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Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census (2006)

Chapter: Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
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Appendixes

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×

–A–
Residence Rules of the 2000 Census

HOUSEHOLD POPULATION

Rule 1

Person lives in this household but is temporarily absent on Census Day on a visit, business trip, vacation, or in connection with a job (e.g., bus driver, traveling salesperson, boat operator). This includes foreign nationals whose usual place of residence is in the U.S. and American citizens traveling overseas.

 

Count person at: This household

Rule 2

Person has multiple residences and, as of Census Day, travels between one residence and another on a “weekly cycle,” a “monthly cycle,” a “yearly cycle,” or some other cycle (e.g., commuter workers, “snow-birds,” and children in joint custody situations).

 

Count person at: The residence where they spend most of time during the week, month, or year, etc. If an individual cannot identify such a place for himself/herself, count him/her at the residence where he/she was on Census Day. (See “Guiding Principles” attached for more information [Box A-1].)

Rule 3

Person lives in this household, but is in a general or Veterans Affairs hospital on Census Day. Including newborn babies who have not yet been brought home.

 

Count person at: This household, unless in a psychiatric or chronic disease hospital ward, or a hospital or ward for the mentally retarded,

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×

Box A-1

Guiding Principles for the Residence Rules as They Apply to Individual(s) with Multiple Residences

The following provides guidance for determining “usual residence” for an individual with more than one residence.

Weekly Cycle

If a person is on a “weekly cycle,” he/she should be counted at the residence where he/she spends most of their time during the week. For example: Some individuals live part of the week at a residence near where they work, and live at their “family home” the rest of the week. We consider these people to be on a “weekly cycle,” and they should be counted at the residence where they spend most of their time during the week (e.g., commuter workers).

Monthly Cycle

If a person is on a “monthly cycle,” he/she should be counted at the residence where he/she spends most of his/her time during the month. For example: Some children live with one parent for one week out of the month and the other parent the remaining three weeks during the month. We consider these individuals to be on a “monthly cycle” and they should be counted at the residence where they spend most of their time during the month (e.g., children in joint custody situations).

Yearly Cycle

If a person is on a “yearly cycle,” he/she should be counted at the residence where he/she spends most of his/her time during the year. For example:

  1. Some individuals live in one state during the spring, summer, and fall, but move to a state in a warmer climate during the winter months (“snowbirds”). We consider these people to be on a “yearly cycle,” and they should be counted at the residence where they spend most of their time during the year.

  2. Some college students live at the college during the school year and at the “family home” during holidays or the summer. We consider these people to be on a “yearly cycle,” and they should be counted at the residence where they spend most of their time during the year.

No Clearly Defined Cycle

If a person is on no clearly defined “cycle,” he/she should be counted at the residence where he/she was on Census Day. For example: Temporary workers may establish another residence for an undefined period of time for work. We consider these people to be on an “undefined cycle,” and they should be counted at the residence where they were on Census Day.

Time Split Equally Among Two or More Residences

No matter what the cycle, if time is split equally among multiple residences, a person should be counted at the place where he/she was on Census Day.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×

 

the physically handicapped, or drug/alcohol abuse patients. If so, the person should be counted in the hospital.

Rule 4

Person is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed on a nearby military installation or ship but on Census Day is living in this off-base household.

 

Count person at: The off-base household

Rule 5

Person is a college student not living in this household during the school year and is only here during break or vacation (see Rules 6 and 25).

 

Count person at: The residence where the person lives while attending college (Usual Home Elsewhere [UHE] not allowed).

Rule 6

Person is a college student living in this household during the school year (see Rules 5 and 25).

 

Count person at: This household

Rule 7

Person is a student attending school away from home below the college level, such as a boarding school or a Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school.

 

Count person at: This household

Rule 8

Person is an officer or crew member of a merchant vessel and on Census Day is engaged in inland waterway transportation.

 

Count person at: This household

Rule 9

Person works for and lives in this household and has no other home (e.g., a domestic worker or nanny who “lives in”).

 

Count person at: This household

Rule 10

Person is staying temporarily in this household on Census Day and has another home.

 

Count person at: DO NOT LIST. (This person will be counted at the other household.)

Rule 11

On Census Day, person is a citizen of a foreign country who has established a household (or is part of an established household) in the U.S. while working or studying. This includes any family member living with the person.

 

Count person at: This household

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×

Rule 12

Person is a citizen of a foreign country and on Census Day is living on the premises of an Embassy, Ministry, Legation, Chancellery, or Consulate in the U.S.

 

Count person at: This household, that is, the Embassy, etc. (The person has the right to refuse to provide any or all information.)

GROUP QUARTERS POPULATION, UHE ALLOWED

Rule 13

Person is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and on Census Day is living on a military installation in the United States, or is living on a military vessel which is assigned to a home port in the United States.

 

Count person at: The residence where the person spends most of his/her time (UHE allowed) [GQ code 601 for military barracks on base; GQ code 602 for transient quarters for temporary residents; GQ code 603 for military ships]. If the person does not claim a UHE, count him/her at the military installation or at the home port of the vessel.

Rule 14

On Census Day, person is at a camp for temporary workers, such as agricultural or migrant workers; or logging, pipeline, or construction workers.

 

Count person at: The residence where the person spends most of his/her time (UHE allowed) [GQ code 901 for agriculture workers’ dormitories on farms; GQ code 902 for other workers’ dormitories]. If the person does not claim a UHE, count him/her at the camp.

Rule 15

On Census Day, person is at a hostel, YMCA/YWCA, or transient location, such as a commercial or public campground, racetrack, park, or carnival (see also Rule 16).

