Race & Ethnicity

Race and ethnicity are measured separately in the Census Bureau’s data collection. Race is self-reported across five minimum categories—White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander—with written(open-write-in) responses integrated into categories. Hispanic or Latino origin is asked in a separate question, independent of race. This distinction aligns with OMB Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity.

The 2020 Census allowed multiracial identification for the first time across all five standard racial categories, resulting in more granular detail on complex identities. Users should note that comparability across decades may be limited due to changing questionnaire design, especially pre-2000 when racial categories were less inclusive. Data for American Indian and Alaska Native populations often require tribal-specific tables or partnerships for detailed analysis.

Because race and ethnicity are self-reported, the data reflect how individuals perceive their identity within current social frameworks—not biological or ancestral certainty. Users analyzing changes over time should account for shifts in public understanding, response rates, and wording that may affect reporting behavior. Confidence in findings increases when using consistent question modules and vintages across time.