Appendix F
ACS Questions by Year Introduced and Agency
This appendix shows the American Community Survey questions by the year each was introduced to the ACS or the census long form. It also shows which federal agencies were using each question prior to the 2014 content review, which is intended to update the inventory of uses.
TABLE F-1 ACS Questions by Year Introduced and Agency Use
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Housing Question #01 | Which best describes this building? Include all apartments, flats, etc., even if vacant. | 1940 |
Environmental Protection Agency Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Question #02 | About when was this building first built? | 1940 |
Department of Energy Environmental Protection Agency Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Question #03 | When did PERSON 1 (listed on page 2) move into this house, apartment, or mobile home? | 1960 |
Environmental Protection Agency Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Question #04 | How many acres is this house or mobile home on? | 1960 |
Environmental Protection Agency Housing and Urban Development Department of Agriculture |
| Housing Question #05 | IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, what were the actual sales of all agricultural products from this property? | 1960 |
Housing and Urban Development Department of Agriculture |
| Housing Question #06 | Is there a business (such as a store or barber shop) or medical office on this property? | 1950 |
Environmental Protection Agency Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Question #07a | How many separate rooms are in this house, apartment, or mobile home? | 1940 |
Department of Energy Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Question #07b | How many of these rooms are bedrooms? | 1960 |
Department of Energy Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Housing Questions #08a | Does this house, apartment, or mobile home have hot and cold running water? | 1940 |
Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Questions #08b | Does this house, apartment, or mobile home have a flush toilet? | 1940 |
Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Questions #08c | Does this house, apartment, or mobile home have a bathtub or shower? | 1940 |
Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Questions #08d | Does this house, apartment, or mobile home have a sink with a faucet? | 1970 |
Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Questions #08e | Does this house, apartment, or mobile home have a stove or range? | 1970 |
Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Questions #08f | Does this house, apartment, or mobile home have a refrigerator? | 1940 |
Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Question #08g | Does this house, apartment, or mobile home have telephone service from which you can both make and receive calls? Include cell phones. | 1960 |
Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Housing Question #9 | At this house, apartment, or mobile homedo you or any member of this household own or use any of the following computers? a. Desktop, laptop, netbook, or notebook computer, b. Handheld computer, smart mobile phone, or other handheld wireless computer, c. Some other type of computer | 2013 |
Federal Communications Commission National Telecommunications and Information Administration |
| Housing Question #10 | At this house, apartment, or mobile home—do you or any member of this household access the Internet? | 2013 |
Federal Communications Commission National Telecommunications and Information Administration |
| Housing Question #11 | At this house, apartment, or mobile home—do you or any member of this household subscribe to the Internet using—a. Dial-up service? b. DSL service? c. Cable modem service? d. Fiber-optic service? e. Mobile broadband plan for a computer or a cell phone? f. Satellite Internet service? g. Some other service? | 2013 |
Federal Communications Commission National Telecommunications and Information Administration |
| Housing Question #12 | How many automobiles, vans, and trucks of one-ton capacity or less are kept at home for use by members of this household? | 1960 |
Department of Energy Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services Department of Agriculture |
| Housing Question #13 | Which FUEL is used MOST for heating this house, apartment, or mobile home? | 1940 |
Department of Energy Housing and Urban Development Department of Agriculture |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Housing Question #14 | a. LAST MONTH, what was the cost of electricity for this house, apartment, or mobile home? b. LAST MONTH, what was the cost of gas for this house, apartment, or mobile home? c. IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, what was the cost of water and sewer for this house, apartment, or mobile home? d. IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, what was the cost of oil, coal, kerosene, wood, etc., for this house, apartment, or mobile home? | 1940 |
Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development Department of Agriculture |
| Housing Question #15 | IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did you or any member of this household receive benefits from the Food Stamp Program or SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)? | 2005 |
Health and Human Services Department of Agriculture |
| Housing Question #16 | Is this house, apartment, or mobile home part of a condominium? What is the monthly condominium fee? | 1990 |
Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development Environmental Protection Agency Department of Agriculture |
| Housing Question #17 | Is this house, apartment, or mobile home—Owned by you or someone in this household with a mortgage or loan? Owned by you or someone in this household free and clear (without a mortgage or loan)? Rented? Occupied without payment of rent? | 1890 |
Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Housing Question #18 | a. What is the monthly rent for this house, apartment, or mobile home? b. Does the monthly rent include any meals? | 1940 |
Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Question #19 | About how much do you think this house and lot, apartment, or mobile home (and lot, if owned) would sell for if it were for sale? | 1850 |
Department of Labor Department of Transportation Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development |
| Housing Question #20 | What are the annual real estate taxes on THIS property? | 1980 |
Health and Human Services Environmental Protection Agency Housing and Urban Development Department of Agriculture |
| Housing Question #21 | What is the annual payment for fire, hazard, and flood insurance on THIS property? | 1980 |
Health and Human Services Environmental Protection Agency Housing and Urban Development Department of Agriculture |
