Census Demographic Data
Demographic Census and Surveys (Decennial Census, ACS, AHS, CPS, SIP)
The Central Plains Federal Statistical Research Data Center (CPRDC) is a joint project of the U.S. Bureau of the Census
and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, partnering also with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of South Dakota, University of Iowa, and
Iowa State University to enable qualified researchers with approved projects to access unpublished Census data in order to conduct research that benefits
Census Bureau programs.
Decennial Census (CEN)
Description: The Decennial Census Long Form Sample is a 1-in-6 sample of all households in
the U.S. The questions asked of this sample include age, race, sex, educational attainment, income,
place of work, occupation, household relationships, housing unit characteristics, etc. Because
these files are large, processing with them can be very time and resource intensive. In cases
where there is no valid response for an individual (or household where applicable), the item
is filled in using a system of allocation. Allocation consists of using the response of a similar
observation to fill in a missing item. A great deal of documentation of the Decennial Census is
available on the Census Bureau’s website.
Survey Unit: Combination (household units)
Frequency: Every ten years
Time Periods: 1990 – 2000
Number of Observations: 16.6 million households and 43.5 million individuals most recently
Sponsor: Census Bureau
Data Webpage: http://www.census.gov/main/www/cen2000.html
American Community Survey (ACS)
Description: The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey designed to provide communities a fresh look at how they
are changing. The ACS collects information from U.S. households similar to what was collected on the Census 2000 long form, such as income, commute time to work,
home value, veteran status, and other important data. As with the official U.S. census, information about individuals will remain confidential. The ACS
will collect and produce population and housing information every year instead of every ten years. About three million households will be surveyed each year.
Collecting data every year will reduce the cost of the official decennial census, and will provide more up-to-date information throughout the decade about trends
in the U.S. population at the local community level. A similar program is planned for Puerto Rico. The ACS began in 1996 and has expanded each subsequent year.
Survey Unit: Housing Unit
Frequency: Annual
Time Periods: 1996 - 2011
Number of Observations: 3 million
Sponsor: Census Bureau
Data Webpage: http://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/
American Housing Survey (AHS)
Description: The American Housing Survey (AHS) collects data on the Nation’s housing, including apartments, single-family homes, mobile homes,
vacant housing units, household characteristics, income, housing and neighborhood quality, housing costs, equipment and fuels, size of housing unit, and recent movers.
National data are collected in odd numbered years, and data for each of 47 selected Metropolitan Areas are collected about every four years, with an average of 12
Metropolitan Areas included each year. The AHS returns to the same housing units year after year to gather data; therefore, this survey is ideal for analyzing the flow
of households through housing.
Survey Unit: Housing Unit
Frequency: Annual
Time Periods: 1984-1999, 2001-2005, 2007, 2009, 2011
Number of Observations: The American Housing Survey (AHS-MS) is conducted in 41 metropolitan areas on a rotating basis. Thirteen metropolitan areas are
included, with a sample size of approximately 4,800 addresses in each AHS-MS area.
Sponsor: Department of Housing and Urban Development
Data Webpage: http://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/ahs/
Current Population Survey (CPS)
Description: The Current Population Survey - March Supplement (CPS) collects data concerning work experience, several sources of income, migration,
household composition, health insurance coverage, and receipt of non-cash benefits.
Survey Unit: Household
Frequency: Annual
Time Periods: 1967-2011
Number of Observations: 72,000
Sponsor: Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data Webpage: http://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps.html
National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
Description: NCVS is the Nation’s primary source of information on criminal victimization. Each year, data are obtained from a nationally
representative sample of about 40,000 households comprising nearly 75,000 persons on the frequency, characteristics and consequences of criminal victimization in
the United States. Each household is interviewed twice during the year. The survey enables BJS to estimate the likelihood of victimization by rape, sexual assault,
robbery, assault, theft, household burglary, and motor vehicle theft for the population as a whole as well as for segments of the population such as women, the elderly,
members of various racial groups, city dwellers, or other groups. The NCVS provides the largest national forum for victims to describe the impact of crime and characteristics
of violent offenders.
