Standards for Collecting Race and Ethnicity Data Are Changing. Are You Prepared?
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On March 28, 2024, the US Census Bureau published a news release that they have issued updated standards for maintaining, collecting and presenting race and ethnicity data.
Because so many nonprofit and public sector organizations base their collection of race and ethnicity data on US Census standards, these changes will likely have far-reaching effects, particularly for those organizations who receive federal funding to provide programs and services.
The updated standards are intended to create more “useful, accurate, and up-to-date” federal data on race and ethnicity that reflects an increasingly diverse America.
What’s changed?
The US Census Bureau’s proposed changes to standards for collecting race and ethnicity data were made following over a decade of research, collaborative workgroups, and opportunities for public comment. The primary changes include:
Using one combined question for race and ethnicity, and encouraging respondents to select as many options as apply to how they identify.
Adding Middle Eastern or North African as a new minimum category. The new set of minimum race and/or ethnicity categories are:
Source: “Race and ethnicity question with minimum categories only,” in Revisions to OMB's Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity
Previously, the standard had been to ask ethnicity (typically Hispanic/non-Hispanic) separately from race, and to ask the questions as a single option response rather than a select-all-that-apply approach. The new minimum standards now have "Hispanic or Latino" and "Middle Eastern or North African" added in combined select-all-that-apply race and/or ethnicity question as defined by the US Census Bureau.
Below is another example from the US Census research of how the minimum standards might be asked in practice. Note that in the second example below, the minimum categories also include examples which may impact how your community responds to the questions.
Source: “Race and ethnicity question with minimum categories only and examples”, in Revisions to OMB's Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity
A third example was also shared by the Census that collects more detailed information regarding a person’s race or ethnicity. In this case, after the individual selects the minimum category, they are given an opportunity to select other identities to which they may identify.
Source: “Race and ethnicity questions with minimum categories, multiple detailed checkboxes, and write-in response areas with example groups.” in Revisions to OMB's Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity
What’s next?
Federal agencies will have 18 months to begin complying with the new standards. In some cases, federal agencies will be required to go beyond the minimum race and/or ethnicity categories.
Organizations will likely need to consider reviewing their current data collection practices and determine how they may move to update their reporting accordingly.
Organizations should anticipate - especially if they receive federal funds - that they will need to change how they collect and report their data on race and ethnicity.
Additionally, some organizations may need to examine whether their current electronic survey software is capable of asking race and ethnicity questions in a more nuanced way. For example, in the most detailed example shared above, a good survey design that incorporates these elements may require the ability to use skip logic and/or branching techniques to accurately collect information without burdening respondents.
In any case, a good next step is to review your current practices for collecting race and ethnicity information to see how you might update your organization’s practices accordingly.
Looking for some external expertise? Common Good Data can assist your organization as you navigate the new race and ethnicity standards to ensure your data collection standards are up to date and comply with grantor requirements. Visit our Contact page to set up a consultation.
