How was the NSDUH weighted population created?

Individual observations are weighted so that the sample can represent the civilian, non-institutionalized population in the United States. The person-level weights in NSDUH, including for youth, are calibrated by adjusting for sample design, nonresponse, and break-off and matching to known population estimates (or control totals) obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. Additional pair weights are also created to analyze households with two respondents.

NSDUH collects information from residents of households and noninstitutional group quarters (e.g., shelters, rooming houses, dormitories) and from civilians living on military bases. The survey excludes people experiencing homelessness who are not staying in shelters, military personnel on active duty, and residents of institutional group quarters, such as jails and hospitals. Therefore, our weighted total population tables (detailed tables, section 9) and Census population may not be the same.

More information on weights is available in the Person-Level Sampling Weight Calibration Report and the Questionnaire Dwelling Unit-Level And Person Pair-Level Sampling Weight Calibration report.