U.S. Department of Commerce

Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

census.gov

Marital Events of Selected Group 

Quarters Populations: 2009–2011

American Community Survey Briefs

Issued October 2012

ACSBR/11-19

By Tavia Simmons 

Marriage, divorce, and widowhood are important 

events in people’s lives. The American Community 

Survey (ACS) provides us with the unique opportunity 

to examine the incidence of recent marriage, divorce, 

and widowhood among people living in group quarters. 

This report focuses on three well-known group quarters populations: those in military quarters, those in 

adult correctional facilities, and those in nursing facilities. Using the 3-year 2009–2011 ACS data, this report 

features a look at the demographic and marital event 

characteristics of these three groups.1

This report is one of a series produced to highlight 

results from the 2009–2011 ACS. The ACS provides 

detailed estimates of demographic, social, economic, 

and housing characteristics for Congressional districts, 

counties, places, and other localities every year. A 

description of the ACS is provided in the text box

“What Is the American Community Survey?”

THE POPULATION IN MILITARY QUARTERS

There were approximately 339,000 people living in the 

United States in military quarters. This is a subset of 

the 1.4 million active-duty personnel in the military:2

1 For further details about group quarters, see the ”Group

Quarters” section starting on p. 8 of the ACS subject definitions

at <www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/data_documentation

/SubjectDefinitions/2010_ACSSubjectDefinitions.pdf>. For further 

details about the various types of group quarters, refer to

<www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/data_documentation

/GroupDefinitions/2010GQ_Definitions.pdf>. 2 Note that the proportion of active-duty military personnel

who live in military quarters is relatively small. There are some

1.4 million active-duty personnel. About 1.08 million of these men

and women live in the United States, in areas covered by the ACS

sampling frame. See the Department of Defense’s recent report detailing the location of active-duty personnel as of the end of fiscal year 

2011 at <http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/MILITARY/history

/hst1109.pdf>.

some active-duty personnel live in households off 

base, some live in households on base, and some live 

in military quarters. In the ACS, those living with their 

families either off base or on base are counted as part 

of the household population, while those living in 

military barracks or on ships are counted as part of the 

group quarters, military quarters population. Spouses 

cannot reside in barracks. Those going through basic 

training must reside in barracks. Thus, keep in mind, 

as we discuss the characteristics of the population in 

military quarters, that this is a specific subset of the 

military population as a whole. 

Not surprisingly, the vast majority (78 percent) were 18 

to 24 years old, with another 17 percent aged 25 to 34 

(Table 1).3 Eighty-seven percent were male (Table 2) and 

62 percent had moved in the past 12 months. 

As we would expect, given the age distribution of

the group, 82 percent of the military quarters population was never married.4 Of the 18 percent who were 

ever married, most (14 percent) were currently married, while 1 percent were separated, and 3 percent 

were divorced. 

Exploring recent marital events in this young, mostly 

male, highly mobile population:

• Thirty-nine percent of those currently married were 

married in the past 12 months. 

3 Table 1 includes a column labeled “In all other group quarters,” 

which includes those in: (1) juvenile facilities, (2) other institutional 

facilities, (3) college/university student housing, and (4) other noninstitutional facilities. This estimate is provided in the table for reference 

but is not discussed in this brief. 4 See Table B12007 in American FactFinder for the median age at 

first marriage <http://factfinder2.census.gov/>.
2 U.S. Census Bureau

• Forty percent of those currently 

divorced were divorced in the 

past 12 months.5

Of those who were ever married, most of the military quarters 

population had been married once 

5 The percentage of married people in 

military quarters who were married in the 

past 12 months was not significantly different 

from the percentage of divorced people in 

military quarters who were divorced in the 

past 12 months.

(89 percent), while 10 percent had 

been married twice. 

