Current Population Survey Series

collection: series

Investigator(s): U.S. Bureau of the Census

About this Collection

 

The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a household sample survey conducted monthly by the Census Bureau to provide estimates of employment, unemployment, and other characteristics of the general labor force, estimates of the population as a whole, and estimates of various subgroups in the population. The March survey, Annual Social and Economic (ASEC) Supplement (prior to 2003 called the Annual Demographic Files) contain the core labor force information included in every Current Population Survey as well as data on income and work experience. Detailed demographic data representative of the noninstitutionalized United States civilian population, including members of the armed forces living in civilian housing units, are provided in the Annual Social and Economic (ASEC) Supplement as well. Additional surveys conducted during other months contain the core labor force and demographic information along with supplemental data on one or more specific topics. Supplement topics include after-tax money income (March), noncash benefit values (March), displaced workers, job tenure, occupational mobility, contingent (temporary) work, adult education, pension and retirement plan coverage, multiple job-holding and premium pay, marital history, fertility and birth expectations (June), volunteering (September), immigration, school enrollment (October), voting behavior (November), tobacco use, food security, and Internet and computer usage. A major redesign of the Current Population Survey was implemented in January 1994. The primary aim of the redesign was to improve the quality of the data derived from the survey by introducing a new questionnaire and modernized data collection methods. 

For more information, including detailed tabulations, reports, data dictionaries, and example calculations of estimates, please visit the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey page. See also the Current Population Survey Volunteer Supplement Series.

Studies

3 results

Current Population Surveys: Uniform October Files, 1968-1990

This data collection consists of a "uniform" set of Current Population Surveys (CPS) October files. The October files contain the core questions included in every CPS as well as a supplemental series of questions on school enrollment. This extract makes data on school retention and enrollment accessible across all publicly available years. Records contain information for each individual between the ages of 3 and 34 years and for the head of household and the spouse of the head of household.

Current Population Survey, April 1999: Food Security Supplement

Data are provided in this collection on labor force activity for the week prior to the survey. Comprehensive data are available on the employment status, occupation, and industry of persons 15 years old and older. Also shown are personal characteristics such as age, sex, race, marital status, veteran status, household relationship, educational background, and Hispanic origin. The Food Security Supplement was conducted by the Bureau of the Census for the Food and Consumer Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. Supplement questions were asked of all interviewed households, as appropriate. Questions included expenditure for food, whether the household had enough food and had the kinds of food they wanted, and whether the household was running short of money and trying to make their food or food money go further. Additional questions dealt with getting food from food pantries or soup kitchens, cutting the size of or skipping meals, and losing weight because there wasn't enough food. The supplement was intended to research the full range of the severity of food insecurity and hunger as experienced in United States households and was used by the supplement sponsor to produce a scaled measure of food insecurity. Responses to individual items in this supplement are not meaningful measures of food insufficiency and should not be used in such a manner.

Current Population Survey, April 1995: Food Security Supplement

Data are provided in this collection on labor force activity for the week prior to the survey. Comprehensive data are available on the employment status, occupation, and industry of persons 15 years old and older. Also shown are personal characteristics such as age, sex, race, marital status, veteran status, household relationship, educational background, and Hispanic origin. The Food Security Supplement was conducted by the Bureau of the Census for the Food and Consumer Service (FCS) of the United States Department of Agriculture. Supplement questions were asked of all interviewed households, as appropriate. Questions included expenditure for food, whether the household had enough food and had the kinds of food they wanted, and whether the household was running short of money and trying to make their food or food money go further. Additional questions dealt with getting food from food pantries or soup kitchens, cutting the size of or skipping meals, and losing weight because there wasn't enough food. The supplement was intended to research the full range of the severity of food insecurity and hunger as experienced in United States households and was used by the supplement sponsor to produce a scaled measure of food insecurity. Responses to individual items in this supplement are not meaningful measures of food insufficiency and should not be used in such a manner.

Variables

4,048 results

AGE : Age

Study: Current Population Surveys: Uniform October Files, 1968-1990

AGE : Age

Study: Current Population Surveys: Uniform October Files, 1968-1990

AGE : Age

Study: Current Population Surveys: Uniform October Files, 1968-1990