| Data Dictionary: | ACS 2013 (1-Year Estimates) |
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Survey: ACS 2013 (1-Year Estimates)
| Data Source: | U.S. Census Bureau |
Data set: American Community Survey 2013 (ACS13)
| Table: | B28005. Age by Presence of a Computer and Types of Internet Subscription in Household [19] |
Universe: Universe: Population in Households
Table Details
| B28005. | Age by Presence of a Computer and Types of Internet Subscription in Household | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Universe: Universe: Population in Households | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Relevant Documentation:
| Excerpt from: | Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2013 Summary File: Technical Documentation. |
| ACS 2013-1yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix A: Supplemental Documentation -> 2013 Subject Definitions -> Population Variables -> Age |
The data on age were derived from answers to Question 4 in the 2013 American Community Survey. The age classification is based on the age of the person in complete years at the time of interview. Both age and date of birth are used in combination to calculate the most accurate age at the time of the interview. Respondents are asked to give an age in whole, completed years as of interview date as well as the month, day and year of birth. People are not to round an age up if the person is close to having a birthday, and to estimate an age if the exact age is not known. An additional instruction on babies also asks respondents to print "0" for babies less than one year old. Inconsistently reported and missing values are assigned or imputed based on the values of other variables for that person, from other people in the household, or from people in other households ("hot deck" imputation).
Age is asked for all persons in a household or group quarters. On the mailout/mailback paper questionnaire for households, both age and date of birth are asked for persons listed as person numbers 1-5 on the form. Only age (in years) is initially asked for persons listed as 6-12 on the mailout/mailback paper questionnaire. If a respondent indicates that there are more than 5 people living in the household, then the household is eligible for Failed Edit Follow-up (FEFU). During FEFU operations, telephone center staffers call respondents to obtain missing data. This includes asking date of birth for any person in the household missing date of birth information. In Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) and Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) instruments both age and date of birth is asked for all persons. In 2006, the ACS began collecting data in group quarters (GQs). This included asking both age and date of birth for persons living in a group quarters. For additional data collection methodology, please see http://www.census.gov/acs.
Data on age are used to determine the applicability of other questions for a particular individual and to classify other characteristics in tabulations. Age data are needed to interpret most social and economic characteristics used to plan and analyze programs and policies. Age is central for any number of federal programs that target funds or services to children, working-age adults, women of childbearing age, or the older population. The U.S. Department of Education uses census age data in its formula for allotment to states. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs uses age to develop its mandated state projections on the need for hospitals, nursing homes, cemeteries, domiciliary services, and other benefits for veterans. For more information on the use of age data in Federal programs, please see http://www.census.gov/acs. and enter "age data in Federal programs" in the ACS website search box.
Age is asked for all persons in a household or group quarters. On the mailout/mailback paper questionnaire for households, both age and date of birth are asked for persons listed as person numbers 1-5 on the form. Only age (in years) is initially asked for persons listed as 6-12 on the mailout/mailback paper questionnaire. If a respondent indicates that there are more than 5 people living in the household, then the household is eligible for Failed Edit Follow-up (FEFU). During FEFU operations, telephone center staffers call respondents to obtain missing data. This includes asking date of birth for any person in the household missing date of birth information. In Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) and Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) instruments both age and date of birth is asked for all persons. In 2006, the ACS began collecting data in group quarters (GQs). This included asking both age and date of birth for persons living in a group quarters. For additional data collection methodology, please see http://www.census.gov/acs.
Data on age are used to determine the applicability of other questions for a particular individual and to classify other characteristics in tabulations. Age data are needed to interpret most social and economic characteristics used to plan and analyze programs and policies. Age is central for any number of federal programs that target funds or services to children, working-age adults, women of childbearing age, or the older population. The U.S. Department of Education uses census age data in its formula for allotment to states. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs uses age to develop its mandated state projections on the need for hospitals, nursing homes, cemeteries, domiciliary services, and other benefits for veterans. For more information on the use of age data in Federal programs, please see http://www.census.gov/acs. and enter "age data in Federal programs" in the ACS website search box.
The median age is the age that divides the population into two equal-size groups. Half of the population is older than the median age and half is younger. Median age is based on a standard distribution of the population by single years of age and is shown to the nearest tenth of a year. (See the sections on "Standard Distributions" and "Medians" under "Derived Measures.")
