The NLSY97 has collected a wide array of information on demographic, household, and neighborhood characteristics. Table 1 summarizes the topics and universe restrictions.
| NLSY97 User's Guide Topic | Round 1 Universe (Age as of 12/31/96)  | 
Rounds 2 and up Universe (Age as of 12/31/96)  | 
|---|---|---|
| Age of Respondent Year and month of birth; age as of interview date  | 
all ages | all ages | 
| Sex of respondent | all ages | all ages | 
| Geographic Indicators Variables describing respondent's area of residence, including Census region  | 
all ages | all ages | 
| Household & Neighborhood Environment Positive and negative aspects of respondent's household and neighborhood  | 
<=14 for household environment variables; all ages for neighborhood environment variables | Household environment variables restricted to <=14 for rounds 2-3, then all ages in round 4; all ages for neighborhood environment variables | 
| Household Composition Demographic and relational information about members of respondent's household  | 
all ages | all ages | 
| Race, Ethnicity & Citizenship Respondent's race/ethnicity and citizenship status | all ages | all ages (round 6 for race/ethnicity; rounds 5-8 and 10-13 for citizenship) | 
| Youth Residential History Respondent's living situations; history of respondent's residential moves  | 
all ages; parent interview conducted | all ages; round 15 for sibling information |