THE POPULATION IN ADULT 

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

There were approximately 2.26 

million people in adult correctional 

facilities in the United States. The 

largest proportion of people in 

adult correctional facilities were 

25 to 34 years old (33 percent), 

followed by 35- to 44-year-olds (25 

percent). Less than 10 percent were 

55 years and older. Ninety-one percent were male and 53 percent had 

moved in the past 12 months.

Like those in military quarters, 

most adults living in correctional 

facilities were never married (61 

percent). Another 15 percent were 

married, 5 percent were separated, 

17 percent were divorced, and 2 

percent were widowed. Men in 

Table 1.

Marital Characteristics of Selected Group Quarters Populations and the Population in 

Households: 2009–2011

(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs/www)

Characteristic

In military

quarters

In adult correctional

facilities

In nursing

facilities

In all other group 

quarters1 In households

Number

Percent NumberPercent NumberPercent NumberPercent NumberPercent

 Total population

18 years and over . . 339,288 100.0 2,255,803 100.0 1,507,289 100.0 3,677,262 100.0 227,406,540 100.0

Selected Age Groups

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . 266,148 78.4 397,140 17.6 3,342 0.2 2,615,363 71.1 27,555,720 12.1

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . 57,832 17.0 736,003 32.6 10,052 0.7 217,449 5.9 40,119,356 17.6

35 to 44 years . . . . . . . . . . 12,756 3.8 566,695 25.1 22,330 1.5 182,415 5.0 40,349,780 17.7

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . 2,182 0.6 402,132 17.8 67,973 4.5 247,953 6.7 44,110,365 19.4

55 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . (B) (B) 124,393 5.5 138,741 9.2 179,628 4.9 36,310,667 16.0

65 years and over . . . . . . . (B) (B) 29,440 1.3 1,264,851 83.9 234,454 6.4 38,960,652 17.1

Moved in the Last 12 

Months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209,409 61.7 1,197,114 53.1 422,549 28.0 1,913,233 52.0 32,099,996 14.1

Current Marital Status

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47,742 14.1 348,294 15.4 275,472 18.3 144,490 3.9 120,801,079 53.1

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (B) (B) 36,340 1.6 740,627 49.1 101,090 2.7 14,044,131 6.2

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,034 3.0 383,865 17.0 203,431 13.5 154,035 4.2 25,969,059 11.4

Separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,253 1.0 115,913 5.1 24,278 1.6 42,066 1.1 5,277,443 2.3

Never married . . . . . . . . . . 277,953 81.9 1,371,391 60.8 263,481 17.5 3,235,581 88.0 61,314,828 27.0

 Ever-married

population 18 years 

and over . . . . . . . . . . 61,335 100.0 884,412 100.0 1,243,808 100.0 441,681 100.0 166,091,712 100.0

Marital Event in Last 12 

Months

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,384 30.0 27,600 3.1 1,503 0.1 12,721 2.9 4,220,018 2.5

Of those married2 . . . . . . (X) 38.5 (X) 7.9 (X) 0.5 (X) 8.8 (X) 3.5

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (B) (B) 3,954 0.4 24,893 2.0 3,691 0.8 1,356,925 0.8

Of those widowed2 . . . . . (X) (B) (X) 10.9 (X) 3.4 (X) 3.7 (X) 9.7

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,040 6.6 33,892 3.8 3,325 0.3 8,584 1.9 2,288,383 1.4

Of those divorced2 . . . . . (X) 40.3 (X) 8.8 (X) 1.6 (X) 5.6 (X) 8.8

Number of Times Married

Once . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,684 89.2 649,505 73.4 989,169 79.5 341,543 77.3 125,140,062 75.3

Twice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,901 9.6 175,261 19.8 196,376 15.8 75,045 17.0 32,338,918 19.5

Three or more times . . . . . (B) (B) 59,646 6.7 58,263 4.7 25,093 5.7 8,612,732 5.2

(B) Number (or number derived figure is based on) is too small to meet statistical standards for reliability.

(X) Not applicable. 1

 Includes population in dorms, juvenile facilities, and other institutional and noninstitutional group quarters. 2

 Percent reporting a marital event based on those in that marital status.

