VT Census Case Studies : Residential Finance Survey (RFS)

Created by molfe on 11 Aug 2015

Brief Overall Description of the Dataset:

The Census Bureau has taken the Residential Finance Survey (RFS) as part of the decennial census since 1950. The RFS is a unique survey for several reasons:

  • It collects, tabulates, and presents data for properties, the standard unit of reference for financial transactions related to housing.

  • It is the only source of information on property, mortgage, and financial characteristics for multi-unit rental properties.

  • It conducts interviews of property owners and mortgage lenders, resulting in more accurate information on property and mortgage characteristics.

  • As part of the decennial census, it is mandatory.

  • It is able to subdivide the industry into relevant components.

For methodology, see: http://www.census.gov/housing/rfs/methodology/

Link: http://www.census.gov/housing/rfs/

Date Inventory Completed: 7/11/2015

Screening

  • Is the data collected opinion-based?
  • Is the data collection recurring (must be collected at least annually)?
  • Is there data available for 2013?
  • Is the data collected at the property or housing unit level?
  • Can we access the data by August 15th?

Purpose

  • What is the purpose of the organization collecting the data?

The United States Census Bureau is a main agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System responsible for producing data about the American people and economy.

  • Why is it collected and how does the organization use it?

“The survey's purpose is to measure the levels of residential mortgage debt and to provide data for assessing the effectiveness of the current residential finance system in promoting the goal of a decent home and suitable living environment for every American.”

  • Who else uses the data?

Researchers, policymakers, financial businesses

  • Who do they sell the data to?

Free


Method

  • What is the data collection method? 

Survey

  • What is the type of data collected? 

Designed Collection

  • If designed, who created the questions?

The Census Bureau

  • What is the raw source of the collected data (prior to any aggregation)? 

Survey results


Description

  • What is the general topic of the data (1-2 words)?

Financing of residential properties.

  • What are the earliest and latest dates for which data is available?

1951-2001

  • Is data collected and available periodically?

Every 10 years with the decennial census

  • How soon after a reference period ends can a data source be prepared and provided? 

At least a year


Selectivity

  • What is the universe (e.g., population) that the data represents?

Nonfarm, privately-owned residential properties. 


Accessibility

  • How is the data accessed? 

Published summary reports, unpublished summary tabulations, public use microdata, and electronic release of data available for download.

  • Is it open data?

Yes

  • Any legal, regulatory, or administrative restrictions on accessing the data source?

None stated

  • Cost? - One time or annual or project based payment?

Free

Does this dataset appear to meet our needs for the Census study? NO

Explanation: Data are only available with the decennial censuses. Moreover, the geographic level of information is only at the census regions (not the census tracts)