provide timely estimates for large areas that are currently produced only every ten years from the decennial long form. The tract and block group estimates (the smallest area that estimates will be produced) would accumulate sample over five years (three years at the start up) to provide rolling estimates. Currently very little, if any, data are available at these small areas except every ten years from the decennial census.