IPUMS USA: descr: APPAL

IPUMS USA

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APPAL

Appalachian region

Description

APPAL reports whether the household was located in any region of Appalachia, according to the latest definition by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

Note about 2012 ACS samples: The Census Bureau redraws PUMA boundaries every 10 years based on population information gathered from the most recent decennial census. The 2012 ACS files are the first to use the new PUMA codes and boundaries based on the 2010 Decennial Census. Because this variable is based on PUMA boundaries in contemporary samples, it is not currently available for 2012 ACS files. IPUMS-USA is working on constructing as many identifiable units as possible based on the new Census 2010 PUMAs.

Users who wish to construct this variable can use the logic described in the Comparability statement to identify geographic areas using PUMAs. A map showing the new Census 2010 PUMAs is available in the IPUMS-USA Geographic Tools area.

Comparability

This variable is generally comparable across years and samples. The ARC definition uses counties, so Appalachia can be perfectly identified for the 1850-1930 samples (in which county information is available; see COUNTYICP). From 1940 onward, the IPUMS uses the smallest available geographic units in public-use data: State Economic Areas (SEA) in 1940 and 1950; county groups (CNTYGP98) in 1980; and Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMA) from 1990 onwards. APPAL cannot be constructed for 1960 because geographic information below the state level is not currently available or for 1970 because the available county groupings (CNTYGP97) are too crude.

These changes in geography mean that Appalachian regions are not perfectly identifiable from 1940 onwards. SEAs, county groups, and PUMAs were placed into the Appalachian region in which at least half their total area fell. SEAs, county groups and PUMAs that did not have at least half their areas in any Appalachian region were placed outside Appalachia.

The resulting boundaries are approximately correct. To compare the boundaries in the IPUMS with the official boundaries, see the following maps (pdf):