Note: See Appendix Table 1 for the margins of error that accompany the estimates in this table.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009–2011 American Community Survey.
U.S. Census Bureau 3

adult correctional facilities were 

more likely than women to be 

never married (62 percent compared with 51 percent of women) 

and less likely to be separated (5 

percent compared with 9 percent 

of women) or divorced (17 percent compared with 20 percent 

of women).

Exploring recent marital 

events in this predominantly 

male population:

• Eight percent of those currently 

married were married in the past 

12 months.

• Nine percent of those currently 

divorced were divorced in the 

past 12 months.

• Eleven percent of those currently 

widowed were widowed in the 

past 12 months. 

Among those who were ever married, most of the population in 

adult correctional facilities had 

married once (73 percent), while

20 percent had married twice,

and 7 percent had married three

or more times. Men were more 

likely than women to have been 

married only once (74 percent of 

ever-married men compared with 

68 percent of ever-married women.)

THE POPULATION IN 

NURSING FACILITIES

There were approximately 1.51 million people in nursing facilities last 

Table 2.

Marital Characteristics of Selected Group Quarters Populations by Sex: 2009–2011

(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs/www)

Characteristic

In military quarters In adult correctional facilities In nursing facilities

Male Female Male Female Male Female

Number

Percent NumberPercent NumberPercent NumberPercent NumberPercent NumberPercent

 Total population 

18 years and over . . 

Selected Age Groups

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . .

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . .

35 to 44 years . . . . . . . . . .

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . .

55 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . .

65 years and over . . . . . . .

Moved in the Last 12 

Months . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Current Marital Status

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Separated . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Never married . . . . . . . . . .

 Ever-married

population 18 years 

and over . . . . . . . . . .

Marital Event in Last 12 

Months

Married 

 Of those married1 . . . . . . 

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Of those widowed1 . . . . . 

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Of those divorced1 . . . . .

Number of Times Married

Once . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Twice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Three or more times . . . . .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

 .

293,991

229,496

50,992

11,250

1,998

(B)

(B)

180,831

41,787

(B)

7,596

3,112

241,230

52,761

15,714

(X)

(B)

(X)

3,246

(X)

46,956

5,185

(B)

100 0 .

78 1 .

17 3 .

3 8 .

0 7 .

(B)

(B)

61 5 .

14 2 .

(B)

2 6 .

1 1 .

82 1 .

100 0 .

29 8 .

37 6 .

(B)

(B)

6 2 .

42 7 .

89 0 .

9 8 .

(B)

45,297

36,652

6,840

1,506

(B)

(B)

(B)

28,578

5,955

(B)

2,438

(B)

36,723

8,574

2,670

(X)

(B)

(X)

(B)

(X)

7,728

(B)

(B)

100 0 .

80 9 .

15 1 .

3 3 .

(B)

(B)

(B)

63 1 .

13 1 .

(B)

5 4 .

(B)

81 1 .

100 0 .

31 1 .

44 8 .

(B)

(B)

(B)

(B)

90 1 .

(B)

(B)

2,059,398

366,523

666,136

512,822

368,532

117,005

28,380

1,071,415

315,757

29,378

344,304

98,158

1,271,801

787,597

24,560

(X)

3,554

(X)

29,918

(X)

584,128

152,914

50,555

100 0 .

17 8 .

32 3 .

24 9 .

17 9 .

5 7 .

1 4 .

52 0 .

15 3 .

1 4 .

16 7 .

4 8 .

61 8 .

100 0 .

3 1 .

7 8 .

0 5 .

12 1 .

3 8 .

8 7 .

74 2 .

19 4 .

6 4 .

196,405

30,617

69,867

53,873

33,600

7,388

1,060

125,699

32,537

6,962

39,561

17,755

99,590

96,815

3,040

(X)

(B)

(X)

3,974

(X)

65,377

22,347

9,091

100 0 .

