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Data Dictionary: ACS 2012 (5-Year Estimates)
you are here: choose a survey survey data set table variable details
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Universe: Universe: Owner-occupied housing units
Variable Details
B25088. Median Selected Monthly Owner Costs (Dollars) by Mortgage Status
Universe: Universe: Owner-occupied housing units
B25088003 Median Selected Monthly Owner Costs (Dollars) -- Housing Units Without a Mortgage (Dollars)
Percent base:
None - percentages not computed
Aggregation method:
Median, using bracket table: B25087, interpolation method: Pareto
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 -> Housing Variables -> Monthly Housing Costs -> Median Monthly Housing Costs
Median Monthly Housing Costs
This measure divides the monthly housing costs distribution into two equal parts: one-half of the cases falling below the median monthly housing costs and one-half above the median. Medians are shown separately for units "with a mortgage" and for units "not mortgaged." Median monthly housing costs are computed on the basis of a standard distribution. (See the "Standard Distributions" section under Appendix A.) Median monthly housing costs are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

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 -> Housing Variables -> Mortgage Status
Mortgage Status
The data on mortgage status were obtained from Housing Questions 19a and 20a in the 2012 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 used in the development of housing programs aimed to meet the needs of people at different economic levels.

Question/Concept History

Since 1996, the American Community Survey for mortgage status questions have been the same.

Comparability

Data on mortgage status in the 2012 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.