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Table 1 CPS and ACS comparison of observable characteristics

From: Minimum wages, earnings, and migration

  

CPS (1994–2007)

 

ACS (2000-2007)

 Average age (yrs)

 

36

 

35

 Age 30 or less (%)

 

38

 

39

 Male (%)

 

64

 

64

 Live in metro area (%)

 

92

 

90

 Married (%)

 

54

 

48

 Never married (%)

 

30

 

32

 Spouse absent (%)

 

7

 

9

 No children (%)

 

70

 

51

 One child (%)

 

11

 

15

 12th grade (%)

 

40

 

43

 9th grade (%)

 

9

 

9

 5th or 6th grade (%)

 

18

 

17

 Latino (%)

 

66

 

75

 Born in Mexico (%)

 

46

 

56

 Construction (%)

 

11

 

15

 Food service (%)

 

12

 

14

 Private sector (%)

 

98

 

93

 Obs.

 

96,776

 

484,917

  1. The ACS uses NAICS industry codes while the CPS uses SIC Detailed Industry codes.