15 6 .

35 6 .

27 4 .

17 1 .

3 8 .

0 5 .

64 0 .

16 6 .

3 5 .

20 1 .

9 0 .

50 7 .

100 0 .

3 1 .

9 3 .

(B)

(B)

4 1 .

10 0 .

67 5 .

23 1 .

9 4 .

497,188

2,182

5,927

13,318

37,850

71,859

366,052

158,382

147,640

125,792

82,088

11,899

129,769

367,419

1,100

(X)

7,352

(X)

1,838

(X)

280,683

63,995

22,741

100 0 .

0 4 .

1 2 .

2 7 .

7 6 .

14 5 .

73 6 .

31 9 .

29 7 .

25 3 .

16 5 .

2 4 .

26 1 .

100 0 .

0 3 .

0 7 .

2 0 .

5 8 .

0 5 .

2 2 .

76 4 .

17 4 .

6 2 .

1,010,101

1,160

4,125

9,012

30,123

66,882

898,799

264,167

127,832

614,835

121,343

12,379

133,712

876,389

(B)

(X)

17,541

(X)

1,487

(X)

708,486

132,381

35,522

100 0 .

0 1 .

0 4 .

0 9 .

3 0 .

6 6 .

89 0 .

26 2 .

12 7 .

60 9 .

12 0 .

1 2 .

13 2 .

100 0 .

(B)

(B)

2 0 .

2 9 .

0 2 .

1 2 .

80 8 .

15 1 .

4 1 .

(B) Number (or number derived figure is based on) is too small to meet statistical standards for reliability .

(X) Not applicable .

1

 Percent reporting a marital event based on those in that marital status .

Note: See Appendix Table 2 for the margins of error that accompany the estimates in this table .

Source: U . . S Census Bureau, 2009–2011 American Community Survey .
4 U.S. Census Bureau

year. Two-thirds were women. The 

majority were 65 years or older (84 

percent), with 9 percent 55 to 64 

years old, 5 percent 45 to 54 years 

old, and 2 percent younger than 

45 years old. A higher percentage 

of women than men were 65 years 

and older—89 percent compared 

with 74 percent. Twenty-eight percent of those in nursing facilities 

had moved in the past 12 months.

Since the majority of this group 

were 65 years and older, and 

female, it is not surprising to 

find that 49 percent of people in 

nursing facilities were widowed. 

Eighteen percent were currently 

married, 2 percent were separated, 

14 percent were divorced, and 

18 percent were never married.6

Women were more likely to be 

widowed than men (61 percent of 

women compared with 25 percent 

of men). Men were more likely to 

be married than women (30 percent 

of men compared with 13 percent 

of women). Men in nursing facilities 

were also more likely to be never 

married than women (26 percent 

compared with 13 percent).

Exploring recent marital 

events in this mostly female, 

older population:

• One percent of those currently 

married were married in the past 

12 months. 

• Two percent of those currently 

divorced were divorced in the 

past 12 months. 

• Three percent of those currently 

widowed were widowed in the 

past 12 months.

A higher percentage of widowed 

men were widowed in the past 12 

months (6 percent compared with

3 percent of widowed women).

6 The percentage of people in nursing 

facilities who were currently married was 

significantly different from the percentage of 

people in nursing facilities who were never 

married.

Of those who were ever married, 

80 percent of people in nursing 

facilities had married once, while 

16 percent had married twice, 

and 5 percent had married three 

or more times. Women were more 

likely than men to have been married only once (81 percent compared with 76 percent of men).

HOW DO THESE 

POPULATIONS COMPARE 

ON BASIC SOCIAL 

AND DEMOGRAPHIC 

CHARACTERISTICS?

The population in adult correctional 

facilities and military quarters was 

younger than those in households, 

while those in nursing facilities 

were older.7 For instance, 95 percent of those in military quarters 

were aged 18 to 34, compared 

with 50 percent of those in adult 

correctional facilities, 30 percent of 

those in households, and 1 percent 

of those in nursing facilities. Conversely, 1 percent of those in adult 

correctional facilities were aged 65 

or older, compared with 17 percent 

of those in households and 84 percent of those in nursing facilities. 

