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Data Dictionary: ACS 2014 (5-Year Estimates)
you are here: choose a survey survey data set table variable details
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Universe: Universe: Occupied housing units
Variable Details
B25009. Tenure by Household Size
Universe: Universe: Occupied housing units
B25009009 7-Or-More Person Household
Percent base:
Occupied Housing Units (ACS14_5yr:B25009001)
Aggregation method:
Addition
Relevant Documentation:
Excerpt from: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2014 Summary File: Technical Documentation.
  ACS 2014-5yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix A: Supplemental Documentation -> 2014 Subject Definitions -> Housing Variables -> Tenure
Tenure
The data for tenure were obtained from Housing Question 17 in the 2013 American Community Survey. The question was asked at occupied housing units. Occupied housing units are classified as either owner-occupied or renter-occupied.

Tenure provides a measurement of home ownership, which has served as an indicator of the nation's economy for decades. These data are used to aid in the distribution of funds for programs such as those involving mortgage insurance, rental housing, and national defense housing. Data on tenure allows planners to evaluate the overall viability of housing markets and to assess the stability of neighborhoods. The data also serve in understanding the characteristics of owner-occupied and renter-occupied units to aid builders, mortgage lenders, planning officials, government agencies, etc., in the planning of housing programs and services.

Owner-Occupied
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A housing unit is owner-occupied if the owner or co-owner lives in the unit, even if it is mortgaged or not fully paid for. The owner or co-owner must live in the unit and usually is Person 1 on the questionnaire. The unit is "Owned by you or someone in this household with a mortgage or loan" if it is being purchased with a mortgage or some other debt arrangement such as a deed of trust, trust deed, contract to purchase, land contract, or purchase agreement. The unit also is considered owned with a mortgage if it is built on leased land and there is a mortgage on the unit. Mobile homes occupied by owners with installment loan balances also are included in this category.

A housing unit is "Owned by you or someone in this household free and clear (without a mortgage or loan)" if there is no mortgage or other similar debt on the house, apartment, or mobile home including units built on leased land if the unit is owned outright without a mortgage.

Renter-Occupied
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All occupied housing units which are not owner-occupied, whether they are rented or occupied without payment of rent, are classified as renter-occupied. "No rent paid" units are separately identified in the rent tabulations. Such units are generally provided free by friends or relatives or in exchange for services such as resident manager, caretaker, minister, or tenant farmer. Housing units on military bases also are classified in the "No rent paid" category. "Rented" includes units in continuing care, sometimes called life care arrangements. These arrangements usually involve a contract between one or more individuals and a health services provider guaranteeing the individual shelter, usually a house or apartment, and services, such as meals or transportation to shopping or recreation. (For more information, see "Meals Included in Rent.")

Question/Concept History

From 1996-2007 the American Community Survey questions were the same. Starting in 2008, the instruction ""Mark (X) ONE box." was added following the question, and the instruction "Include home equity loans." was added following the response category "Owned by you or someone in this household with a mortgage or loan?" Additional changes introduced in 2008 included revising the wording of two of the response categories from "Rented for cash rent?" to "Rented?" and "Occupied without payment of cash rent?" to "Occupied without payment of rent?"

Comparability

Data on tenure in the 2013 American Community Survey can be compared to previous ACS and Census 2000 tenure data.

Excerpt from: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2014 Summary File: Technical Documentation.
  ACS 2014-5yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix A: Supplemental Documentation -> 2014 Subject Definitions -> Housing Variables -> Household Size
Household Size
This question is based on the count of people in occupied housing units. All people occupying the housing unit are counted, including the householder, occupants related to the householder, and lodgers, roomers, boarders, and so forth.

Average Household Size of Occupied Unit
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A measure obtained by dividing the number of people living in occupied housing units by the total number of occupied housing units. This measure is rounded to the nearest hundredth.

Average Household Size of Owner-occupied Unit
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A measure obtained by dividing the number of people living in owner-occupied housing units by the total number of owner- occupied housing units. This measure is rounded to the nearest hundredth.

Average Household Size of Renter-occupied Unit
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A measure obtained by dividing the number of people living in renter-occupied housing units by the total number of renter- occupied housing units. This measure is rounded to the nearest hundredth.



Comparability



Data on household size in the 2013 American Community Survey can be compared to previous ACS. The ACS estimates of household size differ from those obtained from the 2010 Census. For more information, see Comparing 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates of Occupancy Status, Vacancy Status, and Household Size with the 2010 Census - Preliminary Results on the ACS website (http://www.census.gov/acs) and enter the paper title in the ACS website search box.