How the Census Will Improve Race and Ethnicity Data for 2020

At the halfway point in the ten-year Census window, the Census Bureau undertakes research into how to improve its data collection for questions of race and ethnicity.

1 minute read

November 18, 2015, 1:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


In a post on the U.S. Census website, Nicholas Jones, director of race and ethnic research and outreach for the Census Bureau, explains his organizations recent research into how to improve U.S. Census data on race and ethnicity.

Jones explains: "Recently, the Census Bureau undertook a critical middecade study to test alternative versions of the race and ethnicity questions. The goal is to improve question design and data quality for the 2020 Census."

So far, research has included outreach with government agencies like the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Justice, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and the State Department. Outreach with stakeholder groups have included engagement with organizations representing many of the racial and ethnic groups that populate the country.

2020 Census topics, including final working on questions, must be presented to Congress by 2017. 

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 in U.S. Census Bureau

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

7 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

June 16 - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

June 16 - UNM News