U.S. Census Bureau Releases Documentation Supporting the 2011-2015 ACS 5-Year PUMS Estimates

We are pleased to announce the first release of documentation in support of the 2011-2015 ACS 5-year Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) Estimates. The data will be released on January 19th, 2017 . This documentation offers ACS data users the opportunity to prepare for next week's data releases.

2011-2015 ACS 5-year Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) Documentation

The 2015 tab of the PUMS Technical Documentation page now includes code lists, subject definitions, the data dictionary, and top and bottom coded values:

  • Code Lists: This document contains the detailed codes for variables that contain a large number of coded responses, such as ancestry and occupation.
  • Subjects in the PUMS: A list of broad topics included in each of the housing and population record files.
  • Data Dictionary: Full listing of all variables (and values) included in each of the housing and population record files.
  • Top and Bottom Coded Values: Uncommon responses, such as particularly high income, are grouped into broader categories; this document explains when and where we have modified values. 

 More documentation will be released on January 19th along with the 2011-2015 ACS 5-year PUMS files.

 New and updated information related to this release is available now on the 2015 Data Release page.