Description

SPMEQSCALE is the equivalence scale used to adjust the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) threshold (SPMTHRESH) to reflect the needs of the SPM family unit, based on the number of adults and children in the family. For two-adult, two-child families, SPMEQSCALE is set to 1.

For more detail about how the Census Bureau calculates SPM for the ACS, please see the Supplemental Poverty Measure using the American Community Survey working paper.

SPMEQSCALE is a 20-digit numeric variable that is used to adjust the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) threshold to reflect the needs of the SPM family unit, based on the number of adults and children in the family. For two-adult, two-child families, SPMEQSCALE is set to 1.

SPMEQSCALE 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).

SPMEQSCALE Specific Variable Codes
99999999999999999999 = N/A (Not in Universe)

Comparability

This variable is comparable across all years.

Universe

Availability

• 2023: --
• 2022: --
• 2021: --
• 2020: --
• 2019: ACS
• 2018: ACS
• 2017: ACS
• 2016: ACS
• 2015: ACS
• 2014: ACS
• 2013: ACS
• 2012: ACS
• 2011: ACS
• 2010: ACS
• 2009: ACS
• 2008: --
• 2007: --
• 2006: --
• 2005: --
• 2004: --
• 2003: --
• 2002: --
• 2001: --
• 2000: --
• 1990: --
• 1980: --
• 1970: --
• 1960: --
• 1950: --
• 1940: --
• 1930: --
• 1920: --
• 1910: --
• 1900: --
• 1880: --
• 1870: --
• 1860: --
• 1850: --

• 2023: --
• 2022: --
• 2021: --
• 2020: --
• 2019: --
• 2018: --
• 2017: --
• 2016: --
• 2015: --
• 2014: --
• 2013: --
• 2012: --
• 2011: --
• 2010: --
• 2009: --
• 2008: --
• 2007: --
• 2006: --
• 2005: --
• 2000: --
• 1990: --
• 1980: --
• 1970: --
• 1930: --
• 1920: --
• 1910: --

Flags

Editing Procedure

There is no editing procedure available for this variable.