Go to top or bottom of previous codebook page

GSS 1972-2024 Cumulative Datafile - Release 3


Demographic Variables

regionregion of interview
Text of this Question or Item
REGION OF INTERVIEW 
 As of 2024, REGION has been recoded to only account for four 
categories. This has been retroactively applied to all previous years 
of REGION. The original REGION containing data from 1972 to 2022 has 
been renamed REGION_7222.
Percent N Value Label
18.6 14,072 1 northeast
25.3 19,174 2 midwest
36.0 27,257 3 south
20.1 15,196 4 west

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
xnorcsizexpanded norc size code
Text of this Question or Item
B. NORC SIZE OF PLACE
Percent N Value Label
17.8 13,496 1 a large central city (over 250,000)
12.9 9,776 2 a medium size central city (50,000 to 250,000)
21.1 16,004 3 a suburb of a large central city
11.0 8,337 4 a suburb of a medium size central city
6.6 4,991 5 an unincorporated area of a large central city (division, township, etc.)
7.2 5,443 6 an unincorporated area of a medium central city
5.8 4,393 7 not within an smsa, (within a county) and a small city (10,000 to 49,999)
5.0 3,779 8 a town or village (2,500 to 9,999)
4.1 3,074 9 an incorporated area less than 2,500 or an unincorporated area of 1,000 to 2,499
8.5 6,406 10 open country within larger civil divisions (division, township, etc.)

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
srcbeltsrc beltcode
Text of this Question or Item
C. SRC (SURVEY RESEARCH CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN) NEW BELT CODE

As of 2024, SRCBELT is being retired in favor of XNORCSIZ. 
Researchers interested in SRCBELT can reach out to NORC for details 
in working with the data.
Percent N Value Label
9.1 6,558 1 central city of 12 largest smsas
14.1 10,206 2 central city of the remainder of the 100 largest smsas
11.8 8,510 3 suburbs of 12 largest smsas
15.5 11,204 4 suburbs of the remaining 100 largest smsas
36.8 26,640 5 other urban (counties having towns of 10,000 or more)
12.7 9,214 6 other rural (counties having no towns of 10,000 or more)


58 .i iap


3,309 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
sizesize of place in 1000s
Text of this Question or Item
D. SIZE OF PLACE
Size of Place in thousands-A 4-digit number which provides actual 
size of place of interview.
Remember when using this code to add 3 zeros.
Listed below are the frequencies for gross population categories.

As of 2024, SIZE is being retired in favor of XNORCSIZ. Researchers 
interested in SIZE can reach out to NORC for details in working with 
the data.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0-8175)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z

Respondent's Occupational Indices (Dot Codes)

dotdatad.o.t. code - relation to data
Text of this Question or Item
A. Occupational Relationship with Data.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0.00-8.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
dotpeopd.o.t. code - relation to people
Text of this Question or Item
B. Occupational Relationship with People.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0.00-8.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
dotthngd.o.t. code - relation to things
Text of this Question or Item
C. Occupational Relationship with Things.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0.00-8.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
dotgedd.o.t. code - general educ develop.
Text of this Question or Item
D. Occupational General Educational Development (GED).
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 1.00-6.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
dotsvpd.o.t. code - specific vocat. prep
Text of this Question or Item
E. Occupation Specific Vocation Preparation (SVP).
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 1.00-8.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
dotprestemme prestige scale
Text of this Question or Item
F. Occupational Prestige.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0.0-88.4)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 1
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z

Spouse's Occupational Indices

spdotdatsp. d.o.t. code - relation to data
Text of this Question or Item
A. Spouse's Occupational Relationship with Data.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0.00-8.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
spdotpeosp. d.o.t. code - relation to people
Text of this Question or Item
B. Spouse's Occupational Relationship with People.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0.00-8.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
spdotthnsp. d.o.t. code - relation to things
Text of this Question or Item
C. Spouse's Occupational Relationship with Things.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0.00-8.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
spdotgedsp. d.o.t. code - general educ develop.
Text of this Question or Item
D. Spouse's Occupational General Educational Development (GED).
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 1.00-6.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
spdotsvpsp. d.o.t. code - specific vocat. prep
Text of this Question or Item
E. Spouse's Occupation Specific Vocation Preparation (SVP).
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 1.00-8.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
spdotpresp. temme prestige scale
Text of this Question or Item
F. Spouse's Occupational Prestige.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0.0-88.4)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 1
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z