 

Count person at: The location where they spend most of their time (UHE allowed) [GQ code 908 for hostels or YMCAs/YWCAs; GQ code 910 for commercial or public campgrounds, racetracks, fairs, or carnivals]. If the person does not claim a UHE, count them at the special place.

Rule 16

On Census Day, person is at a recreational camp (i.e., a commercial or public campground). This rule is targeted to persons known as “full-timers” or “good-sams” who live and travel in a recreational vehicle, and the recreational vehicle is their only or usual residence.

 

Count person at: The location where the person spends most of his/her time (UHE allowed). If the person does not claim a UHE,

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×

 

count them at the camp. (Note that if the recreational vehicle is their only or usual residence, it is considered a housing unit [HU] and tabulated as an HU. It is part of GQ enumeration but not part of the GQ population.)

Rule 17

On Census Day, person is at a soup kitchen or outreach program (e.g., mobile food van).

 

Count person at: The location where these individuals spend most of their time (UHE allowed) [GQ code 704 for soup kitchens; GQ code 705 for outreach program]. If the person does not claim a UHE, count them at the special place.

Rule 18

Person is an officer or crew member of a U.S. flag merchant vessel and on Census Day is docked in a U.S. port or is sailing from one U.S. port to another U.S. port.

 

Count person at: These persons are allowed to claim a UHE [GQ code 900]. If they do not claim a UHE, count them at the merchant vessel.

Rule 19

Person is a resident staff member or a member of a special place. For example, a staff member living in a hospital or nursing home, or a member of a religious order living in a monastery or convent.

 

Count person at: These persons are allowed to claim a UHE [GQ code 904 for staff members living in military hospitals; GQ code 905 for staff members living in civilian group quarters; GQ code 906 for religious group quarters]. If they do not claim a UHE, they are counted at the special place.

GROUP QUARTERS POPULATION, UHE NOT ALLOWED

Rule 20

On Census Day, person is under formally authorized, supervised care or custody, in a correctional institution, such as a federal or state prison, local jail or workhouse, federal detention center, or halfway house.

 

Count person at: The special place (UHE not allowed)

Rule 21

On Census Day, person is under formally authorized, supervised care or custody, in a nursing, convalescent, or rest home for the aged and dependent.

 

Count person at: The special place (UHE not allowed)

Rule 22

On Census Day, person is under formally authorized, supervised care

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×

 

or custody, in a juvenile institution such as a residential school for delinquents.

 

Count person at: The special place (UHE not allowed)

Rule 23

On Census Day, person is under formally authorized, supervised care or custody, in a home, school, hospital, or ward for the physically handicapped, mentally retarded, or mentally ill.

 

Count person at: The special place (UHE not allowed)

Rule 24

On Census Day, person is at an emergency shelter, including shelters with sleeping facilities for individuals without a usual residence; shelters for abused women; shelters for runaway, neglected, or homeless children; or shelters for other homeless persons.

 

Count person at: The shelter (UHE not allowed)

Rule 25

Person is a college student living in a group quarters (e.g., a dormitory, or sorority or fraternity house) (see Rules 5 and 6).

 

Count person at: The group quarters (UHE not allowed)

OVERSEAS POPULATION

Rule 26

Person is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and on Census Day is stationed on a military vessel which is assigned to a home port in a foreign country.

 

Count person at: DO NOT LIST. (This person will be counted as part of the overseas population.)

Rule 27

Person is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and on Census Day is assigned to a military installation outside the United States. This rule includes family members living with him/her.

 

Count person at: DO NOT LIST. (This person will be counted as part of the overseas population.)

Rule 28

Person is an American citizen overseas employed by the U.S. government and on Census Day has a place of duty abroad. This rule includes family members living with him/her.

 

Count person at: DO NOT LIST. (This person will be counted as part of the overseas population.)

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×

DO NOT LIST POPULATION

Rule 29

Person is an American citizen and on Census Day is working, studying, or living abroad, but not employed by the U.S. government.

 

Count person at: DO NOT LIST

Rule 30

Person is a citizen of a foreign country who on Census Day is temporarily traveling or visiting in the U.S.

 

Count person at: DO NOT LIST

Rule 31

Person is an officer or crew member of a U.S. flag merchant vessel which on Census Day is docked in a foreign port, is sailing from one foreign port to another foreign port, is sailing from a U.S. port to a foreign port, or is sailing from a foreign port to a U.S. port.

 

Count person at: DO NOT LIST

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×

This page intentionally left blank.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×
Page 294
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×
Page 295
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×
Page 296
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×
Page 297
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×
Page 298
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×
Page 299
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×
Page 300
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×
Page 301
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A Residence Rules of the 2000 Census." National Research Council. 2006. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11727.
×
Page 302
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The usefulness of the U.S. decennial census depends critically on the accuracy with which individual people are counted in specific housing units, at precise geographic locations. The 2000 and other recent censuses have relied on a set of residence rules to craft instructions on the census questionnaire in order to guide respondents to identify their correct "usual residence." Determining the proper place to count such groups as college students, prisoners, and military personnel has always been complicated and controversial; major societal trends such as placement of children in shared custody arrangements and the prevalence of "snowbird" and "sunbird" populations who regularly move to favorable climates further make it difficult to specify ties to one household and one place. Once, Only Once, and in the Right Place reviews the evolution of current residence rules and the way residence concepts are presented to respondents. It proposes major changes to the basic approach of collecting residence information and suggests a program of research to improve the 2010 and future censuses.

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