CENSUS BUREAU Background Papers on Census Bureau Methodology Wider applications of sampling techniques and the increased use of electronic data processing are two of the many areas of methodological research conducted in recent years by the Bureau of the Census. To inform staff members of research underway, to provide access to documentation, and to encourage the dissemination of research reports, the Bureau has issued Census Bureau Methodological Research, 1963 to 1966-an annotated list of staff papers and publications dealing with methodological research conducted during the period, 1963-1966. This publication, available from the Superintendent of Documents, is an invaluable reference tool for everyone interested in survey techniques. 36 pp. 25¢ Partial List of Subjects Covered Statistical theory and sampling methods... Operations research. . . . Measurement of coverage and response error. ... Field and collection procedures. . . . Data processing. ... Concepts and techniques of analysis.... Users and uses of statistics. Evaluations of the Accuracy and Methodology of the 1960 Censuses The Evaluation and Research Program of the 1960 Censuses of Population and Housing was undertaken by the Bureau of the Census to measure the accuracy of census statistics, identify sources of errors, and to determine the relative accuracy and cost of alternative methods of conducting a census and evaluating its results. Results of the program have been published in the following Series ER60 reports: No. 1.—Background, Procedures, and Forms.-A description of each of the projects constituting the Evaluation and Research Program. 70¢ No. 2.-Record Check Studies of Population Coverage.— Results of studies to provide estimates of the number of persons omitted from the 1960 Census of Population. 20¢ UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE DIVISION OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS WASHINGTON, D.C. 20402 OFFICIAL BUSINESS FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE ☆ U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1968 345-002 (13) MAIN Series H-111, No. 52 October 1968 VACANT HOUSING UNITS IN THE UNITED STATES: The national vacancy rate in homeowner housing dropped to 1.0 percent in the first quarter 1968 from 1.2 percent in the fourth quarter 1967. The 1968 rate is the lowest registered for vacant homeowner units since the first quarter 1960. The rental vacancy rate was 5.5 percent in the first quarter 1968, approximately the same level as the 5.6 percent for the fourth quarter 1967; both rates were down sharply from the third quarter 1967 and represent the smallest supply of rental vacancies registered during the 1960's. These results are based on information obtained in sample surveys conducted by the Bureau of the Census, United States Department of Commerce. Within standard metropolitan statistical areas (SMSA's), the rental vacancy rate was 4.9 percent which is lower than the 7.1 percent reported for the remainder of the country. The homeowner vacancy rate in metropolitan areas, 0.9 percent, was also lower than the 1.3 percent rate for nonmetropolitan areas. In central cities of SMSA's, the vacancy rates in rental and in homeowner housing were higher than the rates outside central cities. Among the regions, the rental vacancy rate was highest in the West and South and lowest in the Northeast. The percentages were 7.3 for the Table 1.--RENTAL AND HOMEOWNER VACANCY RATES, FOR THE UNITED STATES: 1959 TO 1968 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, 20 cents. Annual subscription (Series H-111 and H-121, combined), $1.00; West, 6.8 for the South, 5.0 for the North Central Region, and 3.4 for the Northeast. In contrast, there was no statistical difference in the homeowner vacancy rates for the South, the West, and the North Central Region. The rate in the Northeast was lower than that for the South but was not statistically different from the rates for the two remaining regions. The percentages were 0.7 for the Northeast, 0.9 for the North Central Region, 1.3 for the South, and 1.1 for the West. Compared with the results of the first quarter 1967, there is some evidence of a decrease in vacant rental units in the Northeast and West Regions and a drop in for-sale vacancies in the South and the West. Table 2.--RENTAL AND HOMEOWNER VACANCY RATES, FOR THE UNITED STATES, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE STANDARD METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS, AND REGIONS: 1968 AND 1967 Approximately 86 percent of the homeowner vacancies were single-family houses; nine-tenths (91 percent) had all plumbing facilities-- hot running water, private toilet and bath. Threetenths (29 percent) of the vacant units for sale had been built in 1960 or later; and three-fifths had been vacant for 4 months or longer. As shown in table 7, units that remained vacant were predominantly old (built before 1940) dwellings. A majority (56 percent) contained 5 or fewer rooms and about 1 in 8 lacked plumbing. The median price asked for homeowner vacancies was $12,600. Vacancies for sale include houses that have been previously occupied as well as units not previously occupied; the latter group constituted about one-fifth of the vacancies offered for sale. Vacant rental units Approximately one-third (34 percent) of the vacant rental units were single-family houses, and about seven-tenths (68 percent) were 1- and 2-bedroom units. One-sixth (16 percent) of the total rental vacancies were located in structures built in 1960 or later. Four-fifths (80 percent) of the rental vacancies had all plumbing facilities--hot running water, private toilet and bath. Two-fifths of the rental vacancies had been vacant for at least four months. Two-thirds of these units were built before 1940. Approximately half were 1- and 2-housing unit structures; and 3 in 10 lacked plumbing facilities. The median monthly rent asked for rental vacancies was $64. Rentals for approximately one-third of the vacancies included amounts for all utilities--heat, water, light, and cooking fuel. Data on rent and price asked exclude units in rural areas that were located on places of 10 acres or more. The rent or price asked is for available vacant units and may not represent the current rent level of renter-occupied units or the current value of owner-occupied homes. Further, the rent or price is the amount asked at the time of enumeration and may differ from the rent contracted for or the selling price. |