IPUMS in the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers
IPUMS harmonized decennial census data are now available in the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDCs). FSRDCs provide necessary security for handling confidential data, allowing the Census Bureau to make non-public versions of decennial data available for research. The collection consists of over one billion person records and 400 million household records. In addition to the large size of the collection, these data are invaluable because the files provide far greater geographic detail than is available in public-use census microdata. IPUMS USA has collaborated with the Census Bureau to convert restricted microdata from the decennial censuses of 1960 through 2000 into IPUMS format.
Why use IPUMS format data?
IPUMS provides standardized variable coding over time, making it far easier for researchers to compare census years. The standardized codes in the FSRDC version match public IPUMS codes, although in some cases the FSRDC version has more detail. The data also includes IPUMS-specific variables, such as family interrelationship variables which identify spouses and children present in the household and help researchers leverage complex household information and integrated geographic variables that facilitate comparisons of consistently defined places over time. The availability of IPUMS-format data allows researchers to develop and test their analyses and data transformations using freely-available public data and to make the most efficient use of their time working inside the FSRDC.
FSRDC Access
The FSRDC system will soon include 30 locations across the country. Check your local RDC for access rules, and contact the administrator to learn more about how to prepare and submit a proposal. If you are preparing a proposal, we recommend that you also contact IPUMS user support (ipums@umn.edu) to learn more about the data and any planned improvements.
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