Issued March 2004

AHS/R/04−1

Housing Data Between the Censuses

The American Housing Survey

U.S.Department of Housing 

and Urban Development

Office of Policy Development and Research

U.S.Department of Commerce

Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

U S C E N S U S B U R E A U

Helping You Make Informed Decisions
U.S. Census Bureau

Suggested Citation

U.S. Census Bureau, 

Census Special Reports,

AHS/R/04−1, 

Housing Data Between 

the Censuses: The American 

Housing Survey

Washington, DC, 

2004

ECONOMICS

AND STATISTICS

ADMINISTRATION

ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS 

ADMINISTRATION

Kathleen B. Cooper,

Under Secretary for Economic Affairs

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Charles Louis Kincannon,

Director

Hermann Habermann,

Deputy Director

Cynthia Z. F. Clark

Acting Principal Associate Director for

Programs

Nancy M. Gordon,

Associate Director for Demographic

Programs

Daniel H. Weinberg,

Chief, Housing and Household

Economic Statistics Division

U.S. Department of Housing 

and Urban Development

Alphonso R. Jackson

Acting Secretary

OFFICE OF POLICY

DEVELOPMENT AND

RESEARCH

Dennis C. Shea

Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy

Development and Research

Ronald J. Sepanik

Director, Housing and Demographic

Analysis Division
U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey 3

Home Sweet Home

The place you live is more than a place to “hang your

hat,” more than four walls and a roof. It is an

investment, an expense, a retreat, a responsibility, an

expression of yourself, and more. For these and

other reasons, analysts in government and business

study the nation’s housing very closely.

One way the federal government keeps track of the

nation’s housing is through housing questions asked

in the decennial census. But the census comes only

once in a decade and includes few housing

questions. For the years between censuses, the

government uses other measures – most notably the

American Housing Survey (AHS). The AHS is the

largest, regular national housing sample survey in

the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts

the AHS to obtain up−to−date housing statistics for

the Department of Housing and Urban Development

(HUD). The AHS contains a wealth of information

that can be used by professionals in nearly every

field for planning, decisionmaking, market research,

or various kinds of program development.

If you need housing data, you can not afford to

overlook the AHS. This booklet tells you where to

find these data.

Housing is often our biggest expense — and an important reflection of how we see ourselves.
4 Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Households Live in Housing Units

Let’s start with you. You belong to a “household.” You may

even be a “householder,” and you live in a “housing unit.”

A household is made up of all the people who occupy a

housing unit. This may be a family or a nonfamily such as

a group of friends or unmarried partners.

The householder is designated as the first household

member who is 18 years old or over and is an owner or

renter of the housing unit.

In both the decennial population and housing censuses

and the AHS, the Census Bureau collects and publishes

data about households and householders. 

What Is a Housing Unit?

Do not confuse households with housing units. A

household consists of one or more people in a housing

unit. A housing unit is where they live. (A housing unit

may also be vacant.) The focus of the housing census and

the AHS is on the housing unit.

In general, a housing unit is a house, apartment, flat,

manufactured (mobile) home, or group of rooms – even a

single room occupied or intended for occupancy as

separate living quarters. This means that any occupants

do not generally live with other people in the building and

there is direct access to the unit from the outside or from

a public hall.

Living quarters not included in the housing inventory are

transient accommodations, barracks for workers or

members of the armed forces, and institutional−type

quarters (dormitories, wards, large rooming houses, etc.).

In the AHS, the housing units surveyed have been

scientifically selected to represent a cross section of all

housing in the nation, updated each year to include new

construction. In addition to interviewing the households

in the survey, Census Bureau workers obtain information

on unoccupied units from landlords, rental agents, or

neighbors.

Housing units come in different shapes and sizes.
U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey 5

More Housing Data Than the Census

The American Housing Survey has much more data than

the census, though in less geographic detail. The AHS

focuses on the size and composition of the housing

inventory. For example, it asks about stories in

structures, water leakage, and external building

conditions. It also collects data on heating− and cooling−

degree days and fuels.

It looks at financial characteristics, such as monthly

housing costs; that is, the sum of all housing costs

including utilities, the ratio of housing losts to income,

and payment plans of primary and secondary mortgages.

Questions on neighborhood quality, such as presence or

lack of crime, litter, or housing deterioration, give valuable

qualitative data to social scientists, health officials, and

other analysts.

The survey is redesigned from time to time to make sure

it meets current needs. Some recently added items

include information about gated communities and about

home equity loans.

The survey asks homeowners about repairs and

mortgages, renters about rent control and rent subsidies,

recent movers about the homes they left and why they

moved, and workers about their commutes.

For all people, whether adult or child, the AHS provides

age, sex, household relationships, education, wages, and

the year moved into their home.

New construction,

repairs, and neigh−

borhood quality are

all part of the AHS.
6 Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey U.S. Census Bureau

New Questions

The American Housing Survey

adapts itself to deal with new

policy and research issues that

arise from time to time.

Increasing homeownership

rates for minorities is one

such issue. We can learn

something about the people

and households who were

able to become first−time 

owners and about the 

situations of those who still

rent.

Figure 1 shows the sorts of

data that are available for

high−rise units, houses, mobile

homes, vacant homes, wage

and nonwage income housing,

neighborhood quality, etc.

Housing Units and Householders

Citizenship of householder

Cooperatives and condominiums

Duration of vacancy

Hispanic origin

Housing units

Last used as a permanent residence

Occupied housing units

Owner or manager on property

Population in housing units

Previous occupancy

Race

Rental vacancy rate

Seasonal units 

Suitability for year−round use

Tenure

Vacancy status

Vacant housing units

Year householder immigrated to the

United States

Year householder moved into unit

Year−round housing units

Household Characteristics

Adults and single children under 

18 years old

Age of householder 

Elderly (age 65 and over)

Family or primary individual

Household composition by age of 

householder

Household moves and formation

Nativity

Nonrelative

Other relative of householder

Own never−married children under 

18 years old

Persons other than spouse or children

Single children under 18 years old

Subfamily

Years of school completed by house−

holder

Housing Units Occupied by Recent

Movers

Change in housing costs

Choice of present home and home

search

Choice of present neighborhood and

neighborhood search

Location of previous unit

Person’s previous residence

Present and previous units

Previous home owned or rented by

someone who moved here

Reasons for leaving previous unit

Recent mover comparison to previous

home

Recent mover comparison to previous

neighborhood

Recent movers

Structure type of previous residence

Tenure of previous unit 

Utilization Characteristics

Bedrooms

Lot size

Persons per room

Persons

Rooms

Square feet per person

Square footage of unit 

Structural Characteristics

Common stairways

Elevator on floor

External building conditions

Foundation

Light fixtures in public halls

New construction

Site placement

Stories in structure

Stories between main and apartment

entrances

Units in structure

Water leakage during last 12 months

Year structure built

Plumbing Characteristics

Complete bathrooms

Flush toilet and flush toilet breakdowns

Plumbing facilities

Sewage disposal and sewage disposal

breakdowns

Source of water and water supply stop−

page

Figure 1.

