Description

SPLOC is a constructed variable that indicates whether the person's spouse lived in the same household and, if so, gives the person number (PERNUM) of the spouse. The method by which probable spouse-spouse links are identified is described in SPRULE for samples from 1970 to present and in SPRULE_HIST for samples prior to 1970.

SPLOC makes it easy for researchers to link the characteristics of (probable) spouses.

In 2017, the family interrelationship variables for samples from 1970 to present were revised to increase comparability across IPUMS projects and include same-sex couples. Many researchers who are familiar with the previous version of family interrelationship variables will find it useful to read a brief overview of the key differences of the New IPUMS Family Interrelationship Variables. On this page you'll find information on how family interrelationship variables are constructed, common uses of these variables, and specific examples of how these variables can be used efficiently.

Samples prior to 1970 continue to use the original version of family interrelationship variables.

The previous version of SPLOC and other IPUMS pointer variables are available here.

00 = No spouse of this person present in household.

Comparability

Because of variation in the information available for linking spouses, there are slight differences across years.

For 1850-1870, SPLOC uses IMPREL (Imputed relationship) instead of RELATE (Relationship) to determine the person number (PERNUM) of the person's probable spouse (if one was found within the same household).

The 1960 Census does not have SURSIM, so spouse links are not made for nonadjacent unspecified relatives and nonrelatives.

Starting in 1990, "Unmarried Partner of Householder" became a valid RELATE code, allowing spousal links between unmarried partners but only if the unmarried couple includes the householder (SPRULE code 21).

Comparability with other IPUMS Projects
SPLOC is conceptually identical in IPUMS-CPS and IPUMS-USA. Because the survey provides less detailed information on relationship to household head than the census does, the relationship pairings used to link spouses differ between these two datasets, and paired age limitations are more consistently imposed when linking spouses in IPUMS-CPS. Users should consult SPRULE for further details.

The development of new family interrelationship variables was prompted by the desire to have more comparability between different IPUMS projects and over time. The family interrelationship variables use common logic across IPUMS CPS, IHIS, and USA (modern years). Each project has different allowed links because of different level of detail in each project, but the logic of assigning parents in ambiguous situations is the same.

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

Flags

Editing Procedure

There is no editing procedure available for this variable.