Description
CONSPUMA identifies the most detailed geographic areas that can consistently be identified across samples from 1980 onward. The lowest-level geographic identifiers differ in the census samples from 1980, 1990, and 2000. CONSPUMA is an effort to reconcile these differences while retaining the highest possible level of geographic detail.
We created CONSPUMA by using the PUMA and County Group (CNTYGP98) boundary files from the 5% census samples of 1980, 1990, and 2000 and the 2005-onward ACS samples. These boundary files were aligned in a Geographic Information System where coincident boundaries could be identified and new consistent areas could be established. Proceeding state by state, staff members split the nation into 543 areas that can be consistently identified in these microdata samples using PUMAs and County Groups.
CONSPUMA boundary files and detailed composition tables are available via the Geographic Tools page.
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.
CONSPUMA is a 5-digit numeric variable identifying the most detailed geographic areas that can consistently be identified across samples from 1980 onward. Its values range from 1 to 543. The lowest-level geographic identifiers differ in the census samples from 1980, 1990, and 2000. CONSPUMA is an effort to reconcile these differences while retaining the highest possible level of geographic detail. CONSPUMA is constructed by using the PUMA and County Group (CNTYGP98) boundary files from the 5% census samples of 1980, 1990, and 2000 and the 2005-onward ACS samples. These boundary files were aligned in a Geographic Information System where coincident boundaries could be identified and new consistent areas could be established. Proceeding state by state, staff members split the nation into 543 areas that can be consistently identified in these microdata samples using PUMAs and County Groups. CONSPUMA 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 by Census year (and data sample if specified).
CONSPUMA Specific Variable Codes
CONSPUMA boundary files and detailed composition tables are available via the Geographic Tools page.
Universe
- All households and group quarters; not available for Puerto Rico.
Availability
- 2013: --
- 2012: --
- 2011: All samples
- 2010: All samples
- 2009: All samples
- 2008: All samples
- 2007: All samples
- 2006: All samples
- 2005: All samples
- 2004: --
- 2003: --
- 2002: --
- 2001: --
- 2000: 5%; 1% unwt
- 1990: 5%; 1% unwt
- 1980: 5% state
- 1970: --
- 1960: --
- 1950: --
- 1940: --
- 1930: --
- 1920: --
- 1910: --
- 1900: --
- 1880: --
- 1870: --
- 1860: --
- 1850: --
- 2013: --
- 2012: --
- 2011: --
- 2010: --
- 2009: --
- 2008: --
- 2007: --
- 2006: --
- 2005: --
- 2000: --
- 1990: --
- 1980: --
- 1970: --
- 1920: --
- 1910: --