The race and origin distribution 

of these populations differ and in 

some cases reflect the age distribution of the groups (Figure 1). 

White non-Hispanics were overrepresented in the nursing facilities 

population, and underrepresented 

in military quarters and correctional facilities, compared with the 

proportion of adults in households 

who were White non-Hispanic.8

Seventy-nine percent of those in 

nursing facilities were White nonHispanic, compared with 67 percent of those in households. Conversely, Black non-Hispanics were 

7 While people of other ages are present 

in some of these four comparison groups, we 

included only the population 18 years and 

older in this brief. 8 All race groups mentioned in this paragraph refer to the single-race population. For 

instance, “White non-Hispanic” refers to the 

White alone, non-Hispanic population.

overrepresented in all three types 

of group quarters, most notably 

in correctional facilities, where 39 

percent were Black, compared with 

11 percent of adults in households. 

Those in adult correctional facilities 

had the highest percentage who 

were Hispanic (20 percent), while 

those in nursing facilities had the 

lowest (5 percent). The percentage of adults in nursing facilities 

who were Hispanic (5 percent) 

was less than half the percentage 

of adults in households who were 

Hispanic (14 percent). The overrepresentation of non-Hispanic 

Whites and underrepresentation of 

Hispanics in the nursing facilities 

population reflects the older age 

distribution of non-Hispanic Whites 

and younger age distribution 

of Hispanics. 

Looking at the percentage of those 

who moved in the past 12 months, 

people in all three types of group 

quarters were more likely to have 

moved than those in households: 

62 percent of those in military 

quarters, 53 percent of those in 

adult correctional facilities, and 28 

percent of those in nursing facilities, compared with 14 percent of 

those in households.

Comparing the marital status of

the household population with 

these groups, a much higher percentage of people in households 

were married (53 percent) compared with 14 percent of those in 

military quarters, 15 percent of 

those in adult correctional facilities, and 18 percent of those in 

nursing facilities. People in adult 

correctional facilities were more 

likely to be separated (5 percent, 

compared with 2 percent of those 

in households, 1 percent of those 

in military quarters, and 2 percent in nursing facilities).9 Those 

9 The percentage of people in households 

who were separated was significantly different from the percentage of people in nursing 

facilities who were separated.
U.S. Census Bureau 5

in adult correctional facilities 

also had the highest percentage 

divorced (17 percent, compared 

with 3 percent of those in military 

quarters, 14 percent of those in 

nursing facilities, and 11 percent in 

households). Reflecting their older 

age distribution, the population in 

nursing facilities had the highest 

percentage widowed (49 percent, 

compared with 2 percent of those 

in adult correctional facilities 

and 6 percent of those in households). As we would expect given 

their younger age profile, those 

in military quarters had the highest percentage never married (82 

percent, compared with 61 percent 

of those in adult correctional facilities, 18 percent of those in nursing 

facilities, and 27 percent of those 

in households). 

HOW DO THESE 

POPULATIONS COMPARE ON 

MARITAL EVENTS?

In comparing the incidence of 

recent marital events across these 

groups, the percentage of those in 

military quarters who experienced 

a marital event in the past 12 

months is striking compared with 

the other groups. Thirty-nine percent of married people in military 

quarters got married in the past 12 

months, compared with 8 percent 

of those in adult correctional facilities, 1 percent of those in nursing 

facilities, and 4 percent of those 

in households. Forty percent of 

divorced people in military quarters were divorced in the past 12 

months, compared with 9 percent 

of those in adult correctional facilities, 2 percent of those in nursing 

facilities, and 9 percent of those in 

households. It is important to keep 

in mind that while a high proportion of divorced people in military 

quarters had recently divorced, 

overall a low proportion of the 

population in military quarters was 

divorced. For the population in 

military quarters, the relatively high 

rate of recent marital events for the 

ever-married population combined 

with a high percentage of people 

who moved in the past 12 months 

(62 percent) suggests that a higher 

percentage of folks in the military 

population might be juggling multiple life changes simultaneously.10

It is also a reflection of the young 

age distribution of this group. 

