Current Population Survey
Contents
The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a monthly survey of households conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It is the primary source for the nation's labor force statistics.
Purpose and Scope
The CPS was started in the 1940s to measure unemployment and has since expanded to provide a wide range of data on the U.S. labor force. The survey's main objective is to gather information on the employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population aged 16 and over. This includes data on:
| • | Employment and Unemployment: The number of employed and unemployed people, as well as the unemployment rate. |
| • | Labor Force Participation Rate: The percentage of the population that is either working or actively looking for a job. |
| • | Demographic Characteristics: Data are broken down by age, sex, race, marital status, and other demographics. |
| • | Other Metrics: The survey also collects information on earnings, hours of work, reasons for unemployment, and multiple job holding. |
Methodology and Data Collection
Each month, the CPS surveys a sample of about 60,000 households across the country. The sample is carefully selected to be representative of the entire U.S. population. Data is collected by a combination of in-person and telephone interviews. A single person in the household typically responds for all eligible members.
In addition to the basic monthly survey, various supplemental surveys are conducted periodically to gather information on specific topics, such as:
| • | Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC): This is a key supplement that provides detailed data on income, poverty, health insurance coverage, and work experience from the previous year. |
| • | Other Supplements: Additional topics include voter registration, tobacco use, and volunteer activities. |
Current Population Survey -- monthly
Jan 2024
Feb 2024
Mar 2024 --Annual Social Economic Characteristics (ASEC)
Apr 2024
May 2024
Jun 2024
Jul 2024
Aug 2024
Sep 2024
Nov 2024 -- Voting and Registration -- Electoral
Dec 2024