Response Rates for the Consumer
Price Indexes, 2015
This article and the accompanying tables
update articles previously published on response rates
in the CPI Detailed Report for March 1991, and in the
January issues of 1993 through 2015.
In an effort to measure the outcome of data
collection for the CPI, the BLS calculates response
rates. Response rates measure the proportion of
completed surveys to those issued and help measure
the accuracy of the CPI. Failure of a data unit to
respond at either the data collection stage or estimation
stage represents a loss of statistical information which
dilutes the accuracy of the sample. The BLS publishes
response rates annually to assist the data user in
judging the accuracy of CPI data.
The BLS calculates response rates for the
CPI-U at the data collection and data estimation
phases for pricing. The response rate at the data
collection phase is the number of responding sample
units divided by the number of eligible sample units.
A sample unit is eligible if it belongs to the defined
target population and if it should provide information
for one or more items. The percent of the sample used
at estimation is defined as the number of sample units
used in estimation divided by the number of eligible
sample units.1
Response rates for 2015 are presented in
tables R-1 through R-17. Table R-1 shows response
rates for all data included in the CPI-U, U.S. city
average, by major group, for all of 2015. Tables R-2
through R-17 show rates for current data collection in
selected areas for which indexes are published
monthly, bimonthly, or semiannually.
The response rates in tables R-1 through R-17 are
separated into commodities and services, and the
shelter portion of housing. Commodities and services
are further broken down into outlets and quotes. An
"outlet" is a generic term that designates the place
where prices are collected. A "quote" is a specific item
to be priced in a specific outlet. There may be from 1
to more than 50 quotes priced in each outlet.
In table R-1, it is important to note the
relatively low percentages of quotes reported,
collected and used in estimation for apparel. Low rates
for these items can be partially attributed to the design
of the apparel sample. Because seasonal apparel items
commonly are in stores only during certain times of
the year, most of the apparel sample is doubled, with
each half of the sample designated for pricing during
part of the year. Thus, at any particular time of the
year, a large number of apparel quotes, although
eligible, are designated out of season and are not
collected.
The response rates at the data collection
phase for shelter are separated into three categories. If
useable information is obtained, the unit is designated
data reported. If the assigned unit is located but is
unoccupied, the unit is designated found vacant. In
instances where the unit is eligible but no data are
available (for example, refusals or no one at home) the
unit is designated other.
For additional information on response rates,
write to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of
Consumer Prices and Price Indexes, Room 3615, 2
Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 202120001, or call Bradley Akin at (202) 691-7000, or email
him at [email protected].
1
Therefore, nearly all eligible sample units have
prices, collected or imputed, that are used in
estimation.
Imputed prices, when used in estimation, are
counted in this estimate. Beginning in July 2010, the
BLS began using rent prices imputed by a noninterview adjustment technique in estimation.
1
2
951,135
82.1
945,948
81.6
274,737
93.9
266,282
91.0
All Units
98,874
100.0
21,153
21.4
6,752
6.8
70,969
71.8
98,874
100.0
1,158,774
292,726
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
Commodities and
Services
411,015
88.3
412,527
88.6
465,585
Food and
Beverages
124,106
86.4
124,597
86.8
143,573
Housing
(excluding
shelter)
75,883
58.6
77,507
59.8
129,567
Apparel
130,405
90.7
130,699
90.9
143,855
Quotes
Transportation
Table R-1. Response rates for the CPI-U, U.S. city average, by major group and shelter, 2015
35,424
47.1
36,076
48.0
75,235
Medical
Care
69,016
80.9
69,289
81.2
85,331
Recreation
63,579
87.2
63,774
87.4
72,952
Education and
Communication
36,520
85.6
36,666
85.9
Other
Goods
and
Services
42,676
Table R-2. Response rates for the CPI-U, Chicago-GaryKenosha, IL-IN-WI, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
15,482
Quotes
50,423
14,532
93.9
39,958
79.2
14,153
91.4
39,822
79.0
3
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
3,657
100.0
2,462
67.3
