Census Statistics

Early Definitions of Race and Ethnicity in the Census (1790–1960)

The history of Census racial classification can be divided into two eras. During the first era (before 1960), enumerators assigned race to respondents; during the second era (all Censuses since 1960), individuals were allowed to identify themselves on a mail-back form. The first Census in 1790 instructed enumerators to classify persons as either free White males, free White females, all other free persons, or slaves. Indians who embraced tribal rule, identified as Indians not taxed, were excluded from enumeration until the Census of 1880. The designation free colored persons was added in 1840 and 1850. From 1850 until 1920, enumerators were allowed to indicate that persons had both African and European American parentage by using the category mulatto, although enumerators were instructed that this was a generic term that applied to all types of mixed African and European heritage. This designation evolved to specify the extent of mixture, adding the categories quadroon and octoroon in 1890. All categories of racial mixture were dropped in 1930, and enumerators were instructed to list persons of mixed race as Negro.

Populations of Asian origin were first counted in 1870, when enumerators could choose to label persons as Chinese, and in 1890, Japanese was added. The categories Korean, Filipino, and Hindu were added in 1910. In addition, the 1910 Census was the first to provide the option of Other, giving enumerators the option to write in the respondent's race if none of the listed categories were appropriate. Pacific Islanders and Alaskans were identified for the first time in the 1960 Census under the categories Part Hawaiian, Aleut, and Eskimo.

Enumerating ethnic origins became a priority during this era, which saw several waves of immigration from Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Questions about respondents' place of birth, their parents' place of birth, nativity, and language use (called “mother tongue” and “father tongue”) were added to the Census between 1850 and 1960. Hispanic origins were initially captured in the 1930 Census with a category on the race question despite the established presence of persons of Mexican origin in annexed territories of California and New Mexico. The category Mexican was dropped from the next Census because of opposition from Mexican Americans, who felt such a designation would label them non-White.

Racial Classification in an Era of Individual Identity (Post-1960)

The 1970 Census allowed individuals to label themselves for the first time without the help of enumerators. [Page 82]From this point on, the categories became more detailed, allowing greater room for self-expression. A variety of Asian and Pacific Islander categories are now listed, and Native Americans and Alaska Natives may write in their tribal affiliations. Ethnicity is also captured differently by questions on primary and secondary ancestry and by a Hispanic-origin question that allows respondents to specify Latin American countries as one's place of origin. All ethnic items are asked independently of racial questions. Therefore, persons of Hispanic origin may identified themselves as belonging to any race.

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