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Exploring Alternative Race-Ethnic Comparison Groups in Current Population Surveys
Exploring Alternative Race-Ethnic Comparison Groups in Current Population Surveys
Report Number P23-182
Overview
Discusses the problems with "White" and "Non-Hispanic" as comparison groups in reports on Blacks and Hispanics.
Using these traditional comparison groups trends to understate the true differences between groups. For example, a comparison of data on "Whites" and "Blacks" may understate the actual economic differences between them, because "Whites" may include many Hispanics with low incomes. The alternative of using more precise categories such as "Non-Hispanic Whites" is, therefore, discussed.
Not all general categories have comparable consequences. For instance, because few Black Americans are Hispanic, the inclusion of Hispanic Blacks does not usually distort figures for "Blacks." In a similar fashion, Black Hispanics usually have little effect on the "Hispanic" category.
NOTE–The report includes a statement of racial and ethnic categories as defined by the Office of Management and Budget.
A Note on Language
Census statistics date back to 1790 and reflect the growth and change of the United States. Past census reports contain some terms that today’s readers may consider obsolete and inappropriate. As part of our goal to be open and transparent with the public, we are improving access to all Census Bureau original publications and statistics, which serve as a guide to the nation's history.
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Page Last Revised - October 28, 2021
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