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Measurement of Household and Family Composition in the United States, 1850–2000
Author(s) -
Ruggles Steven,
Brower Susan
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
population and development review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.836
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1728-4457
pISSN - 0098-7921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1728-4457.2003.00073.x
Subject(s) - census , composition (language) , aggregate (composite) , geography , aggregate data , statistics , demographic economics , econometrics , demography , sociology , economics , population , mathematics , materials science , composite material , linguistics , philosophy
This article has three goals. First, it explores the effects of changes in census definitions and concepts on the measurement of living arrangements. As part of this analysis, the authors develop new estimates of the number of households and group quarters in each census year since 1850. Second, they evaluate the existing aggregate statistical series on family and household composition, with particular attention to problems in the measurement of subfamilies. Finally, they describe data and methods for developing a consistent set of statistics for the period since 1850 and offer recommendations for the coherent measurement of family and household composition.