Definition

Race. The Census Bureau defines race as a person’s self-identification with one or more social groups. An individual can report as White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian and Alaska Native, Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, or some other race. Survey respondents may report multiple races.

Ethnicity. determines whether a person is of Hispanic origin or not. For this reason, ethnicity is broken out in two categories, Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic or Latino. Hispanics may report as any race.

The concept of race is separate from the concept of Hispanic origin. Percentages for the various race categories add to 100 percent, and should not be combined with the percent Hispanic.

White only, not Hispanic or Latino. Are individuals who responded "No, not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino" and who reported "White" as their only entry in the race question. White is a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. It includes people who indicate their race as “White” or report entries such as Irish, German, Italian, Lebanese, Arab, Moroccan, or Caucasian.

Black or African American. A person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of

Africa. It includes people who indicate their race as “Black, African Am., or Negro” or

report entries such as African American, Kenyan, Nigerian, or Haitian.

American Indian or Alaskan Native. A person having origins in any of the original peoples

of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintains tribal affiliation

or community attachment. This category includes people who indicate their race as

“American Indian or Alaska Native” or report entries such as Navajo, Blackfeet, Inupiat,

Yup’ik, or Central American Indian groups, or South American Indian groups.

Asian. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast

Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan,

Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. It includes

people who indicate their race as “Asian Indian,” “Chinese,” “Filipino,” “Korean,”

“Japanese,” “Vietnamese,” and “Other Asian” or provide other detailed Asian responses.

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A person having origins in any of the original

peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. It includes people who indicate

their race as “Native Hawaiian,” “Guamanian or Chamorro,” “Samoan,” and “Other Pacific

Islander” or provide other detailed Pacific Islander responses.

Hispanic or Latino. The data on the Hispanic or Latino population were derived from answers to a question that was asked of all people. The terms “Hispanic,” “Latino,” and “Spanish” are used

interchangeably. Some respondents identify with all three terms while others may identify

with only one of these three specific terms. Hispanics or Latinos who identify with the terms

“Hispanic,” “Latino,” or “Spanish” are those who classify themselves in one of the specific

Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish categories listed on the questionnaire (“Mexican,” “Puerto

Rican,” or “Cuban”) as well as those who indicate that they are “another Hispanic, Latino, or

Spanish origin.” People who do not identify with one of the specific origins listed on the

questionnaire but indicate that they are “another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin” are

those whose origins are from Spain, the Spanish-speaking countries of Central or South

America, or the Dominican Republic. Up to two write-in responses to the “another Hispanic,

Latino, or Spanish origin” category are coded.

Data Source

U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (5 Year Estimates); Table C27001

• C27001B = Black or African American alone

• C27001C = American Indian and Alaskan Native alone

• C27001D = Asian alone

• C27001E = Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone

• C27001H = White Alone

• C27001I = Hispanic or Latino

Notes

N.A.: Not Available; S = Data Suppressed.

The percentages represent the percentage of the population that is under 18

Note: Starting 2017, the percentages represent the population that is under 19

The American Community Survey is based on sample sizes and the numbers presented in this indicator are just estimates and are not to be taken as accurate counts.

The Census Bureau recommends that you:

DO compare similar period lengths, for example, 3-year to 3-year.

DON'T compare estimates from different period lengths, for example, 1-year to 3-year.

DO compare estimates from non-overlapping periods, for example, compare a 2005-2007 ACS 3-year estimate to a 2008-2010 ACS 3-year estimate.

DON'T compare overlapping periods, for example, the 2005-2007 ACS 3-year estimates to the 2006-2008 ACS 3-year estimates.

Last Updated

2024-12