IPUMS provides census and survey microdata from around the world, integrated across time and space. Its signature activity is harmonizing variable codes and documentation to be fully consistent across datasets.
Why use IPUMS?
Provides a vast collection of census and survey microdata, US and international
Provides a vast collection of social science variables to choose from
Harmonizes variables and documentation across time and space, allowing for creative longitudinal and cross-sectional research
Integrates census-area data with electronic boundary (GIS) files describing census geographies
Creates a consistent set of constructed variables on family relationships. The pointer variables indicate the location within the household of every person's mother, father, and spouse.
Created to solve the following problems for social scientists:
Summary tables, i.e. aggregate statistics, are too restrictive for most social science research. Researchers require the flexibility to configure social science datasets using microdata to explore creative and novel questions.
Longitudinal and cross-sectional data frequently requires that data be harmonized across multiple censuses and surveys.
IPUMS Fast Facts
Began in 1992 at the University of Minnesota
First 10 sets of US Census microdata released in 1995 (the kernel of its flagship IPUMS USA)
IPUMS began collecting international data in 1999
World’s largest accessible database of census microdata
Collaborates with 105 national statistical agencies, nine national archives, and three genealogical organizations