Subjects Included in the Published Reports of the American Housing Survey
U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey 7

Equipment and Fuels

Cooling degree days

Electric fuses and circuit breakers

Fuels

Heating degree days

Heating equipment and heating 

equipment breakdowns

Kitchen appliances

Housing and Neighborhood Quality

Age of other residential buildings 

within 300 feet

Bars on windows of buildings

Cars and trucks available

Condition of streets

Description of area within 300 feet

Gated communities

Mobile homes in group

Moderate physical problems

Nearby buildings vandalized or with

interior exposed

Neighborhood conditions

Overall opinion of structure

Overall opinion of neighborhood

Selected deficiencies

Selected amenities

Severe physical problems

Trash, litter, or junk on streets or on

any properties 

Financial Characteristics

Amount of savings and investments

Annual taxes paid per $1,000 value

Cash received in primary mortgage

Condominium and cooperative fee

Cost and ownership sharing

Current line−of−credit

Current total loan as percentage of value 

Current interest rate

First−time owners

Food stamps

Households with home equity loans

Income

Items included in primary mortgage

payment

Lenders of primary and secondary

mortgages

Lower cost State and local mortgages

Major source of down payment

Median monthly housing costs for

owners

Monthly housing costs

Monthly payment for principal and

interest

Monthly housing costs as percentage

of income

Mortgage origination

Mortgages currently on property

Other activities on property

Other housing costs per month

Payment plans of primary and 

secondary mortgages

Poverty status

Primary mortgage

Property insurance

Purchase price

Real estate taxes

Reason refinanced

Remaining years mortgaged 

Rent reductions

Rent paid by lodgers

Repairs, improvements, alterations in

last 2 years

Routine maintenance last year

Term of primary mortgage at origina−

tion or assumption

Total outstanding principal amount

Type of primary

mortgage

Use of cash from

refinancing

Value

Value−income ratio

Year unit acquired

Year primary mort−

gage originated

Alterations and Replacements

Adding or replacing: roof, siding,

doors, windows, insulation, pipes,

plumbing, fixtures, wiring

Additions: inside bathrooms, kitchens,

bedrooms, other

Changing unfinished areas to finished

rooms: bedrooms, baths, other

Installing: carpet, flooring, paneling

Remodeling: bathrooms and kitchens

Renovations: bedrooms, bathrooms,

other

Repairs due to a major disaster

Replacing or adding outside: driveway,

fence, patio, pool, shed

Replacing or adding inside: central air,

heating equipment, septic, water

heater, dishwasher, disposal
U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey 8

How the American Housing Survey Is Conducted

The AHS Is a Household Survey

The AHS is a household survey that asks questions about

the quality of housing in the United States. In gathering 

information, Census Bureau interviewers visit or telephone

the household occupying each housing unit in the sample.

For unoccupied units, they obtain information from

landlords, rental agents, or neighbors. 

The AHS Is Actually Two Surveys 

The AHS conducts a national survey and a metropolitan

area survey. Both surveys are conducted during a 3− to 7−

month period. 

The national survey, which gathers information on housing

throughout the country, interviews at about 55,000

housing units every 2 years, in odd−numbered years. 

The metropolitan area survey consists of 47 metropolitan

areas, where householders are interviewed every 6 years.

We gather data for about 14 metropolitan areas on an

even numbered year until all 47 metropolitan areas are

surveyed. The cycle begins again 6 years later. Every 4

years, six of the largest metropolitan areas are included

with the national sample. Figure 2A shows the

metropolitan areas that are currently included in the

American Housing Survey. 

Since 1984, each metropolitan area is represented by a

sample of at least 3,200 designated housing units. The

units are divided between the central city and the rest of

the metropolitan area. 

A sample of housing units in all survey areas was selected

from the decennial census. These are updated by a

sample of addresses obtained from building permits (for

new construction) to include housing units added since

the sample was selected.

Where are the homes in the national survey located? They

come from each of the 50 States and the District of

Columbia.

The survey goes back to the same housing units on a

regular basis, recording changes in characteristics, adding

and deleting units when applicable.

This cross−sectioning of the housing inventory gives a

picture of houses and households as they change over

long periods of time.

A Census Bureau

field representative

visits the household.
9 Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Anaheim−Santa Ana, CA PMSA** 2008, 2002, 1994, 1990, 1986, 1981, 1977, 1974

Atlanta, GA MSA 2004, 1996, 1991, 1987, 1982, 1978, 1975

Baltimore, MD MSA 2006, 1998, 1991, 1987, 1983, 1979, 1976

Birmingham, AL MSA 2006, 1998, 1992, 1988, 1984, 1980, 1976

Boston, MA−NH CMSA 2006, 1998, 1993, 1989, 1985, 1981, 1977, 1974

Buffalo, NY CMSA** 2008, 2002, 1994, 1988, 1984, 1979, 1976

Charlotte, NC−SC MSA 2008, 2002, 1995

Chicago, IL PMSA 2007, 2003, 1999, 1995, 1991, 1987, 1983, 1979, 1975

Cincinnati, OH−KY−IN PMSA** 2006, 1998, 1990, 1986, 1982, 1978, 1975

Cleveland, OH PMSA 2004, 1996, 1992, 1988, 1984, 1979, 1976

Columbus, OH MSA 2008, 2002, 1995, 1991, 1987, 1982, 1978, 1975

Dallas, TX PMSA** 2008, 2002, 1994, 1989, 1985, 1981, 1977, 1974

Denver, CO MSA 2004, 1995, 1990, 1986, 1983, 1979, 1976

Detroit, MI PMSA 2007, 2003, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1989, 1985, 1981, 1977, 1974

Ft. Worth−Arlington, TX PMSA 2008, 2002, 1994, 1989, 1985, 1981, 1977, 1974

Hartford, CT MSA 2004, 1996, 1991, 1987, 1983, 1979, 1975

Houston, TX (new sample in 1987) PMSAs 2006, 1998, 1991, 1987, 1983, 1979, 1976

Indianapolis, IN MSA** 2004, 1996, 1992, 1988, 1984, 1980, 1976

Kansas City, MO−KS MSA 2008, 2002, 1995, 1990, 1986, 1982, 1978, 1975

Los Angeles−Long Beach, CA PMSA** 2007, 2003, 1999, 1995, 1989, 1985, 1980, 1977, 1974

Memphis, TN−AR−MS MSA 2004, 1996, 1992, 1988, 1984, 1980, 1977, 1974

Miami−Ft. Lauderdale, FL CMSA 2008, 2002, 1995, 1990, 1986, 1983, 1979, 1975

Milwaukee, WI PMSA** 2008, 2002, 1994, 1988, 1984, 1979, 1975

Minneapolis−St. Paul, MN−WI MSA 2006, 1998, 1993, 1989, 1985, 1981, 1977, 1974

New Orleans, LA MSA 2004, 1995, 1990, 1986, 1982, 1978, 1975

New York−Nassau−Suffolk−Orange, NY PMSAs 2007, 2003, 1999, 1995, 1991, 1987, 1983, 1980, 1976

Norfolk−Virginia Beach−Newport News, VA−NC MSA*** 2006, 1998

Northern NJ PMSAs 2007, 2003, 1999, 1995,1991,1987

Oakland, CA PMSA  2006, 1998

Oklahoma City, OK MSA 2004, 1996, 1992, 1988, 1984, 1980, 1976

Philadelphia, PA−NJ PMSA**  2007, 2003, 1999, 1995, 1989, 1985, 1982, 1978, 1975

Phoenix, AZ MSA** 2008, 2002, 1994, 1989, 1985, 1981, 1977, 1974

Pittsburgh, PA MSA 2004, 1995, 1990, 1986, 1981, 1977, 1974

Portland, OR−WA PMSA 2008, 2002, 1995, 1990, 1986, 1983, 1979, 1975

Providence−Pawtucket−Warwick, RI−MA PMSAs 2008, 1998, 1992, 1988, 1984, 1980, 1976

Riverside−San Bernardino−Ontario, CA PMSA** 2008, 2002, 1994, 1990, 1986, 1982, 1978, 1975

Rochester, NY MSA 2006, 1998, 1990, 1986, 1982, 1978, 1975

Sacramento, CA PMSA 2004, 1996, 1983, 1980, 1976

St. Louis, MO−IL MSA 2004, 1996, 1991, 1987, 1983, 1980, 1976

Salt Lake City, UT MSA 2006, 1998, 1992, 1988, 1984, 1980, 1977, 1974

San Antonio, TX MSA 2004, 1995, 1990, 1986, 1982, 1978, 1975

San Diego, CA MSA 2008, 2002, 1994, 1991, 1987, 1982, 1978, 1975

San Francisco, CA PMSA** 2006, 1998

San Jose, CA PMSA 2006, 1998, 1993, 1988, 1984

Seattle−Everett, WA PMSA 2004, 1996, 1983, 1979, 1976

Tampa−St. Petersburg, FL MSA 2006, 1998, 1993, 1989, 1985

Washington, DC−MD−VA MSA 2006, 1998, 1993, 1989, 1985, 1981, 1977, 1974

* No areas surveyed in 1997.

