# Matching Counties name to PUMA
**URL:** https://forum.ipums.org/t/matching-counties-name-to-puma/2691
**Category:** General
**Created:** [December 3, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/matching-counties-name-to-puma/2691 "2018-12-03T19:44:00Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@nader.mehri](https://forum.ipums.org/u/nader.mehri)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/matching-counties-name-to-puma/2691/1 "2018-12-03T19:44:00Z")
Hi there,
I am using ACS 5-year 2011-2015 microdata. Instead of using PUMA code, I would like to know the county names that each respondent live in. It sounds to me that I need to gain access to restricted data.
My question is how can I gain access for restricted ACS data?
My second question is about PUMA codes. I wonder to know if PUMA codes in the 2006-2010 ACS microdata are different than 2011-2015 ACS data?
Best,
Nader
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### Author:  [@JeffBloem](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JeffBloem)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/matching-counties-name-to-puma/2691/2 "2018-12-04T15:54:00Z")
I’ll address each question one at a time. To gain access to restricted data, you’ll need to apply through one of the [Federal Research Data Centers](https://www.census.gov/about/adrm/fsrdc/locations.html). Note that this application process can sometimes take quite a bit of time. Regarding the comparability of PUMA codes: the boundaries and PUMA codes are the same for the 2005-2011 ACS samples. The codes change starting in 2012, based on the 2010 decennial census. More detail can be found on the PUMA variable [comparability tab](https://usa.ipums.org/usa-action/variables/PUMA#comparability_section).