CDC/ATSDR SVI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The CDC/ATSDR SVI ranking variables for the four themes are RPL_THEME1 for the Socioeconomic Status theme, RPL_THEME2 for the Household Composition & Disability theme, RPL_THEME3 for the Minority Status & Language theme, and RPL_THEME4 for the Housing Type & Transportation theme. The CDC/ATSDR SVI ranking variable for overall vulnerability is RPL_THEMES. See the CDC/ASTDR SVI Documentation for further information.

A percentile ranking represents the proportion of tracts (or counties) that are equal to or lower than a tract (or county) of interest in terms of social vulnerability. For example, a CDC/ATSDR SVI ranking of 0.85 signifies that 85% of tracts (or counties) in the state or nation are less vulnerable than the tract (or county) of interest and that 15% of tracts (or counties) in the state or nation are more vulnerable.

In the CDC/ATSDR SVI Interactive Map, we classify data using quartiles (0 to .2500, .2501 to .5000, .5001 to .7500, .7501 to 1.0) and indicate that the classification goes from least vulnerable to most vulnerable. While we do not have required cutoffs for working with the CDC/ATSDR SVI data, categorizing CDC/ATSDR SVI values using a quantile classification (i.e. tertiles, quartiles, quintiles, etc.) is common. If you choose to categorize CDC/ATSDR SVI values, we recommend you do so appropriately based on your question of interest.

The U.S.-based CDC/ATSDR SVI database compares the social vulnerability of a census tract (or county) to all tracts (or counties) in the U.S. The state-based CDC/ATSDR SVI database only compares the social vulnerability of a census tract (or county) to all tracts (or counties) within a particular state of interest. This is also why you will find discrepancies when comparing state-based CDC/ATSDR SVI rankings to the CDC/ATSDR SVI Interactive Map, as our map contains the U.S.-based CDC/ATSDR SVI database.

The CDC/ATSDR SVI is updated every two years based on U.S. Census Bureau data releases. The Census releases American Community Survey data in December of the year following the Survey. Thus, there is a time differential in when we can produce and disseminate updates to the CDC/ATSDR SVI.

ZIP code areas are postal delivery areas, and their borders are subject to change by the postal service. While ZIP code enumeration may change frequently, U.S. Census Bureau ZCTAs are relatively stable representations of ZIP codes for a snapshot of time. However, neither ZIP codes nor ZCTAs are based on homogeneous demographics, as are census tracts. In addition, Census data used in the CDC/ATSDR SVI are readily available at census tract and county levels, not at the ZIP code level. Persons interested in using ZIP levels may benefit from incorporating HUD USPS ZIP Code Crosswalk Filesexternal icon.

We provide CDC/ATSDR data SVI for Puerto Rico, which is not included in the U.S.-wide CDC/ATSDR SVI. This data for Puerto Rico is ranked separately from the U.S. in a Puerto Rico-specific CDC/ATSDR SVI. However, this is the only U.S. territory for which we produce CDC/ATSDR SVI data because sociodemographic census variables for the other territories (Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the North Mariana Islands) are unavailable or are not collected at similar geographic resolutions as those required for the CDC/ATSDR SVI. In addition, starting with the 2014 version of the CDC/ATSDR SVI, we provide CDC/ATSDR SVI rankings for tribal census tracts.

For more information, please contact the CDC/ATSDR SVI Coordinator or visit http://svi.cdc.gov.