** Same area since beginning. All other areas change boundaries over time; see map or list of counties in each report.

*** Currituck County, NC, was added to the geographic definition in 1998.

**** Formerly San Francisco−Oakland, CA PMSAs.

Figure 2A.

Current American Housing Survey Metropolitan Areas in Sample*
10 Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Albany−Schenectady−Troy, NY** 1980, 1977, 1974

Allentown−Bethlehem−Easton, PA−NJ** 1980, 1976

Colorado Springs, CO** 1978, 1975

Grand Rapids, MI** 1980, 1976

Honolulu, HI** 1983, 1979, 1976

Las Vegas, NY** 1979, 1976

Louisville, KY−IN** 1983, 1980, 1976

Madison, WI** 1981, 1977, 1975

Newark−NJ (now covered by Northern NJ)** 1981, 1977, 1974

Norfolk−Virginia Beach−Newport News, VA MSA 1992, 1988, 1984, 1978, 1975

Omaha, NE−IA** 1979, 1976

Orlando, FL** 1981, 1977, 1974

Paterson−Clifton, Passaic, NJ (Now covered

by Northern NJ)** 1982, 1978, 1975

Raleigh, NC** 1979, 1976

Saginaw, MI** 1980, 1977, 1974

San Francisco−Oakland, CA PMSAs 1993, 1989, 1985, 1982, 1978, 1975

Seattle−Tacoma, WA 1991, 1987

Spokane, WA 1981, 1977, 1974

Springfield−Chicopee−Holyoke, MA−CT** 1978, 1975

Tacoma, WA** 1981, 1977, 1974

Wichita, KS** 1981, 1977, 1974

** Same area since beginning. All other areas change boundaries over time; see map or list of counties in each report.

Figure 2B.

American Housing Survey Metropolitan Areas No Longer in Sample
U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey 11

AHS Printed Products 

Availability, How Where to Order

AHS data are available in many formats. Many of the

printed reports and microdata are available on CDs. See

below for availability and ordering information.

Figure 3. Sources for American Housing Survey Data

Source Telephone Books Microdata

HUD USER

Box 6091

Rockville, MD 20849−6091

800−245−2691

301−495−5863

TDD 800−927−7589

Fax 301−495−3765

National and Metropolitan $5

Codebooks

Volume I $30

Volume II $5

Volume III $20

National CD−ROM

Before 1997 $50

1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003 $15

Metropolitan CD−ROM

Before 1996 $50

1996 to present $15

Table Generating Data Disk $15

CD−ROM1

AVI−000102

Customer Services

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, DC 20233−0801

301−763−INFO (4636) for

general information

Fax 301−457−3842,orders only

Fax 301−457−4714,general

information

Metropolitan $10−$20 National and Metropolitan CD−ROMs

Back to early 1970s $50

1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003 $15

Superintendent of Documents2

Washington, DC 20402−9326

202−512−1800

Fax 202−512−2250

National $50

Housing and Household Economic

Statistics Division (HHES)

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, DC 20233−8500

301−763−3235

Fax 301−457−3277

Analytical

H121, H123 $2−$10

U.S. National Archives and

Records Administration

Center for Electronic Records

www.archives.gov

301−837−0470 National and Metropolitan

Tapes, 1974−1995 Fees vary

Internet (type address in lower case):

Publications: www.census.gov/prod/

www/abs/cons-hou.html#house

National, Metropolitan

Analytical

All reports since 1973

Internet address Free

CD−ROM $15

Interactive Internet Tools

Ferret—data extraction system

1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003 Free

Data Extraction System (DES)

1993, 1995 Free

American Housing Survey Home Page:

www.census.gov/hhes/www/ahs.html

HUD USER Home Page:

www.huduser.org

Codebooks Free 1995 and later National and Metropolitan

Free

1

The American Housing Surveys for 1999 and 2001 issued CD−ROMS titled‘‘Table Generating Data Disk.’’ The CDs contain a special type of data−

base file called an EXTRACT. This file allows users to create their own tables (cross tabulations) with the built−in software. On the CDs, there are

data tables that users can manipulate to show selected information, to form graphs, and to print. Included also on the CDs is the microdata file in both

SAS and ASCII formats, along with the associated documentation. The publications also are included.

2

Ask for U.S. Census Bureau series H150 and H151. Depository libraries may order Superintendent of Documents prefix C3.215. Libraries often

keep national books in a special catalog and section for U.S. Government documents. Metropolitan reports may be located in the general catalog,

since these are not published by the Superintendent of Documents.
12 Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey U.S. Census Bureau

National Reports

The American Housing Survey for the United States (AHS−N)

presents statistics on housing and household

characteristics from the latest AHS national sample. It has

statistics for the United States and more limited data for

the four census regions. 

Shown too, are total statistics for inside and outside

Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and urban and rural

areas.

The tables excerpted on this page give a glimpse of the 

variety and detail available in the national report. There is

detail about groups within groups, since the report

repeats the whole set of table for owners, renters, Blacks,

Hispanics, elderly, central cities, suburbs, and outside

metropolitan areas. There are special tables on vacant

units, size of homes, incomes, housing costs, and journey

to work.

In 1985 the American Housing Survey was completely

redesigned to improve the quality of the data. Any

comparisons between years after 1985 and earlier years

should take this into account. Originally there were six

national reports (parts A through F). After the redesign,

all the parts were consolidated into one general report and

one supplement report.

Table 1A 1. Introductory Characteristics All Housing Units

[Numbers in thousands. Consistent with the 1990 Census. ... means not applicable or sample too small. – means zero or rounds to zero]

Characteristics

Year round

Occupied Vacant

Total housing

units

Sea

sonal Total Total Owner Renter Total

For

rent

Rental

vacan

cy rate

For

sale

only

Rent

ed or

sold

Occa

sional

use/

URE

Other

vacant

New

con

struc

tion

4 years

Manu

fact

ured/

mobile

homes

Total 119 117 3 078 116 038 106 261 72 265 33 996 9 777 2 916 7.8 1 243 731 2 594 2 293 6 817 8 876

Units in Structure

1, detached 73 427 1 900 71 527 67 129 59 239 7 890 4 399 526 6.2 858 364 1 268 1 384 3 783 ...

1, attached 8 428 167 8 261 7 305 3 722 3 583 956 334 8.5 78 72 250 222 652 ...

2 to 4 9 354 105 9 249 8 200 1 291 6 909 1 049 545 7.3 57 62 192 194 228 ...

5 to 9 5 682 62 5 619 4 994 503 4 490 626 384 7.8 17 21 128 77 215 ...

10 to 19 5 367 63 5 304 4 620 502 4 118 684 393 8.6 25 62 167 38 420 ...

20 to 49 3 898 65 3 833 3 253 391 2 862 580 351 10.8 24 53 95 56 243 ...

50 or more 4 084 89 3 995 3 543 615 2 927 453 219 6.9 20 27 150 37 174 ...