Ever-married people in military 

quarters were most likely to have 

married only once (89 percent, 

compared with 80 percent of those 

in nursing facilities, 75 percent of 

those in households, and 73 percent of those in adult correctional 

facilities). Those in adult correctional facilities had the highest percentage of those ever married who 

had been married three or more 

times (7 percent, compared with 5 

percent of those in households and 

nursing facilities). The number of 

times that adults have been married corresponds to the age structure of the groups, since younger 

people are more likely to have 

been married only once. However, 

10 The population in military quarters

had the highest percentage that had both 

moved in the past 12 months and had a

marital event in the past 12 months (4 percent, compared with 1 to 2 percent of those 

in adult correctional facilities, nursing facilities, and households.

Figure 1. 

Population 18 Years and Older 

in Selected Group Quarters and 

Households by Race: 2009–2011

(In percent. Data based on sample. For information 

on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see 

www.census.gov/acs/www/)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009–2011 American Community Survey. 

Hispanic

Two or More Races,

non-Hispanic

Other alone,

non-Hispanic

Black alone,

non-Hispanic

White alone,

non-Hispanic

In nursing In households

facilities

In adult

correctional

facilities

In military

quarters

14

3

5

14

64

67

36

79

3

20

3

39

5

13

—2

6

14

11

–1

–1
6 U.S. Census Bureau

the fact that the relatively younger 

population in correctional facilities 

had a higher percentage married 

three or more times than those 

in nursing facilities may reflect a 

higher level of instability for those 

in correctional facilities.

CONCLUSION

Ever married people in military 

quarters were most likely to 

have been married, widowed, or 

divorced in the past 12 months (36 

percent, compared with 7 percent 

of those in adult correctional facilities, 2 percent of those in nursing 

facilities, and 5 percent of those in 

households). To put this in context, 

however, keep in mind that the 

percentage who were ever married 

was smallest in military quarters 

(18 percent, compared with 39 

percent of those in adult correctional facilities, 73 percent of those 

in households, and 83 percent of 

those in nursing facilities). 

Each of the three group quarters 

populations described in this brief 

have distinctive demographic and 

marital history traits, much of 

which can be explained by age differences in these populations, and 

some of which may be related to 

the specific circumstances of these 

different groups. The statistics 

reveal that these group quarters 

populations are generally more 

likely than those in households to 

have gone through a transition of 

some kind in the past 12 months. 

Those in all three group quarters 

populations highlighted in this 

report were more likely to have 

moved, and all but those in nursing 

facilities were more likely to have 

experienced a marital event compared with those in households. 

In many cases, these transitions 

might affect not just the individual 

but their families as well. 

SOURCE AND ACCURACY

The data presented in this report 

are based on the ACS sample 

interviewed in 2011. The estimates 

based on this sample approximate 

the actual values and represent 

the entire household and group 

quarters population. Sampling 

error is the difference between an 

estimate based in a sample and the 

corresponding value that would be 

obtained if the estimate were based 

on the entire population (as from a 

census). Measures of the sampling 

errors are provided in the form

of margins of error for all estimates 

included in this report. All comparative statements in this report

have undergone statistical testing, 

and comparisons are significant

at the 90 percent level unless 

otherwise noted. In addition to 

sampling error, nonsampling error 

may be introduced during any of 

the operations used to collect and 

process survey data such as editing, reviewing, or keying data from 

questionnaires. For more information on sampling and estimation 

methods, confidentiality protection, 

and sampling and nonsampling 

errors, please see the 2011 ACS 

Accuracy of the Data document 

located at <www.census.gov

/acs/www/Downloads/data

_documentation/Accuracy/ACS

_Accuracy_of_Data_2011.pdf>.

