Gross rent is calculated for renter-occupied units rented for cash rent (with the exclusions noted above for rent). It represents the contract rent plus the average monthly cost of utilities (water, electricity, gas, ) and fuels, to extent that these are paid for by the renter (or paid for by a relative, welfare agency, or friend) in addition to the rent. Gross rent thus eliminates differentials which result from varying practices with respect to the inclusion of utilities and fuel in contract rent.
In 1960, respondents were to indicate if they paid for electricity, gas, water or fuels (oil, coal wood, kerosene) in addition to rent; and if yes, to indicate the estimated average monthly dollar cost for electricity, gas, water, and the total yearly cost for fuel. In 1970, respondents were to answer similarly but further specify if they did not use particular utilities or fuels.

Gross rent is calculated from this information. Gross rent is tabulated by several distributions; for example, less than $30, $30-39... $90-99, $100-119, $120-149, $150-199, $200-249, $250-299, $300 or more. (Census basic records carry dollar amounts ' of gross rent up to $999.)
Total, median, and average gross rent are calculated.

Ascertained for all persons 14 years of age and over for the preceding calendar year, even if they had no income. Total income is the sum of the dollar amounts of money respondents reported receiving (best estimate if exact amount not known) as wages or salary income, net nonfarm and farm self-employment income, and other income, as specified below. In statistics on family income or household income, the combined incomes of all members of each family or household are treated as a single amount. For unrelated individual income and for income statistics of persons 14 years and over, the classification is by the amount of their own (individual) total income.

Income is tabulated by several intervals. For example, under $1,000, $1,000- $1,999... $9,000-$9,999, $10,000-$14,999, $15,000- $24,999, $25,000 and over. The 1960 census basic records included dollar amounts for each type of income in intervals of $10 from $1-$9 to $9,990-$9,999 and in intervals of $1,000 from $10,000-$10,999 to $24,000-$24,999. Two separate categories were provided for each of the following items: (1) no income and (2) incomes of $25,000 and over. (Net loss from self-employment and all other sources was included in intervals of $100 from $1 - $99 to $9,800-$9,899. Net losses of $9,900 and over were tabulated separately.)

In the 1970 census basic records, for dollar amounts of each type of income, questionnaire dollar entries within $100 intervals from $1-$99, $100-$199, to $99,900- !$99,999 are shown as one-tenth of the midpoint value for that interval. For example, any questionnaire entry between $100 and $199 is represented as 15 on the basic record; any questionnaire entry between $99,900 and $99,999 is represented as 9995 on the basic record. Similarly, dollar amounts within $10,000 intervals from $100,000-$109,999, $110,000-$119,999 to $980,000-$989,999 are shown as one-tenth of the midpoint value for that interval. For example, any questionnaire entry between $100,000 and $109,999 is represented as 10500 on the basic record; any questionnaire entry between $980,000 and $989,999 is represented as 98500 on the basic record. Separate categories are provided for no income and incomes of $990,000 or more. Net losses from self-employment income (section 104.12 below) and income from all other sources (section 104.23 below) are included in intervals of $100 from $1-$99 to $9,800-$9,899. Net losses of $9,900 or more are carried as one category.

Median and mean incomes are calculated for families, unrelated individuals, and persons 14 years and over for total income and for each type of income. (In the 1960 derivation of aggregate amounts for calculating mean income, persons in the open-ended interval $25,000 and over were assigned an estimated mean of $50,000 for each income type. In the 1970 derivation of aggregate amounts for each income type, persons in the open-ended interval $990,000 and over are assigned an estimated mean of $995,000.)