Calculating MOEs from derived ACS estimates

We currently follow the “>15% CV use with caution” standard recommended by the Compass Guides in our office but I have been doing a little research to explore the idea using of tiered reliability categories especially for working with small area estimates (tracts, zip codes). So far I have found three sources that provide tiered categories, but they are all a little different.

1. State of Washington, Office of Financial Management (I think this is the State Data Center?)
www.ofm.wa.gov/.../ofm_acs_user_guide.pdf
Good: CV
Fair: 15%
Use with caution: CV > 30%

2. ESRI
www.esri.com/.../reliability-flags
High Reliability: CV
Medium Reliability: 12%
Low Reliability: CV>40% (considered very unreliable)

3. Missouri State Data Center mcdc.missouri.edu/.../usage-notes.php
Most Reliable: CV less than 9.1 (RMOE less than 15%)

Middle Category: CV between 9.1 and 21.2 (RMOE between 15%-35%)
Least Reliable: CV 21.2 or greater (RMOE greater than 35%)

I am interested in hearing other’s responses to Stan’s question and also learning about whether anyone else uses tiered reliability guidelines and what your breakdowns are.

We currently follow the “>15% CV use with caution” standard recommended by the Compass Guides in our office but I have been doing a little research to explore the idea using of tiered reliability categories especially for working with small area estimates (tracts, zip codes). So far I have found three sources that provide tiered categories, but they are all a little different.

1. State of Washington, Office of Financial Management (I think this is the State Data Center?)
www.ofm.wa.gov/.../ofm_acs_user_guide.pdf
Good: CV
Fair: 15%
Use with caution: CV > 30%

2. ESRI
www.esri.com/.../reliability-flags
High Reliability: CV
Medium Reliability: 12%
Low Reliability: CV>40% (considered very unreliable)

3. Missouri State Data Center mcdc.missouri.edu/.../usage-notes.php
Most Reliable: CV less than 9.1 (RMOE less than 15%)

Middle Category: CV between 9.1 and 21.2 (RMOE between 15%-35%)
Least Reliable: CV 21.2 or greater (RMOE greater than 35%)

I am interested in hearing other’s responses to Stan’s question and also learning about whether anyone else uses tiered reliability guidelines and what your breakdowns are.