Universe: Foreign-born population excluding population born at sea - B05006001 - Place of Birth for the Foreign-Born Population in the United States - American Community Survey Tables: 2008 -- 2012 (5-Year Estimates) (ACS12_5yr) - Survey ACS 2012 (5-Year Estimates)

Data Dictionary:

ACS 2012 (5-Year Estimates)

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Survey: ACS 2012 (5-Year Estimates)

Data Source:

U.S. Census Bureau

Data set: American Community Survey Tables: 2008 -- 2012 (5-Year Estimates) (ACS12_5yr)

Table:

B05006. Place of Birth for the Foreign-Born Population in the United States [160]

Universe: Universe: Foreign-born population excluding population born at sea

Variable Details

B05006.	Place of Birth for the Foreign-Born Population in the United States
	Universe: Universe: Foreign-born population excluding population born at sea
	B05006001Universe: Foreign-born population excluding population born at sea Percent base: None - percentages not computed (variable is table universe) Aggregation method: Addition

Relevant Documentation:

Excerpt from:	Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2008-2012 Summary File: Technical Documentation.
	ACS 2012-5yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix A: Supplemental Documentation -> 2008-2012 Subject Definitions -> Population Variables -> Place of Birth

Place of Birth

The data on place of birth were derived from answers to Question 7 in the 2012 American Community Survey. Respondents were asked to select one of two categories: (1) in the United States, or (2) outside the United States. In the American Community Survey, respondents selecting category (1) were then asked to report the name of the state while respondents selecting category (2) were then asked to report the name of the foreign country, or Puerto Rico, Guam, etc. In the Puerto Rico Community Survey, respondents selecting category (1) were also asked to report the name of the state, while respondents selecting category (2) were then asked to print Puerto Rico or the name of the foreign country, or U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, etc. People not reporting a place of birth were assigned the state or country of birth of another family member, or were allocated the response of another individual with similar characteristics. People born outside the United States were asked to report their place of birth according to current international boundaries. Since numerous changes in boundaries of foreign countries have occurred in the last century, some people may have reported their place of birth in terms of boundaries that existed at the time of their birth or emigration, or in accordance with their own national preference.

The place of birth questions along with the citizenship status question provide essential data for setting and evaluating immigration policies and laws. Knowing the characteristics of immigrants helps legislators and others understand how different immigrant groups are assimilated. Federal agencies require these data to develop programs for refugees and other foreign-born individuals. Vital information on lifetime migration among states also comes from the place of birth question.

Nativity

Information on place of birth and citizenship status was used to classify the population into two major categories: native and foreign born.

Native

The native population includes anyone who was a U.S. citizen at birth. The native population includes those born in the United States, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marianas, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as those born abroad of at least one U.S. citizen parent. The native population is divided into the following groups: people born in the state in which they resided at the time of the survey; people born in a different state, by region; people born in Puerto Rico or one of the U.S. Island Areas; and people born abroad with at least one U.S. citizen parent. (See also "Citizenship Status.")

Foreign Born

The foreign-born population includes anyone who was not a U.S. citizen at birth. This includes respondents who indicated they were a U.S. citizen by naturalization or not a U.S. citizen. (See also "Citizenship Status.")

The foreign-born population is shown by selected area, country, or region of birth. The places of birth shown in data products were chosen based on the number of respondents who reported that area or country of birth.

Question/Concept History

The 1996-1998 American Community Survey question asked respondents to write in the U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or foreign country where this person was born. Beginning in 1999, the question asked "Where was this person born?" and provided two check-boxes, each with a write-in space.

Limitation of the Data

Beginning in 2006, the group quarters (GQ) population is included in the ACS. Some types of GQ populations may have place of birth distributions that are different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the place of birth distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Comparability

This data source is comparable to the decennial censuses.
See the 2012 Code List on the ACS website (http://www.census.gov/acs) for Place of Birth Code List.

Excerpt from:	Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2008-2012 Summary File: Technical Documentation.
	ACS 2012-5yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix A: Supplemental Documentation -> 2008-2012 Subject Definitions -> Population Variables -> Foreign-Born Population

Foreign-Born Population

The foreign-born population includes anyone who was not a U.S. citizen or a U.S. national at birth. This includes respondents who indicated they were a U.S. citizen by naturalization or not a U.S. citizen. See Citizenship Status.