The NLSY97

The NLSY97 consists of a nationally representative sample of approximately 9,000 youths who were 12 to 16 years old as of December 31, 1996. Round 1 of the survey took place in 1997. In that round, both the eligible youth and one of that youth's parents received hour-long personal interviews. Youths continue to be interviewed on an annual basis. [More]

Information in the NLSY97

• Summary of variables available in each round of the NLSY97 (PDF)
• Overview of the NLSY97 (PDF)
• Receive email alerts about changes to the NLS program using the form at www.bls.gov/nls/nls_subscribe.htm.

NLSY97 Data and Documentation at NLSinfo.org

• NLSY97 User's Guide - Helps you get started and answers many data questions
• Download or order public-use data, questionnaires, and other documentation
• NLS Investigator: - Access all NLSY97 public-use variables online
• Correction of errors that appeared in previous NLSY97 data files
• NLSY97 Technical Sampling Report (PDF) - Provides detailed information on how the sample was designed and selected
• Customized sampling weights to properly represent the population groups your research is examining

NLSY97 Data that Require Special Permission

• Information about the NLSY97 Geocode file and how to apply for access
• Request access to the School Surveys, Census Tract, or Zip Code files

NLSY97 Press Releases

• January 23, 2008: America's Youth at 20: School Enrollment, Training and Employment Transitions between ages 19 and 20 [NLSY97 Round 9] (HTML) (PDF)
• March 27, 2007: America's Youth at 19: School Enrollment, Training and Employment Transitions between ages 18 and 19 [NLSY97 Round 8] (HTML) (PDF)
• February 24, 2006: America's Youth at 18: School Enrollment and Employment Transitions between ages 17 and 18 [NLSY97 Round 7] (HTML) (PDF)
• April 27, 2005: Work Activity of High School Students: Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 [NLSY97 Round 6] (HTML) (PDF)
• February 18, 2004:Employment of Teenagers During the School Year and Summer [NLSY97 Round 5] (HTML) (PDF 61K)
• January 31, 2003: Employment Experience of Youths During the School Year and Summer [Round 4](HTML) (PDF 368K)
• December 20, 2001: Employment Experience of Youths: Results from the First Three Years of a Longitudinal Survey [NLSY97 Round 3] (TXT) (PDF 341K)
• December 7, 2000: Employment Experience of Youths: Results from a Longitudinal Survey [NLSY97 Round 2] (TXT) (PDF 38K)
• April 30, 1999: Employment Experience and Other Characteristics of Youths: Results from a New Longitudinal Survey [NLSY97 Round 1] (TXT) (PDF 38K)

Last Modified Date: January 23, 2008