Updated December 7, 2023

Due to a processing error in the 2021 and 2022 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) files, all housing units were given a value for MRGP (first mortgage payment, monthly amount), regardless of their mortgage status. Group Quarters were correctly left with blank MRGP values.

The cases listed below with MRGP values should be disregarded:

• Vacant units (cases with a VACS value)
• Rented units (cases with a TEN of 3 or 4) 
• Households without a primary mortgage (TEN of 2 (Owned free and clear) or MRGX of 3 (No first mortgage)) 

The units listed above all have values of 4 for MRGP (First mortgage payment is 4 dollars).

Only housing units with a primary mortgage will have a correct value for MRGP. The appropriate subsetting for this universe is all cases with a MRGX of 1 (Mortgage, deed of trust, or similar debt) or 2 (Contract to purchase).

This data issue is only present in the 2021 and 2022 ACS 1-year PUMS files and were corrected for the 2017-2021 and 2018-2022 ACS 5-year PUMS.