Description

FAMUNIT indicates to which family within the housing unit each person belongs. If there is only one group of related individuals, all of them will be coded 1; if there is a second, separate such group, all members of that family group will be coded 2, and so on. All persons with a RELATE code less than 1100 are included in FAMUNIT, coded as 1. It is possible for an individual with a RELATE code larger than 1100 to be included in the "primary family" if they are identified as a child or spouse of a primary family member using SPLOC, MOMLOC, or POPLOC.

The Census Bureau defines "primary families" as groups of persons related to the head of household, and "primary individuals" as household heads/householders residing without kin. In the IPUMS, primary families and primary individuals are identified in FAMUNIT with a code of 1; each secondary family or secondary individual receives a higher code. Note that IPUMS primary families (FAMUNIT=1) may also include individuals that the Census Bureau does not consider to be in the primary family if they are linked to someone related to the household head by SPLOC, MOMLOC, or POPLOC. For example, IPUMS links unmarried partners of the head to the household head using SPLOC and so these partners will be included in the IPUMS primary family unit, but because they are not related by blood or marriage to the household head, they will not be included in the Census Bureau’s primary family unit. To recreate the Census Bureau’s definition of the primary family, users can select only those individuals in the IPUMS primary family whose RELATE value is less than or equal to 1100.

FAMUNIT is not analogous to the Census Bureau concept of "subfamily." People in Census Bureau "subfamilies" are necessarily related to the householder, and they will be included in FAMUNIT, coded as 1.

Comparability

The comparability of this variable is affected by the information available on family relationships. 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.

From 1850 to 1930 and the 1940 100% dataset, all family groups and familial relationships can theoretically be identified, but for samples from 1940 1% onward, this is not the case for persons in group quarters. Group quarters individuals in the period since 1940 are coded 1 in FAMUNIT. See GQ and "Family Interrelationships" for a discussion of comparability issues.

Universe

Availability

• 2022: All samples
• 2021: All samples
• 2020: All samples
• 2019: All samples
• 2018: All samples
• 2017: All samples
• 2016: All samples
• 2015: All samples
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• 2010: ACS; ACS 3yr; ACS 5yr
• 2009: All samples
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• 2007: All samples
• 2006: All samples
• 2005: All samples
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• 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

• 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.