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Data Dictionary: ACS 2013 (5-Year Estimates)
you are here: choose a survey survey data set table variable details
Data Source: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau
Universe: Housing units with a mortgage
Variable Details
A10049. Selected Monthly Owner Costs as a Percentage of Household Income in 2013 for Housing Units with a Mortgage
Universe: Housing units with a mortgage
A10049_005 Not Computed
Percent base:
Housing Units with a Mortgage: (SE:A10049_001)
Aggregation method:
Addition
Formula used to compute this variable:
Return_Value = ACS13_5yr:B25091012; if (ACS13_5yr:B25091012.IsNull) Return_Value.IsNull = true
Variables used in the formula:
ACS13_5yr:B25091012
Owner-Occupied Housing Units: Housing Units with a Mortgage: Not Computed
Relevant Documentation:
Excerpt from: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2013 5yr Summary File: Technical Documentation.
  ACS 2013-5yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix A: Supplemental Documentation -> 2013 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

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.

Excerpt from: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2013 5yr Summary File: Technical Documentation.
  ACS 2013-5yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix A: Supplemental Documentation -> 2013 Subject Definitions -> Housing Variables -> Mortgage Status
Mortgage Status
The data on mortgage status were obtained from Housing Questions 22a and 23a in the 2013 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 2013 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.