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Topics
Data & Maps
Surveys & Programs
Resource Library
Race
Race
NOTE: On March 28, 2024, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published the results of its review of Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (SPD 15) and issued updated standards for maintaining, collecting, and presenting race/ethnicity data across federal agencies. The Census Bureau is working to implement the updates in all its programs as expeditiously as possible. The information on this page references the 1997 SPD 15.
Featured
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VisualizationDetailed Races and Ethnicities in the U.S. and Puerto Rico: 2020 CensusSeptember 21, 2023Explore population counts for detailed race and ethnicity groups and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and villages for the nation, states, and counties.
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VisualizationRacial and Ethnic Diversity in the U.S.: 2010 Census and 2020 CensusAugust 12, 2021We use the Diversity Index (DI) to measure the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different race and ethnicity groups.
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VisualizationRace and Ethnicity in the United States: 2010 Census and 2020 CensusAugust 12, 2021View how race and ethnicity have changed by state from the 2010 Census and 2020 Census.
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VisualizationMeasurement of Race and Ethnicity Across the Decades: 1790–2020August 03, 2021This interactive timeline captures the race and ethnicity categories used in the U.S. decennial census in every decade from 1790 to 2020.
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Facts for Features & Special EditionsAsian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage MonthA host of statistical information on the Asian and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population groups.
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Press ReleaseEmployment Status and Class of Worker Table Package Now AvailableThe U.S. Census Bureau today released new Employment Status and Class of Worker tables from the 2023 American Community Survey 1-year estimates.
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Press ReleaseNuevos datos de edad y raza modificados del Censo del 2020La Oficina del Censo publicó hoy datos del Censo del 2020 sobre categorías de raza que concuerdan con los usados en el Programa de Estimaciones de Población.
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America Counts StorySocioeconomic Inequalities Between Remote Workers and CommutersJanuary 16, 2025Compared to commuters, home-based workers are older, more likely to be White and less likely to be in poverty.
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America Counts StoryData Centers Growing Fast and Reshaping Local EconomiesJanuary 06, 2025Employment in data centers increased nationally in 2023 but over 40% was concentrated in five states.
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America Counts StoryA Look Back on 2024 Through U.S. Census Bureau DataDecember 26, 2024We review a year of change in our nation, from increased diversity and declining fertility to post-pandemic economic recovery and lower poverty rates.
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VisualizationAsian American, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander PopulationMarch 19, 2025Population and Percent Change Between 2013 and 2023.
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VisualizationHigh School Attainment Among Younger Black PopulationJanuary 23, 2025Educational attainment by age for the black alone and total populations in 2022 (in percent).
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VisualizationNet Worth, Assets, Debt of Households: 2017-2022December 17, 2024View the median net worth by race and Hispanic origin of householder.
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PublicationDifferences in Parental Mortality by Age and Race/Ethnicity: 2022This research brief uses data from the 2022 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) to examine parental mortality by age and race/ethnicity.
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Publication2020 Census Tribal Consultations with Federally Recognized TribesTo garner input on the 2020 Disclosure Avoidance System and to give current 2020 census updates to federally recognized tribes.
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Publication2020 Census Technical Meeting with Navajo NationTo present information on the 2020 census and to report on follow up items from the 2016 tribal consultation meeting.
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Working PaperRace Reporting Among the Hispanic Population: 2020This paper presents data on how the self-reported Hispanic or Latino population reported their race in the 2020 Census.
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Working PaperReporting of Middle Eastern and North African Responses in the 2020 Census Race QuestionThis report presents findings from the 2020 Census on the reporting of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) identities in the question on race.
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Working PaperOMB Race and Ethnicity Cognitive Testing: Findings and RecommendationsTesting of updates including race and ethnicity in a single question and adding "Middle Eastern or North African” as a response category.
Other Subtopics Within 'Population'
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Age and SexFocusing on a population’s age and sex composition is one of the most basic ways to understand population change over time.
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AncestryAncestry refers to a person’s ethnic origin or descent, "roots," or heritage, or the place of birth of the person or the person’s parents or ancestors.
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ChildrenAll Census Bureau demographic surveys collect information about children. The information collected varies.
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Computer and Internet UseThe U.S. Census Bureau has been collecting data on computers and Internet use sporadically since 1984.
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Foreign-BornThe foreign-born population includes anyone who is not a U.S. citizen at birth, including those who have become U.S. citizens through naturalization.
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Hispanic OriginPeople who identify with the terms “Hispanic” or “Latino” are those who classify themselves in one of the specific Hispanic or Latino categories.
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InternationalThe U.S. Census Bureau conducts demographic, economic, and geographic studies of other countries and strengthens statistical development around the world.
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Language UseLanguage use, English-speaking ability, and linguistic isolation data are collected in the ACS.
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Migration/Geographic MobilityMigration and geographic mobility both refer to the movement of people within and across boundaries, such as county or state lines.
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Older Population and AgingDetailed information and statistics on population older population and aging.
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Population EstimatesAnnual estimates for the U.S., states, counties, cities, etc. Components of population change (births, deaths and migration) for U.S., states and counties.
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Population ProjectionsThe Population Projections Program produces population estimates for future dates. Projections include assumptions about future births, deaths, and migration.
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Racial and Ethnic DiversityThe concept of racial and ethnic diversity refers to the representation and relative size of different racial and ethnic groups within a population.
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VeteransThe U.S. Census Bureau currently collects data on veterans of the Armed Forces using the ACS, CPS, and SIPP.
Page Last Revised - February 24, 2025
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