Survey Unit: Household
Frequency: Annual
Time Periods: 2008-2011
Number of Observations: 40,000 households comprising nearly 75,000 persons
Sponsor: Bureau of Justice Statistics
Data Webpage: http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=dcdetail&iid=245
National Longitudinal Survey (NLS)
Description: The National Longitudinal Surveys (NLS), sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), are a set of surveys designed to gather
information at multiple points in time on the labor market experiences of groups of men and women. Each of the cohorts has been selected to represent all people
living in the United States at the initial interview date and born during a given period. This selection allows weighted conclusions to be drawn about the
sample group that can be generalized to represent the experiences of the larger population of U.S. residents born during the same period. Sample design procedures ensure
that the labor market experiences of blacks, Hispanics, youths, women, and the economically disadvantaged can be examined. The NLS program also includes surveys of the children
born to women who participate in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79). Detailed information is gathered biennially on the child’s home environment and
cognitive, socioemotional, and physiological development; as they get older, these young adults report on their education, workforce participation, and fertility. This unique set
of national surveys offers researchers the opportunity to study large panels of men, women, and children over significant segments of their lives. The primary purpose of the NLS
is to collect data on the labor force experiences of adults and young adults. In addition, the surveys have regularly gathered information about a range of factors
potentially affecting labor market attachment, including investments in education and training, geographic region of residence, the influence of parents, marital status and family
responsibilities, socioeconomic status, work-related attitudes and aspirations, health problems, and job discrimination.
Survey Unit: Individual
Frequency: Annual
Time Periods: 1966-1999
Number of Observations: 5,000
Sponsor: Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data Webpage: https://www.nlsinfo.org/investigator/pages/login.jsp
National Longitudinal Mortality Survey (NLMS)
Description: The National Longitudinal Mortality Study (NLMS) consists of a database developed for the purpose of studying the effects of demographic and
socio-economic characteristics on differentials in U.S. mortality rates. The National Longitudinal Mortality Study (NLMS) is a unique research database based on a random sample
of the non-institutionalized population of the United States. It consists of U.S. Census Bureau data from Current Population Surveys, Annual Social and Economic Supplements and a
subset of the 1980 Census combined with death certificate information to identify mortality status and cause of death. The cohorts begin at various dates from 1973 through 1998
matched to death records dating through 1998. The survey includes demographic data, employment status, death records, and geographic information.
Survey Unit: Individual
Frequency: Variable
Time Periods: 1967-2011
Number of Observations: 3 million records total
Sponsors: Census Bureau,
National Cancer Institute (NCI),
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS),
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI),
and
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) Longitudinal
Description: The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) collects information on source and amount of income, labor force information, program
participation and eligibility data, and general demographic characteristics to measure the effectiveness of existing federal, state, and local programs; to estimate future
costs and coverage for government programs, such as food stamps; and to provide improved statistics on the distribution of income in the country. There are three basic elements
contained in the overall design of the survey content. The control card is used to record basic social and demographic characteristics for each person in the household at the time
of the initial interview. The second major element of the survey content is the core portion of the questionnaire. The core questions are repeated at each interview and cover labor
force activity, the types and amounts of income received during the four- month reference period, and participation status in various programs. The third major element is the various
supplements or topical modules that will be included during selected household visits. A list of topical modules includes work history, health characteristics (including disability), assets
and liabilities, pension plan coverage, housing characteristics, child care, child support agreements, support for nonhousehold members, program participation history, reasons for not working,
calendar year income and benefits, taxes, and education and training.
Survey Unit: Household
Frequency: Variable
Time Periods: 1984-1988, 1990-1993
Sponsor: Census Bureau
Data Webpage: http://www.census.gov/sipp/
Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) Panels
Description: The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) collects information on source and amount of income, labor force information, program
participation and eligibility data, and general demographic characteristics to measure the effectiveness of existing federal, state, and local programs; to estimate future costs
and coverage for government programs, such as food stamps; and to provide improved statistics on the distribution of income in the country. There are three basic elements contained
in the overall design of the survey content. The control card is used to record basic social and demographic characteristics for each person in the household at the time of the initial
interview. The second major element of the survey content is the core portion of the questionnaire. The core questions are repeated at each interview and cover labor force activity,
the types and amounts of income received during the four- month reference period, and participation status in various programs. The third major element is the various supplements or
topical modules that will be included during selected household visits. A list of topical modules includes work history, health characteristics (including disability), assets and liabilities,
pension plan coverage, housing characteristics, child care, child support agreements, support for nonhousehold members, program participation history, reasons for not working, calendar
year income and benefits, taxes, and education and training.
Survey Unit: Household
Frequency: Monthly
Time Periods: 1984, 1990-1993, 1996, 2001, 2004, 2008
Number of Observations: 14,000 - 37,000
Sponsor: Census Bureau
Data Webpage: http://www.census.gov/sipp/