Father's Occupational Indices

padotdatfa. d.o.t. code - relation to data
Text of this Question or Item
A. Father's Occupational Relationship with Data.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0.00-7.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
padotpeofa. d.o.t. code - relation to people
Text of this Question or Item
B. Father's Occupational Relationship with People.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0.00-8.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
padotthnfa. d.o.t. code - relation to things
Text of this Question or Item
C. Father's Occupational Relationship with Things.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0.00-8.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
padotgedfa. d.o.t. code - general educ develop.
Text of this Question or Item
D. Father's Occupational General Educational Development (GED).
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 1.00-6.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
padotsvpfa. d.o.t. code - specific vocat. prep
Text of this Question or Item
E. Father's Occupation Specific Vocation Preparation (SVP).
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 1.00-8.00)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 2
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
padotprefa. temme prestige scale
Text of this Question or Item
F. Father's Occupational Prestige.
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0.0-88.4)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Decimals: 1
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z

VOTING PATTERNS: 1968-2012

partyidpolitical party affiliation
Text of this Question or Item
Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, 
Democrat, Independent, or what?
Percent N Value Label
16.4 12,327 0 strong democrat
19.5 14,658 1 not very strong democrat
12.0 9,003 2 independent, close to democrat
16.5 12,369 3 independent (neither, no response)
8.8 6,652 4 independent, close to republican
14.7 11,056 5 not very strong republican
10.3 7,733 6 strong republican
1.8 1,375 7 other party


11 .d don't know


515 .n no answer

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
vote68did r vote in 1968 election
Text of this Question or Item
A. Now in 1968, you remember that Humphrey ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Nixon for the Republicans, and Wallace as 
an Independent. Do you remember for sure whether or not you voted in 
that election?
Percent N Value Label
65.0 1,992 1 voted
26.5 813 2 did not vote
8.3 255 3 not eligible
0.1 4 4 refused
0.1 2 6 wldnt vt-relig


46 .d don't know


65,729 .i iap


5 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
pres68vote for humphrey, nixon, or wallace
Text of this Question or Item
A. Now in 1968, you remember that Humphrey ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Nixon for the Republicans, and Wallace as 
an Independent. Do you remember for sure whether or not you voted in 
that election?
1. IF VOTED:  Did you vote for Humphrey, Nixon, or Wallace?
Percent N Value Label
40.6 787 1 humphrey
45.6 885 2 nixon
11.3 220 3 wallace
0.8 16 4 other
1.6 32 5 refused
0.0 0 6 wldnt vt-relig


43 .d don't know


66,854 .i iap


9 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
if68whowho would r have voted for-1968 election
Text of this Question or Item
A. Now in 1968, you remember that Humphrey ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Nixon for the Republicans, and Wallace as 
an Independent. Do you remember for sure whether or not you voted in 
that election?
2. IF DID NOT VOTE: Who would you have voted for, for President, if 
you had voted?
Percent N Value Label
38.5 351 1 humphrey
40.7 371 2 nixon
15.7 143 3 wallace
4.1 37 4 other
0.0 0 5 refused
1.1 10 6 wldnt vt-relig


131 .d don't know


67,779 .i iap


24 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
vote72did r vote in 1972 election
Text of this Question or Item
B. In 1972, you remember that McGovern ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Nixon for the Republicans. Do you remember 
for sure whether or not you voted in that election?
Percent N Value Label
66.0 4,883 1 voted
27.6 2,045 2 did not vote
6.2 456 3 not eligible
0.2 18 4 refused
0.0 2 6 wldnt vt-relig


91 .d don't know


61,339 .i iap


12 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
pres72vote for mcgovern or nixon
Text of this Question or Item
B. In 1972, you remember that McGovern ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Nixon for the Republicans. Do you remember 
for sure whether or not you voted in that election?
1. IF VOTED:  Did you vote for McGovern or Nixon?
Percent N Value Label
37.4 1,784 1 mcgovern
58.7 2,804 2 nixon
2.7 130 3 other
0.8 36 4 refused
0.5 22 5 wouldnt vote
0.0 0 6 wldnt vt-relig


65 .d don't know


63,953 .i iap


52 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
if72whowho would r have voted for-1972 election
Text of this Question or Item
B. In 1972, you remember that McGovern ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Nixon for the Republicans. Do you remember 
for sure whether or not you voted in that election?
2. IF DID NOT VOTE:  Who would you have voted for, for President, if 
you had voted?
Percent N Value Label
40.5 853 1 mcgovern
45.0 947 2 nixon
11.1 233 3 other
0.0 1 4 refused
3.3 69 5 wouldnt vote
0.0 1 6 wldnt vt-relig


352 .d don't know


66,307 .i iap


83 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
vote76did r vote in 1976 election
Text of this Question or Item
C. In 1976, you remember that Carter ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Ford for the Republicans. Do you remember 
for sure whether or not you voted in that election?
Percent N Value Label
62.9 3,952 1 voted
29.5 1,852 2 did not vote
7.4 466 3 not eligible
0.2 11 4 refused
0.0 0 6 wldnt vt-relig


