A Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) is a statistical geographic area defined for the tabulation and dissemination of decennial census Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) data, American Community Survey (ACS) PUMS data and ACS period estimates.
2010 PUMAs:
2010 PUMA Criteria and Guidelines for the 2010 Census and the American Community Survey [PDF] [Text]
Summary of Changes in the PUMA Criteria and Guidelines from 2000 to 2010
The Census Bureau will offer the State Data Centers (SDCs) in each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico the opportunity to delineate 2010 PUMAs within their state or equivalent entity using Census Bureau 2010 PUMA criteria and guidelines. The Census Bureau also asks that the SDCs involve interested individuals and regional organizations, especially those officially representing cities and/or counties with 2010 Census populations greater than 100,000, to ensure that PUMA definitions meet the needs of a variety of data users. State Date Centers for Island areas (excluding Puerto Rico) will not be required to submit new PUMAs for 2010. The current populations of these state equivalents either fall below the minimum population threshold for PUMS publication or these areas will not exceed populations required to delineate more than one PUMA.
For more information about PUMAs, contact the Geographic Standards and Criteria Branch at geo.puma@census.gov or 301.763.3056.