Variable Description
Years at usual residence is the number of completed years up to census night that a person has lived at their usual residence. Short-term absence may be ignored, but long-term absence of more than 12 months is excluded.
en-NZ##Related variables
- Usual residence
- Usual residence five years ago
##Where the data comes from
Question 6 on the individual form.
##How this data is classified
000 0 years
001 1 year
002 2 years
to
097 97 years
098 98 years or more
777 Response unidentifiable
999 Not stated
Years at usual residence can be output in mixed single / five-year groups and in mixed-years groups.
For further information about this classification, refer to the:
- 2013 Census data dictionary
- Statistical standard for years at usual residence.
For background information on classifications and standards, refer to the Classifications and related statistical standards page.
##Subject population
The subject population for this variable is the census night population as this question applies to all people in New Zealand on census night. Data on years at usual residence is also output for the census usually resident population.
The subject population is the people, families, households, or dwellings to whom the variable applies.
##Non-response and data that could not be classified
Non response
'Non-response' is when an individual gives no response at all to a census question that was relevant to them. The non-response rate is the percentage of the subject population that was coded to ‘Not stated’.
- Non-response rate for 2013: 6.4 percent for both the census night population and the census usually resident population, of which 4.7 percent were substitute records.
- Non-response rate for 2006: 5.4 percent for both the census night population and the census usually resident population, of which 3.2 percent were substitute records.
- Non-response rate for 2001: 4.4 percent for both the census night population and the census usually resident population, of which 2.8 percent were substitute records.
Not elsewhere included
Non-response and responses that could not be classified or did not provide the type of information asked for are usually grouped together and called 'Not elsewhere included'.
- 6.6 percent of the subject population was coded to 'Not elsewhere included' in 2013, compared with 6.6 percent in 2006 and 4.8 percent in 2001.
For more information on non-response and substitute records, refer to the 2013 Census data user guide.
##How this data is used
Data from this variable is used:
- by local authorities for planning and development purposes
- to contribute to the quality of population estimates and projections
- for a general understanding of community dynamics.
##Data quality processes
All census data was checked thoroughly during processing and evaluation, to ensure that it met quality standards and is suitable for use. These quality checks included edits.
All data must meet minimum quality standards to make it suitable for use.
Quality level
A quality level is assigned to all census variables: foremost, defining, or supplementary.
Years at usual residence is a supplementary variable. Supplementary variables do not fit in directly with the main purpose of a census, but are still important to certain groups. These variables are given third priority in terms of effort and resources.
Mode of collection impacts – online forms compared with paper forms
The online forms had built-in editing functionality that directed respondents to the appropriate questions and ensured that their responses were valid. As a result of this, data from online forms may be of higher overall quality than data from paper forms. The significance of this will depend on the particular type of analysis being done.
There were differences between how the forms were completed online and on paper for this variable:
- The online form allowed only one response to be selected for the Years at usual residence question. If a further response was selected, the response given previously disappeared. Multiple responses to this question were possible when forms were completed on paper.
- On the online form, there were two options available: 'Less than 1 year', and 'Greater than 1 year'. If the latter was selected, a text box was available for respondents to enter a numeric response. Decimal points could not be entered on the online form, but responses including decimals were possible when forms were completed on paper.
##Quality assessment of data and data quality issues for this variable
Overall quality assessment
Moderate: fit for use – with some data quality issues to be aware of, to High: fit for use – with minor data quality issues only. 2013 Census variable quality rating scale gives more detail.
Issues to note
- Non-response rate for 2013: 6.4 percent for both the census night population and the census usually resident population, of which 4.7 percent were substitute records.
For more information on non-response and substitute records, refer to the 2013 Census data user guide.
##Comparing this data with previous census data
This data is fully comparable with data from the 2006 and 2001 Censuses. Changes in the data over this time period can be interpreted as real changes because there have been no changes in the way the data has been collected, defined, and classified.
##Comparing this data with data from other sources
Census is the only information source that provides comprehensive information for small areas and small populations. However alternative sources of information about this subject are available:
- Survey of Dynamics and Motivations for Migration in NZ
- Household Economic Survey (HES)
Data from these alternative sources may show differences from census data for several reasons. These could be due to differences in scope, coverage, non-response rates, data being collected at different periods of time, alternative sources being sample surveys and as such subject to sampling errors, or differences in question wordings and method of delivery (self-administered versus interviewer-administered). Data users are advised to familiarise themselves with the strengths and limitations of individual data sources before comparing with census data.
##Further information about this data
All percentages in census publications have been calculated using 'Total stated' as the denominator.
When using this data, be aware of the following:
- As in 2006 and 2001, there are some inconsistencies between years at usual residence when cross-tabulated with 'Usual residence five years ago' and 'Years since arrival in New Zealand'. The main cause of these inconsistencies is respondent error or rounding discrepancies that led to a difference of one year between variables for Years at usual residence and Years since arrival.
- There were some cases where respondent error and rounding discrepancies led to a difference of one or two years between the response for the Years at usual residence and the response for Age variables. In 2013, Years at usual residence equals the response for Age for these records if age was not imputed. They were left in the 'Not elsewhere included' category in 2001 and 2006.
Contact our Information Centre for further information about using this variable.