96 .d don't know


62,456 .i iap


13 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
pres76vote for carter or ford
Text of this Question or Item
C. In 1976, you remember that Carter ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Ford for the Republicans. Do you remember 
for sure whether or not you voted in that election?
 1. IF VOTED:  Did you vote for Carter or Ford?
Percent N Value Label
57.4 2,214 1 carter
40.7 1,571 2 ford
1.0 38 3 other
0.7 26 4 refused
0.2 8 5 no pres. vote


62 .d don't know


64,881 .i iap


46 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
if76whowho would r have voted for-1976 election
Text of this Question or Item
C. In 1976, you remember that Carter ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Ford for the Republicans. Do you remember 
for sure whether or not you voted in that election?
 2. IF DID NOT VOTE OR INELIGIBLE:  Who would you have voted for, for 
President, if you had voted?
Percent N Value Label
57.2 1,158 1 carter
36.8 745 2 ford
4.9 99 3 other
0.0 1 4 refused
1.0 20 5 wouldnt vote


246 .d don't know


66,498 .i iap


79 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
vote80did r vote in 1980 election
Text of this Question or Item
D. In 1980, you remember that Carter ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Reagan for the Republicans, and  anderson 
as an Independent. Do you remember for sure whether or not you voted 
in that election?
Percent N Value Label
65.8 5,353 1 voted
26.3 2,141 2 did not vote
7.6 615 3 not eligible
0.3 21 4 refused
0.0 0 6 wldnt vt-relig


131 .d don't know


60,561 .i iap


24 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
pres80vote for carter, reagan or anderson
Text of this Question or Item
D. In 1980, you remember that Carter ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Reagan for the Republicans, and  Anderson 
as an Independent. Do you remember for sure whether or not you voted 
in that election?
1. IF VOTED: 
Did you vote for Carter, Reagan, or Anderson?
Percent N Value Label
50.2 2,635 1 carter
42.2 2,218 2 reagan
5.9 308 3 anderson
0.5 25 4 other
1.0 52 5 refused
0.2 13 6 didnt vote


82 .d don't know


63,469 .i iap


44 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
if80whowho would r have voted for-1980 election
Text of this Question or Item
D. In 1980, you remember that Carter ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Reagan for the Republicans, and  anderson 
as an Independent. 
Do you remember for sure whether or not you voted in that election?
2. IF DID NOT VOTE OR INELIGIBLE:  Who would you have voted for, for 
President, if you had voted?
Percent N Value Label
51.1 1,197 1 carter
37.8 884 2 reagan
6.8 159 3 anderson
3.9 92 4 other
0.3 8 5 wouldnt vote
0.0 1 7 refused


352 .d don't know


66,076 .i iap


77 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
vote84did r vote in 1984 election
Text of this Question or Item
E. In 1984, you remember that Mondale ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Reagan for the Republicans. Do you remember 
for sure whether or not you voted in that election?
Percent N Value Label
66.3 5,093 1 voted
27.6 2,120 2 did not vote
5.8 442 3 not eligible
0.4 28 4 refused
0.0 0 6 wldnt vt-relig


143 .d don't know


61,005 .i iap


15 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
pres84vote for reagan or mondale
Text of this Question or Item
E. In 1984, you remember that Mondale ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Reagan for the Republicans. Do you remember 
for sure whether or not you voted in that election?
1. IF VOTED:  Did you vote for Mondale or Reagan?
Percent N Value Label
39.5 1,961 1 mondale
58.6 2,911 2 reagan
0.7 37 3 other
0.8 38 4 refused
0.4 21 5 no pres. vote


81 .d don't know


63,736 .i iap


61 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
if84whowho would r have voted for-1984 election
Text of this Question or Item
E. In 1984, you remember that Mondale ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Reagan for the Republicans. Do you remember 
for sure whether or not you voted in that election?
2. IF DID NOT VOTE OR INELIGIBLE: 
Who would you have voted for, for President, if you had voted?
Percent N Value Label
36.5 782 1 mondale
56.1 1,202 2 reagan
7.1 153 3 other
0.3 7 4 wouldnt vote
0.0 0 5 refused


336 .d don't know


66,247 .i iap


119 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
vote88did r vote in 1988 election
Text of this Question or Item
F. In 1988, you remember that Dukakis ran for President on the 
Democratic ticket against Bush for the Republicans. Do you remember 
for sure whether or not you voted in that election?
Percent N Value Label
65.0 3,863 1 voted
29.7 1,765 2 did not vote
4.5 269 3 not eligible
0.8 45 4 refused
0.0 0 6 wldnt vt-relig


80 .d don't know


62,814 .i iap


10 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
Go to Next Page of Codebook