# Large increase in share of females among heads of household - ACS 2013

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/large-increase-in-share-of-females-among-heads-of-household-acs-2013/719>\
**Category:** USA\
**Created:** [November 19, 2014, 6:51pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/large-increase-in-share-of-females-among-heads-of-household-acs-2013/719 "2014-11-19T18:51:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bc2490](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@bc2490](https://forum.ipums.org/u/bc2490)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 6:51pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/large-increase-in-share-of-females-among-heads-of-household-acs-2013/719/1 "2014-11-19T18:51:00Z")

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Using the 1-year samples, I found the share of females among heads of household (using household weights) to have increased from 47.1% in 2012 to 49.9% in 2013-- which is a surprisingly large increase compared to previous years.

Has there been a change in methodology that would explain this difference?

Thanks!

BC

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**Author:** ![Tim\_Moreland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f1d935/32.png) [@Tim\_Moreland](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Tim_Moreland)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2014, 5:21pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/large-increase-in-share-of-females-among-heads-of-household-acs-2013/719/2 "2014-11-24T17:21:00Z")

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We have looked into this issue and are unable to confirm if the increase in female-headed households is real, caused by a change in Census methodology, or just random variation. I would recommend contacting the Census Bureau directly to see if they have any insight on this issue.

Sorry that I am unable to provide an explanation for this increase in female-headed households.