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Data Dictionary: ACS 2020 (5-Year Estimates)
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Data Source: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau
Universe: Universe: Renter-occupied housing units
Variable Details
A10038. Monthly Housing Cost (Renter-Occupied Housing Units)
Universe: Universe: Renter-occupied housing units
A10038_005 $800 to $999
Percent base:
Renter-Occupied Housing Units (SE:A10038_001)
Aggregation method:
Addition
Formula used to compute this variable:
#ReturnType oretval = new #ReturnType(); oretval = ACS20_5yr:B25063018 + ACS20_5yr:B25063019; return oretval;
Variables used in the formula:
ACS20_5yr:B25063018
Total: With Cash Rent: $800 To $899
ACS20_5yr:B25063019
Total: With Cash Rent: $900 To $999
Relevant Documentation:
Excerpt from: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; 2020 ACS 1-year and 2016-2020 ACS 5-year Data Releases : Technical Documentation.
  2020 ACS 1-year and 2016-2020 ACS 5-year Data Releases: Technical Documentation -> 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 "Median Standard Distributions" section under Appendix A.) Median monthly housing costs are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.