and from the American Community Survey

* File size [download size, uncompressed size]

Public Use Microdata Sample from Decennial Census 2000

Disc product support page updated 08/26/2003

ASCII text data file processing

The data files do not contain field delimiters or a header record (a first record with fieldnames). Each data file contains two record types ; housing unit and person. The first character of each record denotes its' type. Each housing unit record immediately preceeds all associated person records (zero in the case of a vacant housing unit).

The housing unit and person records contain 266 and 314 characters of data respectively. Since the housing unit records are not padded to equal the lengths of the person records, the data files are not fixed width.

All of the geographic identifier fields (region, division, state, PUMA etc.) are contained in the housing unit records only.

SERIALNO (Housing/Group Quarters (GQ) Unit Serial Number) is the only link between the housing unit and person records.

File Documentation [4.32 MB]

ASCII text data file directory
1% [634 KB], 5% [391 KB] record layouts (Excel format)
Contact your local state data center (SDC) for SAS^™ and SPSS^™ code.

Public Use Microdata Sample from Decennial Census 1990

ASCII text data files

1990 PUMS 5% (A sample)    1990 PUMS 1% (B sample)

Documentation and code lists

View technical documentation
Download [13.2 KB, 60.2 KB] or view record layout 60.2 KB
Download A (5%) sample Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) code listings [354 KB, 3.22 MB]
Download B (1%) sample Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) code listings [376 KB, 3.41 MB]
Download other code listings [38.6 KB, 192 KB]
Download SAS program, Usernote

Updates

Revised Texas 5% Data file [451 KB, 3.07 MB]   This file contains the 13,853 records missing from the end of PUMSAXTX.TXT on the February 1995 re-release of the 1990 5% PUMS. These records are included on the subsequent release in December 1995.

Notes about the ASCII files

Each data file contains two record types ; housing unit and person. The first character of each record is either an H or a P. Each housing unit record is immediately followed by all associated person records (zero in the case of a vacant housing unit).

All of the geographic identifier fields are contained in the housing unit records only.

The data files do not contain field delimiters or a header record (a first record with field names). A header record, even if included, could apply to only one record type.

Records are delimited by a carriage return character plus a line feed character.

Strategy for using PUMS files

• Do you want estimates at the state (or a combination of states) level or estimates at other levels ?. Look up the Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) codes for the area(s) of interest for levels other than state totals. Carefully examine the specific makeup of each PUMA.
• Identify the variables of interest in the record layout. Are they in just one or both record types?
• Decide which software to use.
  • SAS (tm), or a similar program, is probably the most popular choice.
  • The Census Bureau's Integrated Microcomputer Processing System (IMPS) is an option for those who do not have SAS (tm). The latest version allows for cross tabulating variables from different record types. Use software with IMPS data dictionary for PUMS.
  • Spreadsheet programs can be used. It is recommended that this solution is attempted with just a few variables at a time until the user is completely comfortable.
  • A database program, although lacking in statistical functionality, can be an aid in extracting and/or manipulating fields.

DOS program for extracting a PUMA from the state file (CD-ROM data file users only)

• Go to a DOS prompt
• Type PATH to view list of directories automatically searched for programs.
• Copy the file PUMA2DSK.EXE from the CD-ROM to C:\WINDOWS (or other directory where a path to is already set). Use File Find to locate PUMA2DSK.EXE on the CD-ROM if necessary.
• Change to the drive and directory where the input files are.
• Run PUMA2DSK.

Usage: PUMA2DSK StAbbr Sample Puma Output_path

Examples:
PUMA2DSK CA A 00500 C:\
PUMA2DSK IL B 00100 C:\PUMS\

Output filename:
The input file is read from the current drive:\path\ and the index file is read from \TOOLS\PUMAS\ of the current drive. The output file is named as follows:

aappppps.TXT

where:

aa = State abbreviation
ppppp = PUMA code
s = sample

Public Use Microdata Sample from Decennial Census 1980

ASCII text data files (1980)

Technical documentation for the 1980 Public Use Microdata Sample and earlier releases exist only in hard copy (paper) format. The technical documentation for the 1980 PUMS files is available from the Census Bureau.

Public Use Microdata Sample from Decennial Census 1970 (and earlier)

Data from 1970 and earlier PUMS files is available from the National Archives and Records Administration. Copies of the technical documentation for these files should be available for browsing from many university libraries.