# Monthly Data

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/monthly-data/1944>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [September 28, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/monthly-data/1944 "2017-09-28T19:25:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jh108604](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed8c4c/32.png) [@jh108604](https://forum.ipums.org/u/jh108604)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/monthly-data/1944/1 "2017-09-28T19:25:00Z")

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- Does the CPS provide representative demographic information on a monthly basis?

- If so, what is the smallest level of geographic information? Is it the metropolitan area?

- Are the “ACS 1 Year Estimates” only representative for yearly demographic figures (and not monthly)?

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**Author:** ![Michelle\_Pratt](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/michelle_pratt/32/194_2.png) [@Michelle\_Pratt](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Michelle_Pratt)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/monthly-data/1944/2 "2017-09-29T16:21:00Z")

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In IPUMS CPS you have the option of analyzing ASEC data (available by year), the Basic Monthly data (available by month), and Supplemental Topics (collected on a semi-regular basis as supplements to the Current Population Survey).

IPUMS CPS does provide various demographic variables on a monthly basis. You can browse available variables [here](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/group). The smallest level of geographic data available could be either [COUNTY](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/COUNTY#codes_section) or the Metropolitan Area ([METAREA](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/METAREA#codes_section)). You can browse household geographic information [here](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/group?id=h-geog).

IPUMS USA provides annual ACS data. You can [learn more about available samples](https://usa.ipums.org/usa/sampdesc.shtml) and get general information about IPUMS USA and the ACS [here](https://usa.ipums.org/usa-action/faq).

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**Author:** ![jh108604](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed8c4c/32.png) [@jh108604](https://forum.ipums.org/u/jh108604)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/monthly-data/1944/3 "2017-09-29T17:10:00Z")

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Thank you very much!

Is the CPS also representative on county / metropolitan area? This suggest that it is only representative on state and larger metropolitan area: [https://www.census.gov/programs-surve…](https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/about/faqs.html)

Thank you!

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**Author:** ![Michelle\_Pratt](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/michelle_pratt/32/194_2.png) [@Michelle\_Pratt](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Michelle_Pratt)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/monthly-data/1944/4 "2017-10-01T17:40:00Z")

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You can look at each variable to see if it is representative for your analysis. For example, the [COUNTY](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/COUNTY#description_section) variable description notes that “to preserve respondent confidentiality, not all counties are identified; however, about 45 percent of households in recent years are located in a county that is identified.”

Similarly, you should look at the available tabs for METAREA, such as the [codes section](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/METAREA#codes_section); you will see which METAREAs are available for certain samples.

My apologies if this is not entirely helpful, but whether or not COUNTY or METAREA will be a good variable to use will depend on the intent of your analysis and which samples you have selected.