U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

National Longitudinal Surveys

The NLSY97

The NLSY97 consists of a nationally representative sample of approximately 9,000 youths who were 12 to 16 years old as of December 31, 1996. Round 1 of the survey took place in 1997. In that round, both the eligible youth and one of that youth's parents received hour-long personal interviews. Youths continue to be interviewed on an annual basis. [More]

Information in the NLSY97

Summary of variables available in each round of the NLSY97 (PDF)
Overview of the NLSY97 (PDF)

NLSY97 Data and Documentation at NLSinfo.org

NLSY97 User's Guide - Helps you get started and answers many data questions
NLS Investigator: - Access all NLSY97 public-use variables online
Download or order data, questionnaires and other documentation
NLSY97 Tutorial: Linking roster items across rounds
NLSY97 Tutorial: Matching cohabitating partners to characteristics
NLSY97 & 79 Tutorial: Constructing Comparable Samples across the NLSY79 and NLSY97
Correction of errors that appeared in previous NLSY97 data files
NLSY97 Technical Sampling Report (PDF) - Provides detailed information on how the sample was designed and selected
Customized sampling weights to properly represent the population groups your research is examining

NLSY97 Data that Require Special Permission

Information about the NLSY97 Geocode file and how to apply for access
Request access to the School Surveys, Census Tract, or Zip Code files

NLSY97 Press Releases

February 9, 2012: America's Young Adults at 24: School Enrollment, Training and Employment Transitions between ages 23 and 24 [NLSY97 Round 13] (HTML) (PDF)
February 9, 2011: America's Young Adults at 23: School Enrollment, Training and Employment Transitions between ages 22 and 23 [NLSY97 Round 12] (HTML) (PDF)
January 28, 2010: America's Youth at 22: School Enrollment, Training and Employment Transitions between ages 21 and 22 [NLSY97 Round 11] (HTML) (PDF)
January 23, 2009: America's Youth at 21: School Enrollment, Training and Employment Transitions between ages 20 and 21 [NLSY97 Round 10] (HTML) (PDF)
January 23, 2008: America's Youth at 20: School Enrollment and Employment Transitions between ages 19 and 20 [NLSY97 Round 9] (HTML) (PDF)
March 27, 2007: America's Youth at 19: School Enrollment, Training and Employment Transitions between ages 18 and 19 [NLSY97 Round 8] (HTML) (PDF)
February 24, 2006: America's Youth at 18: School Enrollment and Employment Transitions between ages 17 and 18 [NLSY97 Round 7] (HTML) (PDF)
April 27, 2005: Work Activity of High School Students: Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 [NLSY97 Round 6] (HTML) (PDF)
February 18, 2004: Employment of Teenagers During the School Year and Summer [NLSY97 Round 5] (HTML) (PDF 61K)
January 31, 2003: Employment Experience of Youths During the School Year and Summer [Round 4](HTML) (PDF 368K)
December 20, 2001: Employment Experience of Youths: Results from the First Three Years of a Longitudinal Survey [NLSY97 Round 3] (TXT) (PDF 341K)
December 7, 2000: Employment Experience of Youths: Results from a Longitudinal Survey [NLSY97 Round 2] (TXT) (PDF 38K)
April 30, 1999: Employment Experience and Other Characteristics of Youths: Results from a New Longitudinal Survey [NLSY97 Round 1] (TXT) (PDF 38K)

Last Modified Date: March 9, 2012