Well-Being

Quality of life can be measured by the things we own, our ability to afford shelter, the safety of our neighborhoods, our health and nutrition, as well as our incomes. This brief report measures material well-being of all persons in families, in families classified as poor, and in families who report receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

Table 1: Access to Consumer Durables: September-December 1992

_______________________ _________________________________________________________

                       |               Persons in Families

                       |                   Who Are

                       |_________________________________________________________

                       | Non-Poor      Std      Poor      Std Receiving      Std

                       |             error              error      AFDC    error

_______________________|_________________________________________________________

Consumer Durables: (%)

  --Washing machine.....     92.7     0.16      71.7     0.71      66.3     1.19

  --Clothes dryer.......     87.3     0.20      50.2     0.79      44.8     1.25

  --Dish washer.........     58.3     0.30      19.6     0.62      13.6     0.86

  --Refrigerator........     99.5     0.04      97.9     0.23      98.2     0.34

  --Freezer.............     46.0     0.30      28.6     0.71      22.6     1.05

  --Color television....     98.5     0.07      92.5     0.45      92.2     0.68

  --Stove...............     99.5     0.04      97.7     0.24      98.0     0.35

  --Microwave...........     89.8     0.18      60.0     0.77      52.6     1.26

  --VCR.................     86.2     0.21      59.7     0.77      54.6     1.26

  --Air conditioner.....     71.9     0.27      49.6     0.79      40.7     1.23

  --Personal computer...     28.3     0.27       7.4     0.41       4.2     0.50

  --Telephone...........     97.2     0.10      76.7     0.66      67.5     1.17

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All statistics in this report are subject to sampling variability, as well as survey design flaws, respondent classification errors, and data processing mistakes. The Census Bureau has taken steps to minimize errors, and analytical statements have been tested and meet statistical standards. However, because of methodological differences, use caution when comparing these data with data from other sources. For information on the source of data and the accuracy of estimates, including the use and computation of standard errors, see the "Source and Accuracy Statement for the 1992 Public Use Files from the Survey of Income and Program Participation."