What Is the American Community Survey?

The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey 

designed to provide communities with reliable and timely demographic, social, economic, and housing data for the nation, states, 

congressional districts, counties, places, and other localities every 

year. It has an annual sample size of about 3.3 million addresses 

across the United States and Puerto Rico and includes both housing 

units and group quarters (e.g., nursing facilities and prisons). The 

ACS is conducted in every county throughout the nation, and

every municipio in Puerto Rico, where it is called the Puerto Rico

Community Survey. Beginning in 2006, ACS data for 2005 were 

released for geographic areas with populations of 65,000 and 

greater. For information on the ACS sample design and other topics, 

visit <www.census.gov/acs/www>.
U.S. Census Bureau 7

Appendix Table 1.

Margins of Error for Table 1: Marital Characteristics of Selected Group Quarters 

Populations and the Population in Households:1 2009–2011

(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs/www)

Characteristic In military quarters In adult correctional 

facilities In nursing facilities In all other group quarters2 In households

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

 Total population

18 years and over . . 993 (X) 1,035 (X) 109 (X) 3,383 (X) 12,237 (X)

Selected Age Groups

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . 3,300 0.9 4,430 0.2 442 – 5,764 0.2 16,707 –

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . 2,585 0.8 4,427 0.2 884 0.1 4,662 0.1 12,504 –

35 to 44 years . . . . . . . . . . 1,184 0.3 5,303 0.2 1,082 0.1 3,840 0.1 13,749 –

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . 468 0.1 4,780 0.2 2,067 0.1 4,798 0.1 12,680 –

55 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . (B) (B) 2,579 0.1 3,019 0.2 4,182 0.1 9,266 –

65 years and over . . . . . . . (B) (B) 1,412 0.1 3,760 0.2 5,190 0.1 9,716 –

Moved in the Last 12

Months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,122 1.2 6,955 0.3 4,253 0.3 10,017 0.3 111,300 –

Current Marital Status

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,388 0.7 4,913 0.2 3,408 0.2 4,328 0.1 190,903 0.1

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (B) (B) 1,403 0.1 5,058 0.3 3,394 0.1 28,113 –

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 986 0.3 4,124 0.2 3,356 0.2 3,583 0.1 69,873 –

Separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . 504 0.1 2,535 0.1 1,134 0.1 1,839 – 25,293 –

Never married . . . . . . . . . . 2,767 0.8 6,703 0.3 3,983 0.3 6,268 0.2 123,274 0.1

 Ever-married

population 18 years 

and over . . . . . . . . . . 2,578 (X) 6,716 (X) 3,997 (X) 6,104 (X) 132,291 (X)

Marital Event in Last 12 

Months

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,203 1.8 1,240 0.1 310 – 1,112 0.3 27,054 –

 Of those married3........ (X) 2.1 (X) 0.3 (X) 0.1 (X) 0.8 (X) –

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (B) (B) 459 0.1 1,349 0.1 634 0.1 10,364 –

 Of those widowed3 . . . . . . (X) (B) (X) 1.2 (X) 0.2 (X) 0.6 (X) 0.1

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 690 1.1 1,256 0.1 435 – 1,047 0.2 15,965 –

 Of those divorced3 . . . . . . (X) 5.7 (X) 0.3 (X) 0.2 (X) 0.7 (X) 0.1

Number of Times Married

Once . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,505 1.1 5,542 0.3 5,499 0.3 5,972 0.7 134,216 –

Twice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 648 1.0 2,705 0.3 3,301 0.3 2,870 0.6 47,496 –

Three or more times . . . . . (B) (B) 1,841 0.2 1,928 0.2 1,524 0.3 26,073 –

– Represents or rounds to zero.

(B) Number (or number derived figure is based on) is too small to meet statistical standards for reliability.

