The Census Bureau presents new research tomorrow that attempts
to address the frequent mismatch between Americans’ self-
identity and the race or Hispanic categories they are offered on
their census questionnaires. The issue is especially important
for counting Hispanics, the nation’s largest minority group.
Currently, Americans are asked separate questions about origin
and race. The 2010 Census form first asked people whether they
are of Hispanic origin (and, if so, which origin). Then, all
respondents were asked to check one or more of the boxes
assigned to the five race categories (white, black, American
Indian, Asian, or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander). The form noted,
“For this census, Hispanic origins are not races.” The race and
Hispanic origin categories are set by the Office of Management
and Budget, and the last major revision was in 1997. But these
categories do not always match people’s ideas of who they are.
Despite the Census Bureau’s hopes that respondents would select
from the offered race categorie