- Codes
- Description
- Comparability
- Universe
- Availability
- Flags
- Questionnaire Text
- UnHarmonized Variables
Codes and Frequencies
Description
PHONE indicates whether household members had access to a telephone. The interviewer first ascertained whether a telephone was inside the housing unit (code 3), and, if not, whether people in the household could be contacted via a telephone located elsewhere (code 2).
Comparability
This variable is comparable over time.
Comparability with IPUMS-USA
PHONE is a dichotomous variable in IPUMS-USA. In the 1960 and 1970 censuses, a "yes" response on the PHONE variable meant respondents had access to a telephone either inside or outside their housing unit; thereafter, "yes" meant that the telephone was inside the housing unit. The 2000 census and the ACS specifically asked about the availability of telephone service, not simply the presence of a phone. Researchers should combine IPUMS-CPS categories 2 and 3 to achieve comparability between IPUMS-CPS and the 1960 and 1970 censuses in IPUMS-USA. For later census years and the ACS, category 3 in IPUMS-CPS is comparable to a "yes" response in IPUMS-USA.
Universe
- Interviewed households and group quarters.
Availability
Years | Jan | Feb | ASEC | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1983 – 2024 | - | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |