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Title: Is it worth it? Exploring the utility of collecting long form Census data in group quarters

Citation Type: Conference Paper

Publication Year: 2004

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Abstract: As the U.S Census Bureau moves toward full implementation of the American Community Survey (ACS) to replace the Census Long Form Questionnaire, demographers must determine how best to collect data on the population living in Group Quarters (GQs). In the past, the Census Bureau has spent much time and many resources to collect detailed social and economic data using Long Form Questionnaires to sample GQ residents. Currently, because of the cost and labor intensity of detailed GQ data collection, the ACS has delayed collecting data on GQ populations until 2006. This presentation explores the utility of collecting detailed information in GQs. Using data from Census 2000 Summary File 3 and PUMS, we find that Long Form data on GQs suffer from high allocation rates (about 75%); and that the output has only marginal utility to researchers and policy makers due to limited coding of GQs by type. For instance, data output does not distinguish between different types of institutions (like prisons, nursing homes, or hospitals) nor types of non-institutional settings (like shelters, hotels, and half-way houses). The Long Form (PUMS) does provide potentially useful social and economic characteristics of residents in college dormitories and military barracks.

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Authors: Voss, Paul R.; Winkler, Richelle

Conference Name: Southern Demographic Association

Publisher Location: Hilton Head, SC

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Other

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