1. Michigan Census Research Data Center
MCRDC
Michigan Census Research Data Center
The MCRDC is a joint project of the U.S. Bureau of the Census and the University of Michigan to enable qualified researchers with approved projects to access confidential, unpublished U.S. Census Bureau data
MCRDC on the web:

2. Agenda What is an RDC? What data are available in the RDC?
What is the process for getting access to RDC data?

3. Purpose of Census Research Data Centers
Access to data
Secure facility
Presence of Census Bureau employee
Benefits to Census Bureau
Necessary for access to Census
Not required for NCHS, AHRQ data if not linked to Census data

4. RDCs around the country
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Boston, Mass.
UCLA
Berkeley (new Stanford branch)
Baruch (NYC)
Ithaca (Cornell)
Research Triangle, NC (Duke and UNC)
Chicago, Illinois
Minneapolis, Minn.
Washington, DC
Atlanta (just approved)
Texas (eventually)

5. Why use MCRDC data Not available elsewhere
Establishment level business data
Linked household-firm (LEHD) data
More detail than anywhere else
Detailed geo-spatial variables
Virtually no top or bottom coding
Possible to link to other non-Census data

6. Disclosure Issues All output goes through disclosure review process
Disclosure review process checks to make sure no confidential information is reviewed 6

7. Data available in Census
Research Data Centers

8. Decennial Census 1970, 1980, 1990 & 2000
Comparison to Public Use Micro Sample (PUMS)
Lowest level of geography available in the PUMS is an area that is roughly equivalent to a county but contains 100,000 people (PUMA)
RDC version includes more detailed geographic information
current residence: block level
place of work: census defined place
prior place of residence: place
This allows geographical linking and aggregation to nonstandard units

9. Decennial Census Comparison to PUMS Larger sample size Less top-coding
One in six answered long form
PUMS has 5% of population
Improves analysis of small populations
Less top-coding
Continuous variables, such as income, are top-coded at a higher level
More detailed codes (race, education, multi-race, e.g. type of native American)

10. American Community Survey
Replaces the long form
Household or person-level data
Detailed geography (census block)
Little top or bottom coding
1996 through 2007 currently available
Can be linked to other data sources, where feasible and permissible

11. Longitudinal Business Database
Annual data on all non-farm establishments with paid employees, 1976 – 2005
20+ million establishments each year
Excludes airlines, agriculture, RR
LBD includes
Payroll
Employment
Ownership
Detailed geographic information
Industry at 6-digit NAICS

12. LBD links to economic censuses
Economic Census conducted every five years
Manufacturing Census available from
Current project will extend back to 1958
Annual Survey of Manufactures includes all large firms, starting in 1963
Census of Services
Census of Mining
Census of Retail Trade
Census of Wholesale Trade
Census of Transportation, Communications and Utilities

13. Small Business Data Integrated Longitudinal Business Data
Universe of all U.S. business establishments without paid employees with linkages that allow a full integration with employer businesses
Every 5 years from 1977 through 1992
Every year from 1994 through 2005
20+ million observations per year
Characteristics of Business Owners
1982, 1987, 1992, 1994
100,000 + owners surveyed
Over-sample of women & minorities
Details on business operations and outcomes
1997 larger sample but just a little demographic information on business owners
2002 Survey of Business Owners
More detail on business operations and outcomes

14. Employer-Employee Linked Datasets
LEHD: Longitudinal Employer – Household Dynamics
4 million persons linked to 1 million establishments
Quarterly data on employment and earnings from state unemployment insurance agencies
Contains basic demographic data for all employees
Establishments linked to the LBD
About ½ the states are currently participating

15. Confidential Versions of Your Favorite Public Use Datasets
Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)
Current Population Survey (March)
American Housing Survey
National Longitudinal Mortality Survey
Detailed geographical information
Ability to link to other individual-level data
Little or no top and bottom coding
“Raw” data without imputations

16. Other Firm-level Datasets
Survey of Manufacturing Technology
Quarterly Financial Report
US mining, manufacturing and transportation businesses
Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization
Capital Expenditure Survey
National Employer Survey
Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures
Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey
Compustat-LBD Bridge

17. National Center for Health Statistics
We are now hosting research using confidential NCHS and AHRQ data in the MCRDC
Rules for access and disclosure the same as those in their enclaves
No requirement to demonstrate Census benefit

18. NCHS Programs: Data Systems
Vital Statistics
Health Status
National Health Interview Survey
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Health Care Survey
National Survey on Family Growth
State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey (immunization)

19. National Health Interview Survey
Nationally representative survey of the civilian non-institutionalized U.S. population
Conducted continuously since 1957
Earliest data available ~ 1969
State identifiers to 1978
Income to 1990
Questionnaire content
Basic health and demographic
Health conditions and utilization
Health status, health care services, and behavior
The Natitonal Health Interview Survey is a nationally representative survey of the civilian non-institutionalized U.S. population.
The survey collects information through face-to-face personal interview, including basic health and demographic information, health conditions and health status, and health care services and utlization.

20. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
Household Component
Sub-sample of NHIS followed for two years
Demographics, income, employment, health insurance, events, and utilization
Insurance Component
Surveys employers on insurance offerings
Can be linked to households
Nursing Home Component
Medical Provider Component

21. Virtual RDC Synthetic versions of SIPP-SSA and LBD
Provides replica computing environment to that in Census RDCs
Zero observation data sets available
Available variables
Data set structure
Ability to write code outside RDC and while awaiting approval of proposal
Data sets available include Decennial, LEHD, LBD, AHS
Synthetic versions of SIPP-SSA and LBD
Available at

22. Proposal Process Preliminary proposal Full proposal to Census (15 pgs)
Create account at Census
On line submission
Briefly describe topic and data requested
Full proposal to Census (15 pgs)
Must work with RDC in preparing proposal
Must include benefits to Census as predominant purpose (unless asking for NCHS or AHRQ data)
Reviewed by Census Bureau’s researchers and external researchers

23. Census Benefits
The predominant purpose of every project using Title 13 data must be to provide benefits to the US Census Bureau
Proposals include an explicit statement of the benefits to be derived from the project
Projects provide the Census Bureau with a “benefits” report at the completion of the project
We will help you to figure out how your project benefits Census!

24. RDC Administrator Assistance in Proposal Writing
Assistance in understanding data resources and what is available within a certain dataset (survey instruments)
Contacts at Center for Economic Studies and Census program areas to help answer questions
Lab Assistance and Security at RDC

25. Funding The MCRDC is supported by
National Science Foundation
Institute for Social Research, including the Survey Research Center, the Population Studies Center, and the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research
University of Michigan and Michigan State University
Most researchers pay $15,000 per year for access to Census RDCs
Access is provided at no charge to UofM and MSU graduate students and faculty

26. Contact Information
RDC web site:
RDC phone: (734)
RDC administrator: Clint Carter
RDC executive director: Margaret Levenstein