| Housing Question #22 | a. Do you or any member of this household have a mortgage, deed of trust, contract to purchase, or similar debt on THIS property? b. How much is the regular monthly mortgage payment on THIS property? c. Does the regular monthly mortgage payment include payments for real estate taxes on THIS property? d. Does the regular monthly mortgage payment include payments for fire, hazard, or flood insurance on THIS property? | 1890 |
Environmental Protection Agency Housing and Urban Development Department of Agriculture Health and Human Services |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Housing Question #23 | a. Do you or any member of this household have a second mortgage or a home equity loan on THIS property? b. How much is the regular monthly payment on all second or junior mortgages and all home equity loans on THIS property? | 1940 |
Health and Human Services Environmental Protection Agency Housing and Urban Development Department of Agriculture |
| Housing Question #24 | What are the total annual costs for personal property taxes, site rent, registration fees, and license fees on THIS mobile home and its site? | 1990 |
Health and Human Services Environmental Protection Agency Housing and Urban Development Department of Agriculture |
| Population Question #02 | How is this person related to Person 1? | 1880 |
Department of Energy Department of Education Department of Transportation Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Telecommunications and Information Administration Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #03 | What is Person 1’s sex? | 1790 |
Department of Justice Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation National Telecommunications and Information Administration Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #04 | What is Person 1’s age and what is Person 1’s date of birth? | 1790 |
Department of Education Department of Justice Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation National Telecommunications and Information Administration Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #05 | Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin? | 1970 |
Department of Justice Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation National Telecommunications and Information Administration Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #06 | What is Person 1’s race? | 1790 |
Department of Justice Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation National Telecommunications and Information Administration Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #07 | Where was this person born? | 1850 |
Department of Education Department of Labor Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services National Science Foundation |
| Population Question #08 | Is this person a citizen of the United States? | 1820 |
Department of Labor Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture |
| Population Question #09 | When did this person come to live in the United States? | 1890 |
Department of Education Department of Labor Health and Human Services National Science Foundation |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #10 | a. At any time IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS, has this person attended school or college? b. What grade or level was this person attending? | 1850 |
Department of Education Department of Labor Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services National Science Foundation National Telecommunications and Information Administration Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #11 | What is the highest degree or level of school this person has COMPLETED? | 1940 |
Department of Education Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #12 | This question focuses on this person’s BACHELOR’S DEGREE. Please print below the specific major(s) of any BACHELOR’S DEGREES this person has received. | 2009 |
Department of Labor National Science Foundation |
| Population Question #13 | What is this person’s ancestry or ethnic origin? | 1970 |
Department of Labor Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services |
| Population Question #14 | a. Does this person speak a language other than English at home? b. What is this language? c. How well does this person speak English? | 1890 |
Department of Education Department of Labor Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #15 | a. Did this person live in this house or apartment 1 year ago? b. Where did this person live 1 year ago? | 1940 |
Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #16 | Is this person CURRENTLY covered by any of the following types of health insurance or health coverage plans? | 2008 |
Health and Human Services |
| Population Question #17 | a. Is this person deaf or does he/she have serious difficulty hearing? b. Is this person blind or does he/she have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses? | 1850 |
Department of Justice Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation National Telecommunications and Information Administration Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #18 | a. Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions? b. Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs? c. Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing? | 1880 |
Department of Justice Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation National Telecommunications and Information Administration Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #19 | Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping? | 1880 |
Department of Justice Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation National Telecommunications and Information Administration Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #20 | What is this person’s marital status? | 1880 |
Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture |
| Population Question #21 | In the PAST 12 MONTHS did this person get a. Married? b. Widowed? c. Divorced? | 1850 |
Health and Human Services |
| Population Question #22 | How many times has this person been married? | 1910 |
Health and Human Services |
| Population Question #23 | In what year did this person last get married? | 1910 |
Health and Human Services |
| Population Question #24 | Has this person given birth to any children in the past 12 months? | 1890 |
Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #25 | a. Does this person have any of his/her own grandchildren under the age of 18 living in this house or apartment? b. Is this grandparent currently responsible for most of the basic needs of any grandchildren under the age of 18 who live in this house or apartment? How long has this grandparent been responsible for these grandchildren? | 2000 |
Health and Human Services |
| Population Question #26 | Has this person ever served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard? | 1890 |
Department of Labor Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #27 | When did this person serve on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces? | 1890 |
Department of Labor Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #28 | a. Does this person have a VA service-connected disability rating? b. What is this person’s service-connected disability rating? | 2008 |
