The following American Community Survey (ACS) and Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS) Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) datasets available in the Census Bureau Application Program Interface (API) and Microdata Access Tool (MDAT) have a labeling error in the variable DECADE (Decade of entry into the United States or Puerto Rico):

• 2006 - 2010 ACS and PRCS 5-year PUMS
• 2007 - 2011 ACS and PRCS 5-year PUMS
• 2008 - 2012 ACS and PRCS 5-year PUMS
• 2009 - 2013 ACS and PRCS 5-year PUMS
• 2010 - 2014 ACS and PRCS 5-year PUMS
• 2011 - 2015 ACS and PRCS 5-year PUMS
• 2012 - 2016 ACS and PRCS 5-year PUMS

For these datasets, the variable label should only have seven categories. The data are correct; however, the label for category “2000 – 2009” (DECADE = 7) should read “2000 or later.”  The “2010 or later” category (DECADE = 8) is present by mistake and does not include any data. Data users should disregard this category when using the API or MDAT. The downloadable PUMS files do not contain this error and can be accessed through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) site. The correct DECADE values and labels can be found in the 5-year PUMS Data Dictionary, found under PUMS Documentation. 

Screenshot of MDAT table heading for DECADE, 2012-2016 ACS 5-year PUMS:

Screenshot of API data dictionary entry for DECADE, 2012-2016 ACS 5-year PUMS: