Same Sex Couples

Data on same sex couples can be found from a variety of sources. These sources are listed below with brief descriptions to help you decide which data source would best suit your needs. Availability of data by time and geography are highlighted in the sections below. The links below will take you to the appropriate page for data on same sex couples by survey.

American Community Survey (ACS)

The American Community Survey (ACS) is an annual national survey collected monthly which provides communities with reliable and timely demographic, housing, social, and economic data every year.

Data about same sex couples are available for the U.S., states, counties, selected metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, and selected zip codes from 2000 to the present.

Current Population Survey (CPS)

The Current Population Survey (CPS) has collected data about same sex couples since 1995.

Due to small sample size, these data are not tabulated for the annual table package published on the website. Raw data files are available to data users. Beginning in January of 2010, changes to the demographic edit improved the estimates of same sex couples in the CPS.

Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)

The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) is a longitudinal panel survey of demographic information, income, labor force characteristics, and program participation in the United States with supplemental topical modules including questions on topics such as child well being, child care and detailed household relationships.

Data on same sex couples were collected beginning in 1996. Due to small sample size these data are not shown in published tabulations on the website. Raw data files are available to data users.

Decennial Census

The Decennial Census occurs every 10 years, in years ending in zero, to count the population and housing units for the entire United States. Its primary purpose is to provide the population counts that determine how seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are apportioned.

Data about families and living arrangements are available for the U.S., 50 states and the District of Columbia, counties, and subcounty statistical areas (such as zip codes and block groups) from 1790 to the present. Data on same sex couples were collected beginning in 1990.