Race & Ethnicity

data essayNov 3, 2025

Census takers in 1800 were provided a standard questionnaire, but how they collected and organized information was up to them, as shown in this tally of Ohio residents. (U.S. Census Bureau)

How the U.S. government measures race has changed substantially since censuses began in 1790. Today, Americans differ on whether the government should ask about race.

reportMay 20, 2025

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short readsJun 24, 2013

As Supreme Court defers affirmative action ruling, deep divides persist

While Americans overwhelmingly agree that society should ensure equal opportunities for all, the divide over affirmative action programs remains as wide as ever.
short readsJun 19, 2013

Salvadorans may soon replace Cubans as third-largest U.S. Hispanic group

For more than 40 years, one rock solid element of Hispanic demographics has been the ranking of the three largest Hispanic origin groups: Mexicans have always been the largest by population; followed by Puerto Ricans and then Cubans.

But this may be changing.
short readsJun 19, 2013

Latinos’ changing views of same-sex marriage

Latinos’ views of same-sex marriage have changed dramatically in recent years. In 2012 for the first time, more Latinos said they favored same-sex marriage than opposed it (52% versus 34%) according to Pew Hispanic Center surveys.
short readsJun 14, 2013

Why there are more deaths than births among whites

The finding that made headlines from this week’s Census Bureau release of new national and state population estimates—that there are now more deaths than births among non-Hispanic whites—is a vivid illustration of the rapid long-term growth in the number of older Americans. But first, you might ask, how could there suddenly be more deaths than […]
short readsJun 11, 2013

Eligible Latino voters who didn’t go to polls in 2012 outnumbered those who did

While a record 11.2 million Latinos voted in the 2012 presidential election, an even greater number – 12.1 million—eligible voters did not do so.
short readsJun 10, 2013

As the Trayvon Martin case goes to trial, remembering a major media event

Today marks the beginning of what is likely to be a closely watched courtroom battle—the murder trial of George Zimmerman for the fatal shooting of 17-year old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida on February 26, 2012. While there has been ongoing coverage of the case and the run-up to the trial, it may be hard […]
reportJun 3, 2013

Inside the 2012 Latino Electorate

I. Inside the 2012 Latino Electorate A record 11.2 million Latinos voted in the 2012 presidential election, but Latinos’ voter turnout rate continues to lag other groups significantly, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Pew Research Center. Overall, 48% of Hispanic eligible voters turned out to vote in 2012, down […]
short readsMay 28, 2013

What’s behind the falling teen birth rates?

The sharp drop in teen birth rates, especially among Hispanic teens, appears to be linked to both economic and attitudinal factors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last week that the birth rate among 15- to 19-year-olds had fallen to a record low 31.3 births per 1,000 in 2011. Teen birth rates dropped for […]
reportMay 20, 2013

As Supreme Court Weighs Voting Rights Act Changes, No Racial Gap in Voting Problems

By Andrew Kohut In the next several weeks the Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the requirement that several states, mostly in the South, get “pre-clearance” from the Justice Department before they make any changes to their election laws. The requirement was part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which […]
reportMay 19, 2013

Race and Voting

In the next several weeks the Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the requirement that several states, mostly in the South, get “pre-clearance” from the Justice Department before they make any changes to their election laws. The requirement was part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was an emergency […]

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Race & Ethnicity

Counting Race: How the Census Measures Identity and What Americans Think About It

How Much Discrimination Do Americans Say Groups Face in the U.S.?

Key facts about U.S. Latinos

How Americans feel about making English the official language of the U.S.

Race & Ethnicity

As Supreme Court defers affirmative action ruling, deep divides persist

Salvadorans may soon replace Cubans as third-largest U.S. Hispanic group

Latinos’ changing views of same-sex marriage

Why there are more deaths than births among whites

Eligible Latino voters who didn’t go to polls in 2012 outnumbered those who did

As the Trayvon Martin case goes to trial, remembering a major media event

Inside the 2012 Latino Electorate

What’s behind the falling teen birth rates?

As Supreme Court Weighs Voting Rights Act Changes, No Racial Gap in Voting Problems

Race and Voting

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