Public-use data
NLS public-use data for each cohort are available at no cost via the Investigator, an online search and extraction site that enables you to review NLS variables and create your own data sets. It is not necessary to get an account to browse data, but an account is necessary to save datasets online.
Additional public-use data resources
- Reference the Investigator User Guide for an overview of the NLS Investigator.
- Review the Variable Search in the NLS Investigator tutorial for search tips.
- For users who have the capacity to utilize extremely large data files and the programs to handle them, downloads are available on the Accessing Data / Cohort page.
NLSY geocode data
NLSY97, NLSY79, and NLSY79 Young Adult confidential geocode data include the respondent's state, county and MSA of residence and codes identifying colleges attended. These restricted-use data are a small subset of the NLS dataset and when provided to the researcher, the included respondent ID variable facilitates linking to the public use data. More detail about the variables on the geocode data files is available in the NLSY79 Geocode Codebook Supplement and the NLSY97 Geocode Codebook Supplement.
To protect the confidentiality of respondents, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) only grants access to geocode files for researchers in the United States who agree in writing to adhere to the BLS confidentiality policy and whose projects further the mission of BLS and the NLS program to conduct sound, legitimate research in the social sciences. Applications from abroad cannot be accepted. Applicants must provide a clear statement of their research methodology and objectives and explain how the geocode data are necessary to meet those objectives. Researchers who are granted access to NLSY geocode data may use them from approved locations on the physical premises of their institution (More about the Geocode Process on the BLS website).
Applicants for NLSY97, NLSY79, and NLSY79 Young Adult cohort NLSY Geocode data must complete the Standard Application Process (SAP) through the online portal at ResearchDataGov (RDG). RDG is a portal for requesting access to restricted microdata from federal statistical agencies.
After your standard application has been approved by BLS, you will complete a BLS specific form detailing the signing official information for your institution, your software requirements, and other specifics of your proposed security set-up. This form is sent to you only after your standard application has been approved by BLS.
NLSY restricted-use zip code and Census tract data
For researchers who want to measure smaller geographic areas, the NLSY79 and NLSY97 surveys have restricted-use zip code and census tract files. These files also include all of the geocode data. There are no zip code and census tract files available for the NLSY79 Young Adult cohort, but researchers may request the NLSY79 Young Adult confidential geocode data.
These confidential files are available for use only at the BLS National Office in Washington, DC, and at Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDCs) on statistical research projects approved by BLS. Access to data is subject to the availability of space and resources. Information about applying to use the zip code and Census tract data is available on the BLS Restricted Data Access page.
NLSY97 restricted-use School Survey data
The 1996 NLSY97 School Survey contains all public and private schools with a 12th grade in the 147 nationally representative primary sampling units (PSUs) used for the NLSY97 sample construction. School characteristics were specifically targeted to gain information on school-to-work programs. The 2000 NLSY97 School Survey is a sample of all schools in the original 1996 NLSY97 school survey. In addition, vocational education school in the PSUs are included in the sample. Where NLSY97 respondents have moved to secondary schools with a 12th grade outside the 147 PSUs, those schools also are included. The School & Transcript Survey section of the NLSY97 Topical Guide provides details about sample sizes and the types of information available.
Like the restricted-use zip code and Census tract data, the school survey files are available for use only at the BLS National Office in Washington, DC, and at Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDCs) on statistical research projects approved by BLS. Access to data is subject to the availability of space and resources.
NLSW and NLSM restricted-use geographic variables
Because data collection for the Original Cohorts was performed by the Census Bureau, geographic data are handled differently than the NLSY cohorts. The only geographic indicator available on the public data set is South/nonSouth region of residence. All other geographic variables are restricted to access only at Federal Statistical Research Data Centers that have been established in several locations around the country.
For the NLS of Older Men and the NLS of Young Men, variables are available on the state and county of residence in each round of the surveys. A variable also is available on the Primary Sampling Unit from which the samples were selected in the first round of the surveys in 1966.
For the NLS of Mature Women and the NLS of Young Women, many more geographic variables are available. These variables include state, county, census tract and block, and latitude and longitude of residence in each round of the surveys. Variables are available on whether a respondent moved to a different address from one round of the survey to the next. A variable also is available on the Primary Sampling Unit from which the samples were selected in the first round of the surveys in 1967 (Mature Women) and 1968 (Young Women). In addition, variables are available on the names and locations of colleges and universities that respondents attended.
For more information about applying to use restricted access NLSW and NLSM geographic variables please write to: NLS_info@bls.gov.