Using the Census Bureau’s Master Address File for Migration Research
Using the Census Bureau’s Master Address File for Migration Research
Authors: John Sullivan, Katie Genadek
Abstract: The U.S. Census Bureau created the geospatial Master Address File (MAF) database as a frame of domiciles with addresses, census geographies, and precise geocodes in the U.S. In addition to the MAF, the Census Bureau links individuals to domiciles in the MAF-Auxiliary Reference File (MAF-ARF) on a yearly basis since 2000. These data are available for research purposes in a restricted-use environment, yet there is limited research using these data and minimal documentation of the files. We address this by describing the MAF and MAF-ARF in detail. We estimate internal migration rates using the MAF-ARF and compare the results to other published estimates on migration, and we perform direct comparisons of location history from migration questions in surveys to MAF-ARF location history at the individual-level. Finally, we use these data to create novel estimates of migration distance for movers in the U.S. Through these analyses, we show the power and potential usefulness of these data for various geospatial research and policy applications.
Reading Notes
Venue
· 2024 Working Paper
Objective
· To describe the MAF and MAF-ARF and evaluate its usefulness for migration research by comparing it to other sources of migration and producing estimates of migration distance
Importance
· Most migration data is either aggregate (SOI) or from relatively small surveys, making it hard to explore complexities
Background
· The Master Address File (MAF) was created for the 2000 Decennial Census and has been maintained and updated for the last 2 decades. Every year an extract is published (the MAF-X)
· Data & Key Variables:
· MAF-ARF 2000-2021 - covers 90% of total population
· Numident - to exclude deceased individuals
· ACS 2005-2019 - location & mobility questions
· Move distance=Euclidian distance between latitude/longitude coordinates
Methodology
· Migration = a change in MAFIDs (randomly choosing a MAFID when multiple exist before 2012).
· Remove any MAFIDs without a valid “unit status” code (PO Box) or incomplete address information.
· Remove any very short moves (\textless500ft)
Results
· Between 19-23% of PIKs change MAFIDs each year (higher than other estimates). 8% change counties and 3-4% change states.
· 1/3 of moves in MAF-ARF are reported in ACS. 2/3 of moves in ACS appear in MAF-ARF
· Modal move around 6-7 miles. 10% of moves between 460 and 575 miles. Median move distance increasing over time.
Key Table/Figure
