The data for tenure were obtained from Housing Question 14 in the 2010 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.

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.

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.")

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?"

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

The data on house heating fuel were obtained from Housing Question 10 in the 2010 American Community Survey. The question was asked at occupied housing units. The data show the type of fuel used most to heat the house, apartment, or mobile home.

House heating fuel provides information on energy supply and consumption. These data are used by planners to identify the types of fuel used in certain areas and the consequences this usage may have on the area. The data also serve to aid in forecasting the need for future energy needs and power facilities such as generating plants, long distance pipelines for oil or natural gas, and long distance transmission lines for electricity.

House heating fuel is categorized on the ACS questionnaire as follows:

This category includes gas piped through underground pipes from a central system to serve the neighborhood.

This category includes liquid propane gas stored in bottles or tanks that are refilled or exchanged when empty.

This category includes electricity that is generally supplied by means of above or underground electric power lines.

This category includes fuel oil, kerosene, gasoline, alcohol, and other combustible liquids.

This category includes coal or coke that is usually distributed by truck.

This category includes purchased wood, wood cut by household members on their property or elsewhere, driftwood, sawmill or construction scraps, or the like.

This category includes heat provided by sunlight that is collected, stored, and actively distributed to most of the rooms.

This category includes all other fuels not specified elsewhere.

This category includes units that do not use any fuel or that do not have heating equipment.

Since 1996, the American Community Survey questions have remained the same.

Data on house heating fuel in the American Community Survey can be compared to previous ACS and Census 2000 house heating fuel data.