The age dependency ratio is derived by dividing the combined under 18 years and 65 years and over populations by the 18-to-64 population and multiplying by 100.
The old-age dependency ratio is derived by dividing the population 65 years and over by the 18-to-64 population and multiplying by 100.
The child dependency ratio is derived by dividing the population under 18 years by the 18-to-64 population, and multiplying by 100.
Question/Concept History
The 1996-2002 American Community Survey question asked for month, day, and year of birth before age. Since 2003, the American Community Survey question asked for age, followed by month, day, and year of birth. In 2008, an additional instruction was provided with the age and date of birth question on the American Community Survey questionnaire to report babies as age 0 when the child was less than 1 year old. The addition of this instruction occurred after 2005 National Census Test results indicated increased accuracy of age reporting for babies less than one year old.
Limitation of the Data
Beginning in 2006, the population living in group quarters (GQ) was included in the American Community Survey population universe. Some types of group quarters have populations with age distributions that are very different from that of the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the age distribution for a given geographic area. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population. For example, in areas with large colleges and universities, the percent of individuals 18-24 would increase due to the inclusion of GQs in the American Community Survey universe.
Comparability
Caution should be taken when comparing population in age groups across time. The entire population continually ages into older age groups over time, and babies fill in the youngest age group. Therefore, the population of a certain age is made up of a completely different group of people in one time period than in another (e.g. one age group in 2000 versus same age group in 2013). Since populations occasionally experience booms/increases and busts/decreases in births, deaths, or migration (for example, the postwar Baby Boom from 1946-1964), one should not necessarily expect that the population in an age group in one year should be similar in size or proportion to the population in the same age group in a different period in time. For example, Baby Boomers were age 36 to 54 in Census 2000 while they were age 48 to 66 in the 2013 ACS. The age structure and distribution would therefore shift in those age groups to reflect the change in people occupying those age- specific groups over time.
Data users should also be aware of methodology differences that may exist between different data sources if they are comparing American Community Survey age data to data sources, such as Population Estimates or Decennial Census data. For example, the American Community Survey data are that of a respondent-based survey and subject to various quality measures, such as sampling and nonsampling error, response rates and item allocation error. This differs in design and methodology from other data sources, such as Population Estimates, which is not a survey and involves computational methodology to derive intercensal estimates of the population. While ACS estimates are controlled to Population Estimates for age at the nation, state and county levels of geography as part of the ACS weighting procedure, variation may exist in the age structure of a population at lower levels of geography when comparing different time periods or comparing across time due to the absence of controls below the county geography level. For more information on American Community Survey data accuracy and weighting procedures, please see http://www.census.gov/acs.
It should also be noted that although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, it is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities and towns, and estimates of housing units for states and counties (http://factfinder2.census.gov).
Question/Concept History
The 1996-2002 American Community Survey question asked for month, day, and year of birth before age. Since 2003, the American Community Survey question asked for age, followed by month, day, and year of birth. In 2008, an additional instruction was provided with the age and date of birth question on the American Community Survey questionnaire to report babies as age 0 when the child was less than 1 year old. The addition of this instruction occurred after 2005 National Census Test results indicated increased accuracy of age reporting for babies less than one year old.
Limitation of the Data
Beginning in 2006, the population living in group quarters (GQ) was included in the American Community Survey population universe. Some types of group quarters have populations with age distributions that are very different from that of the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the age distribution for a given geographic area. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population. For example, in areas with large colleges and universities, the percent of individuals 18-24 would increase due to the inclusion of GQs in the American Community Survey universe.
Comparability
Caution should be taken when comparing population in age groups across time. The entire population continually ages into older age groups over time, and babies fill in the youngest age group. Therefore, the population of a certain age is made up of a completely different group of people in one time period than in another (e.g. one age group in 2000 versus same age group in 2013). Since populations occasionally experience booms/increases and busts/decreases in births, deaths, or migration (for example, the postwar Baby Boom from 1946-1964), one should not necessarily expect that the population in an age group in one year should be similar in size or proportion to the population in the same age group in a different period in time. For example, Baby Boomers were age 36 to 54 in Census 2000 while they were age 48 to 66 in the 2013 ACS. The age structure and distribution would therefore shift in those age groups to reflect the change in people occupying those age- specific groups over time.
