Race is a concept used to categorize groups of people based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. In the United States, the U.S. Census Bureau adheres to standards set by the 1997 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to classify responses regarding race. These classifications are crucial for demographic data collection and analysis. It’s important to understand that these categories are based on self-identification.
According to the OMB standards, the U.S. Census Bureau recognizes the following racial categories:
White: This category includes individuals with origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. This is a broad category encompassing a diverse range of ancestries and cultures.
Black or African American: This classification refers to individuals having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. This category also represents a vast array of cultures, ethnicities, and nationalities from across the African continent and the diaspora.
American Indian or Alaska Native: This category is defined as people having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America, including Central America. Furthermore, individuals in this category are expected to maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment, highlighting the unique relationship of indigenous peoples to their communities and heritage.
Asian: This classification includes individuals with origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent. The OMB provides examples such as Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam to illustrate the diverse origins encompassed within this category.
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: This category includes individuals having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. This classification recognizes the distinct heritage and cultures of the Pacific Islander populations.
A significant aspect of the U.S. Census Bureau’s approach to race is the principle of self-identification. Individuals responding to the census are asked to identify their own race. The Census Bureau does not dictate or instruct individuals on which racial categories to choose. Since Census 2000, individuals have been given the option to identify with more than one race. This acknowledges the increasingly multiracial identity of the population. For example, someone who identifies as both “Asian” and “White” can report both races on their census form, reflecting their complex racial identity. This option for multiple race identification continues to be a feature in subsequent censuses, including the 2010 Census and beyond, emphasizing the importance of personal identity in racial classification.