Manufactured/mobile home or trailer 8 876 626 8 249 7 219 6 001 1 218 1 031 165 11.9 165 71 345 285 1 102 8 876

Cooperatives and Condominiums

Cooperatives 703 33 670 571 396 175 99 21 10.5 13 2 56 8 13 79

Condominiums 5 934 332 5 602 4 745 3 407 1 338 857 119 8.1 117 65 457 98 506 26

Year Structure Built1

2000 to 2004 3 119 74 3 045 2 573 2 094 479 471 150 23.8 109 71 94 48 ... 413

1995 to 1999 8 883 198 8 685 8 021 6 378 1 643 664 209 11.2 94 61 196 104 3 698 1 687

1990 to 1994 7 203 172 7 031 6 521 5 193 1 328 510 113 7.8 96 37 193 72 – 1 087

1985 to 1989 8 878 200 8 678 8 045 5 330 2 715 633 222 7.5 60 45 236 71 ... 887

1980 to 1984 7 664 197 7 467 6 788 4 370 2 418 679 199 7.6 78 57 249 96 ... 993

1975 to 1979 12 009 280 11 729 10 801 7 449 3 351 928 281 7.7 99 68 296 184 ... 1 302

1970 to 1974 11 520 395 11 124 10 116 6 419 3 697 1 008 366 8.9 86 45 317 195 ... 1 389

1960 to 1969 15 894 477 15 417 14 396 9 741 4 655 1 021 314 6.3 114 66 253 273 ... 845

1950 to 1959 13 779 366 13 413 12 501 9 068 3 433 912 211 5.7 154 75 187 284 ... 159

1940 to 1949 8 284 246 8 038 7 278 4 775 2 504 760 224 8.2 84 49 165 239 ... 44

1930 to 1939 6 593 188 6 405 5 728 3 403 2 325 677 191 7.5 94 50 115 226 ... 69

1920 to 1929 5 465 80 5 384 4 863 2 850 2 014 521 161 7.3 67 39 103 152 ... –

1919 or earlier 9 827 204 9 622 8 630 5 195 3 434 992 276 7.4 108 67 190 351 ... –

Median 1970 1970 1970 1970 1971 1967 1970 1971 ... 1970 1972 1974 1956 ... 1983

Suitability for Year Round Use2

Built and heated for year round use 117 996 1 958 116 038 106 261 72 265 33 996 9 777 2 916 7.8 1 243 731 2 594 2 293 6 804 8 663

Not suitable 984 984 – – – – – – – – – – – 10 178

Not reported 136 136 – – – – – – – – – – – 4 35

Time Sharing

Vacant, including URE ... 3 078 ... ... ... ... 9 777 2 916 91.4 1 243 731 2 594 2 293 964 1 657

Ownership time shared ... 10 ... ... ... ... 49 14 100.0 3 – 24 7 – –

Not time shared ... 3 068 ... ... ... ... 9 728 2 902 91.4 1 240 731 2 569 2 287 964 1 657

Duration of Vacancy

Vacant units ... 2 290 ... ... ... ... 8 724 2 916 91.6 1 243 731 1 541 2 293 833 1 424

Less than 1 month vacant ... 457 ... ... ... ... 1 594 767 87.2 173 188 283 184 197 217

1 month up to 2 months ... 115 ... ... ... ... 669 346 88.9 75 62 89 96 34 67

2 months up to 6 months ... 345 ... ... ... ... 1 732 704 92.4 292 164 267 304 143 301

6 months up to 1 year ... 143 ... ... ... ... 794 226 93.0 158 56 151 203 50 178

1 year up to 2 years ... 63 ... ... ... ... 651 149 95.1 152 56 88 207 36 104

2 years or more ... 404 ... ... ... ... 1 443 213 93.1 132 66 219 813 19 258

Never occupied ... 221 ... ... ... ... 268 76 100.0 54 49 41 48 225 25

Don’t know ... 541 ... ... ... ... 1 573 436 97.0 208 90 401 439 128 273

Last Used as a Permanent Residence

Vacant seasonal ... 3 078 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 155 626

Less than 1 month since occupied as permanent

home ... 127 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 23 31

1 month up to 2 months ... 18 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... – 2

2 months up to 6 months ... 123 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 13 15

6 months up to 1 year ... 39 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 1

1 year up to 2 years ... 49 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 13

2 years or more ... 564 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 122

Never occupied as permanent home ... 1 578 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 105 272

Don’t know ... 580 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 171

Not reported ... – ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... – –

Metropolitan/Nonmetropolitan Areas

Inside metropolitan statistical areas 93 058 1 165 91 893 85 304 56 290 29 014 6 589 2 259 7.2 837 575 1 448 1 470 5 346 4 786

In central cities 35 076 184 34 892 31 731 16 870 14 861 3 161 1 326 8.1 341 234 537 724 1 282 674

Suburbs 57 983 982 57 001 53 574 39 420 14 153 3 427 933 6.2 496 341 910 747 4 063 4 112

Outside metropolitan statistical areas 26 058 1 913 24 145 20 957 15 975 4 982 3 188 657 11.5 406 156 1 146 823 1 471 4 090

Regions

Northeast 22 347 691 21 656 20 321 12 987 7 334 1 335 354 4.6 141 128 361 351 539 690

Midwest 27 748 785 26 963 24 758 18 049 6 709 2 205 760 10.1 321 176 464 484 1 375 1 546

South 43 571 1 020 42 551 38 068 26 715 11 353 4 483 1 253 9.9 556 260 1 294 1 120 3 382 4 994

West 25 450 582 24 868 23 115 14 514 8 600 1 754 549 6.0 225 166 476 338 1 522 1 645

Urbanized Areas

Inside urbanized areas ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

In central cities of MSAs ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Urban fringe ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Outside urbanized areas ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Other urban ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Rural ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Place Size

Less than 2,500 persons 5 919 279 5 640 5 059 3 816 1 243 581 121 8.7 106 48 157 148 206 533

2,500 to 9,999 persons 14 067 316 13 751 12 568 9 029 3 539 1 184 312 8.0 182 71 389 229 557 868

10,000 to 19,999 persons 10 089 94 9 995 9 233 6 276 2 958 762 283 8.6 104 83 155 138 395 354

20,000 to 49,999 persons 15 710 105 15 605 14 513 9 367 5 146 1 092 411 7.3 132 92 242 215 624 319

50,000 to 99,999 persons 11 267 59 11 208 10 415 6 363 4 053 792 307 7.0 89 63 180 153 458 205

100,000 to 249,999 persons 9 293 20 9 273 8 541 4 861 3 679 732 309 7.7 69 69 92 193 349 147

250,000 to 499,999 persons 6 675 20 6 655 6 054 3 265 2 789 601 280 9.1 81 42 78 120 243 87

500,000 to 999,999 persons 4 244 53 4 191 3 845 2 101 1 744 346 172 8.9 39 22 39 74 180 52

1,000,000 persons or more 7 710 14 7 696 7 062 2 900 4 163 634 258 5.8 49 60 95 171 165 21

American Housing Survey for the United States in 2001 1

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 1D 1. Introductory Characteristics All Housing Units Outside Metropolitan Statistical

Areas

[Numbers in thousands. Consistent with the 1990 Census. ... means not applicable or sample too small. – means zero or rounds to zero]

Characteristics

Year round

Occupied Vacant

Total

housing

units

Sea

sonal Total Total Owner Renter Total

For

rent

Rental

vacan

cy rate

For

sale

only

Rent

ed or

sold

Occa

sional

use/

URE

Other

vacant

New

con

struc

tion

4 years

Manu

fact

ured/

mobile

homes

Total 26 058 1 913 24 145 20 957 15 975 4 982 3 188 657 11.5 406 156 1 146 823 1 471 4 090

Units in Structure

1, detached 18 348 1 328 17 020 15 149 13 044 2 105 1 871 212 9.1 295 77 693 594 637 –

1, attached 706 51 655 489 194 295 166 60 16.6 9 8 56 33 93 –

2 to 4 1 413 44 1 369 1 126 88 1 039 243 136 11.4 4 15 74 14 46 –

5 to 9 584 21 563 462 25 437 101 48 9.9 5 – 32 16 32 –

10 to 19 422 34 388 271 18 253 117 43 13.5 2 20 45 6 48 –

20 to 49 312 13 299 193 8 184 106 43 18.3 7 10 21 25 38 –

50 or more 184 14 170 122 3 119 48 11 8.4 – 4 33 – – –

Manufactured/mobile home or trailer 4 090 409 3 681 3 145 2 595 550 536 105 15.9 85 21 191 135 576 4 090

