Anti-Racism Resource Guide

"The U.S. Census Bureau collects race data in accordance with guidelines provided by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and these data are based on self-identification. The racial categories included in the census questionnaire generally reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country and not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically, or genetically. In addition, it is recognized that the categories of the race item include racial and national origin or sociocultural groups. People may choose to report more than one race to indicate their racial mixture, such as 'American Indian' and 'White.' People who identify their origin as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be of any race.

OMB requires five minimum categories (White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander) for race.  OMB permits the Census Bureau to also use a sixth category - Some Other Race. Respondents may report more than one race.

The concept of race is separate from the concept of Hispanic origin."

[Source: American Community Survey, Quick Facts (2022)]

"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 or African American,' or report responses such as African American, Jamaican, Haitian, Nigerian, Ethiopian, or Somali. The category also includes groups such as Ghanaian, South African, Barbadian, Kenyan, Liberian, Bahamian, etc."  - American Community Survey, Quick Facts (2022)

"American Indian and Alaska 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 Nation, Blackfeet Tribe, Mayan, Aztec, Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government, or Nome Eskimo Community." - American Community Survey, Quick Facts (2022)

"Asian. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, India, China, the Philippine Islands, Japan, Korea, or 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 such as Pakistani, Cambodian, Hmong, Thai, Bengali, Mien, etc." - American Community Survey, Quick Facts (2022)

Hispanic or Latino. "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. People 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, Mexican Am., or Chicano,' '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 another Spanish culture or origin. Origin can be viewed as the heritage, nationality group, lineage, or country of birth of the person or the person’s parents or ancestors before their arrival in the United States. People who identify their origin as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be of any race." - American Community Survey, Quick Facts (2022)

"Native Hawaiian and 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,' 'Chamorro,' 'Samoan,' and 'Other Pacific Islander' or provide other detailed Pacific Islander responses such as Palauan, Tahitian, Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Saipanese, Yapese, etc." - American Community Survey, Quick Facts (2022)

"Two or more races. People may choose to provide two or more races either by checking two or more race response check boxes, by providing multiple responses, or by some combination of check boxes and other responses. The race response categories shown on the questionnaire are collapsed into the five minimum race groups identified by OMB, and the Census Bureau’s 'Some Other Race' category. For data product purposes, 'Two or More Races' refers to combinations of two or more of the following race categories: White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or Some Other Race." - American Community Survey, Quick Facts (2022)

"White. 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 responses such as German, Irish, English, Italian, Lebanese, and Egyptian. The category also includes groups such as Polish, French, Iranian, Slavic, Cajun, Chaldean, etc." - American Community Survey, Quick Facts (2022)