Historical measures of social context in life course studies: retrospective linkage of addresses to decennial censuses

Table 5 Comparison of sociodemographic characteristics of those with and without tract assignment¹, the LC-SES study, 2001–2002. ¹Chi Square test used to statistically compare differences in proportions and t-test used to statistically compare differences in means of those assigned and not assigned census tracts. ²Ns for each characteristic vary slightly due to missing data. * p < 0.05; p < 0.01; * p < 0.001; **** p < 0.0001

	Age 30		Age 40		Age 50
	Tract assigned		Tract assigned		Tract assigned
Characteristics at baseline examination	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Total N (%)²	8,448 (67)	4,233 (33)	7,262 (81)	1,709 (19)	2,143 (86)	353 (14)
Mean age	53	54	56.3	57	62	62
% Male	41	46****	43	47*	46	46
% African American	25	26	23	25	21	25
Educational attainment (%)
< 12 years	21	21****	23	26***	28	35***
12 years or equivalent	44	36	42	37	40	40
> 12 years	35	43	35	37	32	35
Family income (1987–89) (%)
< $16,000	19	21**	20	25****	28	36*
$16,00–49,999	55	51	54	53	56	51
$50,000	26	28	25	22	16	13
% Born outside of study state	20	38****	23	36****	23	35****
Father's education (%)
0–9 years	53	48****	55	52	57	61
9–12 years	35	34	32	34	29	23
> 12 years	12	17	13	14	14	15
Father's occupation (%)
Professional & management	11	14	11	12	10	15
Technical & sales	11	11	11	11	12	8
Mechanical & crafts	21	18	20	19	21	15
Farming	30	31	32	33	34	39
Laborers, operators & drivers	21	19	20	19	17	14
Service	7	7	7	6	7	8
% Parents owning home	92	86****	93	82****	93	80****

ISSN: 1476-072X