(X) Not applicable. 1

 Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the margin of error 

in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent 

confidence interval. 2

 Includes population in dorms, juvenile facilities, and other institutional and noninstitutional group quarters. 3

 Percent reporting a marital event based on those in that marital status.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009–2011 American Community Survey.
8 U.S. Census Bureau

Appendix Table 2.

Margins of Error for Table 2: Marital Characteristics of Selected Group Quarters 

Populations by Sex:1 2009–2011

(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs/www)

Characteristic

In military quarters In adult correctional facilities In nursing facilities

Male Female Male Female Male Female

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

 Total population

18 years and over . . 2,240 (X) 2,095 (X) 5,001 (X) 4,810 (X) 4,158 (X) 4,162 (X)

Selected Age Groups

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . 3,287 1.0 2,025 1.8 4,193 0.2 1,478 0.6 369 0.1 276 –

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . 2,447 0.8 811 1.7 4,318 0.2 2,023 0.8 686 0.1 555 0.1

35 to 44 years . . . . . . . . . . 1,134 0.4 405 0.9 4,941 0.2 2,005 0.6 818 0.2 647 0.1

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . 422 0.1 (B) (B) 4,443 0.2 1,523 0.6 1,400 0.3 1,224 0.1

55 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . (B) (B) (B) (B) 2,502 0.1 570 0.3 2,161 0.4 1,844 0.2

65 years and over . . . . . . . (B) (B) (B) (B) 1,420 0.1 249 0.1 3,934 0.5 4,488 0.2

Moved in the Last 12

Months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,116 1.3 1,708 2.5 6,813 0.3 3,494 0.9 3,170 0.6 3,279 0.3

Current Marital Status

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,196 0.7 721 1.5 4,980 0.2 1,465 0.5 2,167 0.4 2,402 0.2

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (B) (B) (B) (B) 1,278 0.1 622 0.3 2,931 0.5 4,463 0.3

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 862 0.3 462 1.0 3,526 0.2 1,561 0.6 2,046 0.4 2,520 0.3

Separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . 490 0.2 (B) (B) 2,384 0.1 867 0.4 866 0.2 635 0.1

Never married . . . . . . . . . . 2,751 0.8 1,860 1.7 7,182 0.3 2,722 0.7 2,645 0.5 2,678 0.3

 Ever-married

population 18 years 

and over . . . . . . . . . . 2,349 (X) 881 (X) 6,624 (X) 2,750 (X) 3,659 (X) 4,592 (X)

Marital Event in Last 12 

Months

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,061 1.8 526 4.8 1,138 0.1 408 0.4 267 0.1 (B) (B)

 Of those married2........ (X) 2.0 (X) 7.0 (X) 0.3 (X) 1.2 (X) 0.2 (X) (B)

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (B) (B) (B) (B) 439 0.1 (B) (B) 542 0.1 1,268 0.1

 Of those widowed2 . . . . . . (X) (B) (X) (B) (X) 1.4 (X) (B) (X) 0.4 (X) 0.2

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 629 1.2 (B) (B) 1,116 0.1 434 0.4 306 0.1 285 –

 Of those divorced2 . . . . . . (X) 7.0 (X) (B) (X) 0.3 (X) 1.0 (X) 0.4 (X) 0.2

Number of Times Married

Once . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,329 1.3 870 3.5 5,627 0.4 2,174 1.2 3,476 0.6 4,614 0.3

Twice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 646 1.2 (B) (B) 2,627 0.3 1,232 1.1 2,017 0.5 2,877 0.3

Three or more times . . . . . (B) (B) (B) (B) 1,615 0.2 718 0.7 1,123 0.3 1,505 0.2

– Represents or rounds to zero.

(B) Number (or number derived figure is based on) is too small to meet statistical standards for reliability.

(X) Not applicable. 1

 Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the margin of error 

in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent 

confidence interval. 2

 Percent reporting a marital event based on those in that marital status.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009–2011 American Community Survey.