"U.S. Implements Historic Changes to Race and Ethnicity Classification"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by PBS NewsHour
The U.S. Census is updating its race and ethnicity categories for the first time in 27 years, aiming to more accurately count residents who identify as Hispanic and of Middle Eastern and North African heritage. The revisions will combine race and ethnicity questions into a single question, allowing respondents to select multiple categories. A new Middle Eastern and North African category will be added, and pejorative terms will be removed. The changes reflect the nation's evolving demographics and aim to provide more inclusive and accurate data.