Description

SERIAL is an identifying number unique to each household record in a given sample. All person records are assigned the same serial number as the household record that they follow. (Person records also have their own unique identifiers - see PERNUM.) A combination of SAMPLE and SERIAL provides a unique identifier for every household in the IPUMS; the combination of SAMPLE, SERIAL, and PERNUM uniquely identifies every person in the database.

For 1850-1930, households that are part of a multi-household dwelling can be identified by using the DWELLING and DWSEQ variables. See "Sample Designs" for further discussion of sampling from within multi-household dwellings.

SERIAL is an 8-digit numeric variable which assigns a unique identification number to each household record in a given sample (See PERNUM for the analogous person record identifier). A combination of SAMPLE and SERIAL provides a unique identifier for every household in the IPUMS; the combination of SAMPLE, SERIAL, and PERNUM uniquely identifies every person in the database. SERIAL specific variable codes for missing, edited, or unidentified observations, observations not applicable (N/A), observations not in universe (NIU), top and bottom value coding, etc. are provided below if applicable by Census year (and data sample if specified).

SERIAL Specific Variable Codes

Comparability

This variable is fully comparable across years and samples.

Universe

Availability

• 2023: All samples
• 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: All samples
• 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: All samples
• 1940: All samples
• 1930: All samples
• 1920: All samples
• 1910: All samples
• 1900: All samples
• 1880: All samples
• 1870: All samples
• 1860: All samples
• 1850: All samples

• 2023: All samples
• 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: All samples
• 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: All samples
• 1920: All samples
• 1910: All samples

Flags

Editing Procedure

There is no editing procedure available for this variable.