PUMS Documentation

View the available subjects, detailed codes for variables, changes related to each release, an explanation of sample design, methodology, and accuracy, and files to determine if you are using weights correctly for the American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) files. These documents are organized by data year.

Supporting data for the documentation below is available on the Accessing PUMS Data page.

2017
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005

2017

PUMS ReadMe

Important information about 2017 geography and variable changes, as well as guidance for novice ACS PUMS files users.

PUMS Top Coded and Bottom Coded Values

List of variables with responses exceeding a state-specific value that are replaced with a predetermined value.

Code Lists

Detailed codes for variables that contain a large number of coded responses, such as ancestry and occupation

Page Last Revised - October 9, 2024