Decennial Census of Population and Housing Summary Files
The decennial census consists of
two parts, known as the short and long forms. The short
form collects a limited set of data (age, race, sex, household
composition, and housing tenure) for all U.S. households.
The long form collects a larger set of individual, family,
and household characteristics for approximately one out
of six housing units nationwide. The sample size
varies and is generally higher for rural areas. Summary
files (SF) 1 and 2 contain detailed statistical tables
based on short-form data; SF 3 and 4 contain long-form
data, including information on education, employment, income,
migration, commuting, and housing characteristics. Data
are available for many geographic units from national,
State-level, county-level, down to census tracts and
blocks. The census occurs every 10 years beginning in
1790; the latest year available is 2000. See the U.S. Census
Bureau's website for
more information.
Decennial Census of Population and Housing Microdata
The Public
Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) enable analysis of microdata
from the decennial census long form. Extracts from a
small (1 percent or 5 percent) sample of long-form census
records are made available with all identifying information
removed to protect confidentiality. Customized tables can
be constructed for the full array of social and economic
data collected on the long form. Statistical analyses can
be performed at the individual, family, household, and
regional levels, separately or in combination. Geographic
identifiers are limited to Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMAs).
These units are usually made up of county groups, and have
a minimum population threshold of 100,000 or more people
on the 5-percent sample and 400,000 or more on the 1-percent
sample. The majority of PUMAs on the 5-percent sample are
either entirely metro or entirely nonmetro, but a complete
metro-nonmetro delineation is not possible. See the U.S.
Census Bureau's website for
more information.
American Community Survey (ACS)
The ACS is a large, nationwide household
survey recently begun by the U.S. Census Bureau to replace
the decennial long form in future censuses and provide
roughly the same data every year instead of once in 10
years. It uses a continuous measurement technique, combining
monthly samples of 250,000 housing units to produce data
on age, race, education, income, migration, commuting,
housing characteristics, and more. Data for metro
and nonmetro populations, by State, are available
on an annual basis. Multi-year averages will
provide information for small towns and rural areas,
beginning in 2008. See the U.S.
Census Bureau's website for
more information.
Current Population Survey (CPS)
The CPS—a large, nationally representative
monthly survey of approximately 50,000 households—provides
estimates of employment, unemployment, and other characteristics
of the general labor force. In addition, the March CPS
Supplement provides detailed demographic and
socioeconomic characteristics, including education, family
composition, education, income, industry, occupation,
and work experience. The CPS sample is drawn from the
U.S. civilian, non-institutionalized population. Geographic
information is included down to the State level, and
for metro and nonmetro components of each State. See the
U.S. Census Bureau's website for
more information.
Other National Data
Rural-Related Data at ERS
See the list of available ERS data
products.
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