Demographic Census and Surveys (Decennial Census, ACS, AHS, CPS, SIP)
The Central Plains Federal Statistical Research Data Center (CPRDC) is a joint project of the U.S. Bureau of the Census and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, partnering also with the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Iowa State University to enable qualified researchers with approved projects to access unpublished Census data in order to conduct research that benefits Census Bureau programs.
Decennial Census (CEN)
Description: The Decennial Census Long Form Sample is a 1-in-6 sample of all households in the U.S. The questions asked of this sample include age, race, sex, educational attainment, income, place of work, occupation, household relationships, housing unit characteristics, etc. Because these files are large, processing with them can be very time and resource intensive. In cases where there is no valid response for an individual (or household where applicable), the item is filled in using a system of allocation. Allocation consists of using the response of a similar observation to fill in a missing item. A great deal of documentation of the Decennial Census is available on the Census Bureau’s website.
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American Community Survey (ACS)
Description: The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey designed to provide communities a fresh look at how they are changing. The ACS collects information from U.S. households similar to what was collected on the Census 2000 long form, such as income, commute time to work, home value, veteran status, and other important data. As with the official U.S. census, information about individuals will remain confidential. The ACS will collect and produce population and housing information every year instead of every ten years. About three million households will be surveyed each year. Collecting data every year will reduce the cost of the official decennial census, and will provide more up-to-date information throughout the decade about trends in the U.S. population at the local community level. A similar program is planned for Puerto Rico. The ACS began in 1996 and has expanded each subsequent year.
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American Housing Survey (AHS)
Description: The American Housing Survey (AHS) collects data on the Nation’s housing, including apartments, single-family homes, mobile homes, vacant housing units, household characteristics, income, housing and neighborhood quality, housing costs, equipment and fuels, size of housing unit, and recent movers. National data are collected in odd numbered years, and data for each of 47 selected Metropolitan Areas are collected about every four years, with an average of 12 Metropolitan Areas included each year. The AHS returns to the same housing units year after year to gather data; therefore, this survey is ideal for analyzing the flow of households through housing.
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Current Population Survey (CPS)
Description: The Current Population Survey - March Supplement (CPS) collects data concerning work experience, several sources of income, migration, household composition, health insurance coverage, and receipt of non-cash benefits.
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National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
Description: NCVS is the Nation’s primary source of information on criminal victimization. Each year, data are obtained from a nationally representative sample of about 40,000 households comprising nearly 75,000 persons on the frequency, characteristics and consequences of criminal victimization in the United States. Each household is interviewed twice during the year. The survey enables BJS to estimate the likelihood of victimization by rape, sexual assault, robbery, assault, theft, household burglary, and motor vehicle theft for the population as a whole as well as for segments of the population such as women, the elderly, members of various racial groups, city dwellers, or other groups. The NCVS provides the largest national forum for victims to describe the impact of crime and characteristics of violent offenders.
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National Longitudinal Mortality Survey (NLMS)
Description: The National Longitudinal Mortality Study (NLMS) consists of a database developed for the purpose of studying the effects of demographic and socio-economic characteristics on differentials in U.S. mortality rates. The National Longitudinal Mortality Study (NLMS) is a unique research database based on a random sample of the non-institutionalized population of the United States. It consists of U.S. Census Bureau data from Current Population Surveys, Annual Social and Economic Supplements and a subset of the 1980 Census combined with death certificate information to identify mortality status and cause of death. The cohorts begin at various dates from 1973 through 1998 matched to death records dating through 1998. The survey includes demographic data, employment status, death records, and geographic information.
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Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) Panels
Description: The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) collects information on source and amount of income, labor force information, program participation and eligibility data, and general demographic characteristics to measure the effectiveness of existing federal, state, and local programs; to estimate future costs and coverage for government programs, such as food stamps; and to provide improved statistics on the distribution of income in the country. There are three basic elements contained in the overall design of the survey content. The control card is used to record basic social and demographic characteristics for each person in the household at the time of the initial interview. The second major element of the survey content is the core portion of the questionnaire. The core questions are repeated at each interview and cover labor force activity, the types and amounts of income received during the four- month reference period, and participation status in various programs. The third major element is the various supplements or topical modules that will be included during selected household visits. A list of topical modules includes work history, health characteristics (including disability), assets and liabilities, pension plan coverage, housing characteristics, child care, child support agreements, support for nonhousehold members, program participation history, reasons for not working, calendar year income and benefits, taxes, and education and training.
View the Survey of Income and Program Participation Panels