219
6.0
976
26.7
3,657
100.0
Table R-3. Response rates for the CPI-U, Los AngelesRiverside-Orange County, CA, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
21,968
Quotes
72,903
20,596
93.8
57,588
79.0
19,763
90.0
57,266
78.6
4
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
6,360
100.0
4,354
68.5
225
3.5
1,781
28.0
6,360
100.0
Table R-4. Response rates for the CPI-U, NY-Northern NJ-Long
Island, NY-NJ-CT-PA, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
30,918
Quotes
110,001
28,714
92.9
89,879
79.9
27,794
89.9
87,525
79.6
5
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
8,121
100.0
5,733
70.6
421
5.2
1,967
24.2
8,121
100.0
Table R-5. Response rates for the CPI-U, Phil.-WilmingtonTrenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
5,031
Quotes
18,466
4,777
95.0
15,066
81.6
4,641
92.2
14,999
81.2
6
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
2,743
100.0
2,046
74.6
224
8.2
473
17.2
2,743
100.0
Table R-6. Response rates for the CPI-U, San FranciscoOakland-San Jose, CA, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
4,672
Quotes
18,248
4,122
88.2
13,893
76.1
3,998
85.6
13,827
75.8
7
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
4,446
100.0
3,136
70.5
211
4.7
1,099
24.7
4,446
100.0
Table R-7. Response rates for the CPI-U, WashingtonBaltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
6,895
Quotes
25,286
6,608
95.8
20,787
82.2
6,382
92.6
20,675
81.8
8
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
3,542
100.0
2,544
71.8
292
8.2
706
19.9
3,542
100.0
Table R-8. Response rates for the CPI-U, Boston-BrocktonNashua, MA-NH-ME-CT, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
4,723
Quotes
17,820
4,407
93.3
14,252
80.0
4,250
90.0
14,150
79.4
9
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
2,744
100.0
1,990
72.5
123
4.5
631
23.0
2,744
100.0
Table R-9. Response rates for the CPI-U, ClevelandAkron, OH, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
3,661
Quotes
14,164
3,464
94.6
11,567
81.7
3,371
92.1
11,504
81.2
10
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
1,057
100.0
790
74.7
101
9.6
166
15.7
1,057
100.0
Table R-10. Response rates for the CPI-U, Miami-Fort
Lauderdale, FL, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
Quotes
1,040
5,603
1,008
96.9
5,117
91.3
994
95.6
5,114
91.3
11
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
1,380
100.0
1,142
82.8
74
5.4
164
11.9
1,380
100.0
Table R-11. Response rates for the CPI-U, St. Louis,
MO-IL, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
Quotes
972
5,163
946
97.3
4,620
89.5
928
95.5
4,598
89.1
12
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
674
100.0
469
69.6
37
5.5
168
24.9
674
100.0
Table R-12. Response rates for the CPI-U, Dallas-Fort
Worth, TX, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
Quotes
1,439
6,029
1,393
96.8
5,467
90.7
1,369
95.1
5,420
89.9
13
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
1,701
100.0
1,281
75.3
104
6.1
316
18.6
1,701
100.0
Table R-13. Response rates for the CPI-U, Detroit-Ann
Arbor-Flint, MI, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
4,056
Quotes
15,472
3,583
88.3
12,016
77.7
3,477
85.7
11,934
77.1
14
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
2,081
100.0
1,189
57.1
146
7.0
746
35.8
2,081
100.0
Table R-14. Response rates for the CPI-U, HoustonGalveston-Brazoria, TX, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
3,861
Quotes
13,313
3,506
90.8
10,499
78.9
3,381
87.6
10,432
78.4
15
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
1,400
100.0
1,011
72.2
91
6.5
298
21.3
1,400
100.0
Table R-15. Response rates for the CPI-U,
Pittsburgh, PA, 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
3,081
Quotes
11,345
2,987
96.9
9,773
86.1
2,902
94.2
9,718
85.7
16
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
819
100.0
630
76.9
84
10.3
105
12.8
819
100.0
Table R-16. Response rates for the CPI-U,
Phoenix-Mesa, AZ., 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
2,998
Quotes
11,621
2,817
94.0
9,385
80.8
2,719
90.7
9,261
79.7
17
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
1,381
100.0
1,003
72.6
90
6.5
288
20.9
1.381
100.0
Table R-17. Response rates for the CPI-U,
Atlanta, GA., 2015
Commodities and
Services
Eligible
Collected
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
Total
Outlets
4,134
Quotes
14,273
3,969
96.0
11,408
79.9
3,861
93.4
11,361
79.6
18
Shelter
Eligible
Number
Percent
Collected
Data Reported
Number
Percent
Found Vacant
Number
Percent
Other
Number
Percent
Used in Estimation
Number
Percent
All Units
1,819
100.0
1,448
79.6
107
5.9
264
14.5
1,819
100.0