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American Time Use Survey
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ATUS Data Dictionaries
The ATUS data dictionaries provide information about the variables that appear on the microdata files and explain how the files can be linked.
Changes
- Changes between the ATUS single-year data files (PDF)—This file contains information about all changes, including variable changes, that occurred between the ATUS 2003 to 2024 single-year data files.
ATUS Basic Single-Year Data Dictionaries
- ATUS Interview Data Dictionary (PDFs) (2024) (2023) (2022) (2021) (2020) (2019) (2018) (2017) (2016) (2015) (2014) (2013) (2012) (2011) (2010) (2009) (2008) (2007) (2006) (2005) (2004) (2003)—Describes the Respondent, Roster, Activity, and Who files, and includes names and descriptions of the variables appearing on these files.
- ATUS-CPS Data Dictionary (PDFs) (2024) (2023) (2022) (2021) (2020) (2019) (2018) (2017) (2016) (2015) (2014) (2013) (2012) (2011) (2010) (2009) (2008) (2007) (2006) (2005) (2004) (2003)—Describes the ATUS-CPS file and includes names and descriptions of the variables appearing on the file. Variables on the ATUS-CPS file were collected 2 to 5 months before the ATUS interview.
- Activity Coding Lexicons—List of ATUS activity codes. Activity Coding Lexicons are available for each single year of ATUS data.
- Census Industry and Occupation codes—Lists detailed codes for occupation and industry variables
Additional ATUS Single-Year Data Dictionaries
- ATUS Survey Methodology Data Dictionary (PDFs) (2024) (2023) (2022) (2021) (2020) (2019) (2018) (2017) (2016) (2015) (2014) (2013) (2012) (2011) (2010) (2009) (2008) (2007) (2006) (2005) (2004) (2003)—Describes the Case history (2003-24) and Call history files (2004-24), and includes names and descriptions of the variables appearing on these files.
- ATUS Trips Data Dictionary (PDFs) (2010) (2009) (2008) (2007) (2006) (2005)—Describes the Trips file and includes the names and descriptions of variables appearing on the file. Questions about trips away from home were no longer asked beginning in 2011.
ATUS Module Data Dictionaries
- ATUS Eating & Health Module Data Dictionary (PDFs) (2022-2023) (2014-2016) (2006-2008)—Describes the EH Respondent, EH Child (2006-08 only) and EH Activity files and includes the names and descriptions of variables appearing on these files.
- ATUS Well-Being Module Data Dictionary (PDFs) (2021) (2010, 2012, and 2013)—Describes the WB Respondent and WB Activity files and includes the names and descriptions of variables appearing on these files.
- ATUS Leave Module Data Dictionary (PDFs) (2017-2018) (2011)—Describes the LV Respondent file and includes the names and descriptions of variables appearing on these files.
ATUS Multi-Year Data Dictionaries
The ATUS Multi-Year Data Dictionaries are only for use with the ATUS multi-year microdata files. They should not be used with single-year ATUS microdata files.
- ATUS Multi-Year Interview Data Dictionary (PDFs) (2003-2024) (2003-2023) (2003-2022)—Describes the Respondent, Roster, Eldercare Roster, Activity, and Who files, and includes names and descriptions of the variables appearing on these files.
- ATUS-CPS Multi-Year Data Dictionary (PDFs) (2003-2024) (2003-2023) (2003-2022)—Describes the ATUS-CPS file and includes names and descriptions of the variables appearing on the file. Variables on the ATUS-CPS file were collected 2 to 5 months before the ATUS interview.
- ATUS Multi-Year Survey Methodology Dictionary (PDFs) (2005-2024) (2005-2023) (2005-2022)—Describes the Case history file and includes names and descriptions of the variables appearing on the file.
- Activity Coding Lexicons —List of ATUS Activity Codes for single-year and multi-year files.
- Census Industry and Occupation codes—Lists detailed codes for occupation and industry variables
Last Modified Date: June 26, 2025