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Data Dictionary: ACS 2011 (3-Year Estimates)
you are here: choose a survey survey data set table variable details
Data Source: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau
Universe: Owner-occupied housing units
Variable Details
T124. Mortgage Status by Selected Monthly Owner Costs as a Percentage of Household Income in 2011
Universe: Owner-occupied housing units
T124_007 Housing Units Without a Mortgage:
Percent base:
Owner-Occupied Housing Units: (SE:T124_001)
Aggregation method:
Addition
Formula used to compute this variable:
Return_Value = ACS2011_3yr:B25091013; if (ACS2011_3yr:B25091013.IsNull) Return_Value.IsNull = true
Variables used in the formula:
ACS2011_3yr:B25091013
Owner-Occupied Housing Units: Housing Units Without a Mortgage
Relevant Documentation:
Excerpt from: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2009-2011 Summary File: Technical Documentation.
  ACS 2011-3yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix A. Supplemental Documentation -> Subject Definitions -> Housing Variables -> Mortgage Status
Mortgage Status
The data on mortgage status were obtained from Housing Questions 19a and 20a in the 2011 American Community Survey. The questions were asked at owner-occupied units. "Mortgage" refers to all forms of debt where the property is pledged as security for repayment of the debt, including deeds of trust; trust deeds; contracts to purchase; land contracts; junior mortgages; and home equity loans.

A mortgage is considered a first mortgage if it has prior claim over any other mortgage or if it is the only mortgage on the property. All other mortgages (second, third, etc.) are considered junior mortgages. A home equity loan is generally a junior mortgage. If no first mortgage is reported, but a junior mortgage or home equity loan is reported, then the loan is considered a first mortgage.

In most data products, the tabulations for "Selected Monthly Owner Costs" and "Selected Monthly Owner Costs as a Percentage of Household Income" usually are shown separately for units "with a mortgage" and for units "not mortgaged." The category "not mortgaged" is comprised of housing units owned free and clear of debt.

Mortgage status provides information on the cost of home ownership. When the data is used in conjunction with mortgage payment data, the information determines shelter costs for living quarters. These data can be use in the development of housing programs aimed to meet the needs of people at different economic levels. The data also serve to evaluate the magnitude of and to plan facilities for condominiums, which are becoming an important source of supply of new housing in many areas.
Question/Concept History
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Since 1996, the American Community Survey questions have been the same.
Comparability
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Data on mortgage status in the American Community Survey can be compared to previous ACS and Census 2000 mortgage status data. For Census 2000, tables for both total owner-occupied housing units and specified owner-occupied housing units were released, thus comparisons can be made only when comparing the same universes between the two data sets.
Excerpt from: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2009-2011 Summary File: Technical Documentation.
  ACS 2011-3yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix A. Supplemental Documentation -> Subject Definitions -> Housing Variables -> Selected Monthly Owner Costs as a Percentage of Household Income
Selected Monthly Owner Costs as a Percentage of Household Income
The information on selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income is the computed ratio of selected monthly owner costs to monthly household income. The ratio was computed separately for each unit and rounded to the nearest whole percentage. The data are tabulated only for owner-occupied units.

Separate distributions are often shown for units "with a mortgage" and for units "not mortgaged." Units occupied by households reporting no income or a net loss are included in the "not computed" category. (For more information, see the discussion under "Selected Monthly Owner Costs.")

Selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income provide information on the monthly housing cost expenses for owners. The information offers an excellent measure of housing affordability and excessive shelter costs. The data also serve to aid in the development of housing programs to meet the needs of people at different economic levels.

Median Selected Monthly Owner Costs as a Percentage of Household Income
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This measure divides the selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income distribution into two equal parts: one-half of the cases falling below the median selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income and one-half above the median. Median selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income is computed on the basis of a standard distribution. (See the "Standard Distributions" section under "Appendix A.") Median selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income is rounded to the nearest tenth. (For more information on medians, see "Derived Measures.")

Comparability
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Caution should be used when comparing selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income data between the American Community Survey and Census 2000. For Census 2000, tables for both total owner-occupied housing units and specified owner-occupied housing units were released, thus comparisons can be made only when comparing the same universes between the two data sets. Additionally, for Census 2000 tables with full distributions were released for total owner-occupied housing units but medians were not shown.