Department of Labor Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #29 | a. LAST WEEK, did this person work for pay at a job (or business)? b. LAST WEEK, did this person do ANY work for pay, even for as little as one hour? | 1910 |
Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #30 | At what location did this person work LAST WEEK? | 1960 |
Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Environmental Protection Agency Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services National Science Foundation |
| Population Question #31 | How did this person usually get to work LAST WEEK? | 1960 |
Department of Energy Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services |
| Population Question #32 | How many people, including this person, usually rode to work in the car, truck, or van LAST WEEK? | 1980 |
Department of Energy Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services |
| Population Question #33 | What time did this person usually leave home to go to work LAST WEEK? | 1990 |
Department of Energy Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services |
| Population Question #34 | How many minutes did it usually take this person to get from home to work LAST WEEK? | 1980 |
Department of Energy Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #35 | a. LAST WEEK, was this person on layoff from a job? b. LAST WEEK, was this person TEMPORARILY absent from a job or business? c. Has this person been informed that he or she will be recalled to work within the next 6 months OR been given a date to return to work? | 1890 |
Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #36 | During the LAST 4 WEEKS, has this person been ACTIVELY looking for work? | 1930 |
Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #37 | LAST WEEK, could this person have started a job if offered one, or returned to work if recalled? | 1930 |
Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #38 | When did this person last work, even for a few days? | 1930 |
Department of Labor Department of Transportation Health and Human Services Department of Agriculture Department of Labor Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Federal Communications Commission Health and Human Services Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #39 | a. During the PAST 12 MONTHS (52 weeks), did this person work 50 or more weeks? Count paid time off as work. b. How many weeks DID this person work, even for a few hours, including paid vacation, paid sick leave, and military service? | 1880 |
Department of Labor Department of Transportation Health and Human Services National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #40 | During the PAST 12 MONTHS, in the WEEKS WORKED, how many hours did this person usually work each WEEK? | 1940 |
Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #41 | Was this person – an employee of a PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT company or business, or of an individual, for wages, salary, or commissions? an employee of a PRIVATE NOT-FOR-PROFIT, tax-exempt, or charitable organization? a local GOVERNMENT employee (city, county, etc.)? a state GOVERNMENT employee? a Federal GOVERNMENT employee? SELF-EMPLOYED in own NOT INCORPORATED business, professional practice, or farm? SELF-EMPLOYED in own INCORPORATED business, professional practice, or farm? working WITHOUT PAY in family business or farm? | 1910 |
Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #42 | For whom did this person work? | 1970 |
Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services National Science Foundation Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #43 | What kind of business or industry was this? | 1910 |
Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services National Science Foundation Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #44 | Is this mainly – manufacturing? wholesale trade? retail trade? other (agriculture, construction, service, government, etc.)? | 1910 |
Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Environmental Protection Agency Health and Human Services National Science Foundation Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #45 | What kind of work was this person doing? | 1850 |
Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Health and Human Services National Science Foundation Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #46 | What were this person’s most important activities or duties? | 1970 |
Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Health and Human Services National Science Foundation Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #47a | INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS a. Wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, or tips from all jobs. | 1940 |
Department of Energy Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #47b | INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS b. Self-employment income from own nonfarm businesses or farm businesses, including proprietorships and partnerships. | 1940 |
Department of Energy Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #47c | INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS c. Interest, dividends, net rental income, royalty income, or income from estates and trusts. | 1980 |
Department of Energy Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #47d | INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS d. Social Security or Railroad Retirement. | 1970 |
Department of Energy Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #47e | INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS e. Supplemental Security Income (SSI). | 1980 |
Department of Energy Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #47f | INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS f. Any public assistance or welfare payments from the state or local welfare office. | 1970 |
Department of Energy Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Question Number | Question | Year Added | Agency |
| Population Question #47g | INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS g. Retirement, survivor, or disability pensions. | 1990 |
Department of Energy Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #47h | INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS h. Any other sources of income received regularly such as Veterans’ (VA) payments, unemployment compensation, child support or alimony. | 1960 |
Department of Energy Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Population Question #48 | What was this person’s total income during the PAST 12 MONTHS? | 1980 |
Department of Energy Department of Education Department of Labor Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Communications Commission Federal Reserve Board Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development National Science Foundation Department of Agriculture Department of Veterans Affairs |
SOURCE: Table provided to the panel by the Census Bureau.