Cooperatives and Condominiums

Cooperatives 30 10 20 13 9 4 7 2 25.7 3 – 2 – – 10

Condominiums 517 82 435 238 136 102 197 21 16.6 16 12 126 23 56 7

Year Structure Built1

2000 to 2004 603 46 557 470 421 49 87 19 27.8 25 7 24 12 ... 227

1995 to 1999 1 998 117 1 880 1 673 1 356 317 207 34 9.5 29 21 91 31 868 759

1990 to 1994 1 647 71 1 576 1 366 1 125 241 210 26 9.4 20 11 121 32 – 565

1985 to 1989 1 499 119 1 380 1 221 971 250 158 28 10.1 18 – 89 23 ... 452

1980 to 1984 1 624 111 1 512 1 306 880 426 206 40 8.6 38 4 79 45 ... 415

1975 to 1979 3 005 167 2 838 2 529 1 949 580 308 68 10.1 37 20 109 75 ... 562

1970 to 1974 2 737 250 2 487 2 057 1 536 521 430 108 16.8 38 20 172 93 ... 612

1960 to 1969 2 917 278 2 638 2 299 1 813 486 339 66 11.9 42 11 112 108 ... 343

1950 to 1959 2 498 271 2 227 1 930 1 521 408 297 58 12.3 30 11 91 107 ... 90

1940 to 1949 1 761 157 1 604 1 348 1 010 339 256 49 12.7 28 5 86 88 ... 25

1930 to 1939 1 641 146 1 495 1 260 847 412 236 42 9.1 47 17 66 64 ... 39

1920 to 1929 1 096 42 1 054 925 687 238 130 36 12.8 21 13 26 34 ... –

1919 or earlier 3 032 136 2 896 2 572 1 859 713 324 84 10.3 34 16 79 111 ... –

Median 1970 1967 1970 1970 1971 1968 1970 1969 ... 1970 1971 1973 1961 ... 1984

Suitability for Year Round Use2

Built and heated for year round use 25 179 1 034 24 145 20 957 15 975 4 982 3 188 657 11.5 406 156 1 146 823 1 461 3 921

Not suitable 773 773 – – – – – – – – – – – 6 144

Not reported 106 106 – – – – – – – – – – – 4 25

Time Sharing

Vacant, including URE ... 1 913 ... ... ... ... 3 188 657 89.4 406 156 1 146 823 283 945

Ownership time shared ... 8 ... ... ... ... 14 ––1–67– –

Not time shared ... 1 905 ... ... ... ... 3 174 657 89.4 406 156 1 140 816 283 945

Duration of Vacancy

Vacant units ... 1 404 ... ... ... ... 2 691 657 89.8 406 156 649 823 210 756

Less than 1 month vacant ... 352 ... ... ... ... 441 140 82.1 51 40 158 52 83 146

1 month up to 2 months ... 78 ... ... ... ... 202 66 85.4 30 13 55 38 2 44

2 months up to 6 months ... 80 ... ... ... ... 443 179 87.6 93 53 62 56 43 108

6 months up to 1 year ... 66 ... ... ... ... 208 50 100.0 54 5 30 69 8 67

1 year up to 2 years ... 38 ... ... ... ... 225 43 94.9 51 6 47 78 11 62

2 years or more ... 295 ... ... ... ... 569 53 93.9 51 19 106 340 4 151

Never occupied ... 145 ... ... ... ... 61 13 100.0 7 7 20 14 43 16

Don’t know ... 350 ... ... ... ... 544 113 98.6 71 14 170 176 15 162

Last Used as a Permanent Residence

Vacant seasonal ... 1 913 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 90 409

Less than 1 month since occupied as permanent

home ... 98 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 18 21

1 month up to 2 months ... 8 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... – –

2 months up to 6 months ... 33 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 7

6 months up to 1 year ... 13 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... – –

1 year up to 2 years ... 31 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 8

2 years or more ... 358 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... – 80

Never occupied as permanent home ... 1 043 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 64 210

Don’t know ... 330 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... – 82

Not reported ... – ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... – –

Metropolitan/Nonmetropolitan Areas

Inside metropolitan statistical areas ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

In central cities ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Suburbs ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Outside metropolitan statistical areas 26 058 1 913 24 145 20 957 15 975 4 982 3 188 657 11.5 406 156 1 146 823 1 471 4 090

Regions

Northeast 2 887 455 2 432 2 219 1 674 545 213 46 7.6 33 15 75 44 87 277

Midwest 7 886 633 7 253 6 544 5 038 1 506 709 163 9.7 107 40 272 127 366 773

South 11 241 434 10 807 9 024 6 942 2 082 1 783 357 14.5 200 69 628 529 765 2 351

West 4 044 391 3 653 3 170 2 320 850 483 91 9.4 66 32 171 123 252 688

Urbanized Areas

Inside urbanized areas ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

In central cities of MSAs ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Urban fringe ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Outside urbanized areas ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Other urban ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Rural ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

American Housing Survey for the United States in 2001 31

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 5 8. Neighborhood Occupied Units With Black Householder

[Numbers in thousands. Consistent with the 1990 Census. ... means not applicable or sample too small. – means zero or rounds to zero]

Characteristics

Tenure Housing unit characteristics Household characteristics

Physical problems

Total

occupied

units Owner Renter

New

construction

4 years

Manu

factured/

mobile

homes Severe Moderate

Elderly

 (65 years

and over)

Moved in

past year

Below

poverty

level

1 Total 13 292 6 318 6 974 594 692 471 1 181 2 078 2 557 3 340

Overall Opinion of Neighborhood

2 1 (worst) 281 68 214 12 19 39 54 38 67 125

3 2 195 38 158 – 5 13 35 13 39 73

4 3 241 65 176 6 12 14 46 12 77 80 5 4 379 118 261 7 3 25 49 44 86 120 6 5 1 437 507 930 22 46 68 173 184 286 485

7 6 968 370 598 35 35 45 68 128 178 236

8 7 1 968 870 1 099 57 82 40 138 229 361 428

9 8 2 924 1 512 1 412 142 117 101 226 438 554 585 10 9 1 551 863 687 90 87 25 96 250 235 318

11 10 (best) 2 698 1 582 1 117 207 267 87 240 618 555 731

12 No neighborhood 28 12 16 – 5 – 4 7 4 11

13 Not reported 622 315 307 16 14 15 51 116 114 150

Street Noise or Traffic

14 Street noise or traffic present 4 737 1 854 2 883 110 160 242 509 771 825 1 345

15 Condition not bothersome 2 766 1 070 1 697 77 103 136 259 508 478 796

16 Condition bothersome 1 949 782 1 167 33 57 105 246 261 332 547 17 So bothered they want to move 1 011 306 705 15 30 80 173 92 196 342

18 Not reported 3 3 – – – – 3–––

19 Bothersome not reported 22 3 19 – – – 3 2 15 2

20 Not reported 175 92 84 7 8 5 25 40 27 29

Neighborhood Crime

21 Neighborhood crime present 3 556 1 326 2 230 60 78 193 384 501 568 1 037

22 Condition not bothersome 1 353 510 843 24 18 73 102 235 221 357

23 Condition bothersome 2 185 811 1 373 36 60 120 276 266 340 675

24 So bothered they want to move 1 185 322 863 11 32 87 197 95 222 436

25 Not reported 9 3 6 – – – 33––

26 Bothersome not reported 18 5 14 – – – 6–65

27 Not reported 314 145 169 19 8 10 34 57 77 72

Odors

28 Odors present 1 202 445 757 38 48 87 202 158 230 402

29 Condition not bothersome 353 130 224 11 14 20 49 54 68 101

30 Condition bothersome 843 316 527 27 34 67 150 103 159 301 31 So bothered they want to move 482 124 358 18 25 44 101 50 87 209

