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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
B25094. Selected Monthly Owner Costs
Universe: Universe: Owner-occupied housing units
B25094001Universe: Owner-occupied housing units
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 -> Housing Variables -> Monthly Housing Costs
Monthly Housing Costs
The data for monthly housing costs are developed from a distribution of "Selected Monthly Owner Costs" for owner-occupied units and "Gross Rent" for renter-occupied units. The owner-occupied categories are further separated into those with a mortgage and those without a mortgage. See the sections on "Selected Monthly Owner Costs" and "Gross Rent" for more details on what characteristics are included in each measure and how these data are comparable to previous ACS and Census 2000 data.

Monthly housing costs provide information on the cost of monthly housing expenses for owners and renters. When the data is used in conjunction with income data, 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 Monthly Housing Costs
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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.