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Disability
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Decennial Census of Population and Housing
- The 1990 Decennial Census included two questions with 2 subparts each with which to identify
people with disabilities. They were as follows:
- 18. Does this person have a physical, mental, or other health condition that has lasted
for 6 or more months and which -
- a. Limits the kind or amount of work this person can do at a job?
- b. Prevents this person from working at a job?
- 19. Because of a health condition that has lasted for 6 or more months, does this person have
any difficulty -
- a. Going outside the home alone, for example, to shop or visit a doctor's office?
- b. Taking care of his or her own personal needs, such as bathing, dressing, or getting
around inside the home?
Census 2000 included 2 questions with a total of six subparts with which to identify people with
disabilities. The data on disability status were derived from answers to long-form questionnaire
items 16 and 17. The questions were as follows:
- 16. Does this person have any of the following long-lasting conditions:
- a. Blindness, Deafness, or severe vision or hearing impairments?
- b. A condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as
walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying?
- 17. Because of a physical, mental or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more, does this
person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities:
- a. Learning, remembering, or concentrating?
- b. dressing, bathing, or getting around inside the home?
- c. (ANSWER IF THIS PERSON IS 16 YEARS OLD OR OVER) Going outside the home alone to shop or
visit a doctor's office?
- d. (ANSWER IF THIS PERSON IS 16 YEARS OLD OR OVER) Working at a job or business?
Follow this link to see sample copies of the Census
2000 and 1990 Census Questionnaire.
The 1990 census and Census 2000 disability items are not comparable.
The 1990 census data products did not include a general disability status indicator.
- A comparable indicator could not be constructed since the conceptual framework of the
1990 census was more limited.
- In 1990, the Census Bureau collected data on disability from people 15 years and older;
in 2000, the Census Bureau included questions on disablity for people 5 years and older.
In contrast to the comprehensive data available from the SIPP, the decennial census provides
data on only a few dimensions of disability.
Persons interested in estimates for smaller geographies generally use the decennial census as their
source of information on the disability status of the population, however American Community Survey,
when full implementation is reached, will provide more timely estimates for the smaller geographies.
For more information on Disability in Census 2000 see the Census Brief
Disability Status: 2000.
To learn more about Census 2000 and other Decennial Censuses follow the links below:
Go to How Disability Data is Collected
Contact the HHES Information area at 301-763-3242 or visit
ask.census.gov for further information on Disability Statistics.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division
Last Revised: December 10, 2004
