- Description
- Codes
- Comparability
- Universe
- Availability
- Questionnaire Text
- Flags
- Source Variables
- Editing Procedure
Description
WRKLSTWK indicates whether or not persons did any work during the previous week either for pay or profit. Even if respondents only worked one hour, helped without pay in a family business or farm for 15 hours or more, or were on active duty in the Armed Forces, they were instructed to answer "yes" to this question. Conversely, housework, school work, and unpaid volunteer work were not counted as work.
User Note: This variable is based on the same question as the variable EMPSTAT, however WRKLSTWK is a separate PUMS variable in the dataset. The variables are slightly different, as EMPSTAT is a recoded variable and WRKLSTWK is not recoded. People who were in the universe for WRKLSTWK but did not respond to the question were placed in a separate "Not Reported" category.
Codes and Frequencies
Comparability
This variable is largely comparable across years. Starting with the 2008 ACS, the Census Bureau implemented changes to the survey questionnaire to bring ACS estimates of labor force statistics closer to estimates from other data sources. Researchers should use caution when comparing employment questions across the 2007-2008 period.
Universe
- 1960: All persons age 14+ who reported.
- 1990-onward: All persons age 15+.
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: ACS; ACS 3yr
- 2011: ACS; ACS 3yr
- 2010: ACS
- 2009: ACS
- 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: ACS
- 1990: All samples
- 1980: --
- 1970: --
- 1960: 5%
- 1950: --
- 1940: --
- 1930: --
- 1920: --
- 1910: --
- 1900: --
- 1880: --
- 1870: --
- 1860: --
- 1850: --
- 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: PRCS; PRCS 3yr
- 2011: PRCS; PRCS 3yr
- 2010: PRCS
- 2009: PRCS
- 2008: All samples
- 2007: All samples
- 2006: All samples
- 2005: All samples
- 2000: --
- 1990: All samples
- 1980: --
- 1970: --
- 1930: --
- 1920: --
- 1910: --
Flags
QWRKLSTWKEditing Procedure
There is no editing procedure available for this variable.
