Civilians 14 years and over who during the reference week were either at work -- who did any work for pay or profit or worked without pay for 15 hours or more on a family farm or business; or with a job but not at work -- were temporarily absent because of reasons such as illness, vacation, etc. The two categories, at work and with a job but not at work, are shown separately in some tabulations.

In 1960, civilians 14 years and over who were neither at work nor with a job but not at work during the reference week but were looking for work within the past 60 days. (Examples of looking for work include registering at an employment office, writing letters of application, etc.) Persons waiting to be called back to a job from which they were laid off or furloughed were also counted among the unemployed.

In 1970, civilians 14 years and over who were neither at work nor with a job but not at work within the past 4 weeks and were available for work during the reference week. Persons waiting to be called back to a job from which they had been laid off or who were waiting to report to a new wage or salary job within 30 days were counted among the unemployed. (Availability for work is indicated by replies to a question -- new in 1970 -- whether there was any reason why the respondent could not take a job last week.)

Those unemployed who indicate in reply to the year last worked question that they have worked at some time in the past.