# Filter for PUMA # **URL:** \ **Category:** USA\ **Created:** [March 4, 2025, 11:17pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/filter-for-puma/6383 "2025-03-04T23:17:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chip\_Halbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b487fb/32.png) [@Chip\_Halbach](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Chip_Halbach)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2025, 11:17pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/filter-for-puma/6383/1 "2025-03-04T23:17:42Z")
For Extract Data it doesn’t look like I can use a PUMA # as a filter when I try to Extract Cases. I have to extract data for an entire metro area or state when I just need data for an individual PUMA. Is that right, and if so why? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Ivan\_Strahof](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/ivan_strahof/32/626_2.png) [@Ivan\_Strahof](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Ivan_Strahof)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/filter-for-puma/6383/2 "2025-03-06T17:28:08Z")
You’re correct that it’s not possible to use the select cases tool to filter by [PUMA](https://usa.ipums.org/usa-action/variables/PUMA#codes_section). We have focused on offering variables that we think are the most useful as filters; there are two main challenges with filtering by PUMA: 1. PUMA must be used in conjunction with a State code ([STATEFIP](https://usa.ipums.org/usa-action/variables/STATEFIP) or [STATEICP](https://usa.ipums.org/usa-action/variables/STATEICP)) since PUMA codes repeat across states. 2. PUMA codes refer to different areas across time. Let me run through an example: Minnesota PUMA code 600 refers to the area consisting of Chisago, Isanti, Pine, Mille Lacs, and Kanabec counties in ACS samples collected between 2012-2021. However, in ACS samples collected from 2022-onwards, a new vintage of PUMA codes is used where the same PUMA code instead refers to a completely different area consisting of Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties (you can verify this using [our PUMA vintages map](https://usa.ipums.org/usa/volii/2020PUMAS.shtml)). If a user were to select the 2022 5-year ACS and had the option to request data only for Minnesota PUMA 600, they would obtain households surveyed in 2018-2021 in one area and households surveyed in 2022 from a different area. ---
**Author:** ![Chip\_Halbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b487fb/32.png) [@Chip\_Halbach](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Chip_Halbach)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/filter-for-puma/6383/3 "2025-03-06T17:43:34Z")
Thank you very much, Ivan. Couple of thoughts (realizing that the added value might not be worth the hassle of doing these). For #1, couldn’t you create a new variable that joins the state FIP with the PUMA numbers - to get unique geographies. And should that be possible, for #2, only allow that variable to be used with 1 year samples. In part, I ask these questions to help me better understand the IPUMs data structure, though it would be helpful to just extract data for a single PUMA if that’s what I’m after. ---
**Author:** ![Ivan\_Strahof](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/ivan_strahof/32/626_2.png) [@Ivan\_Strahof](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Ivan_Strahof)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/filter-for-puma/6383/4 "2025-03-12T16:48:11Z")
Chip, thank you for your suggestion. I can see the value in being able to request data for a single PUMA. I’ve shared your suggestion with my colleagues as a feature to consider adding in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Chip\_Halbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b487fb/32.png) [@Chip\_Halbach](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Chip_Halbach)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/filter-for-puma/6383/5 "2025-03-12T22:41:58Z")
And thank you, Ivan, for giving this filter your consideration. Hope it works out.