32 Not reported 8 3 5 ––3––2–

33 Bothersome not reported 6 – 6 – – – 3–3–

34 Not reported 186 95 91 4 8 9 23 38 34 35

Other Bothersome Neighborhood

Conditions

35 No other problems 10 878 5 184 5 695 487 591 348 925 1 786 2 138 2 758

With other problems1 36 2 176 1 017 1 160 99 89 115 224 250 374 529

37 Noise 416 149 267 10 3 24 48 59 59 141 38 Litter or housing deterioration 423 198 225 6 13 27 76 62 66 134

39 Poor city or county services 260 119 140 – 6 27 38 34 49 87

Undesirable commercial, institutional,

industrial 125 52 72 – – 6 25 20 22 26

40

41 People 711 255 456 18 24 41 82 68 127 214 42 Other 1 088 559 529 70 46 58 105 113 176 222

43 No problem 19 5 15 – 5 – – 3 11 9

44 Type of problem not reported 48 25 23 2 2 9 4 8 4 11

45 Other problems not reported 238 118 120 7 12 8 32 41 45 53

Public Elementary School1

46 Households with children aged 5 through 15 4 536 2 187 2 349 291 354 167 426 195 884 1 254

47 Attend public school(K 12) 4 015 1 871 2 144 266 343 155 397 167 807 1 166

48 Attend private school (K 12) 377 256 121 11 10 5 27 16 53 41

49 Attend ungraded school, preschool, etc. 54 11 43 8 – 5 – 5 15 23

50 Home schooled 11 7 4 ––––2–5

51 Not in school 84 24 60 4 6 8 9 – 28 43 52 Not reported 119 72 46 3 7 5 4 5 7 25

53 Households with any children aged 0 through 13 5 014 2 209 2 806 305 359 189 454 178 1 184 1 437 54 Satisfactory public elementary school 3 763 1 715 2 048 256 304 148 326 143 816 1 122

55 Unsatisfactory public elementary school 444 223 222 20 36 13 49 12 62 130 56 So bothered they want to move 222 91 131 12 21 8 35 9 32 69

57 Not reported 8 3 5 –––––––

58 Not reported or don’t know 807 271 536 29 19 28 80 24 306 186 59 Public elementary school less than 1 mile 3 249 1 353 1 896 111 86 136 327 138 696 969

60 Public elementary school 1 mile or more 1 521 760 761 186 266 46 117 33 407 412

61 Not reported 244 96 149 8 7 8 10 8 82 56

Building Neighbor Noise2

62 Neighbor noise present 3 924 417 3 507 78 – 175 386 296 1 103 1 199

63 Loudness bothersome 1 324 108 1 216 29 – 94 178 72 368 426 64 Loudness not bothersome 2 595 306 2 289 50 – 80 208 221 733 773

65 Loudness bothersome not reported 5 2 2 ––––22–

66 Time of noise bothersome 1 435 112 1 323 35 – 89 192 86 387 476

67 Time of noise not bothersome 2 484 305 2 179 44 – 86 191 207 714 723

68 Time bothersome not reported 5 – 5 – – – 322–

69 Neighbor noise not present 2 265 396 1 869 94 – 115 142 397 628 694 70 Not reported 146 15 132 6 – 11 6 28 32 39

256 American Housing Survey for the United States in 2001

U.S. Census Bureau

Table Excerpts From the National Report—

American Housing Survey for the United States in 2001(AHS−N)
U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey 13

Geographic Areas in the American Housing

Survey for the United States

United Sates

Regions

Metropolitan statistical areas

Central cities 

Suburbs

Urbanized areas

Rural areas 

Places grouped by size

Metropolitan Reports

Housing Characteristics for Selected Metropolitan Areas (AHS−

MS) is released in separate reports for selected MSAs, their

central cities, and subareas. The tables are for the most part

the same as those in the national report. The areas surveyed

change each even numbered year. See pages 9 and 10 for the

list of MSAs and the years in which they were surveyed. See

Figure 3 on page 11 for ordering information.

The AHS publications (PDF) can be viewed at the following

Census Web sites:

www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/h150.html

www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/h170.html

www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cons−hou.html

Data Chart

Series H150/# (survey year; e.g. 01) −wall or H170/# −wall, is a

collection of tables from the national publication showing data

on housing characteristics in the United States. Information

can be found on the number of owners, renters, race and

origin, single family units, year the structure was built, type of

heating equipment, monthly housing costs, value of the

home, and the number of homeowners who own their homes

free and clear of a mortgage. Hundreds of other data items

are shown on this 24− x 36−inch chart. 

Statistical Briefs

Don’t overlook the American Housing Briefs, a series of short,

nontechnical fact sheets presenting demographic and housing

data for selected metropolitan areas complete with colorful

charts.

We also release a series of Statistical Briefs that give data for

the United States as a whole in topics of current interest (such

as residential energy use, homeownership, and recent

movers). These can be found at:

www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/ahb.html
14 Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Electronic Products Available From the AHS

The AHS electronic data are produced in a variety of

formats to suit a wide range of user needs and

preferences.

Copies of printed reports, microdata files on CD−ROM

(compact disk/read−only memory), table generating

software and codebooks are all available at the Census

Bureau and HUD Web sites on some CD’s and at URL’s: 

www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/h150.html

www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/h170.html

www.huduser.org/datasets/ahs.html

See Figure 3 on page 11 for ordering information.

The microdata on the public use file (PUF) from the

American Housing Survey show the responses for

individual interviews. The files contain records from the

individual housing units, with all identifying information

removed. The records in the PUF are for all addresses that

are in sample, including occupied and vacant interviews,

as well as a limited amount of information for addresses

in sample, but not interviewed. 

The microdata on CDs and the Internet are available in flat

ASCII format and in SAS. Users can then prepare

tabulations designed to meet specialized needs. Using

CDs from a period of years, you can employ various

statistical−analysis programs to make comparisons. For

example, you can tabulate mortgage costs for young

homeowners and study change over time. You can further

study how the costs differ for owners in central city and

suburban areas. See Figure 1 on page 6 for some of the

many subject areas covered.

Geographic areas on the national files include the United

States and the four census regions, metropolitan

/nonmetropolitan areas, inside/outside central cities,

urban/rural areas, and places grouped by size.

Geographic areas shown on the metropolitan files include

about 14 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) per year.

Microdata showing geographic data are not shown for the

6 areas surveyed with the national sample. In addition,

central city/noncentral city indicators are provided for all

MSAs as are AHS zones, which are groups of census tracts

having at least 100,000 population. 

The Codebook

Three codebooks are available dealing with the AHS 

microdata. Each contains the same sort of information but

each covers a different set of survey years. Generally, the

codebooks contain the text of the survey questions, the 

values and coding of each variable available to the public,

information about data processing (such as the use of 

imputation, edit specifications, policies on topcoding, and

the like) and other information about the survey. The

table below describes the survey years shown in each

volume and the sources for obtaining each volume. 

In addition to these sources, the public may request a

custom CD−ROM containing pdf versions of one or more of

the codebooks. Contact HHES Division, AHSB, U.S. Census

Bureau, Washington, DC 20233−8500, or ahsn@census.gov,

for the cost of this service.

Title

Codebook for the American

Housing Survey Data Base:

1973 to 1993, aka, Codebook

Volume 1

Codebook for the American

Housing Survey, Volume 2

(1995 to 1996 only)

Codebook for the American

Housing Survey, Public Use

File: 1997 and later

Source

HHES Division, AHSB, US Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233−8500

www.huduser.org/datasets/ahs/ahs_codebook.html

www.huduser.org/datasets/ahs/ahsprev.html

www.huduser.org/datasets/ahs/ahsprev.html

Format

paper

pdf files

Word file

pdf file

Codebook Availability
U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey 15

American Housing Survey (AHS)

Internet Sites

www.census.gov – links to several AHS−related sites

www.census.gov/hhes/www/ahs.html, which contains:

Publications in pdf format

1973 through current AHS National

1974 through current AHS Metropolitan

1995 AHS National supplement

Publication tables in html format

1997 through current AHS National

1997 through current Alterations, Additions and Repairs tables from the National survey

1993 through current data charts from the National survey

Codebooks for the microdata files, table specifications, and other supporting materials on survey design, definitions and

schedules

www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cons−hou.html#house, which contains:

Publications in pdf format – for National, Metropolitan and CINCH, including AHS supplements and Housing Briefs.

http://dataferrett.census.gov/TheDataWeb/index.html, which provides software to create custom tables and access to AHS 

microdata files for 1993 through the current national survey, and 1998 through the current metropolitan survey.

www.huduser.org – links to more AHS information through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Includes sites to download the AHS microdata, copies of the questionnaire program (qcode), value label files, and more.

