Description

UNITSSTR reports the number of housing units (both occupied and vacant) in the structure containing the household. Stores and office space in the same building are not included in the count. Detached one-unit structures have open spaces on all four sides, or are joined to only sheds or garages. Attached one-unit structures are joined to another house or building by a dividing wall that goes from ground to roof.

In 1960, not all households received this question, and only 80 percent of cases in the IPUMS include the question. Such cases accurately represent proportional distributions but not correct absolute numbers for the total population. See SAMP1960 for instructions on making appropriate corrections to derive absolute numbers for the total population.

Comparability

This variable yields essentially the same information for all years.

In 1960, the data were filled in by enumerators, based on observation or questioning building management. For later years, the data were gathered directly from respondents. Questionnaire wording varied slightly over time. For multiple-unit structures, the 1970 and 1980 census forms asked how many families could be housed in the building, while the form for later years asked how many apartments were in the building. The words "structure" and "housing unit" do not actually appear on the questionnaires.

In 1980 and 1990, the instructions said to count a mobile home or trailer as a detached house if a permanent room (excluding porches and sheds) had been added. In the 1970 and 2000 censuses, the ACS, and the PRCS all mobile homes were grouped together in a separate category. The 1980 form included the category "boat, tent, van, etc."; the 2000 census, the ACS, and the PRCS form included "boat, RV, van, etc."; and the 1970 and 1990 forms simply specified "other." To increase comparability, these categories were combined (in code 2) in the IPUMS.

UNITSSTR is similar to UNITSADD, which reports the number of housing units at this address in the 1970 and 1980 samples. NUMHH reports the number of households in the dwelling, for the 1850-1900 and 1920 samples.

Universe

Availability

• 2022: All samples
• 2021: All samples
• 2020: All samples
• 2019: All samples
• 2018: All samples
• 2017: All samples
• 2016: All samples
• 2015: All samples
• 2014: All samples
• 2013: All samples
• 2012: All samples
• 2011: All samples
• 2010: ACS; ACS 3yr; ACS 5yr
• 2009: All samples
• 2008: All samples
• 2007: All samples
• 2006: All samples
• 2005: All samples
• 2004: All samples
• 2003: All samples
• 2002: All samples
• 2001: All samples
• 2000: All samples
• 1990: All samples
• 1980: All samples
• 1970: All samples
• 1960: All samples
• 1950: --
• 1940: --
• 1930: --
• 1920: --
• 1910: --
• 1900: --
• 1880: --
• 1870: --
• 1860: --
• 1850: --

• 2022: All samples
• 2021: All samples
• 2020: All samples
• 2019: All samples
• 2018: All samples
• 2017: All samples
• 2016: All samples
• 2015: All samples
• 2014: All samples
• 2013: All samples
• 2012: All samples
• 2011: All samples
• 2010: PRCS; PRCS 3yr; PRCS 5yr
• 2009: All samples
• 2008: All samples
• 2007: All samples
• 2006: All samples
• 2005: All samples
• 2000: All samples
• 1990: All samples
• 1980: All samples
• 1970: All samples
• 1930: --
• 1920: --
• 1910: --

Flags

Editing Procedure

UNITSSTR (Units in structure)
ACS Years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
ACS editing procedure:
If the number of units in their building is reported as "One family house" but does not specify if it is a detached or an attached house, the value of UNITSSTR will be allocated. If the unit is owner-occupied (OWNERSHP) or reported as vacant unit that is for sale or recently sold (VACANCY), the allocated value is from another owner-occupied one-family house in the same geographic unit. If the unit is renter-occupied (OWNERSHP) or in a unit that is reported as vacant unit that is for rent, rented but not occupied, for seasonal or migrant use, or otherwise vacant (VACANCY), the allocated value is from another renter-occupied one-family house in the same geographic unit. When this happens, the flag will show that the value is allocated (QUNITSST).
If the number of units in their building is reported as "Apartment building" but does not specify how many units, the value of UNITSSTR will be allocated. If the unit is owner-occupied (OWNERSHP) or reported as vacant unit that is for sale or recently sold (VACANCY), the allocated value is from another owner-occupied apartment building in the same geographic unit. If the unit is renter-occupied (OWNERSHP) or in a unit that is reported as vacant unit that is for rent, rented but not occupied, for seasonal or migrant use, or otherwise vacant (VACANCY), the allocated value is from another renter-occupied apartment building in the same geographic unit. When this happens, the flag will show that the value is allocated (QUNITSST).
If the number of units in their building is reported a "blank," "don't know," "refused" or a bad value, the value of UNITSSTR will be allocated. If the unit is owner-occupied (OWNERSHP) or reported as vacant unit that is for sale or recently sold (VACANCY), the allocated value is from another owner-occupied unit in the same geographic unit. If the unit is renter-occupied (OWNERSHP) or in a unit that is reported as vacant unit that is for rent, rented but not occupied, for seasonal or migrant use, or otherwise vacant (VACANCY), the allocated value is from another renter-occupied unit in the same geographic unit. When this happens, the flag will show that the value is allocated (QUNITSST).
Internal ACS variable : BLD