Median Number of Rooms -- Total - B25021001 - Median Number of Rooms by Tenure - American Community Survey Tables: 2006 -- 2008 (3-Year Estimates) (ACS08_3yr) - Survey ACS 2008 (3-Year Estimates)

Data Dictionary:

ACS 2008 (3-Year Estimates)

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Survey: ACS 2008 (3-Year Estimates)

Data Source:

U.S. Census Bureau

Data set: American Community Survey Tables: 2006 -- 2008 (3-Year Estimates) (ACS08_3yr)

Table:

B25021. Median Number of Rooms by Tenure [3]

Universe: Universe: Occupied housing units

Variable Details

B25021.	Median Number of Rooms by Tenure
	Universe: Universe: Occupied housing units
	B25021001Median Number of Rooms -- Total Percent base: None - percentages not computed Aggregation method: Median, using bracket table: B25017, interpolation method: Linear

Relevant Documentation:

Excerpt from:	Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2006-2008 Summary File: Technical Documentation.
	ACS 2008-3yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix B: Subject Definitions -> Housing Variables -> Rooms -> Median Rooms

Median Rooms

This measure divides the room distribution into two equal parts: one-half of the cases falling below the median number of rooms and one-half above the median. In computing median rooms, the whole number is used as the midpoint of the interval; thus, the category "3 rooms" is treated as an interval ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 rooms. "Median rooms" is rounded to the nearest tenth. (For more information on medians, see the discussion under "Derived Measures.")

Excerpt from:	Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2006-2008 Summary File: Technical Documentation.
	ACS 2008-3yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix B: Subject Definitions -> Housing Variables -> Tenure

Tenure

The data for tenure were obtained from Housing Question 14 in the 2008 American Community Survey. The question was asked at occupied housing units. Occupied housing units are classified as either owner occupied or renter occupied.

Owner Occupied

A housing unit is owner occupied if the owner or co-owner lives in the unit even if it is mortgaged or not fully paid for. The owner or co-owner must live in the unit and usually is Person 1 on the questionnaire. The unit is "Owned by you or someone in this household with a mortgage or loan" if it is being purchased with a mortgage or some other debt arrangement such as a deed of trust, trust deed, contract to purchase, land contract, or purchase agreement. The unit also is considered owned with a mortgage if it is built on leased land and there is a mortgage on the unit. Mobile homes occupied by owners with installment loan balances also are included in this category.

A housing unit is "Owned by you or someone in this household free and clear (without a mortgage or loan)" if there is no mortgage or other similar debt on the house, apartment, or mobile home including units built on leased land if the unit is owned outright without a mortgage.

Renter Occupied

All occupied housing units which are not owner occupied, whether they are rented or occupied without payment of rent, are classified as renter occupied. "No rent paid" units are separately identified in the rent tabulations. Such units are generally provided free by friends or relatives or in exchange for services such as resident manager, caretaker, minister, or tenant farmer. Housing units on military bases also are classified in the "No rent paid" category. "Rented" includes units in continuing care, sometimes called life care arrangements. These arrangements usually involve a contract between one or more individuals and a health services provider guaranteeing the individual shelter, usually a house or apartment, and services, such as meals or transportation to shopping or recreation. (For more information, see "Meals Included in Rent.")

Question/Concept History

From 1996-2007 the American Community Survey questions were the same. Starting in 2008, the instruction "Mark (X) ONE box." was added following the question, and the instruction " Include home equity loans." was added following the response category "Owned by you or someone in this household with a mortgage or loan?" Additional changes introduced in 2008 included revising the wording of two of the response categories from "Rented for cash rent?" to "Rented?" and "Occupied without payment of cash rent?" to "Occupied without payment of rent?"