Tapping Other Census Bureau Resources

Decennial Census

The Census Bureau has more to offer in housing data than just the American Housing Survey; for example, Census 2000. 

Figure 4 shows items from Census 2000. These are similar to questions asked in previous censuses. Only a few items

were asked of all housing units – the 100 percent count. All the other items were asked of a fraction (sample) of the

units (about 1 out of every 6 households). The resulting sample data were reported as estimates for geographic areas

such as census tracts. These are areas with 1,500 to 8,000 people. The optimum size is 4,000.

All information collected in the decennial census is available through the American FactFinder that can be accessed

through the Census homepage (factfinder.census.gov). Census briefs, discussing specific topics, can be accessed on the

Census Web site at www.census.gov/main/www/cen2000.html.
16 Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Census 2000 Content

A short−form questionnaire was used in 5 out of 6 housing

units. These are the type of data collected using fewer

questions.

Population

Age

Race

Sex

Hispanic origin

Relationship

Only two questions were asked that pertained to housing:

Tenure (owned or rented) and Vacancy status.

The long−form questionnaire was used in 1 of every 6

housing units. In addition to the questions asked in the

above categories, the types of questions asked in the sam−

ple are below:

Population

Ancestry

Citizenship and year of entry

Disability

Education − school enrollment and educational attainment

Grandparents as caregivers

Income (previous year)

Industry, occupation, and class of worker

Labor force status (current)

Language spoken at home

Marital status

Place of work and journey to work

Place of birth,

Residence five years ago (migration)

Veteran status

Work status last year

The following information was gathered from the 

questions on housing:

Housing

Farm residence

House heating fuel

Monthly rent (including congregate housing)

Number of bedrooms

Number of rooms

Plumbing and kitchen facilities 

Shelter costs

Telephone

Units in structure

Vacancy status 

Value of home

Vehicles available

Year structure built

Year moved into unit
U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey 17

Use HUD USER to Get the Latest Housing

Research Information

The Department of Housing and Urban Development

(HUD) sponsors the American Housing Survey (AHS) to

obtain up−to−date housing statistics. HUD’s office of Policy

Development and Research (PD&R) supports the

Department’s efforts to help create cohesive economically

healthy communities. 

HUD USER www.huduser.org is the gateway to current

written research and analytic tools produced by and for

HUD’s Office of Policy Development & Research (PD&R).

You can use this online resource to access research reports

about housing and community and economic

development, data sets that can be used for original

research, HUD income limits and fair market rents, and

much more! 

HUD USER offers relevant, practical information on a wide

range of topics, such as new building technologies,

emerging trends in urban planning and demographics,

alleviating housing discrimination and homelessness, and

strategies for making housing more affordable, durable,

accessible, and more readily available to the people who

need it most.

HUD USER also creates and distributes a wide variety of

useful information products and services such as:

• Data Sets – HUD USER provides interested

researchers with access to the original electronic

data sets generated by PD&R sponsored data

collection efforts, including the American Housing

Survey, HUD median family income limits, as well as

microdata from research initiatives on topics such

as housing discrimination, the HUD−insured

multifamily housing stock, and the public housing

population.

• Publications – HUD USER makes available printed

copies of recently published HUD material.

Primarily sponsored by PD&R, these reports,

executive summaries, case studies, and guidebooks

span the fields of housing and urban development.

• Periodicals – HUD USER publishes a series of five 

periodicals that support the PD&R mission to

provide reliable information to researchers,

practitioners, advocates, industry groups,

foundations, and the general public. These

periodicals include : (1) three unique, pragmatic

newsletters of interest to several constituent

groups, (2) Cityscape, HUD’s journal of policy

development and research, which is an essential

inclusion in the researcher’s library, (3) U.S. Housing

Market Conditions, a quarterly report that provides

the latest available nationwide housing statistics.

• Ongoing research – PD&R’s primary research and 

development mission is to provide reliable and

objective data and analysis to inform policy

decisions. PD& R focuses on finding definitive

answers to questions about what programs work

and how they can be made to work better, through

quick−turnaround studies and conferences, as well

as through long−term evaluations that systematically

measure outcomes.

• Calendar of events – HUD USER provides a calendar

of events where you can find information about

HUD news, communities working with HUD,

resources, and other tools.
18 Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Other Housing Surveys and Topics of Interest

The Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS) and Homeownership

provides current information on the rental and homeowner

vacancy rates and characteristics of units available for

occupancy. Data are collected from vacant housing units

in the Current Population Survey (CPS). The survey

produces quarterly and annual statistics on rental vacancy

rates and homeownership rates for the United States,

regions, individual states, and for the 75 largest

metropolitan areas. Quarterly rates are shown going back

to 1980. The HVS also has national homeownership rates

by age of householder, family type, race, and Hispanic

origin. A press release is published each quarter and

quarterly and annual data tables are released on the

Internet. The Web site is

www.census.gov/hhes/www/hvs.html

Moving to America – Moving to Homeownership: 1994 to

2002 focuses on homeownership rates by citizenship

status, crossed with several demographic characteristics.

These include age and race of householder, family type,

world region of birth, and year of entry into the United

States. This report, as well as additional detailed tabulations,

can be found on the Census Bureau’s Web site at

www.census.gov/hhes/www/movingtoamerica2002.html.

The New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS)

is conducted approximately every 3 years to determine

the vacancy rate for New York City’s rental stock and to

comply with the New York City’s rent control laws. New

York city also uses the data to measure the quality and

quantity of housing and the demographic characteristics

of the city’s residents. This survey is sponsored by the

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and

Development. The data are available at:

www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/nychvs/2002

/nychvs02.html.

The Survey of Market Absorption (SOMA) measures how

quickly newly−built units in buildings of five or more units

are absorbed (rented or sold in condominium buildings).

Data are collected monthly throughout the country

beginning 3 months after a sample building is ready for

occupancy. Subsequent interviews are conducted at 6, 9,

and 12 months after a building is completed, if necessary.

Data are tabulated on a quarterly basis and released via

the Internet and by printed report. SOMA data can be

accessed on the Internet at

www.census.gov/hhes/www/soma.html.

The American Community Survey (ACS) provides data

similar in content of Census 2000 on an annual basis for

the United States, states, and smaller geographic areas.

Once the ACS is in full operation, the data are released

through the American FactFinder, which can be accessed

at www.census.gov/acs/www/.

The Residential Finance Survey (RFS) is a national survey

of all types of residential properties. It is a valuable

source of information on small rental properties. The

2001 RFS surveyed about 65,000 properties nationwide.

Owners of properties asked to answer questions about the

property and its mortgage if there was a mortgage. Data

about the RFS are available on the Internet at

www.census.gov/mso/www/rfs/rfs.html.

The Property Owners and Managers Survey (POMS),

conducted in 1995, collected information from the owners

and mangers of privately held rental properties on their

rental and maintenance policies, and the reasons for these

policies. Publicly held (governmentally owned) rental

properties were not included in the survey. This was the

first known national survey of property owners and

managers in the United States. The data allow researchers

to analyze characteristics by the number of rental units or

the number of properties. Detailed tabulations using the

number of rental units as the unit of analysis can be found

on the housing statistics section of the Census Bureau’s

Web site at www.census.gov/hhes/www/poms.html.

These Old Houses, Series H151, describes the

characteristics of housing units built before 1920 and

compares them with units built 1990 or later. The report

also looks at the reasons old housing units fall out of the

housing inventory. To obtain copies of this report, contact

HHES Division, AHSB, U.S. Census Bureau, 20233−8500, or

www.census.gov/prod/2004pubs/H121−04−1.pdf.

