I’m conducting some research on off-campus college students using the American Community Survey.
The questionnaire states to include any persons who resides in the current residence for more than 2 months, but also not to include any persons who lives somewhere else for more than 2 months.
I’m curious what would happen to a college student who lives off-campus for 9-months, and then at home for 3 months. Would they not be accounted for in the ACS?
The 2022 ACS design and methodology documentation states: “The basic idea behind the ACS current residence concept is that everyone who is currently living or staying at a sample address is considered a current resident of that address, except for those staying there for only a short period of time. For the purposes of the ACS, the Census Bureau defines this short period of time as two consecutive months or less (often described as the 2-month rule). Under this rule, anyone who has been or will be living for two months or less in the sample unit when the unit responded (either by internet, mail, telephone, or personal visit) is not considered a current resident. This means that their expected length of stay is two months or less, not that they have been staying in the sample unit for two months or less. In general, people who are away from the sample unit for two months or less are considered to be current residents, even though they are not staying there when the interview is conducted, while people who have been or will be away for more than two months are considered not to be current residents.”
It is important to note that ACS surveys are self-reported, and respondents only see basic instructions. They do not see the paragraph quoted above from the design and methodology documentation. Respondents are supposed to read the 2021 ACS instructions on the front page, which state: “Include everyone who is staying here for more than 2 months…Do not include anyone who is living somewhere else for more than 2 months, such as a college student living away.”
Based on these guidelines, I will address how the ACS should treat college students who live off-campus during the school year and at a family home during the summer in four situations: 1. their off-campus housing is sampled for the ACS during the school year while the student lives there, 2. their family home is sampled for the ACS during the summer while the student lives there, 3. their family home is sampled for the ACS during the school year while the student is living elsewhere, and 4. their off-campus housing is sampled for the ACS during the summer when they are living back home.
The student should be considered a resident of the sample housing unit. They are present in the household at the time of the survey and will be for more than 2 months.
The student should be considered a resident of the sample housing unit. They are present in the household at the time of the survey and will be for more than 2 months.
The student should not be considered a resident of the sample housing unit because they are living somewhere else for more than 2 months.
The student should not be considered a resident of the sample housing unit because they are living somewhere else for more than 2 months.
Note that people make errors in their survey responses, and do not always understand or follow the enumerator instructions. The Census Bureau thoroughly tests the surveys and instructions before their official use to ensure they capture the intended samples, though, so most people probably respond correctly and include/exclude college students when they should.