Description

NCOUPLES is a constructed variable (using SPLOC) that counts the number of married and cohabiting couples within each unit. IPUMS is only able to identify cohabiting in samples 1990 and later. Units with no couples present are coded "0." For persons in households, NCOUPLES indicates the number of identified couples in the household; for persons in group quarters in the period before 1940, NCOUPLES indicates the number of identified couples in any group of related individuals.

The universe for this variable from 1850 to 1930 and the 1940 100% dataset is all sample units, which relies on SAMPRULE. Additionally, the universe for this variable in the 1910-1920 Puerto Rican censuses is SAMPRULE not equal to 4.

Comparability

From 1850 to 1930 and the 1940 100% dataset, all married couples can theoretically be identified, but for samples from 1940 onward, married couples cannot be identified in group quarters. Group quarters individuals in the period since 1940 are coded "0" in NCOUPLES, even though on rare occasions they may have actually resided with a spouse.

The comparability of this variable is also affected by variations in the information available for identifying couples; see SPRULE. 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. Samples prior to 1970 continue to use the original version of family interrelationship variables. Users will find it useful to read a brief overview of the key differences of the New IPUMS Family Interrelationship Variables.

Importantly, imputed rather than reported relationship to the household head is used for 1850-1870; see SPRULE and "Family Interrelationships."

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.