Who Can Afford to Buy a House is one in a series of

reports that have attempted to gauge changing housing

affordability for families and unrelated individuals. Many

homeowners who purchased their homes many years ago

might not qualify for a mortgage under current conditions;

for them, not being able to afford a house may be a

barrier to residential mobility. This publication is expected

to be updated in 2004, and publication can be found at

www.census.gov/prod/99pubs/h121−991.pdf.

Housing Patterns – Report Materials. Report materials

include the “Racial and Ethnic Residential Segregation in

the United States: 1980−2000” Census Special Report in

HTML and PDF, which presents data for four racial/ethnic

groups for five indexes (one for each dimension of

segregation). This report examines and discusses trends in

residential segregation and includes tables, which provide
U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey 19

descriptive statistics, changes over time, as well as

magnitudes of changes for selected characteristics. In

addition, there are graphical representations of residential

segregation in the form of scatter plots, histo−grams, and

maps. Measures of Housing Patterns/Residential

Segregation are also provided. See www.census.gov/hhes

/www/housing/resseg/report_matl.html.

Housing: Then and Now – 50 Years of Decennial Censuses.

The types of houses we live in have changed greatly in the

United States in a single lifetime. This report includes

topics over a number of years on Crowding, Plumbing

Facilities, Telephones, Homeownership, Recent Movers,

Units in Structure, House Heating Fuel, Sewage Disposal,

Vacation Homes, Living Alone, Source of Water, and

Ownership Rates by Household and Structure Type. This

report assembles tables that show housing trends by

states over the decades. For further information, go to

www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/census

/histcensushsg.html.

An AHS Bibliography shows a list of authors using the

American Housing Survey in recent literature and Internet

sites that have papers that use AHS data. You can access

this at www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/ahs/bib.html.
20 Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Other Housing and Construction Progams

Current housing and construction reports provide current

statistics on housing construction (for example, vacancies

and market absorption of apartments, monthly housing

starts, sales and completions.

New Residential Construction – (formerly consisted of C20,

C22, and C40 series) Provides data on new housing units

authorized but not yet started, under construction, and 

completed. Data are often produced monthly. Data are 

produced for the United States and for the four census

regions. You can access the data at

www.census.gov/newresconst.

New Residential Sales – (formerly C25 series) Provides

data on the number of new houses sold and for sale, the

monthly supply at current sales rate, average and median

sales prices for new homes, houses sold, and for sale by

stage of construction, and the median number of months

on the sales market following completion. Data are

produced monthly. In addition, each quarter a constant

quality index for new homes sold is produced, along with

average and median sales prices by type of financing and

census region. You can access the data at

www.census.gov/newhomesales.

Characteristics of New Housing – Ten quarterly tables

show single− and multifamily−units started, sold, and

completed, for the United States and four census regions

by purpose of construction and design type. The annual

report has characteristics of completed single− and

multifamily−homes, as well as houses sold and housing

units started. They also show the median and average

square feet. You can access the data at

www.census.gov/const/www/charindex.html.

Residential Improvement and Repairs describes an area of

economic activity that is subject to changes in the

weather, interest rates, the housing market and material

prices. This data series tracks these changes each quarter.

Comprehensive statistics cover all types of housing: owner

occupied, rental, vacant and seasonal; private and public;

single family and multifamily. Data are shown in

unadjusted and seasonally adjusted terms. Data are used

directly in the national income and products accounts

where they represent public and private investment for

improvements and repairs to residential structures. The

estimates are developed from a nationwide demographic

survey of housing units, which is conducted by the

Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and a

followup survey of owners of rental, vacant, and seasonal

properties.

Data about Residential Remodeling, Residential

Improvements, Residential Repairs, Residential Upkeep,

and Residential Alterations are on the Internet at

www.census.gov/const/www/c50index.html.

The Manufactured Homes Survey (MHS) produces monthly

regional estimates of manufactured home shipments,

placements, average sales prices, and dealers inventories,

and more detailed annual estimates including selected

characteristics of new manufactured homes. The statistics

on shipments of manufactured homes are produced by the

Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) and

published by the Manufactured Housing Institute. The

survey is sponsored by the Department of Housing and

Urban Development. Data can be accessed at 

www.census.gov/const/www/mhsindex.html.

Construction Spending provides monthly estimates of the

total dollar value of construction work done in the United

States for new private residential and nonresidential

construction, public construction, and improvements to

existing buildings and structures. Data can be accessed at 

www.census.gov/const/www/c30index.html
U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey 21
22 Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Other Sources of Assistance

State Data Center Program

The State Data Center (SDC) program is one of the Census

Bureau’s longest and most successful partnerships. The SDC

program’s mission is to provide easy and efficient access to

Census Bureau data and information through a wide network

of lead, coordinating agencies in each state. To accomplish

this mission, the SDCs work in partnership with the Census

Bureau through the Customer Liaison Office and the Regional

Offices of the Census Bureau. A Memorandum of

Understanding between each state, the District of Columbia,

Puerto Rico, and the island areas of American Samoa, Guam,

Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands supports this

partnership.

The SDCs are official sources of demographic, economic, and

social statistics produced by the Census Bureau. These data

are made available by the Census Bureau to the SDCs at no

charge (fees may be charged for customized products). More

information about the SDCs is on the Internet at the Census

Bureau Web site at www.census.gov/sdc/www.

Another program to check is the Business and Industry Data

Center (BIDC), an outgrowth of the State Data Center. The

BIDC was set up to better serve information needs of the

business community and is designed to compliment the State

Data Center program. The BIDC’s help new and existing

businesses and are a national network of more than 1,700

independent organizations. You can access the SDC/BIDC at

www.sdcbidc.iupui.edu/. 

Partnership and Data Services staff in the Census Bureau’s 12

regional offices answer thousands of questions each year and

provide data presentations and workshops to the public. If

you have questions about the Census Bureau’s products and

services, contact the regional office nearest you.

Regional Office’s

www.census.gov/field/www/

U.S. Census Bureau

Atlanta Regional Office

101 Marietta St., Suite 3200

Atlanta, GA 30303−2700

(404) 730−3832

E−mail: atlanta.regional.office@census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau

Boston Regional Office

Two Copley Place, Suite 301

P.O. Box 9108

Boston, MA 02117−9108

(617) 424−0510

E−mail: boston.regional.office@census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau

Charlotte Regional Office

901 Center Park Drive, Suite 106

Charlotte, NC 28217−2935

(704)−424−6400.

E−mail: charlotte.regional.office@census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau

Chicago Regional Office

2255 Enterprise Drive, Suite 5501

Westchester, IL 60154−9800

(708) 562−1350 or 1−800−865−6384

E−mail: chicago.regional.office@census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau

Dallas Regional Office

8585 Stemmons North Freeway

Suite 800S

Dallas, Texas 75247

(214) 253−4400

E−mail: dallas.regional.office@census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau

Denver Regional Office

6900 West Jefferson Avenue

Suite 100

Denver, Colorado 80235

(303) 969−6750

E−mail: denver.regional.office@census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau

Detroit Regional Office

1395 Brewery Park Blvd.

Suite 100

Detroit, MI 48207

(313) 259−0056

E−mail: detroit.regional.office@census.gov
U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data Between the Censuses: The American Housing Survey 23

U.S. Census Bureau

Kansas Regional Office

1211 N 8th Street

Kansas City, Kansas 66101−2129

(913) 551−6728

E−mail: kc.regional.office@census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau

Los Angeles Regional Office

15350 Sherman Way, Suite 300

Van Nuys, CA 91406

(818) 904−6393

E−mail: la.regional.office@census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau

New York Regional Office

395 Hudson Street

Suite 800

New York, NY 10014

(212) 584−3400

E−mail: new.york.regional.office@census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau

Philadelphia Regional Office

1601 Market Street

21st Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103−2395

(215) 656−7550

E−mail: philadelphia.regional.office@census.gov

U. S. Census Bureau

Seattle Regional Office

700 5th Avenue

Suite 5100

Seattle, WA 98104−5018

E−mail: seattle.regional.office@census.gov
U.S. Department of Commerce

Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Washington, DC 20233

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

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