Data users should also be aware of methodology differences that may exist between different data sources if they are comparing American Community Survey age data to data sources, such as Population Estimates or Decennial Census data. For example, the American Community Survey data are that of a respondent-based survey and subject to various quality measures, such as sampling and nonsampling error, response rates and item allocation error. This differs in design and methodology from other data sources, such as Population Estimates, which is not a survey and involves computational methodology to derive intercensal estimates of the population. While ACS estimates are controlled to Population Estimates for age at the nation, state and county levels of geography as part of the ACS weighting procedure, variation may exist in the age structure of a population at lower levels of geography when comparing different time periods or comparing across time due to the absence of controls below the county geography level. For more information on American Community Survey data accuracy and weighting procedures, please see http://www.census.gov/acs.
It should also be noted that although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, it is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities and towns, and estimates of housing units for states and counties (http://factfinder2.census.gov).
| Excerpt from: | Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2013 Summary File: Technical Documentation. |
| ACS 2013-1yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix A: Supplemental Documentation -> 2013 Subject Definitions -> Housing Variables -> Computer and Internet Use |
The 2008 Broadband Improvement Act mandated the collection of data about computer and Internet use. As a result, three questions were added to the 2013 American Community Survey (ACS) to measure these topics. Data about computer and Internet use were derived from answers to Question 9, Question 10, and Question 11 on the 2013 ACS, and are asked of all occupied housing units.
The computer use question (Question 9) asked if anyone in the household owned or used a computer and included three response categories for a desktop/laptop, a handheld computer, or some other type of computer. Respondents selected a checkbox for "Yes" or "No" for each response category. Respondents could select all categories that applied.
Respondents who checked "Yes" for the some other type of computer category are asked to write in descriptions of their computer types. These are mostly used for internal purposes, although some people may write in a type of computer that can be reclassified as a desktop/laptop or handheld computer.
Question 10 asked if any member of the household accesses the Internet. "Access" refers to whether or not someone in the household uses or connects to the Internet, regardless of whether or not they pay for the service. Respondents were to select only ONE of the following choices:
Yes, with a subscription to an Internet service - This category includes housing units where someone pays to access the Internet through a service such as a data plan for a mobile phone, a cable modem, DSL or other type of service. This will normally refer to a service that someone is billed for directly for Internet alone or sometimes as part of a bundle.
Yes, without a subscription to an Internet service- Some respondents may live in a city or town that provides free Internet services for their residents. In addition, some colleges or universities provide Internet services. These are examples of cases where respondents may be able to access the Internet without a subscription.
No Internet access at this house, apartment, or mobile home- This category includes housing units where no one connects to or uses the Internet using a paid service or any free services.
If a respondent answers "Yes, with a subscription to an Internet service" to Question 10, they are asked to select the type of Internet subscription in Question 11. Respondents select a checkbox for "Yes" or "No" for each of seven types of services: dial-up, DSL, cable, fiberoptic, mobile broadband, satellite, or some other service. Respondents could select "Yes" for all categories that apply.
If a respondent selected "Yes" to the "some other service" category, they are asked to write in a description of the type of Internet service. These codes are primarily used internally, although some people may write in a type of Internet service that can be reclassified into another category such as DSL, fiber-optic or satellite service.
These data will be used by a variety of government agencies, local communities, and other data users. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will use these statistics to measure the nationwide development of broadband access, as well as the successful deployment of the next generation of broadband technology. These data will also allow the FCC to develop measures to increase access to broadband technology and decrease barriers.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will use these data to provide grants that help expand public access to broadband service and fund broadband education and support, particularly to groups that have traditionally underutilized broadband technology.
State and local governments may be able to use these data to evaluate access to broadband in their communities, and institute policies and programs to increase access for areas with less connectivity. Businesses and non-profits can use these statistics to analyze computer and Internet usage in their communities.
Question/Concept History - The computer and Internet use questions were added to the ACS in 2013 and were mandated by the 2008 Broadband Improvement Act.
Limitation of the Data – These questions are not asked for the group quarters population, so would not include data about people living in housing such as dorms, prisons, nursing homes, etc.
