The changing categories the U.S. census has used to measure race
Racial categories, which have been on every U.S. census, have changed from decade to decade, reflecting the politics and science of the times.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Anna Brown is a research methodologist focusing on social and demographic trends research at Pew Research Center.
Publications
-
-
decoded
How a glitch in an online survey replaced the word ‘yes’ with ‘forks’
Dating back to at least early 2023, a bizarre and alarming technical glitch started popping up in some organizations’ online surveys and forms.
-
data essay
Who Are You? The Art and Science of Measuring Identity
As a shop that studies human behavior through surveys and other social scientific techniques, we have a good line of sight into the contradictory nature of human preferences. Here’s a look at how we categorize our survey participants in ways that enhance our understanding of how people think and behave.
-
short reads
About half of U.S. pet owners say their pets are as much a part of their family as a human member
Most Americans (62%) own a pet, including 35% who have more than one. And nearly all U.S. pet owners (97%) say their pets are part of their family.
-
short reads
5 key findings about LGBTQ+ Americans
As the United States celebrates Pride month, here are five key findings about LGBTQ+ Americans.
-
short reads
When surveying small populations, some approaches are more inclusive than others
Modern survey tools offer several ways to survey small populations, and in this explainer, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of prominent approaches.
-
report
More Than Twice as Many Americans Support Than Oppose the #MeToo Movement
Most say that, compared with five years ago, those who commit sexual harassment or assault at work are more likely to be held responsible and those who report it are more likely to be believed.
-
report
Americans’ Complex Views on Gender Identity and Transgender Issues
Most favor protecting trans people from discrimination, but fewer support policies related to medical care for gender transitions; many are uneasy with the pace of change on trans issues.
-
short reads
About 5% of young adults in the U.S. say their gender is different from their sex assigned at birth
1.6% of U.S. adults are transgender or nonbinary. Also, a rising share of Americans say they know someone who is transgender.
-
data essay
The Experiences, Challenges and Hopes of Transgender and Nonbinary U.S. Adults
A new Pew Research Center survey finds that 1.6% of U.S. adults are transgender or nonbinary – that is, their gender is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.
