The United States Census is counting same-sex couples,
although in an oblique way. The form asked the sex and relationship to
the "main householder."
Slowly, the Census has been releasing the main information
file of all the states, down to census tracts. The most recent releases are the PUMS, which include information about household income, children and more for same-sex couples. As well as the more limited American Community Survey of 2002.
This is the count, depending on the Census survey and sampling method:
| Count | Summary File 1 (2000 Census) | Summary File 4 (2000 Census; sample) | 2000 Supplementary Survey | 2001 Supplementary Survey | 2002 ACS Estimate | 2003 ACS Estimate | 2004 ACS Estimate |
| Same-sex couples | 594,391 | 658,711 | 657,048 | 600,042 | 582,024 | 701,733 | 707,196 |
| % Same-sex couples | 0.99% | 1.09% | 1.13% | 1.01% | 0.97% | 1.16% | 1.16% |
Data in this site:
All data from the United States Census Bureau. It has
my own analysis and filters, though. PUMS, which include information about household income, children and more for same-sex couples.
| State files. Includes all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. | National, total and superlative files. This data includes counties, congressional districts, Metropolitan Statistical Areas, invorporated places, reservations and zip codes with the highest proportion and number of same-sex couples. Select from pull-down menu. |
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Get it from the Census
To acquire this information yourself, you need to go to the "Detailed
Tables ->Select Geography of SF 1" in the Census pages. In
there you need to input the table required (PCT014) and then the level
of information requested (from state to census tract). You can also input
an address (except, oddly, for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, in Washington
D.C., and it will give you all the values relative to that address).
What exactly do these numbers take into account?
The numbers from table PCT14 reflect the following statistics
for the specified census area. 
-Total households.
-Unmarried-partner households.
-Male householder and male partner.
-Male householder and female partner
-Female householder and female partner
-Female householder and male partner
Further information & resources:
Census
records 16,000 N.J. same-sex couples. Associated Press Story published
on The Daily Journal, Vineland, New Jersey, on August 15, 2001.
S.F.
upstaged as gay mecca. From the San Francisco Chronicle, August 9,
2001.
Census shows more same-sex couples in Minnesota. Published in the Minnesota Public Radio website (also has audio feed). August 1, 2001.
Census finds more same-sex households. Published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, on August 1, 2001.
Census
proves gays 'everywhere' in GA. From the Sourthern Voice. July 26,
2001.
The
2000 Census: Same-sex partners stand up for count. From The Seattle
Post-Intelligencer. July 12, 2001.
City
near top nationally in gay couples. From the Seattle Times, July 11,
2001.
Census: Same-sex couples increased. Published in the Denver Post. July 3, 2001.
County 5th in same-sex couples. Published on The Daily Camera (Boulder County, Colorado), July 3, 2001.
Technical
Note on Same-Sex Unmarried Partner Data From the 1990 and 2000 Censuses.
By the U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Fertility & Family
Statistics Branch. Basically argues that the 2000 figures should not be
compared to the 1990 figures, but also
adds, matter-of-factly: "same-sex "spouse" responses were
invalidated." This is a poorly written note that contradicts
itself. Unfortunately, it's all the explanation that the Census Bureau
gives.
12,332 same-sex households in Arizona 'come out' in census. Published in the Arizona Star.
2000
census undercounted gays, advocacy groups contend , From the Cincinnati
Enquirer (Associated Press byline). June 27, 2001
Census figures show significant jump in same-sex households locally. Published in the Kansas City Star, on June 26, 2001.
Gay,
Lesbian Couples. From The Washington Post, June 20, 2001.
Census: Same-sex couples increase. Published in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, on June 20, 2001.
Is
census data on gay households accurate? From Planet Out. June 20,
2001. Speculates as to whether gay and lesbian couples were undercounted
in the Census.
Census:
Huge increase in gay households. From Planet Out. June 15, 2001. Based
on the press
release from the National
Gay and Lesbian Taskforce. The NGLTF also has a 2000 Census count
in this
page.
Unbinding
the Ties: Edit Effects of Marital Status on Same Gender Couples, from
the U.S. Census. Research evaluation of the data of same-sex couples in
the 2000 dress rehearsal.
-One-Third
of Unmarried Partners Are Gay, from Demographics.com, May 1996.
A very rosy prediction.The final number was just under one-tenth (9.7%).
Census
2000: You Can Make Your relationship Count. From Gay Today,
regarding the national public education campaign aimed at encouraging
same-sex couples to be counted in the U.S. Census.
Census
shows hike in 'unmarried partners', from the May 18, 2001, New
York Blade. Speculates on the amount of G-L relationships that will
be tabulated in the census.
Outing the Census. Published in Pitch Weekly, Kansas City, Mo, on April 20, 2000.
Gay couples shun suburbs Urban areas viewed as less biased. From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 26, 2001.
Same-sex couples happy to be counted. From the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, July 26, 2001.
More gays making suburbs their home. From The Miami Herald, July 26, 2001.
Same sex couples, the Invisible Mainers, emerge in Census. Published on The Portland Press Herald, July 18, 2001.
Census' Same-Sex Data Scrutinized. From the Associated Press. July 11, 2001.
Same-Sex Households Increases in Maryland. From ABC 7 WJLA-TV. July 3, 2001.
Comfort Zone. From the Boston Globe, June 20, 2001.