For more information, visit the ACS website (http://www.census.gov/acs).
Comparability - Data prior to 2013 are not available because 2013 was the first year that these questions were collected using the ACS.
Data about computer and Internet use also has been collected sporadically from the Current Population Survey (CPS) since 1984. Both surveys exclude those living in group quarters. However, users should note CPS data is not necessarily comparable to ACS data in several important ways. First, unlike the ACS, some CPS questions are asked at the person level. In addition, the CPS questions and answer categories have changed multiple times over the years. Therefore, comparable data may not be available for certain questions during some years. In addition, some questions may appear to have similar wording as the ACS questions, but may not have been asked of the same type of people.
The computer use question (Question 9) asked if anyone in the household owned or used a computer and included three response categories for a desktop/laptop, a handheld computer, or some other type of computer. Respondents selected a checkbox for "Yes" or "No" for each response category. Respondents could select all categories that applied.
Respondents who checked "Yes" for the some other type of computer category are asked to write in descriptions of their computer types. These are mostly used for internal purposes, although some people may write in a type of computer that can be reclassified as a desktop/laptop or handheld computer.
Question 10 asked if any member of the household accesses the Internet. "Access" refers to whether or not someone in the household uses or connects to the Internet, regardless of whether or not they pay for the service. Respondents were to select only ONE of the following choices:
Yes, with a subscription to an Internet service - This category includes housing units where someone pays to access the Internet through a service such as a data plan for a mobile phone, a cable modem, DSL or other type of service. This will normally refer to a service that someone is billed for directly for Internet alone or sometimes as part of a bundle.
Yes, without a subscription to an Internet service- Some respondents may live in a city or town that provides free Internet services for their residents. In addition, some colleges or universities provide Internet services. These are examples of cases where respondents may be able to access the Internet without a subscription.
No Internet access at this house, apartment, or mobile home- This category includes housing units where no one connects to or uses the Internet using a paid service or any free services.
If a respondent answers "Yes, with a subscription to an Internet service" to Question 10, they are asked to select the type of Internet subscription in Question 11. Respondents select a checkbox for "Yes" or "No" for each of seven types of services: dial-up, DSL, cable, fiberoptic, mobile broadband, satellite, or some other service. Respondents could select "Yes" for all categories that apply.
If a respondent selected "Yes" to the "some other service" category, they are asked to write in a description of the type of Internet service. These codes are primarily used internally, although some people may write in a type of Internet service that can be reclassified into another category such as DSL, fiber-optic or satellite service.
These data will be used by a variety of government agencies, local communities, and other data users. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will use these statistics to measure the nationwide development of broadband access, as well as the successful deployment of the next generation of broadband technology. These data will also allow the FCC to develop measures to increase access to broadband technology and decrease barriers.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will use these data to provide grants that help expand public access to broadband service and fund broadband education and support, particularly to groups that have traditionally underutilized broadband technology.
State and local governments may be able to use these data to evaluate access to broadband in their communities, and institute policies and programs to increase access for areas with less connectivity. Businesses and non-profits can use these statistics to analyze computer and Internet usage in their communities.
Question/Concept History - The computer and Internet use questions were added to the ACS in 2013 and were mandated by the 2008 Broadband Improvement Act.
Limitation of the Data – These questions are not asked for the group quarters population, so would not include data about people living in housing such as dorms, prisons, nursing homes, etc.
For more information, visit the ACS website (http://www.census.gov/acs).
Comparability - Data prior to 2013 are not available because 2013 was the first year that these questions were collected using the ACS.
Data about computer and Internet use also has been collected sporadically from the Current Population Survey (CPS) since 1984. Both surveys exclude those living in group quarters. However, users should note CPS data is not necessarily comparable to ACS data in several important ways. First, unlike the ACS, some CPS questions are asked at the person level. In addition, the CPS questions and answer categories have changed multiple times over the years. Therefore, comparable data may not be available for certain questions during some years. In addition, some questions may appear to have similar wording as the ACS questions, but may not have been asked of the same type of people.
| Excerpt from: | Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2013 Summary File: Technical Documentation. |
| ACS 2013-1yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix A: Supplemental Documentation -> 2013 Subject Definitions -> Housing Variables -> Internet Use |
